$30M for Charity market tarmac rehabilitation

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Nigel Dharamlall says some $30 million has been set aside for the rehabilitation of the Charity market tarmac in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

The project will be undertaken by the Local Government Ministry and the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Engineering Corps.

Minister Dharamlall told DPI that the initiative will create an enabling environment for business and address the region’s garbage situation.

“Charity is in dire straits with the way things are being done in that Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). So, I hope that when we are finished constructing and upgrading the market area that we are going to see people move into those areas.

Region Two has to be a signature for development, and it can’t be, you know, the way people think that it is just about doing what they feel like doing. This is not how we charter development,” the Minister said.

To this end, Minister Dharamlall encouraged the NDC officials and members of the Anna Regina Town Council to pay attention to the progress of the work.

“I expect that the officials at the NDCs and the mayor and his team at the town council are taking these things very seriously and plan your development in a way that you will, you know, people are going to be proud of the community.”

Earlier this year, the Minister addressed some complaints by residents about frequent flooding, due to improper solid waste disposal by vendors.

A decision was taken to invest more resources for sustainable waste management to alleviate flooding.

Regional Vice Chairman, Mr. Humace Oudit had told DPI that, “this tarmac was built specifically to bring all of the vendors to vend. Instead, they continue to ply their trade along roadside and river dam which cause hindrance to traffic. The roadside vendors have caused the internal drainage of Charity to be blocked up due to the garbage.” Once completed, vendors will be relocated to the tarmac. This will allow the Regional Administration to ensure such incidents do not recur.  A public awareness campaign will also be launched to educate residents on how to properly dispose of solid waste.