DeKinderen roads to be fixed
GINA, GUYANA, Monday, October 10, 2016
Residents of DeKinderen and neighbouring communities highlighted their problems and shared their concerns with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, over the weekend.
The main concern of the residents was poor infrastructural works. They said had been neglected for the past two decades.
One of the bridges constructed by the residents of the community through self-help
Melville Marshall, a resident, spoke of the deplorable roads . “I’m so disturbed about the streets from west to east. Very very bad and it’s not good for no new model vehicle to pass and I have a new model vehicle,” he said.
Ramrattie Pitamber is a pensioner and a resident of Old Road. She said numerous complaints were made to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to have her damaged bridge repaired but nothing was done and this hinders her travelling. “They had the bridge for the people them to pass, they break down the bridge, I don’t know who is authority and who is not but they break down the bridge and it can’t replace up to now,” she lamented.
Phylliss McKend said poor drainage is causing the community to flood and this is affecting their livestock. “All the drains in the community need to look after. Every time we’re calling the NDC and them promising and nothing happening so now I would like to see the government do something for us,”
Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Basil Williams listening to issues of residents of DeKinderen
McKend pleaded.
Other residents spoke of the absence of street lights which has led to an increase in crimes in the community and the absence of recreational facilities for young people.
Residents said the community had completed some projects through self-help and without assistance from the NDC.
Minister Williams made a note of all the problems identified and promised to raise the issues with the subject Ministers. He promised to provide the residents with an excavator for the roads in the interim while other provisions would be made to have the roads rehabilitated.
Some of the residents at the meeting in DeKinderen
“We will ensure we alleviate the suffering of the people. They have been suffering for years and this government will do the necessary. I was in Farm before and they asked us to drain the canal and I engaged the Ministry of Agriculture to drain from Ruby to Parika and that was done,” the Minister explained.
Meanwhile, NDC Chairman, Renjina Mahdeo, who took office five months ago, said over outstanding in rates and taxes amount to over $5 million. She noted that her office is working towards addressing the issues plaguing the community.
However, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region three, Dennis Jaikaran said that road works will commence shortly in the community. Jaikaran pointed out that the area was not included in the 2016 budget but provisions were made for it to be included in the 2017 budget.
“This community has always been neglected but we will at least start some road works within the next two weeks’ time and we will see to it that the community gets all the necessary. Even the Health Centre will be addressed,” the REO said.
By: Ranetta La Fleur