[www.inewsguyana.com] – In keeping with the promise made to donate his November salary increase to the community of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon travelled to the area on Sunday, December 06 where he handed over $215,000 in cash to the residents to be used to provide support for senior citizens within the community.
According to a release from the government, the visit was done hours after he had visited the Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, to inspect the lights, which had been installed after he had donated his October salary increase to that community for that purpose.
At Angoy’s Avenue, he was accompanied by Chairman of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Van West Charles and Chief Executive Officer of the 50th Independence Anniversary celebrations Committee, Larry London. The team met with residents and Minister Harmon handed over the cash to Patricia Lynch, a representative of the community.
Minister Harmon said that the government was serious about providing a good life for all Guyanese and the donation was a personal contribution to the community to support this goal.
He also asked the community to get involved in the countrywide cleanup campaign and encouraged those present to become their brothers’ keeper and to assist the government in the pursuit of its goal of national unity.
“You need to start the cleanup. You need to understand that Guyana is one nation and we must work together. If Guyana is to develop, we have to work together. No one is going to come here and help develop Guyana. We have to do it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Larry London, who also serves as the Chairman of the People’s National Congress/Reform’s North American Committee, committed a further $200,000 to the community, which will go towards the provision of water services to those families who cannot afford to pay for the connectivity.
Minister Harmon used the opportunity to hear from the residents, their concerns and issues. These issues include the lack of running water, electricity and telephone services. Dr. Van West Charles was on hand to address the issue of water and promised that the company is working to ensure that all residents can be able to access water by May 2016.
Minister Harmon promised that a meeting will soon be set up with the other utility agencies so that the residents’ concerns can be addressed.
On November 15, Minister Harmon handed over a cheque for the sum of two hundred, seventeen thousand dollars ($217,000) to Mr. Bowman, a resident of the Crane Housing Scheme, for the installation of streetlights, to be placed from the highway, along the road to the Housing Scheme. During the walkabout, residents took the opportunity to thank the Minister for his donation.
One resident, Auntie ‘Chiney’, a businesswoman, told the Minister that the lights have brought some amount of relief and a sense of security to her family.
“It is really a blessing to have the light here, especially when you have a business. This corner was always a lonely and dark corner and when you have a business, it’s scary but now I feel better so thank you very much. It brought a lot of improvement in the neighbourhood,” she told the Minister.
Meanwhile, the Minister took the opportunity to listen to concerns, which were raised by members of the community, with regard to the condition of roads, clogged trenches and bushy areas. He promised to examine the Regional Democratic Council’s Budget to ensure that the road project is listed, while he related that some machinery will be place in the village in the coming days to assist with the clearing and de-bushing of the area.
During his previous visit to Crane, Minister Harmon promised to donate his November increase to the community of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice and the December salary increase will be donated to a community on the Essequibo Coast.
Lots of bull…These people have the power to now easily recover those funds to offset those public generous donations. Just like the past government.. And the poor keeps getting poorer..
At no time should this govt mention the words guyanese or country because these efforts are not benefiting guyanese neither the country. What point is there to prove by donating monies to people? If that was any other govt this practice would be labeled as bribery.
”Minister Harmon exemplifies the true meaning of leadership and statesmanship”
Leadership MY FOOT. Leaders are simple humble people who do not throw insults at one section of the population or organisation that has widespread support in favour of another. Leaders are people with vision Leaders are people who do not say ‘I have no apologies to make’ then suddenly under pressure regretted his statement made but no apologies to a political adversary. Harmon is an arrogant, opinionated, contentious snob who now abuses the political office to denigrate his opponents and does so with vengeance. He is in politics for the perks when he said that the then salary for ministers was less than what he paid his associates-lawyers- when in private practice. GRA should investigate his earnings against his declaration if he ever did.
Hmmmm Gloriay you seen to have your head stuck in the sand. This is a man who had no apologies for that 50% increase. It is due to public outcry that lead to Harmon goodwill gesture. It is the people’s money that he is giving back. In the first place it should have not taken from the people.
YES, NOTHING MORE THAN A PUBLIC RELATIONS STUNT. He has suddenly become the Robin Hood of Guyana or SANTA CLAUS giving away with that scornful smile
Harmon the “President” is giving away money that he never worked for its other peoples” money.If he is such a generous fella why only now what happen the years gone bye. All of a sudden he is rich–what a scam artist.
Minister Harmon donates $215,000 to Angoy’s Avenue
This is total PR stunt:: I tell you what.. Let him hand over his (( perks )) the wage means nothing to these crooks in office.. They know it the public knows it..
Minister Harmon exemplifies the true meaning of leadership and statesmanship. He is living up to his promises to the Guyanese people and putting his money where his mouth is, unlike the previous administration whose main concern was to enrich themselves with obscene wealth at the expense of all Guyanese. Thank you Minister Harmon. I am pretty sure that there are other members of the current administration who are also doing similar acts, please allow the public to share your joy and not allow it to remain private. Once again a big thank you to Minister Harmon and the Granger Administration
What about the Prime Minister and the other top bureaucrats? They want to keep their 50% increase for themselves!! Read Steve Jobs’ last words on Facebook!!