The residents of Crabwood Creek (CWC) who protested in front of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) office on Monday for the removal of the chairman, expressed satisfaction during a meeting with regional officials on Thursday about the decision to dissolve the NDC and install an Interim Management Committee.
The protest stemmed from an allegation that the chairman Vasco Jardine had beaten a member of the sports club, Clovis Hunte, during an argument over the use of the CWC ball field. Hunte was reported to have suffered fractured ribs and injuries to his mouth and right arm.
But Jardine has denied this claim, saying Hunte must have been hit during a struggle for a bat. He has since tendered his resignation as chairman of the NDC.
Representing the region, Faizal Jafarally, Community Relations Officer, Office of the President, and the regional vice chairman Dennis Deoroop who had met with a six-member delegation on Monday had ordered that the office be shut for 72 hours until an investigation had been completed.
During the meeting held at 11.30 am on Thursday, the keys to the NDC were handed back to the acting overseer Mandy Persaud by Regional Development Officer (RDO) Bharrat Persaud. The office resumed operations from 1 pm the same day.
Head of the delegation Harrinarine Motiram said he was satisfied with the outcome of the meeting and thanked the region for “going in the right direction.” He related that a few weeks ago residents did not know whom to contact at the NDC.
Motiram said that “the incident was embarrassing and we do not want it to happen again.” He also made a request for persons who sit on the NDC to have police clearance.
Deoroop informed the delegation that a management committee would be set up to administer the sports facility. Further, he stated, two members of the IMC would sit on that committee so that there would be better coordination with members of the sports complex and the NDC.
At Thursday’s meeting Jafarally said the NDC was currently without a chairman and vice chairman, and the region would commence a series of consultations to form the IMC.
He asked residents to submit a list of the names of persons they wanted to serve on the IMC, but indicated that the final decision lay with the Ministry of Local Government.
Meantime, he said the NDC would be run by RDO Bharrat Persaud. Residents had asked for the reappointment of former chairman Surijpaul ‘Veko’ Makarchand, but Jafarally made it clear that he would not be considered because of complaints against him by some residents.
Jafarally noted that “for development to take place in society there ought to be good relationship with staff at the NDC and residents about projects. NDCs have to get residents involved.”
He said while all the work could not be done at the same time, some projects must be given priority and there must be consultations with residents. He commended the Water Users Association for having good cooperation with residents.
