By Radha Motielall | January 8, 2025
As part of the ongoing consultation process for the 2025 National Budget, President Dr. Irfaan Ali visited Foulis, located on the East Coast of Demerara, to engage with residents about their concerns and aspirations.
This grassroots approach to budgeting is a key feature of the government’s preparation process.
During the visit, President Ali discussed plans for national and community development, outlining measures to address key areas of growth.
Residents of Foulis expressed their appreciation for the government’s past efforts, particularly the improvements to local infrastructure.
P. Sugrim, a Foulis resident, thanked the government for its initiatives, while N. Mohamed, a councillor from the Buxton/Foulis NDC, highlighted the rebuilding of streets as one of the notable changes in the community.
The visit also featured discussions on the government’s use of small contractors for local development projects, which has been seen as a strategy to build capacity across the country and support community-based contractors.
S. Williams, Chairman of Paradise Housing Scheme, praised this approach for its positive impact on local job opportunities and community transformation.
S. Bascom, another councillor from the Buxton/Foulis NDC, also spoke about the positive effects of such initiatives in terms of providing jobs and fostering growth.
Among the concerns raised during the visit were the need for improvements in drainage and solid waste management.
President Ali assured the residents that community engagement would continue as part of the government’s efforts to address these issues and further enhance the development process.