The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) yesterday handed over management of six housing areas on the West Bank of Demerara to the Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen Neigbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
Lelon Saul, the Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, told those gathered at the Parfaite Ha-monie Primary School that the agency will continue to upgrade infrastructure in the areas. “I want to assure you that we will continue to work until all the infrastructure is upgraded 100 per cent and I urge you to exercise full governance of this area,” he told NDC Chair Dolis Eadies following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two authorities.
Acting Chair of the CH&PA Board Glenyss James declared that having driven around parts of the community, she was impressed by how “vast” the area is.
“You have an awesome opportunity to build a community with what you have here,” she stressed.
Delivering the feature address, Minister within the Ministry of Commu-nities Annette Ferguson reminded that the four pillars of the housing sector are “regionalisation, regularisation, reorientation and resources.”
She said that government is aware of the limited resources at the disposal of the NDC and in this light, the CH&PA will still play its part in upgrading basic infrastructure. Ferguson also called on residents to play their part by paying rates and taxes and working collaboratively with the NDC.
“In order to enjoy basic services such a continuous and regular collection of garbage, you must offer financial support,” she said.
Peter Livingston, of Phase 1 Onderneeming, told reporters that he is very happy that the scheme has been handed over to the NDC and identified maintenance of drainage as one of the main needs of the community. Livingston, who was recently promoted to the post of Superintendent of the City Constabulary, added that he is looking forward to having street lights installed as a possible deterrent to crime in the area. He also welcomed the recently opened police station and commended the job the force has done so far.
Ramnarine Khanie, a resident of Recht-Door-Zee, said he was very pleased and is looking forward to the services the NDC would provide. “We will all work collectively to participate in the development of the community,” he said.
Dawn Isaacs also said that she was happy at the development. “It is time. Other communities pay rates and taxes and this would help with development in the community so I’m happy for it,” she said.
The areas, which are now subject to the authority of the NDC, are Schoonard, Parfaite Har-monie Phase 1 and 2, Westminster Phase 1 and 2, Onderneeming Phase 1 and 2, Recht-Door-Zee Phase 1 and 2 as well as Goed Fortuin.
