Home Affairs Minister Dr. Virginia Albert- Poyotte met with Babonneau residents recently to discuss her plans for the constituency, and according to the minister, with the support of Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, residents can expect to see big changes in the future.
Several major projects are underway, she said.
Albert- Poyotte , the Parliamentary Representative for Babonneau told residents numerous events will be taking place in the community this year.
Noting that there are “persons in the corporate sector who are willing” to offer support, Albert- Poyotte said “whatever government can give us we will match it and make it a reality.”
This year the community will be celebrating jazz in grand style.
“We are going to have jazz in Babonneau. In July we are bringing back carnival and calypso… Last year we were able to bring back Babonneau Day after sixteen years. For the month of February, a lot of things will be happening, and it will continue nonstop. With the support of the prime minister and my Cabinet colleagues, we are going to transform Babonneau,” she declared.
The latter is pivotal, Albert-Poyotte noted, adding that “we are in the process of building bus shelters (and) we are actually doing rehabilitation of all the community halls.”
Seventeen development committees will introduce several signature products, Albert-Poyotte told residents, adding that the whole thrust is to develop the area. According to her, these products will certainly enhance the community; she urged the committees “to take initiative… and government will give support.”
Regarding other projects, Albert-Poyotte noted that “we have had a number of social programmes, for example you would have heard about the internet connection for the most vulnerable and needy; 270 homes in Babonneau will benefit from it. We give vouchers to the most vulnerable and needy, we give hampers… we are going to give out sporting equipment to our footballers and cricketers in the next few days and I am also starting (a) football and cricket tournament.”
“We were able to put signs (and) name the communities,” the minister added.
The Ministry of Infrastructure has also assisted with desilting works, Albert-Poyotte said. Further, she stated, government has provided short term and long term employment for many individuals.
“You may not see it, but the people in Babonneau are getting employed. Last week I had a meeting with the youth and they discussed a number of issues that are affecting them. I’m very confident that we are going to achieve almost everything that is on that list. Whatever government gives us we will match (and) we will find people in Babonneau to support so that we can complete the projects; that is the kind of cooperation we get in Babonneau,” Albert-Poyotte said, adding that constituents are very much involved in the decision-making process.
Residents also got an opportunity to share their concerns at the meeting.
Albert-Poyotte told attendees that as soon as she was elected as parliamentary representative for the area, “I went immediately to work and then I started setting structures in Babonneau… We also have (these) meetings (regularly). We have had meetings with farmers, (members of) the business sector… we discussed tourism, infrastructure, education, youth, and sports (etc.) We cannot say they (fellow ministers) have neglected us (because) they come here and they listen to the issues (and) show interest in Babonneau.”
According to her, “this gives me the confidence that Babonneau is on the right foot. Our development committees have identified the priority areas… we need to find a way to bring life back to Babonneau central.”