The Gibraltar/Fyrish Neighbour-hood Democratic Council is likely to undergo an audit as the new Chairman, Davindra Sewnauth is pushing to ensure transparency at the local arm.
Sewnauth, 29, who took over the reins last November, said that it is extremely important to have transparency as such he has pushed to have the finance committee formed. He said that when he took over “there wasn’t really much done, I got a sit-down with the overseer, and then we formed a finance committee and we will meet in a few weeks to schedule to do a book check, see the income (and) expenditure, that is important.”
“We are hoping that we can audit the books to make sure because when I leave here I don’t want anything like that tainting my legacy, transparency is important. I want that policy in place at the NDC for a more transparent flow of information”, he said during a recent visit to the community by the Sunday Stabroek.
Turning to development within the community, Sewnauth said that close to thirty roads have been rehabilitated within the NDC which runs from Gibraltar to Kilcoy while three major community grounds had major works carried out.
He said most of the road works that are currently ongoing are over 70% completed.
“We would have the three community centres being developed, two landfill and one washroom facilities were done. A number of roads were done too, quite a few roads, recently built, and a number of culverts are being developed to allow the easier flow of water, the digging of trenches has started for the rainy period.”
According to Sewnauth, one of the major projects is the Kilcoy-Chesney road which leads to the heavily populated village area. “In terms of road, the Kilcoy road … was done and benefits residents, allowing them easier access, that is a major project over $200m.”
Contractor
Meanwhile, residents within Fyrish had told Stabroek News that one of the main access roads has been under construction for over one year now. One resident had said, “Over one year now them doing this road, we don’t know much, the contractor from Linden and them a do it piece, one time we couldn’t drive into the road.”
Another resident, Petal Manning had explained that workers have been on the road for several months not providing any update to residents, while Sunita Mohamed, another resident, noted that she was unsure as to when the project would be completed. “Long now them deh doing this road, nobody na tell we nothing, we just see them doing part, part.”
According to Sewnauth, the road is indeed being done in parts.
“It is a heavily used road; the development was needed. It was excavated then they did crusher run in some parts and they got to do asphalt. Progress is going in the right direction.
“The road would have been done part, part. They did part of the back, that’s the way they plan out the work… It’s in a much better state, there is easier access to the NDC and village. There is a health centre in the street and before cars were reluctant to take people in, now it’s a easier flow to the health centre.
Meanwhile, Sewnauth said that his desire of wanting to unite the people of Fyrish is what pushed him to the level of chairmanship. He explained, that initially he only wanted to represent issues that were affecting residents but after the opportunity presented itself he took on the position of chairman.
“I recalled the unity felt as a kid and I noticed that the development needed was not being done in the area so that drove my passion to take up an active role. I just wanted to make representation and I have a degree in public management, collectively the councilors voted me to be the chairman.”
He added, “I’m really hoping to develop community centres and hoping to have a facility where the young people can come together, and have various sports being played, and build that unity to escape whatever they are going through. I want to try and bridge the gap of a racial divide.”
“Having a facility for youths to go will help to pull them away from the negative actions that exist in the street. I am really hoping to go towards that.”
Additionally, Sewnauth said that he took the initiative and will be doing a seminar to train the NDC staff and part-time (ten day) workers who want to be more computer literate. He is hoping to have the seminar done at the University of Guyana.
