Coalition confident of a win at next election – Amna Ally

The Government is confident of winning the next General and Regional elections according to Minister of Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally.

Ally on Wednesday told residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and surrounding communities that “without any doubt, this coalition will continue for the next term to govern this beautiful country.”

She further urged persons to ensure that they are registered during the next two days of the House-to-House registration exercise.

The exercise, which enjoyed the support of the APNU+AFC Coalition government, will end on August 31 as opposed to October 20 in accordance with a decision made by Chairman of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh on Tuesday.

Ally, who is also the General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) –the largest party in the APNU – said the coalition will efficiently manage the incoming resources from oil and gas.

“When we get that oil money, we are not going to put it in our pockets like some people did in former years. We are going to spend it on you. We’re going to ensure that you have a good education,” she told those gathered, alluding to the Government’s 5Bs initiative which provides buses, boats, bicycles, books and breakfast for students in need.

The residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg were also given the opportunity to air their concerns.

Most of the issues raised centered on the need for better drainage, roads, streetlights and a rehabilitated community centre as they accuse the Neighbourhood Democratic Council of ignoring their complaints.

A resident, Quacy Gilkes said the NDC officials were asked to clean the school’s compound but they told residents that it was “President Granger’s responsibility.”

A woman, who did not provide her name, said for several months, she has been requesting a standpipe to be able to get water into her house.

Further, the woman said residents are throwing garbage in the trench from which she sources water for household use but when a sign was requested from the NDC to address the issue, she was told that no one can stop others from dumping there.

Minister Ally instructed the Regional Executive Officer, Jennifer Ferreira-Dougall to meet with aggrieved residents and take the issues to the Ministry of Communities.

The meeting was one of 13 similar meetings held across Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) by government ministers and top government officials, aimed at interacting and understanding the needs of residents.