Citizens will be treated equitably

-Minister Todd tells Lindeners

-distributes hampers to vulnerable families

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugh Todd, today, distributed hampers to over 40 vulnerable families in Blueberry Hill and Block 52 village during an outreach in Linden, Region 10.

At a simple presentation ceremony at the Christianburg Wismar Secondary school in Blueberry Hill, Minister Todd said the engagement is a follow up on the outreach led by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali in the mining town last month.

He reminded the residents of the PPP/C Administration’s mandate to provide goods and services, and to promote the wellbeing of all Guyanese as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugh Todd handing over a hamper to a pensioner of Blueberry Hill

“We want to ensure that each and every citizen gets equitable treatment at the level of Central Government. This is not a situation we want to have you in the long term, this is a temporary relief … We have a mandate to take care of each and every Guyanese and we will fulfil that mandate,” Minister Todd said.

He said the Government is embarking on national policies that will transform Guyana and take it to another level of productivity, meaning the country will have more earnings that will be distributed equitably to citizens.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugh Todd interacting with one of the residents of Blueberry Hill

“It means therefore, that will be more opportunities for you, for those persons who are in very vulnerable positions and for those persons who have already retired, old age pension for example, we will have more social welfare to take care of you, so its all-encompassing,” Minister Todd said.

The Minister also said residents have a critical role to play in ensuring their voices are heard, and that they benefit from all of the services offered by the state. To this end, he called on them to hold their village leaders accountable.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Hugh Todd presents a hamper to a single mother in Block 52 village

“You have access to the Government through your leadership and if you cannot get to us, it is because your leadership is failing you,” he said.

Over in Block 52 village, Mackenzie, Minister Todd distributed the hampers house-to-house to single parents and pensioners, who praised the President Ali-led Administration for the much-needed support they have been receiving.

Ms. Sandra Singh said this is the first time in years, they were visited by a Government official. She noted that she is optimistic that this will be the first of many visits by the Administration.

Ms. Sandra Singh

“We are very happy about the support thus far. This is the first time we are getting something of this nature to our home from the Government and we are thankful for it. Before that, we also had the COVID grant,” she said.

Another resident, Ms. Pamela Maxi said it has been challenging for her to provide for her family since her business failed, due to the pandemic. The mother of five said she is thankful for the additional support which will go a far way in helping her family.

Ms. Pamela Maxi

The Minister’s engagement forms part of the Government’s national outreach programme where officials are fanning out into communities countrywide to address the concerns of residents.