City Councillor Alfred Mentore has engaged the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to help with drainage in Campbellville, Newtown and neighbouring areas.
Stabroek News understands that works are likely to kick off in a week’s time.
Mentore was elected at the local government elections in March to represent Constituency Four in Georgetown, which encompasses Lamaha Gardens, Newtown, Campbellville, Section K Campbellville and Bel Air Park. All of these areas are burdened by poor drainage, which often results in flooding after heavy rainfall. In Newtown, a visit was made to D’Andrade Street to assess the road.
Mentore told Stabroek News that he sought help from the Ministry since he believes it would be able to act faster than the city council. He said during his campaign for a seat on the city council he promised that he would address the drainage issues. He had promised to have clogged up and non-flowing drains cleared and better roads for his constituency.
He added that since taking office, the new City Council has been distracted by a “number of things,” as a result of which it has not been able to address community issues as councillors would have expected. Mentore said he has toured the area and the issues affecting residents have been highlighted.
“I will try my best at the council level to bring solution to their problems at least immediately,” he stated, adding that he hopes the City and the Ministry can work in a partnership.
During a tour of the constituency, Mentore pointed out to the Deputy Mayor Sherod Duncan, City Public Works Committee member Phillip Smith, Councillor Akeem Peters and Community Coordinator of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Neilson McKenzie, the areas that need to be addressed.
Mc Kenzie said the “fact-finding exercise was to determine what are the persistent problems that have been plaguing these communities.”
He noted further that they are also working to rectify the issue at D’ Andrade Street. A section of the street has deteriorated as it is level with the drain. Stabroek News understands that the ministry is currently working on a rectification programme.
Drains in Bel Air Park are in need of de-silting and have been blocked by overgrown weeds. A similar situation exists in Section K, Campbellville and it has been like this for years.
