IT might be fair comment to mention that Diamond on the East Bank Demerara, which is some eight miles south of Georgetown has been developing at a brisk pace ever since the establishment of a housing scheme there a number of years ago. The development of this area is taking place at such a rapid state that the people are toying with the idea of the area becoming a township. Since residents of any area, any village or district are the best judges for their particular area, we cannot help but support any call for making Diamond a township.
We recall that even before the establishment of this very large housing scheme there, which is interweaved with structures of the novelty architecture that today grace Guyana’s landscape, Diamond was a hive of economic activities. Chief among them was the mighty Diamond Sugar Estate which provided employment to thousands of Guyanese on the East Bank Demerara in particular.
The thriving sugar estate which once gave social and economic sanctuary to thousands of Guyanese from all sectors of society has since been closed down, and sections of it have since been bought over by another economic giant, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL). The DDL produces alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and like its predecessor, gives employment to thousands of Guyanese both from and out of the East Bank Demerara area.
When one enters Diamond, one cannot escape the feeling of moving into a township. Since 1992, massive developments have taken place there. We cannot help but make mention of the nursery, primary and secondary schools; the setting up of a cottage hospital with a diagnostic centre, which is fully equipped and manned by trained personnel; commercial banks; and now a fire station is in the making.
The construction of this $16M fire station, along with the making of a market with modern facilities (this has been peddled for some time now), and the continuation of the four-lane highway from Diamond to Timehri, could only serve to enhance the candidacy of the area becoming a township, and one of great standing too.
We recognize the fact that there is no fire station between Georgetown and Timehri, a distance of some twenty-five miles. The people view this with grave concern and make a lot of sense when they ask what would be the situation if a fire of great dimension occurs about halfway between these two points. The one and only answer to this is that there will be a complete disaster because of the time it would take fire tenders from either point to reach the scene or scenes of the fire. However, this would not be the case when the fire station at Diamond is completed and equipped. This fire station could respond to any call from either point in far lesser time than units at Timehri and Georgetown would.
The new fire station at Diamond would definitely upgrade the area, and serve to add to the sense of security of the residents, which until now has been compromised on the Alter of chance.
We support the idea that since Diamond is yet without a Post Office and Police Station, neighbouring Grove which has these two amenities could be linked to Diamond to make it the Diamond/Grove township. Grove could be the best possible link because of its massive population and the several commercial businesses and entertainment spots there. The people are of the view that the authorities should act quickly and declare Diamond/Grove a township. This would certainly lead to further development of the two neighbouring areas.