– body says ongoing drainage work satisfactory
WHILE a reasonable subvention have been provided by central government to address the budgetary needs of the Enmore/Hope IMC, its Chairman, Jainath Bhikhari says that a significant reduction in tax collection from residents is affecting the body’s need to function effectively. Expressing some reluctance to take legal action against community tax defaulters, the chairman contended that the IMC continues to still ensure that its obligation to the citizens of the Enmore/Hope district is adequately addressed, in despite of a severe tax collection shortfall.
Mr. Bhikhari was at the time speaking to several media operatives whom he had invited on an observation tour of the Enmore/Hope community of the East Coast of Demerara.
During the tour, the chairman explained that the IMC takes care of minor road repairs, garbage collection and drainage and irrigation facilities maintenance within the district.
He stated that garbage collection is done on a rotating basis every week, which ensures that various sectors of the district are serviced at least twice weekly, even though this may not be enough for some.
The tour which saw several other members of the IMC joining the Chairman during a walkabout, also allowed media workers to randomly interview residents, who offered mixed reviews of the body’s performance.
Pointing to several cleaned canals, Mr. Bhikhari lamented that because of the scope of the drainage area that the IMC has to cover, overgrowth generally springs up again, quickly and with great density, by the time his workers would have reached the other end of the district.
“This results in a continuously repetitive task which can, at times, cause the IMC drainage and irrigation workers to appear incompetent,” he said.
Mr. Bhikari stressed that while Enmore does not suffer from any major incidence of flooding, he admitted that there are some villagers who continues to illegally occupy the district’s reserves while blocking waterways, which often makes his work harder.
He identified three individuals whom he labeled “opposition aligned supporters”, as the chief culprits occupying the reserves, and who are bent on disrupting the IMC’s mandate to effectively address the needs of residents.
He reiterated that some of the challenges he is facing might have to be raised with the Minister of Local Government, whom he assumed may be in a better position to enforce the district laws, as it relates to the occupation of government reserves.