Written by Rajendra Prabhulall
CHAIRMAN of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Parmanand Persaud and Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor, Mr. Naith Ram clashed over the Onderneeming Housing Project on the Essequibo Coast.

Responding to Ram’s allegations, at last Tuesday’s meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Persaud charged that the AFC Councillor is trying to stop development in the housing sector.
Persaud, addressing Councillors on development in the housing schemes at Charity and Onderneeming, said five roads will be developed in the Charity Housing Scheme and several are listed for upgrading in the Onderneeming Scheme.
The Chairman then called on Councillors of the Opposition parties, including those in a Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to support what is taking place to develop the housing schemes in the Region.
But AFC Councillor Ram charged that the house lots that are offered in the Onderneeming Scheme are not suitable for housing, because the area is an old, abandoned sand pit which is easily flooded whenever there is heavy rainfall.
Ram also said persons who were offered lots at the recent ‘One Stop Shop’ in Anna Regina do not know where theirs are located.

NOT ADEQUATE
He said the location being developed is not adequate for housing.
However, the Chairman responded, saying the area has a solid sand base for construction purposes and is currently being developed by the Ministry of Housing and Water.
Persaud told the Councillor that the Housing Department has a process concerning the distribution of house lots and will soon send officers to show allottees their allocations.
The Chairman said the legal procedure for titles is also underway and mentioned that the blooming Charity Housing Scheme was developed out of a low, swampy area.
Still, the AFC Councillor, in his determination to be critical of the project, attempted to speak, again, but was ordered by the Chairman to take his seat.
Ram then raised his voice loudly, insisting that he is not sitting until he is heard but the Chairman, once more, instructed him to sit and he complied.
The Regional Chairman told Councillors that Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, is spending large sums to develop the Onderneeming Housing scheme and accused the AFC of trying to stop development in the housing sector.