Gov’t to determine basic level of service each community needs – President

President Dr. Irfaan Ali says his government is keen on ensuring that all Guyanese benefit from crucial services and as such, the government will be launching a new baseline programme to determine the basic level of service each community needs.

The President made this announcement addressing the Ariwa, Region Nine, Heritage Month celebrations on Wednesday.

Dr. Ali acknowledged that there are communities that require more investments than others. And he said his administration wants to ensure that there is equitable development across the country.

As such, the national baseline programme will be launched soon to help the government figure out what investments are needed in communities to guarantee that each community has at least a standard set of services.

“Very soon we will launch a national baseline programme for health, education, water, infrastructure, energy and Information Technology (IT) services.

“We will launch a national programme to ensure there is a baseline and what this baseline would do (is) establish the minimum level of service that every single Guyanese in every single village must enjoy,” the Head of State said.

Once the community needs are identified, Dr. Ali vowed that his government will invest in the necessary infrastructure and services.

Meanwhile, he also said his government is keen on supporting Indigenous communities. It is for this year they will continue to benefit from the Presidential Grants, funds from the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and regional support programmes.

Dr. Ali also noted that the government is pushing more tourism to be a more lucrative sector in Guyana and Indigenous culture will be a key part of those efforts.