Ten Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region 3 each received a brush cutter valued at $114,935 on Wednesday, under the auspices of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The brush cutters were procured through a grant given to the NDCs as an annual subsidy, a press release from the ministry said. The beneficiaries were Wakenaam, Leguan, Hydronie/Good Hope, Greenwich Park/Vergenoegen, Stewartville/Cornelia Ida, Hague/Blankenburg, La Jalousie/Nouvelle Flanders, Best/Klien Pouderoyen, Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen and Toevlugt/Patentia.
The release said that while handing over the brush cutters, Minister Norman Whittaker, told the NDCs that it was expected that they would be used to clean both the inner and outer parameters of school compounds at the beginning and end of each term, hospital compounds, the vegetation from road shoulders and all public spaces. He warned that the brush cutters are for the communities and not for personal gain.
Among those in attendance were Regional Executive Officer Donald Gajraj, and Regional Vice Chairman Azzam Pasha Mohamed, According to the release, Gajraj said the region will supply the fuel for the machines, provided each council makes a timely submission of its plan of activities.
Mohamed said he anticipated the NDCs taking up the mantle by delivering service to upkeep the community to a standard where the people are satisfied.
Meanwhile, the Regional Democratic Council also benefited from a fogging machine earlier this month, the press release stated, to assist with its fogging exercises to contain the insect and mosquito population and minimise vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya.
