The first of 20 groups attached to the Community Organized for the Restoration of the Environment (C.O.R.E.) Project has been mobilised and commenced work works in Canal #1, West Bank Demerara.
The Public Infrastructure ministry is calling for greater community participation in the new project which seeks to empower and better communities through the formation of community groups aimed at the beautification of the environment. These 20 groups of 10 persons each are spread across the regions and will be working along with MPI’s Special Projects Unit.
Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, during a meeting with the group, said, “This is a way for us to use our own people to enhance our communities.”
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry, Annette Ferguson noted the issue of unemployment in Guyana and indicated that the project was conceptualised with the provision of honest jobs for Guyanese in mind.
“It is our Government’s commitment to help our people; we are creating the enabling environment to get the people involved and earn an honest dollar,” Minister Ferguson said to the group
The 19 other C.O.R.E. groups will soon be mobilised, with Region 10 to follow.
Responsibilities of the teams will include work that provides for environmental upgrade, drainage, sanitation improvement, and general aesthetical enhancements of the work being executed by the Special Projects Unit and will include weeding, cleaning, drainage clearing, and general beautification.
The workers will be provided with all of the gear and equipment needed and will receive support from the Ministry, where necessary.
Each region will have two teams, except for Region 2, which will have one team, and Region 4, which will have three teams. Some of the identified communities are Moruka, Port Kaituma, No. 51 to Moleson Creek, Kato, Mahdia, Bartica, Lethem, and Linden
