“There would be no harm in us visiting Canal #1”

Mar 16, 2017 News

– Minister Norton reacts to racial beating

The racially motivated beating of two men in Canal No. 1, West Bank Demerara is seen as an issue that has grave implications on Social Cohesion in the country.

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton (right) and Programme Coordinator of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Sharon Patterson speaking at yesterday’s media conference.

During a media conference yesterday, Minister, Dr. George Norton, acknowledged that there are some “sensitive areas” in the country, where racial profiling and violence occur.
“And we certainly will be concentrating on that,” the Minister added.
Dr. Norton explained that while the beating of Dameion Gordon and Vernon Beckles on Phagwah night, is a matter currently engaging the Guyana Police Force, “There would be no harm in us (Ministry representatives) visiting Canal No. 1.”
Dr. Norton said that he is fully cognizant of the implications that a racially motivated beating would have on national unity in the country.
“Recently, we had a situation; just on the outskirts of Bartica had some difficulties…We were there on the spot,” The Minister highlighted.
Dr. Norton explained that in such sensitive situations, the Social Cohesion Ministry expects the intervention of regional authorities.”…And whatever they need, we will provide the assistance,” the Minister added.
Quizzed further on the topic of what the Social Cohesion Ministry plans to do to address such blatant cases of profiling and violence, Norton said, “What we plan to do is coming out directly in our strategic plans.”
Stakeholders from all across the country will be meeting to validate the contents of the Social Cohesion Ministry’s Draft Strategic Plan 2017-2021. A National Validation Exercise is expected to kick off tomorrow morning at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.
The one-day exercise will afford participants of the countrywide consultations previously held by the Ministry, to review and provide final input for the completion of the strategic plan.
“The plan gives attention to examining possible areas for intervention. This would be deliberated on by stakeholders. We look forward to full participation from duty bearers and continued engagement of all constituents as the Ministry moves towards implementation of the 2017-2021 Plan for building a socially cohesive Guyana,” Dr. Norton said.
Over the past year, the Social Cohesion Ministry held approximately 30 consultations in various parts of the country. A total of 1,485 persons participated in this exercise. These sessions sought to garner input from stakeholders in all the municipalities and administrative regions.
Persons were invited to provide comments on the five thematic areas. These are the promotion of economic equity and opportunities for all, enhancement of citizen safety and security, promotion of social inclusion and tolerance, strengthening inclusive and participatory governance, and promoting harmonious ethnic and race relations.
A draft of the strategic plan was released for public vetting and input, on February 14 last.
Programme Coordinator, Sharon Patterson, has explained that as soon as the document is finalised, the Ministry will promptly move on to the implementation phase.
“We will then move toward the strengthening of capacities of regional and municipal officials, persons in the municipalities and the regions, who will be involved in the process. We are looking at empowering and connecting with institutions, both at central and regional level, statutory commissions and so on and we will work with them,” she said.
Patterson highlighted, too, that the Ministry will also be looking at programmatic actions at the community level.
“We will be working with communities so barriers can be removed and we can work toward building a unified Guyana,” the coordinator added.
The process is being supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).