President Irfaan Ali on Monday lambasted the Eccles/Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for its poor performance in managing its constituencies.
During a walkabout in Eccles, East Bank Demerara. Ali was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, engineers, district commanders, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) representatives and other governmental officials.
During the walkabout, it was observed that many drains within the area were clogged and poorly maintained. The President wasted no time in scolding the councillors responsible for the constituencies and announced that works to clean the drains will commence on Friday. The streets in the community which were in a deplorable condition were highlighted and Minister Indar was instructed to record the information about those streets and bridges that needed to be rehabilitated.
Further, the NDC was instructed to remove scrap metal from along the streets to promote a clean environment, while a poultry farmer was cautioned about a partially clogged a canal that disrupted the smooth flow of water. The man was also scolded for disorderly and threatening behaviour against residents.
The residents told the President that the councillors have not been vigilant within the community and requested that frequent visits be conducted to resolve the issues.
President Ali also instructed ranks to replace barriers along streets to prevent trucks from causing destruction. While noting that the drains should be maintained.
“When was the last time you walk this area? he asked a councillor. Y’all don’t walk the area and talk to the people, that’s the problem and you’re driving past here every day.”
President Ali called the drainage situation “ridiculous,” and posited that the deplorable roads were a result of the clogged rains. He added that some residents are also irresponsible by dumping garbage, destroying reserves, and building huge concrete bridges across the drains. Residents who violated the law and misused the parapets and reserves were immediately contacted and instructed to vacate and, in some cases, desist from the activities that lead to deterioration.
“I know your responsibilities but I expect more from you. When I expect more from you, I’ll tell you that I expect more because I know the level of competence that exists”, he said.
Several of the complaints and issues raised by the residents were addressed during the walkabout exercise, while others will be addressed on Friday. Some of the concerns raised by residents were deplorable roads, clogged drains, dumping garbage, poor responses from police ranks, flooding and poor quality of water in pipelines.
