“Guyana needs its farmers” – MP Ward
– Yakusari, Black Bush Polder residents get relief
DPI, Guyana, Friday, August 16, 2019
Yakusari South residents are breathing a sigh of relief following a commitment to reducing the rent paid for land.
The Fourth Polder in the Black Bush Polder area, East Berbice-Corentyne is home to hundreds of persons. At the community meeting, residents engaged Minister of Business Hon. Haimraj Rajkumar with their concerns.
The village is divided in half with the northern half being registered under the Black Bush Polder Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). However, the southern half is registered under the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GL&SC).
According to residents, this has resulted in the southern half of the community paying more rent to GLSC and not benefiting from the services provided by the NDC such as road maintenance, streetlights and drainage.
Mainly a rice farming community, the village is also affected by paddy bugs and the lack of cattle dams. The technical staff of the Guyana Rice Development Board’s (GRDB) office in Region 6 have committed to resolving these problems.
Some of the concerns listed include the rehabilitation of the main access bridge to First Street Yakusari, paving of internal roads and activities for youth in the area.
RDC Region 6 Councillor, Pauline Schultz urged residents to hold their NDC representatives accountable to ensure development comes to Yakusari.
Member of Parliament (MP), Hon. Reynard Ward told residents that although ‘first oil’ is fast approaching, Guyana needs its farmers and as such, it will continue to support the agricultural industry.
As a personal gift to the people of Yakusari, Minister Rajkumar also donated two fans to the health post – moments after hearing stories of the effects of poor ventilation and the lack of fans at the post.