Help on the way for Moblissa
The fence-less and security-less Moblissa Health Centre
The fence-less and security-less Moblissa Health Centre

–Regions 10 & 4 to join forces to bring community relief

RESIDENTS of the small community of Moblissa, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, have

Moblissa Primary School teachers with Regional Officials after their meeting

been promised help by the regional authorities of both Regions 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica),through a collaborative approach.

The community was paid a visit recently by Region 10 Chairman, Mr Renis Morian and several Councillors, and Regional Vice Chairman of Region Four, Mr. Earl Lambast, and together they took the opportunity to hear what the residents had to say about issues relating to the school, health post, security and land occupation.
This joint visit by the regional authorities came about because though Moblissa straddles the border separating the two regions, it has not been categorically ascertained whether it is in Region 10 or 4.

So, while the demarcation issue is being sorted out, the two regions have decided to collaborate by lending needed assistance, since the community had been short-changed in the past.
Denise Cornelius, a distraught resident, had related to the Guyana Chronicle prior to the visit that the situation is frustrating. “When we come to Region 10 for help, they would tell we that yuh know, we can’t get help here; we have to go to Region 4,” she said.

NOT LISTED
Regional Chairman Morian had revealed that in the past residents had approached the Region 10 RDC for assistance, but the administration was unable to help them since the community is not listed as one of Region 10’s.
The residents were, however, given a glimmer of hope last Wednesday when promises were made to have these issues addressed at the earliest opportunity. Ranking as very important is the provision of a primary school, since classes are presently being held in a church.

Mr. Lambast of Region Four, has promised to have a school built, and to make representation for the children to be assisted with transportation, as where the school is currently being held is some seven miles off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. It was also brought to the attention of the authorities that children living in other villages also have the same problem, as they often reach to school late.
One of the five teachers present, all of whom reside in Linden, suggested that the school bus can bring in the primary children, and take out the secondary ones who are attending school in Linden.

A DAILY STRUGGLE
Parents continue to complain about the daily struggle children are having with getting to school.
“We have 14 High School children coming out of Moblissa to go to school every day; it is seven miles in from the Highway, and we don’t have any transportation running in Moblissa. We have to pay $2500 to get out and $2500 to get in,” one concerned Moblissa parent said, adding:

“Because of the transportation problem, we have a lot of drop-outs. Yuh know de youths dem; when they reach a certain age, they don’t want to walk anymore! We have a lot of teenage pregnancy, and all these things!”
The lone health post in the community is short of staff and without electricity; the compound is not fenced, and there is no security to protect the few female staffers. With the absence of electricity, the clinic is unable to store many drugs that should be stored at freezing temperature, and therefore the residents have to travel all the way to Long Creek or Linden, if the need arises.

The visiting authorities have promised to look into those matters, too, so that Moblissa residents can receive better health services.
Pleas were also made for better roads, and the reconstruction of a new access bridge, given the deplorable state the present one is in. Residents said that since 1997, the former administration visited the community and expressed interest in refurbishing the dilapidated bridge and even brought two plastic tanks to be used as culverts, but this was never done.

“It was never the intention to build the bridge; they didn’t want to do anything, so we are asking this administration to build the bridge for us,” one resident said.
To this day, the tanks are where they were left all those years ago, and residents are calling on this administration to commence repairs on the bridge.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.