–Disciplined Services vote quietly

By Alva Solomon
DISCIPLINED Services’ ranks voted quietly yesterday morning at the Mabaruma Police Station, and rivalry between the two main political parties increased in recent days as the March 18 Local Government Elections (LGE) approach.At about 8am yesterday, a vanload of soldiers entered the station compound to cast their votes, and police officers entered the polling station at the police station at various times to cast their ballots. Persons at the polling station reported that the process moved without hiccups.

The polling station was open throughout the day to cater for those ranks who were on duty.
There are six constituencies up for grabs in the Mabaruma Sub-Region, and the candidates representing the APNU/AFC and the Opposition PPP/C have been busy canvassing support and offering solutions and perspectives on issues affecting the region.

There are no groups or individuals vying for positions at the polls.

The to-and-fro visits between communities by candidates heightened over the weekend as information circulated that President David Granger will be visiting Mabaruma today.

The constituencies include Hosororo/Koberimo, Kumaka, Mabaruma Central, and other areas connected to the administrative capital at Mabaruma. Nigel Peters, a candidate for the APNU/AFC, told the Guyana Chronicle that he is representing the communities on Hosororo Hill/Bumbury Hill. He said this election is significant for the region and the community since the issues affecting the residents will be addressed in a proactive manner by those who are elected.

“Well, I’m into sports and culture, and the youths here are in need of facilities and programmes to keep them occupied,” he said.

Peters noted that his constituency is agriculturally rich, but there are basic forms of infrastructure which are needed for the communities there. These include improved roads and drainage within the farming communities. He also noted that the roads are usually very dark at nights, and this is one of the issues which he has highlighted for immediate attention. Lighting for the roads is important, he added.

He said the sub-region has seen an increase in cars over the year, and lighting for the roads can prevent eventualities such as accidents.

“We also have the issue of the playground, which lies just outside Hosororo Hill and which we haven’t been able to maintain,” he said. In the years gone by, locals utilized the community centre ground for purposes such as sporting events, including football and cricket matches. He said the venue has since been surrendered to the authorities since, it is located near the primary school in the community.
He said the current playfield, which was opened by the previous administration, is in need of infrastructural improvement, including earthen works and lighting.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo visited Mabaruma yesterday and interacted with locals at communities within the sub-region on various issues. The former President walked around the business community at Kumaka on the day set aside for market day activities in the area.

The business community at Kumaka reported yesterday that as the elections near, the candidates have been busy campaigning in the area. A hire car driver at Kumaka told this newspaper that the elections are important for the sub-region, since the leaders in the community would be in a better position to make decisions on issues affecting the residents.

Last Saturday, Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin, told residents of Kumaka about the importance of the LGE and called on them to feel free, regardless of their political allegiances, to select any group or individual they believe is capable of managing the affairs of the communities. He said those persons must be held accountable in this regard.

Gaskin told residents that the LGE structure provides for better management of the communities. He said the absence of those elections may have resulted in a broken system across the country at the regional level.