AS it transforms itself from a farming area to the largest  soon-to-be- regularised squatting community locally, Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue, is now electrified.

However, power is yet to be accessed in homes.
The power supply, via lines on utility poles was switched on yesterday, even as 102 residents seek the intervention of the Regional Chairman, David Armogan to furnish them with letters to be taken to the local office of the Guyana Power and Light, where the utility company will commence processing their applications for power in their homes.
Armogan said that while he is pleased with the development in the community, he is optimistic that with the electrification of the community, there will be a complete elimination of electricity theft.
Mount Sinai is recorded as an area where there are high incidents of electricity theft through illegal connections.
On June 29, 2011, a two-year-old toddler, Jayo Lewis, came into contact with a live wire which was illegally connected to his home at Mai Mai Dam, Mount Sinai, commonly referred to as Angoy’s Avenue or ‘Cow Dam.’
The palms of his hands were burnt. Meanwhile, Arrmogan said, the process of having the eastern fringe of the New Amsterdam township regularised is continuing, with officials of the Ministry of Housing meeting with residents who are being briefed on the process, prior to having their land surveyed and purchased.
Chatting randomly with residents of this community, this reporter was informed that the initiative of regularising and electrifying the community was most welcome, as it was long overdue.
Ms. Louisa Wills remembered living in the community, dubbed ‘Cow Dam,’ in which her child, 41, was born.
“It was leased cultivation lands,” she recalled.
However, land owners began exploiting their tenants by regularly increasing rentals, which resulted in the formation of the New Haven Coop Society. Representatives of the group got an audience with the then People’s National Congress administration, who took away the lands, through compulsory acquisition. Subsequently, the society was asked to pay $190,000 in order to have ownership of the lands, but as the monies were being accumulated to be paid, the Government changed with the People’s Progressive Party returning to power.
Consequently, there was a large influx of persons into the area, resulting in the Society moving to the Courts where an injunction was filed against Central Housing and Planning, in an effort to prevent outsiders from occupying lands designated for institutions and recreation park. However, after two hearings, matters were stalled and the society was deemed to be defunct.
But, earlier this year, following political consultation, APNU parliamentarian, Joseph Harmon, representing the New Haven Society, had the injunction withdrawn, resulting in the commencement of the regularisation process.
Meanwhile, Community Officer, Mr. Phillip Rose noted that the injunction being filed for over 19 years had prevented residents from legally accessing electricity and potable water.
It was through the intervention of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds that residents were afforded increased access to water.
Initially, persons had to dig holes to access water, and whenever it rained, the water became contaminated. Subsequently, pipe lines were installed to meet the growing demand of the expanding population.
In addition, accessibility to electricity was not forthcoming for those who were without the relevant documentation, as the utility company insisted that documents of ownership must be produced.
As a result of this decision, Guyana Power and Light lost millions of dollars through constant acts of electricity theft, and even a child’s life, was lost during the process. Compounded with the denial of electricity, students living in the community were often refused access to schools because of the muddy streets they had to traverse.
Consultations were held with then President Bharrat Jagdeo whose advice led to the formation of the Citizen Development Committee, and a subsequent release of $10M to assist in road development. Furthermore, support was had from the Guyana Sugar Corporation and the regional administration, under Mr. Kumkarran Ramdas, resulting in proper drainage. Then the Municipal Council offered no support, as the area was un-regularised and the residents were not tax payers.
However, during 2013, following a meeting with Minister Infraan Ali, persons were informed that the injunction had been removed, paving the way for development.
Residents of Angoy’s Avenue are pleased with the new wind of development coming their way, and long for the moment when they can operate their electrical appliances without hurrying to disconnect on seeing the vehicle transporting GPL workers and ranks from the Guyana Police Force.

(By Jeune Vankeric)