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SUNDAY CHRONICLE July 26, 2015
‘Make development a priority, not
- Minister Ally at first Social Cohesion outreach in Belladrum
THE Ministry of Social Cohesion launched its regional consultation exercise at Belladrum, West Coast Berbice, yesterday, where Minister Amna Ally told the over 60 residents in attendance at the Belladrum Primary School, that with Local Government Elections fast approaching, residents need to make the issue of development a priority rather than putting race on the front burner. According to a press statement, the purpose of this initiative is to engage citizens at the community level in a national conversation on the promotion of togetherness and national unity, one of the most important mandates of the Ministry. Minister Ally explained the provisions of Article 149
of Guyana’s Constitution which prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the grounds of race, place of origin, and/or political affiliation. “Your relationships in the community are important. We want to promote useful and productive relationships within and among groups at the community level. How you relate to neighbouring communities, regardless of your ethnic background, is also important,” she said. The minister explained that when individuals and groups fail to find common ground on issues that affect their development and when they are unable to resolve conflicts that arise from time to time, the society breaks down. In this regard, Minister Ally said her ministry wants to build trust among
Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal expressing his support for the Ministry’s programme to foster un
communities and, for that to happen, there must be behavioural changes and the creation of an atmosphere of peace and acceptance. Residents welcomed the initiative and recommended youth involvement and strong relationships between the community and its leaders. Belladrum resident, Julian David said “Residents need to have closer relationships with their NDCs and RDCs and more importantly, there should be no place for party politics in community development.” According to the statement, he called for effective communication between leaders and ordinary citizens saying it is key to ensuring that communities become more united. David said that often, leaders allow themselves to become isolated by the Office that they hold and communities are left feeling neglected.
A section of the audience at the consultation
Lethem commercial estates... From page 4
support Guyana-Brazil cross border trade with the industrial zone in Boa Vista, while establishing Lethem as a major hinterland port. It was noted that Lethem and the general Rupununi area has tremendous potential for agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, warehousing, light manufacturing, and port facilities through access to enormous markets in Boa
Vista, Roraima State and Manus, Amazonia State. BENEFITS The Lethem Development Plan 2005-2010 noted that expanded commercial activity has the potential to better provide local and regional goods and services, support employment areas, provide employment and generally enhance the health and vitality of the local economy. It said there is also an op-
portunity to integrate the developing transport network with planned commercial development so as to create community activity centres. The plan stated that there is a definite need for the provision of more basic commodities in and around the community and mix-use arrangements targeting this need should be encouraged. “Within the existing built-up area, the commercial shopping needs of the
community are provided for predominantly by means of small neighbourhood-type units such as groceries, parlours, snackettes and liquor distribution enterprises,” the report said. Lethem aside, Mr Burrowes said in the request for land, potential investors have to submit a project document on the intended investment. This document is reviewed by Go-Invest before the agency decides on engaging the Guyana
Lands and Surveys Commission. Land, he said are granted where available, and once industrial lands are available, applicants are referred to the Ministry of Business. The forum also heard that concessions are not granted based on the level of investment by an investor, but on the provisions outlined in the law. As it regards Tax Holidays, these Mr Burrowes said are granted by the Pres-
The outreaches are intended to be a first step in ensuring that communities work with their leaders to bring about social change. “I want to ensure that you feel a sense of belonging… in your country. We are all different, recognise those differences and respect them. Do not allow them to become barriers,” Minister Ally said. The Minister is urging all faith-based organisa-
Fo wante THE police have issued a wanted bulletin for Ron Forde called ‘Andel’ and Kanand Ojha for questioning in relation to the murder of Noel Luther. The murder occurred on
ident on the recommendation of Go-Invest. And the investment agency makes strong cases for virgin projects. On a different note, the Go-Invest CEO said the Government needs to pay more attention on packaging, and support small businesses that cannot afford to invest in packaging to meet export market. This is an area he said Go-Invest will be paying strong attention to, but said businesses need to collaborate to satisfy markets that they have secured.