THE overgrown bushes have not been cut, nor have street lights been installed along the main access road in Best Village, West Coast Demerara three weeks after incensed residents of that community had called on the village authorities to have same done.Three weeks ago, a young woman had been brutally raped and assaulted in the Best Village cemetery, a stone’s throw away from the West Demerara Regional Hospital (Best Hospital). Her aggrieved family members had been joined by irate villagers in calling for those improvements to the aesthetics in the community.

From all appearances, it seems to be a tall order for the village authorities to meet, but residents feel very strongly that if the dense overgrowth is cleared and the almost desolate roadway is illuminated, would-be criminals would be deterred from carrying out activities in the area.

The unfortunate young woman was walking along the lonely roadway en route to her Best Village home from work shortly before 19:00 hrs on February 3, when she was overpowered by a knife-wielding stranger who grabbed her from behind, dragged her into a clump of bushes in the cemetery and raped her on a tomb.

She allegedly cried out for help and tried to resist her attacker, but he placed the knife to her throat and warned her to ‘shut up’ or else. When he had finished raping the young woman, he abandoned her in the dark and lonely cemetery, and drove away on a motor cycle.

Police and community policing ranks pursued and arrested him, but he was later released.

Following this dastardly act, the Chronicle contacted the West Demerara Regional Office and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to find out what has so far been done to weed the cemetery, which constitutes an eyesore, and possibly install street lights.

Because the cemetery is located in the foreground of the Best Housing Scheme, clearing the bushes would bring a welcome relief to the people of that scheme as well. But it appears easier said than done.

Asked for a comment, Regional Chairman Mr. Julius Faeber said even though he is appreciative of the cause, and sympathetic to the plight of the residents, the administration would be unable to undertake any clearing of the area since the scheme has not been handed over to the NDC, and remains the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing.

UNABLE TO HELP
The Chairman pointed out that the Best Housing Scheme, located aback (to the north) of the cemetery, was previously the Best Squatting Area. It was subsequently regularized by the Ministry of Housing, but has not as yet been handed over to the NDC. The Housing official in the Region was unable to give a comment.

Asked how much it would take to clean the cemetery in its present condition, Faeber said about $300,000, which the NDC cannot immediately access. However, he said that the NDC, out of goodwill, would, from time to time, do minimal work in the area, and the Region sometimes assists with maintenance of the roads, for example. “But there isn’t anything much that we can do at the regional level,” Faeber said.

He eventually admitted that the NDC collects a fee for burial taking place in the cemetery, and contended that it is their (the NDC’s) responsibility to keep the burial ground clean, adding: “But there isn’t anything much that we can do at the regional level.”

It therefore means that the cemetery cannot be cleaned in the foreseeable future, and that the residents remain at risk and exposed to all sorts of criminal attacks at the hands of bandits and rapists who prowl the dark and lonely area at nights.
Asked how he feels about the present situation, Faeber said he agrees that people’s lives are at stake, especially since it’s a lonely area and ‘anything can happen at nights.

Meanwhile, along Best Road, (a neighbouring community where residents have transport for their lands), the area is powered, but there are few working street lights, making residents there equally vulnerable. In addition, two heavy duty trucks have, for years now, been abandoned at the roadside and left exposed to the elements to oxidize.

Incensed residents are contending that not only are the abandoned vehicles eye sores, but they can be used as a haven for criminals who could hide in them and pounce on passersby at night.
Contacted, NDC Chairman Mr. Umesh Balram explained that monies for such works cannot be accessed until after the passing of the Budget. He said that even when there is an allocation available to the NDC, it cannot be arbitrarily spent; there is a procedure.

“It doesn’t happen just like that,” he reasoned. Should any funds exceeding the amount of $100,000 be required from that vote, approval must first be had from the Minister of Local Government.

Meanwhile, on the matter of lights for the area, Balram advised that because of cash constraints, there is an arrangement in place where residents of communities powered but needing street lights can pool resources, purchase street lamps, and enter into an agreement with the Guyana Power and Light to pay for energy utilised by those lamps on a monthly basis.

To the extent that the residents can come together and undertake to finance their street lighting initiative, they can have lights as soon as possible. But the weeding of the cemetery appears to be a tall order.

(By Shirley Thomas)