By Svetlana Marshall

IN ANOTHER 11 days, residents from 67 Local Authority Areas will be heading to the polls in what will be the first ever Local Government Elections (LGE) here in 22 years. Mahdia will, unfortunately, not be among those Local Authority Areas.

Situated in the Potaro-Siparuni Region Eight area, Madhia was initially identified to become a town, along with Bartica, seat of administration of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven) area; Lethem, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo); and Mabaruma, in Region One (Barima-Waini); but the government is still in the process of working out key geographical logistics that would pave the way for this to happen.

Upon hearing the news that Mahdia, unlike the other areas, would take longer than expected to acquire the status of township, residents were at first disappointed. They have since come to realise that the community must first undergo massive transformation before such a status can be bestowed upon it.

“We were all a bit disappointed, but the truth is (that) we are not qualified to become a town; we lack basic infrastructure,” said LUCILLIA EMMANUEL during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

The 61-year-old St. Lucian, who took up residence in Mahdia some 54 years ago, said although she is grateful to the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic Administration for supplying the community with electricity and water, much more could have been done to raise the standard of Mahdia.

“We need better roads; a better water system. At times we spend months without water. We need a better hospital; Mahdia is way behind, and there is so much to be done before we become a town,” Emmanuel said.

REVEREND AUBREY SKEETE, who, for the past 25 years, has been doing missionary and social work in Mahdia, said he, too, was disappointed, but he understands where the government is coming from.

“I feel a little disappointed and left out, but I am also aware that there are a number of works and facilities to be put in place: roads, banking services, garbage collection system, and even landline service. So yes, we have a far way to go,” Reverend Skeete posited.

However, he remains hopeful that within the next three years, when LGE are held again, Mahdia will be actively involved.

JUAN HUNTER, an active community leader for the past 10 years, said that although disappointed, residents have an ideal opportunity to plan for a strong foundation.

“Any community desirous of administrating their own affairs should first ask themselves: ‘Who are we?’ and ‘Where are we going?’ The answers to these two basic questions would form the genesis of the blueprint for a vibrant and a thriving town,” Hunter said.

He added: “A Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is the ideal local government body to formulate and implement such a developmental process.”
He, however, said that in the interim, local leaders are raising awareness on Local Government, so that when the time comes, Mahdia would be prepared. Additionally, local leaders and elders within the community are consulting on a draft plan, that, when implemented, would improve residents’ living condition.

“We are hoping to complete infrastructural works within the housing scheme. Also, we wish to have a multi-purpose office established to provide various social and commercial services, including NIS, GRA, a bank and a gold board,” an optimistic Hunter said.

“An agriculture sub-office is also needed to lead the way towards transforming Mahdia into an agriculture food processing and trans-shipment hub,” he added.
He believes that once this plan is achieved within the next three years, Mahdia will be ready for the next LGE.
“Without a doubt,” he said, “whether as a municipality or neighbourhood council, the people of Mahdia would have already conceptualised, with clarity, their plans to create local employment, and ensure that the youths are fully prepared to lead productive lives after their school exams.”