By Clifford Stanley
YESTERDAY saw nominations for local government elections come off without a hitch in Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice), and with many aspiring councillors  expressing satisfaction with the conduct of GECOM staff.

Many also seized the opportunity to talk with the media about their plans to improve safety and the quality of life in the villages they hope to serve.
Krisendat Balkarran, contesting on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) slate for the Woodlands/Farm Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) said his party was contesting seven of the eight constituencies in the NDC, and that fellow supporters were confident of winning the positions within the Council.
He said that on election, the Council will strive to improve sanitation, and resolve solid waste management issues within the community.
The Council will also strive to ensure adequate drainage and irrigation  for farmers, and establish a more accessible market, and a playground and other recreational facilities among plans they have in mind.

Wilfred Gravesande, on the APNU/AFC list, said his team saw cleanliness of the environment as a priority.
“The 50th Anniversary is fast approaching,” he said, “and we will tackle the clean-up of the environment as the first order of business.
“We will enhance drainage in the NDC, and ensure that more streets are constructed.”
Gravesande said his team will also ensure that there is a higher rate of collection of rates and taxes, so that they will be better equipped to carry out their mandate.
Ms Carol Nurse, running on the APNU/AFC list for the Bel Air/Woodlands NDC, said her team will work for the return of a drainage enhancement programme

which will provide employment for residents within the NDC.
She said that they will like to see residents take over the maintenance of the clogged drains, once the heavy aquatic growths had been removed by machines.
Her team will also push for the establishment of organic farming within the NDC, since the market for such products is very easily available. Her team will seek to acquire a five-acre plot within the NDC for such purposes.
Lloyd Liefde of the Profitti/Rising Sun area, another aspiring councillor, said that his team will work towards ensuring that the Council pays much more attention to communicating with the members of the community.

“People in particular need to be fully informed about the plans and projects of the community, so that they can become involved in making these projects a success,” Liefde said. “We will make communications with residents a mjor policy.”
He said that the Council in which he hopes to serve will place special emphasis on recreational facilties for youths, so that they will always be gainfully involved.
Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Representative in Region 5 Mr Faizal Jaffarally late yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that the Party was satisfied with the conduct of the returning officers in Region 5.
He said: “Generally speaking, we are satisfied overall with our presentation across Region 5; we are contesting all ten NDCs, and we have a very broad-based representation. Our list is made up  of members of the business community, sugar workers, rice farmers, professionals, women and youths, so we think we have a broad spectrum.”
APNU representative, Ms Carol Joseph also disclosed that the nominations were handled smoothly and professionally by the returning officers of GECOM.
She said, too, that the APBNU/AFC list  is as broad-based as could be, with people of different ethnicities, women and youths vieing to get a chance to serve their communities as Regional Councillors.
The Coalition will be contesting nine out of the ten NDCs, the exception being the Bath- Woodley Park NDC.