President pledges support for Leopold Street block makers

Leopold Street, Georgetown residents are engaged in a new block-making venture to support the government’s housing drive but they are in need of a concrete mixer to aid their new venture.

To help these residents out, President Dr. Irfaan Ali pledged the government’s support for these workers in a walkabout to the community on Tuesday afternoon.

“… Minister (within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat) Indar will work with you through an initiative that we have though the small business fund to see how we can get you a small ransom (concrete mixer),” the President said in response to requests made by the community’s lead block makers.

He also said that efforts will be made to provide long boots to the workers.

So far, 10 persons have been employed in this venture and they have been able to make 600 blocks since the project was launched through the Ministry of Housing and Water/Central Housing and Planning Authority’s Community-based Employment Stimulation Project (CESP).

The President, however, hopes another 15 persons can be employed so that production will increase. Eventually, it is believed that these workers will be engaged in house construction efforts.

CESP was conceptualized by President Ali in 2021 to boost economic activity and job creation for persons living in vulnerable areas or a part of vulnerable groups. The project scope includes start-up support, including tools, transportation, market sourcing for blocks, project management, and training, where necessary.