Residents of Genip Lane, East Ruimveldt have expressed their disappointment and frustration over the government’s decision to convert a portion of a play area into a 12-ft wide concrete road without their input or consent.
According to Fidel Waddell, contractors with an excavator showed up to the area last week, without any prior consultation with the community, and began excavating. Waddell said that when the residents inquired about the reason for the excavation, they were informed that it was for road construction. This sparked outrage among residents who claim that their children usually use the area as a playfield. The residents also lamented feeling excluded from the decision-making process.
“You know how much children does live round hay? Children gah deh leffing from round hay and go till round deh to play. And when dey go round deh to play, dem man might deh playing football and if dey go round so, dem man might playing basketball. So, wham wid hay?” Waddell asked, as he explained that children from the Genip Lane are now forced to visit other neighbouring playfields, which may or may not be already occupied by older youths from those areas.
The frustrated resident stated that it was initially promised, by the relevant authorities, that the play area would be developed but that plan seemed to have changed to the construction of a road. He further explained that the work came to a halt last week after residents kicked up a stink about not being notified prior and initially having no knowledge of who the contractors were working with.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minis-ter Kwame McCoy then visited the area and inform-ed residents that the road project was the government’s.
The work, which began last Thursday, led to the play area being piled with dirt that was dug from another portion of the same environs. Waddell explained to Stabroek News that the residents would prefer the play area developed as was initially planned, instead of a road that leads to nowhere.
In a letter to the editor, Member of Parliament Annette Ferguson rallied behind the residents in their opposition to the project, citing the lack of transparency and community engagement as major issues. She criticised the high-handed approach taken by the authorities and emphasised the importance of including residents in decisions that directly impact their community.
Ferguson further highlighted the need for a healthy and friendly environment in the community and called for a more collaborative approach to development projects. The MP echoed the sentiments of the residents, urging for the enhancement of the existing play area to accommodate outdoor activities of the youths, rather than converting it into a road without the consent of the residents.
According to Ferguson’s letter, the residents of East Ruimveldt have made it clear that they are not against development in their community but are against decisions being imposed on them without their involvement. They have also raised concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the decision-making process, calling for more openness and inclusivity in future projects.
