Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud and a team of government officials pledged to follow up on a number of issues affecting residents at Wakenaam, including dilapidated roads and bridges, the erratic ferry service and a non-functioning morgue, during an outreach exercise there on Sunday.
A Government Information Agency (GINA) report said at Maria’s Pleasure, Permanent Secretary Collin Croal chided the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for not ensuring that an excavator provided for farmers in the community was being used equitably. Croal also called reports that the NDC had allowed the machine to be used outside of the defined policies for government assets “worrying.”
“For the NDC to move away from this intended public use, written permission must be had,” he said.
Residents also voiced concerns about the over-topping of sea defences and dilapidated roads. Croal said the potholes will be repaired by the Wakenaam NDC and it will also tar the main public road. Regarding claims that the ferry service is erratic, the permanent secretary said efforts would be made to remedy this situation.
At Good Success and Belle Plain, Persaud addressed similar concerns raised about the use of the ferry and the excavator. Residents also spoke about a non-functioning morgue on the island because of lack of power and poor electrical installations.
The minister said he would inform the Guyana Power and Light about the issue and mandated that the Region Three administration and the NDC ensure that it was addressed.
Residents in Good Success complained about noise nuisance emanating from rum shops and they were given assurances that the matter would be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs for redress.
GINA said Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill, accompanied by Senior Regional Development Officer at the Local Government Ministry, held meetings at Free and Easy village and Zeelandia. They documented requests for a recreational area for children at Maria’s Pleasure and upgraded health services on the island.
Meanwhile, Junior Agriculture Minister Alli Baksh told Ridge and Noitgedacht residents that the NDC will collaborate with the regional administration to repair a damaged koker in the community. They also discussed repairing a bridge on the island.
At Sans Souci, Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker met with residents and councillors of the Wakenaam NDC.
