Residents of the Grove/Diamond community are up in arms because of a decision taken by the PNCR to file an injunction against the rehabilitation of the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). At a recent meeting hosted by NDC officials and the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, residents were told that the project to rehabilitate 12 roads in the area will not become a reality unless rehabilitation is done to the NDC building.
This, Minister Whittaker said, is a component of the Community Road Improvement Project (CRIP), which not only upgrades community roads, but also boosts the operational capacity of the NDCs with rehabilitation works to the buildings.
Present at the meeting were acting Chairman of the NDC, Shyam Doodnauth; overseer  Balraj Budwah and other NDC officials.                                                        
Doodnauth stated that the purpose of the meeting was to bring the situation to the attention of the residents of the Grove/Diamond NDC and to inform them that government has decided  to rehabilitate the NDC office, with funding made available through CRIP.
The NDC subsequently issued a letter to the PNC, which occupies the upper flat of the building, informing them of the decision, hence the need for their temporary removal. The PNC responded by filing an injunction against the execution of construction works to the building on the ground of ownership.
Minister Whittaker informed those present that he was “disturbed by the fact that, in pursuance of a policy to significantly increase the living standards and the life of citizens, this kind of bottle-neck presents itself”.
Residents present at the meeting expressed contempt for the PNC, as prior to 1992, much needed developments were not forthcoming; and now with progress taking place, actions are taken to stymie it. This, they bemoaned, is not the attitude of a party with the citizens’ best interests at heart, but rather, its own selfish motives for political power.
The sum of US$16.5M was secured for the development works, which will benefit residents in a number of neighbourhoods.
“The project seeks to focus primarily on upgrading and rehabilitating a number of roads in each of the 12 NDCs in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6,” Minister Whittaker said. While this amount is secured, an additional sum will be spent for the construction of a new building for the Grove/Diamond NDC.
Government’s investments in rehabilitation works to 12 roads with a total distance of 5.5 kilometers will be welcome by residents of those communities. (GINA)