Story and photos by Lakhram Bhagirat
Residents of Onion Field Housing Scheme, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara are calling on the relevant authorities to have the condition of the roads in the area improved.
They said that since the roads were constructed some six years ago, they were never maintained. They said that despite several complaints to the Ministry of Housing and Water the situation remains the same.
When Stabroek News visited the area the residents expressed their disgust at the way their complaints are ignored and stated that they are fed up of living in an area without proper infrastructural facilities.
The residents said they feel like they are being neglected since they are deprived of the right to proper drainage and roads, which are two main necessities crucial for their survival and betterment. It was observed, by this newspaper, that the roads are laden with potholes and makes traversing them virtually impossible.
Rehana Ahmad said that she has been living in the area for the past six years and has seen little or no development. She added that they approached the Ministry of Public Works for the reconstruction of the road network in the Scheme but were directed to the Ministry of Housing. She said “…Onto now we ah wait fuh an answer from them.”
Ahmad stated that whenever it rains it is difficult to traverse the area by foot and taxis refuse to bring them into the scheme.
She added that they are pleading with the relevant authorities to have the situation rectified so that the lives of the residents can be improved. She said that it was proposed to the Housing Ministry that a bridge be built across the “shortcut” since that is one of the main entrances to the scheme.
Another concerned resident, Estreleta Adams, told this newspaper that the plot of land was once the property of GuySuCo and it was converted to a housing scheme where workers of the LBI Estate were given first priority to acquire land there. She added that since not many GuySuCo workers applied for house lots in there, it was handed to the government.
“Since the government take over this scheme them nah do nothing and GuySuCo does help sometimes but the only way them does do that is if them workman ask them,” she said.
Adams stated that they have approached the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for assistance to improve the condition of the road network, but they were told that the scheme had not yet been handed over to the NDC and as such the NDC cannot carry out any maintenance works there.
The residents say the roads have outlived their lifetime since they were originally poorly constructed. They are calling for an asphalted road network.
They are also proposing that the area be properly drained since every time it rains they are flooded. The residents are calling on the authorities to have the area properly maintained and are also pledging their support for the development of the community.
