The National Commission on Law and Order (NCLO) met recently with residents of Eccles and nearby East Bank Demerara communities to discuss issues affecting them.
The NCLO is an advisory body that deals with issues and recommendations raised by citizens concerning crime and other “distortions of order in society”, a press release from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said. It has been conducting a series of consultations to garner input from citizens.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Sewchan, Region Four Chairman Clement Corlette and NCLO Commissioners Lakeram Rampersaud, Sydney James and Alert Fitzpatrick attended the meeting held at the Eccles Primary School. Sewchan noted that in 2007 consultations were held and several recommendations that had been made were implemented.
Fitzpatrick said the NCLO considers seriously the recommendations made and it informed discussions held with the ministries of health, education and human services after the 2007 consultation. Several interventions were made at the national level after the said discussions.
According to Fitzpatrick the abuse of drugs and alcohol were among several issues raised during the talks. In response the Ministry of Health has hosted several programmes at the hospital and drug rehabilitation centres for both male and female addicts. He indicated that because of limited financial resources rehab centres are not established countrywide, but government is working towards achieving that objective. The education ministry has also taken on the responsibility of keeping schools free of drugs by making every school a smoke-free zone. In addition, it has also included a class on the negative aspects of drug use in its curriculum. Fitzpatrick also noted that the Pounds Act was instituted after citizens’ recommendations.
Corlette said though there may be many reforms and creation of laws they will only be effective if there is a revival of societal consciousness. He said that there needs to be greater community cooperation to bring about change. The chairman and residents agreed that police had been providing proper service to the area but he suggested that residents form a Community Policing Group to help boost crime fighting efforts.
Meanwhile, residents said Eccles is usually a quiet neighbourhood with minimal disruptions. However, while most of the audience applauded the work of the police force and their vigilant approach to the community, they feel that more can be done. They also said that “junkies” are sometimes given refuge in some homes in the neighbourhood and opined that parents need to be more proactive and involved in their children’s lives.
They also said if street lights are installed there will be a drastic reduction in theft. Corlette then said that while that is desirable, the cost for the electricity is exorbitant and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council will have to foot the bill. He also pointed out that street lights on the public roadways are undertaken by central government and highlighted that the East Bank corridor is well lit.
