President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the success of the government’s Model Community Initiative will ultimately depend on the commitment of citizens to build caring, united and responsible communities.
Launching the initiative in Diamond on Tuesday at the Diamond Secondary School, the head of state emphasised that while government will continue investing in infrastructure and public services.
He said that residents must also play an active role in shaping the identity and future of their communities.
“A model village is much more than the roads and the drains and the lights. A model village is about a model heart,” the president said.
The consultation forms part of a nationwide initiative aimed at engaging residents in designing communities that are safer, more inclusive and better equipped to meet their needs.
“We are here…showcasing plans, but more importantly, listening to your feedback, listening to ideas, proposals from the communities themselves,” he stated.
The president stressed that Guyana’s ongoing transformation must be experienced by citizens in every village and neighbourhood.
“There is no doubt that our country is undergoing massive transformation, but transformation to be lived must be felt,” he said, noting that development should improve the daily lives of all Guyanese regardless of where they live.
Describing Diamond as one of the country’s fastest-growing communities, President Ali said the area reflects Guyana’s diversity, with families from across the country coming together to build new lives.
He urged residents to define Diamond by its values rather than solely by its physical development.
He said that, “What defines us? Every community is known for something different…We want every community to have basic identical services, but every community must be known for something that is rich, something that draws people to you.”