…during Region 7 visit

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Norman Whittaker, along with other officials from the subject ministry, met recently with officers of the Regional Democratic Council and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council to address issues facing the region and the Bartica community.

High on the agenda was the absence of progress on the current regional solid waste management programme, for which it was reported that the contractor who was awarded the agreement to identify and develop a sanitary landfill site, similar to Haags Bosch, has been “lackadaisical” in getting the works done.
Subsequent to that meeting, the minister in the company of Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Mr. Ovid Benjamin and other RDC and NDC officials, was given the opportunity to visit some sites in the community and interact with residents, who seized the opportunity to express their concerns.

MULTI-PURPOSE CENTRE
Among the sites visited was the proposed multi-purpose centre at Hill View. The IMC chairman disclosed to Minister Whittaker that the proposed site for the community centre will be geared to serve residents of Hill View, Dog Point and other surrounding areas, particularly those students who are normally placed in a precarious situation during the completion of their Student-Based Assessments (SBAs).
Benjamin explained that the multi-purpose centre will be divided into four departments which will provide services tailored to the demand for a medical facility, information technology, a library and outdoor games.
According to him, the medical facility will be operated “once a month” for expectant mothers to be able to access health care without having to venture to central Bartica for basic services such as blood pressure testing.
To this regard, Minister Whittaker took the opportunity to express his concern that the Bartica NDC had not completed its subvention works for 2014 and are now slated to present their 2015 subvention proposals….
Benjamin further expressed that there was a meeting of the Neigbourhood council where it was concluded that for the 2015 subvention, they will allow the residents to decide.
He stated that although the Council is eager to invest in works at the Bartica Potaro Road, “We are [still] going to meet with the people”, allowing them the opportunity to democratically decide on what will benefit the community more.
En route to Mon Grepo Creek, the IMC chairman expressed his concern to the minister that the works, which were done some time ago to build a concrete bridge where there was a wooden bridge over the creek, had resulted in the reduction of the drainage capacity of the creek.
The chairman showed that where the culvert, which serves as a drainage point for numerous areas in Bartica, including Mongrippa Hill and Byderabo, previously drained significant loads of storm water, the reduction of the flow-point has resulted in the backing up of water and the subsequent flooding of some areas, including Bartica’s 7th, 8th, and 9th Streets.
Responding to these concerns, Minister Whittaker gave all assurance that the government will be looking to redress the matter in order to ensure that residents dwell in an acceptable environment.
Minister Whittaker and officers of the Local Government Ministry will be addressing those concerns raised during the regional visit as well as other concerns in the coming weeks.

(By Derwayne Wills)