Sheet Anchor residents urge actions against NDC

— stymieing community works

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, November 17, 2019

A community meeting at Sheet Anchor Primary School heard residents calling for action to be taken against the Ordinance-Fortlands Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). The residents alleged that the NDC is unwilling to provide services, whether it is the clearing of the drains, tackling squatting or the upholding of laws.

The concerns were raised with Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton, who chaired the meeting, on Friday, November 15.

While empathising with the residents, the minister pointed to the fact that the representative, who was selected to manage the NDC which the claims are being made against, has been selected in two Local Government Elections (LGE).

“This cannot happen… We have provided two Local Government Elections and persons who are not providing the necessary provision to benefit the people are being put in charge,” he stressed.

In another case of the NDC stymieing development, the Headteacher of the Sheet Anchor Primary School, Everest relayed that she had approached the council to identify a plot of land to establish a playfield for the students but was told there is no land available. Everest explained that the aims to ensure the school, which has a good academic record, turns out well-rounded students hence the need for a space to hold sports activities.

Another resident, Vincent Edwards, drew attention to the fact that the Fort Ordinance community ground is uninhabited and can be used for such activities. “It is our property; it belongs to us and especially now that this [Sheet Anchor Primary] school has a need for it. We need to get our act together,” he remarked.

In response, Minster Norton has committed to raising the matter with the Communities Minister, Hon Ronald Bulkan, for an evaluation to be conducted to determine if the community ground could be transformed into a playfield for the students. He also promised to assist with the installation of streetlights in the Fort Ordinance area.

Before concluding his interactive meeting with the residents, he reiterated the call for them to hold the local officials accountable.

The meeting held at the Sheet Anchor Primary School is part of a wider initiative taken by the government to listen to the concerns of residents, at the grassroots level, to be able to better serve their needs.

CATEGORIES
TAGS