-Water woes, garbage disposal and other issues addressed during Cabinet Outreach
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon Tuesday met with residents of Chesney, Guava Bush, and Belvedere on the Corentyne, during Cabinet’s annual outreach exercise in Region Six.

Minister of Local and Regional Development Kellawan Lall and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon meet with residents of Chesney, Region Six during Cabinet Outreach.

They were accompanied by representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Human Services and Social Security, and Education, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

Dr. Luncheon explained that in the process of finalising the National Budget for 2010, Cabinet members are consulting with Guyanese in order to get their feedback and concerns as it relates to their needs.

He added that the objective is to listen to feedback on goods and services that the Government is obligated to provide, and he urged residents to air all their views, even in the form of complaints.

Minister Lall said that Government had spent billions in 2009 on drainage, irrigation and other areas of support. He asserted that 2010, however, will see a turning point where Local Government is concerned, in that local leaders will be required to forge closer relations with community members.

He noted that too often the lack of communication between these two bodies has added to some of the problems that residents face.

“The New Year will see massive expansion of Government’s School Feeding Programme as well as the Uniform Assistance Programme,” he said.

The sum of $800M will be allocated to expand the programme to schools on the coast. Mostly children in hinterland areas now benefit from the programme.

The Minister further stated, “The more we can move people out of poverty, the more we can make them a natural resource, thus enabling them to contribute to the country’s national development.”

Issues that were raised at the three locations were of a similar nature. These include insufficient supply of quality potable water and inflated water bills, deplorable streets and roads, need for street lights and proper recreational facilities, and the chronic issue of garbage disposal.

Minister Lall eased many concerns when he disclosed that the Albion Road will be rehabilitated this year. He also committed to providing materials to fence a playfield in Chesney as well as one in Guava Bush. To this commitment, the residents readily agreed to cover the cost of labour.

In responding to the urgent need for proper disposal of domestic waste, Minister Lall affirmed that an official dumpsite will be identified that will be complemented with the implementation of a garbage collection schedule to be manned by the NDC. He disclosed that the NDC has already consulted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the location of a site and is awaiting a reply.

On the issue of street lights, the Minister said that NDCs across the country currently owe millions of dollars to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). And so a new system will be implemented, whereby NDCs will only be instructed to pay for lights that it has sanctioned.

In answering questions relating to poor water supply, a GWI representative told Chesney residents that their current supply is what is considered ‘raw water’ which is high in iron concentration. He proposed that the pipe lines be flushed twice weekly to get rid of accumulated iron content.

Dr. Luncheon also enlightened the residents of GWI’s 2008-2010 Turnaround Plan which focuses on the improvement of the delivery system as it relates to adequate water pressure as well as quality which will be addressed through water treatment.

Minister Lall disclosed that only 50 percent of the communities are paying rates and taxes, which amount to $90M. He said that a new assessment process will be carried out to have a more standardised rate attached to property taxes.

The HPS stressed that more rates and taxes need to be collected from residents in order to initiate further development in the communities. He lamented that revenue collected from the 50 percent that is being paid is too little for the needs of the entire community.

Concerns related to the condition of the Berbice Dharm Shala was put to rest when Minister Lall announced that the Human Services Ministry has already begun moving to enhance the institution. A new manager was transferred to serve the inmates of the establishment on January 1.

Minister Lall said that in keeping with Government’s policy to ensure accountability and good governance, the Local Government Ministry will be ensuring that NDCs hold frequent meetings with residents so that their needs would be addressed in a timely manner. (GINA)