RESIDENTS of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, have resuscitated their Community Development Council (CDC) in a bold move to address the social and economic challenges facing the village.The election of new officers for this CDC, which had been defunct for the past five years, was done with support from the National Community Development Secretariat (NCDS) at a community meeting at the Bush Lot Sports Club Pavilion last Thursday.

The residents also elected sub-committees for cash-crop farming and sports in the village. These committees had been previously hijacked by individuals, who have acted in an arbitrary and undemocratic manner over the past five years.

NCDS Assistant Director Donald Ainsworth and Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) Community Development Officer Carol Nurse observed the elections.

After the elections, Mrs Nurse urged the group to get registered as quickly as possible, in order that it will have the legal authority to address the issues affecting the community.

Mr Ainsworth, responsible for supporting CDCs in East and West Berbice, told the new CDC members that only the residents of Bush Lot can effectively resolve the issues affecting the village.

“If you depend on other people to do so, then they will do it at their own sweet time, and that may not be in the very best interest,” he said. He added: “If you leave your issues to the politicians, they are going to cherry pick. They will choose what is important to them. If per chance you see life a bit different from them, whatever programme you have will never see the agenda any time soon; and while that is happening, people [would be] experiencing difficulties.”

Mr Ainsworth also made it clear that the work of the NCDS was not merely to give hand-outs.

“We want you to be self-reliant, but if you encounter issues that you need help with, we will be there for you,” he said.

The NCDS, he said, will support the newly established CDC through business training; speedy access to loans for micro projects; new technology for agro-processing, and access to markets for its products.

But he urged the new members to “Get registered!” and “Take back your community!”

According to the NCDS Assistant Director, “Everyone wants to sleep well at nights; to walk the streets at any old time; and feel comfortable where you live, without fear of crime or criminals. For that to happen, you will have to meet as often as you can, and discuss issues and resolve these issues or seek/get help where necessary.”

The Bush Lot CDC, like any other CDC, must be able to improve the quality of life in the village, he said.

Members of the newly formed CDC are Latchmin Azeez (Chairman); Lochan Mooklall (Vice-Chairman); Christopher Bissoon (Secretary); Sarojnie Ramjit (Treasurer); and Azimoon Ullah (Assistant Secretary/Treasurer). Those elected to serve as committee members are Shirley Quintyn, Jagdeo Ramotar, Rajpaul Singh, Dynenand Chinatombie and Dianand Bachan.

By Clifford Stanley