Georgetown: The National Task Force Commission (NTFC) for ‘Project Restore Guyana’ held three (3) important meetings where important information was shared in relation to the Project. Cabinet had taken the decision to initiate this project and the NTFC’s inaugural meeting was held last Wednesday 12th August, 2015.
At 9:00 am the Chairman of the NTFC, Major General (retd) Joseph Singh, who is also Chairman of the Board of NAREI addressed more than one hundred and fifty Toshaos at the National Toshaos’ Council Meeting which was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. At this session he made a power point presentation which covered the five (5) major areas of concern that prompted ‘Project Restore Guyana’.
These comprise drainage, solid waste management, traffic management – i9ncluding hinterland river and air traffic and removal of derelict equipment, sustainable urban, rural and hinterland renewal and welfare management of the homeless, addicted and mentally challenged.
In relation to agriculture, the Major General noted that historically, our ancestors had to deal with flooding and other climate related challenges but nevertheless adopted measures to survive. He called upon the indigenous communities across Guyana to value what nature has given them and to employ new techniques in agriculture, such as shade agriculture and drip irrigation, so that their children will not see agricultural activities as burdensome.
At 11:00am the Public and Stakeholders Consultation Committee, one of the six (6) committees of the National Task Force Commission (NTFC) held its first meeting under the chairmanship of Mr. Alex Graham. This was primarily an orientation session for members of this committee who are mainly media professionals. These professionals were brought up to date regarding the scope of work which has to be undertaken by the NTFC and the critical role they have to play in broad-based consultations across Guyana and all citizens. Mr. Graham observed that we have failed as a nation to effectively safeguard our natural heritage and efficiently manage our resources and therefore we have to work in a consultative and collaborative manner to identify the options and best solutions.
At 2:00 pm the NTFC met with the Mayor and senior staff of the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown. The IDB was also represented. At this meeting Chairman Major General (retd) Joseph Singh explained the work of the NTFC through a power point presentation. He added that the establishment of the NTFC was intended to complement the work of the Mayor and City Council and he looks forward to continuing consultations and coordination between these two entities. Engineer Berkley Wickham gave a power point presentation on the layout and design and critical aspects of drainage in central Georgetown. Mr. Colvern Venture, City Engineer gave a power point presentation on the hindrances to efficient drainage of Georgetown and the action being taken to address them.
In his invited comments Mayor Hamilton Green congratulated the government on establishing this Task Force and complimented Major General (retd) Joseph Singh for accepting the challenge to chair this Commission. The Mayor noted that institutional and behavioral changes will be necessary for Guyana’s restoration. He also noted that people are in the habit of doing things in their personal interest which are not necessarily in the national interest and the time has come for the enforcement of laws and the removal of encumbrances.
