Dear Editor,
The roads and streets in the highly residential, contiguous areas of Republic Park, Nandy Park and Continental Park have long been neglected by the Eccles- Ramsburg NDC.
The deterioration is so rapid that what were once paved streets are now becoming dams. It has become commonplace for trucks to become stuck in the very streets where, allegedly, large sums were spent to rehabilitate.
I wish to direct this letter to the attention of the functional superiors of those in whom the administrative powers for these areas are vested to the following specific case-in-point.
Some months ago, after some residents met several times with the NDC and the Regional Administration (Region Four) which included a visit to the area by Regional Chairman Clement Corlette, a sum of money, reportedly $800,000, was used by the NDC to “fix” a near-impassable, small section of the lone roadway that provides ingress and egress to Republic Park (Phase Two) and Continental Park. The `project’ was executed by a contractor.
The repairs were, scandalously, not in keeping with what is expected in a modern civilization using the least of modern technology, done with a modicum of respect for the residents, and not unexpectedly, within two months the condition of this main thoroughfare was reduced to a swamp.
The loam and sand which were used in this $800,000 project were denuded during the recent rains.
Though this may not be the case, such shoddy works will raise speculations of corruption.
A prominent resident and myself, together, sent a letter of complaint to the Minister of Public Works, the NDC and relevant others but, as was expected and not surprisingly, there has been no response- not even an acknowledgement of receipt.
What we noted with interest is the dumping of a truck-load of loam near to the `mini lake’ after our letter was circulated. None of it was ever used and most of it has been washed away by the rains. Talk about `dotishness’ and wasting money!
Of course, the rapid denudation and degradation of this roadway, and many others in the community, continue.
Quite recently, a 10- tonne truck taking sand (much more than 10 tonnes) to a project site in the community became stuck in the very street, at the very area where the $800,000 repair was effected earlier this year.
Another similar-sized truck was used to haul it out of the rut. But this was only possible after about seven hours of pulling and tugging, and the creation of many more ruts- some resembling miniature lakes of water with mini oil spills which leaked from the truck in distress.
The NDC may be of the mistaken belief that it has been able to woo the residents when it sent machines to dig side drains to get rid of water which has accumulated in the mini lakes as well as other areas along the nearby streets. Some of the so-called drains it dug lead to nowhere.
The very NDC, some time ago, cleared an abandoned canal in the area and a small outlet, which has since been clogged, has been created to drain water from the area.
Dirt that came from the canal and piled on the adjoining dam was subsequently removed by the NDC. The NDC purposely made several dirt bridges along a drain which runs parallel to the `mini lake’ street, so that trucks can be loaded with the dirt for removal. These dirt bridges were never cleared after the exercise, and water remain trapped and stagnant in the drain, thereby undermining sections of the better parts of this particular street.
So, again, illogicality has far outweighed commonsense. This is a scourge that is prevalent and conspicuous in several sections of society.
The Eccles- Ramsburg NDC as well as the Ministry of Public Works and the Region Four administration have, collectively, remained indifferent to the situation in this area which is in very close proximity to the Guyana National Stadium where Carifesta X activities will soon be held.
There are also two motels in the area which I believe will house Carifesta overseas participants and they will traverse the area daily. Is this what we want to showcase?
The advent of the August dry season has brought welcome relief to the users of the streets in this area. Suffice to say that if the powers that be do not effect comprehensive and lasting repairs to this area now, traversing our community will surely be perilous when the next wet season arrives.
Yours faithfully,
Mahadeo Panchu
