Dear Editor,
The West Indian Association was formed over thirty years ago; the founders were the late Mr J B Charles and Mrs Joyce Prowell. One of the main objectives of the association was to promote the development of its members as it relates to education and housing.
In keeping with its mandate the leaders applied to the administration of the late President Hugh Desmond Hoyte for an undeveloped plot of land to facilitate housing development for its members. The application was approved and each member was required to participate in self-help activities to clear the land, and make monthly contributions to facilitate the construction of the road and drainage. The land was then distributed to members who had to pay approximately fifty-two thousand dollars for their respective plots to build their homes.
The residents of the West Indian Housing Scheme were very irate after they learnt about two impending issues. The first is Guyana Power & Light’s proposal to locate a portable generator at the head of West Indian Housing Scheme, and the second is that the plot of land which was identified to house the health centre was arbitrarily given to a religious organization to build a parking lot.
What is more disturbing is residents were never consulted to discuss the impact that the GPL generator will have as it relates to noise. Editor, the reason why most of the residents of the West Indian Housing Scheme moved from central Bartica was to enjoy the tranquillity of the area where there was no noise. The question is how can GPL locate a generator in a residential area? It is not customary for a generator to be located in an area away from heart of a community. Even though Bartica is considered a village, it is in fact a town, and should be governed by zoning laws. We the residents will explore all our legal options to ensure that GPL does not invade our community with noise.
As it relates to the land that is being developed for a car park, the West Indian Scheme needs a playfield, since the kids who live in the area play on the road which is dangerous on account of the increase in motor vehicle traffic in the area. The current area identified for a playfield is a swampy area. The general opinion is that any development in this area should be discussed first with the residents, and this discussion will help to evaluate what the needs of the community are. Some question whether this proposed car park would benefit the community.
We the residents are strongly advocating the following: that GPL’s plan to locate their portable generator at the head of the Scheme be reviewed and that it be relocated away from a residential area.
Any development pertaining to the community should be discussed with the residents.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address supplied)
