Dear Editor,
While viewing an evening newscast on Monday, Dec 16, 2013, a clip showed one Ms Roach making a contribution. In it she mentioned that a new development group had cleared her area, which had not been cleansed for over twenty years. I wish to congratulate Ms Roach for her participation on that programme and for giving several suggestions. Also I wish to remind or inform her of some facts and concerns. Some neighbours – Mr and Mrs DeMendonca ‒ and I less than twenty years ago were cleaning the alley near her residence. The drain was clogged with weeds. Suddenly, a bag of garbage flew over the fence and almost hit Mr DeMendonca. Due to the fence being of tall zinc sheets, we could not see the thrower. On identifying ourselves working in the alley, the thrower said they thought we were City Hall workers. What a surmise!
The person who established the development group seemed to have contacted UG graduates and formed her admin committee. She then fanned out to get workers to carry the burden of cleaning the community. The first time the attendance was massive. Folks toiled and did an excellent job. Congratulations!
The next clean-up day saw about half the launching-day number of persons working. The third time, fewer turned up. Volunteer work needs decentralizing and grassroots ideas. Thank God that Ms Roach and others have learned that smaller blocks can be effectively cleansed instead of the entire community on a specific day.
In addition, there is another group that has been cleaning the drains in East La Penitence Housing Scheme over the last few years. However, their method of working the area needs lots of improvement. These persons are paid by the Guyana government. The Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Ms Chase-Green identifies with this group when Ms Roach’s group functions; for six to eight weeks Ms Green’s set is not seen working. The earlier set could be seen about every four weeks passing through a block.
At this point in time I wish to applaud the Government of Guyana for investing millions of dollars in the community. But my observation is that we need value for money. The former group used to weed the drains, haul out the stuff, level the parapets and cart away all vegetation, plus garbage. That is now history. The weeds from the drains are left on the parapet, spreading widely, infesting the parapets with water-borne weeds.
As for the development group, it seems most of their ideas are still on the drawing board. The notices for most meetings are drafted by UG graduates in language suitable for their level. The lay-out is way above the literacy of the ordinary resident. One can see an invitation to attend a meeting. Unknown to the residents, members of the Guyana Police Force are on hand to lecture. East La Penitence is not paradise; when some folks see the police they turn back. Obviously, the police might be interested in some of them. Such ambushing should be avoided. The public should be informed which a special group would be functioning at those meetings. Well the attendance could have been much larger.
The reality displays that government dollars are financing both groups. The ministry’s concern should be to consolidate their efforts in the East La Penitence area. Seek for accountability. Demand value for money. Reorganize and restructure the folks according to effective group dynamics. Many residents pay reasonable sums on a monthly basis to have the area around their premises kept clean. Such investments should be included in any campaign under the supervision of a group. Investigate. Consolidate. Consummate.
Yours faithfully,
Charles L Solomon
