Region 5 residents see results
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, April 25, 2019
70-year-old Mariam Benjamin from Rosignol, West Coast of Berbice, travelled early to the Fort Wellington Regional Democratic Council’s office, in the hope of finding some answers with regards to securing a property.
Benjamin is among the hundreds who turned up for the ‘government comes to you’ outreach held on Thursday. Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Benjamin explained that she has to move from the place she currently occupies. “I need help, I hoping they can help me today… I’m a pensioner, I would be glad if I could get through with a piece of land.”
Benjamin, who lives alone, previously applied for land, however, was unsuccessful. Upon hearing of the government initiative, she was happy and is confident assistance will come.
Another resident from Bath Settlement, single mother of two, Anita T’lack was happy when she heard the ministers were coming to Region Five, giving her an opportunity to speak with them. “I applied for house lot a very long time and I need answers, because I have to be moving from one renting house to the another and this is affecting my children’s education,” T’lack explained.
In the meantime, Alberta Tannasse submitted her application over a decade ago. “I came this far to get a house lot since 2006, I checked only once, now I’m here… I have done everything.”
Tannasse lived at the Golden Grove Community Centre for 12 years but the structure became dilapidated forcing her to move.
Another resident of Bath Settlement, Rajdai Motilal, came seeking medical assistance and also to settle a land dispute. She told our DPI team that she takes care of her bedridden husband and is in dire need of help.
“I glad to come here to tell someone my story… I’m a sickly woman, I have a sickly husband in bed too, and my neighbours fighting me for my property.”
Neish Amin, accompanied her father with the hope of having her squatting issue fixed. “we have been living on the land long now since under the PPP time. So, my father and I are here now to seek advice from the ministers to know what exactly we have to do.”
By noon this afternoon, the residents we spoke to were able to meet with officials to have their concerns addressed. Many related that they were hopeful for positive outcomes.
The outreach continued into the afternoon period. This was followed by meetings in a number of villages in Mahaica-Berbice area.
Felecia Valenzuela
Image: Tejpaul Bridgemohan