Residents must take responsibility for community development- Harmon

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon yesterday called for the residents of Pouderoyen and surrounding communities in Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region Three) to take  up the responsibility for their communities’ development.

A Ministry of the Presidency release said that he was at the time delivering the closing remarks at the launch of the Visionary Community Development Association (VCDA) and the reopening of the Pouderoyen Community Centre as a hub for residents.

Harmon, who the release stated inspired and supported the launch of the youth group, said it is his hope that the VCDA will be able to create a wave of change, where residents will become involved in the affairs of their community. 

“I am very proud to be associated with this group.  These aren’t people who are looking for anything, these are people who are prepared to give back to their community.  This community I believe, really needs a wake-up call.  During the last Local Government Elections, I had the opportunity of walking the streets and all around Pouderoyen and what I sensed was that there was some level of lethargy in the community where people felt that being involved in developmental activities was not for them.  The development of your community lies in your hands and it is you, the group, who will have to make that change.  I consider the people here today to be a microcosm of what will take place in the entire region.  All of you have to see yourselves as agents of the change that will have to take place,” Harmon said.