–so residents can access ‘vital services’

TOWN Clerk Royston King has called for expediting of the process that will see the Sophia community falling under the Mayor and City Council (M&CC), so that vital services can be provided to residents there. At a Council meeting recently, the age-old scourge of gaming in public was raised by Councillor Lyndon Hilliman, who pointed out that the offence is being done in full view of the public at the Sophia bus park, at the back of the Stabroek Market, and in front of Demico Square.
Misinterpreting that Hilliman was speaking about the Sophia community instead, Chief Constable Andrew Foo, in his response, said that the Constabulary does not have sufficient resources to address the problem in Sophia. “We cannot afford, in keeping with the resources, to address that offence in that area.”
This prompted King to ask that the process be accelerated for the Sophia community to be handed over to the M&CC. “At the moment, it is out of the curtilage of the Council. It’s a large community; it’s a valuable community, and we need to move ahead and have it brought under the careful watch and service of the M&CC,” King said.
Mayor Patricia Chase-Green supported King’s argument, saying that Sophia has three representatives on the Council, and hence some sort of assistance ought to be granted the community.
“Sophia has three representatives in this Council, and I know they will be looking forward to some assistance from us,” she said, adding:
“It’s not fair to say it’s off limits; we have to take responsibility of it, security-wise.”
LACK OF BASIC AMENITIES
Meanwhile, basic amenities that the average Guyanese enjoys, such as water and electricity, can be considered luxuries for those residents in North Pattensen, North Sophia, and Block ‘R’ Extension, among other Sophia communities. Because these communities do not benefit from the services of the M&CC, residents are, therefore, forced to foot the bill for everything, including garbage disposal, which can cost as much as $500 each week.
But they have had to live with these and other ill conditions, as they are so often reminded that they are just squatters. The communities were not started as structured or regularised areas, and so the residents have to fend for themselves in every instance.
But the good news for them, however, is that President David Granger has already signalled his interest in having these communities upgraded to the point that they can be handed over to the M&CC, and thus benefit from many of its services.
Only three of the eight communities in Constituency Five fall under the purview of the M&CC, namely Bel Air, Turkeyen and Liliendaal.
The others are North Pattenson, North Sophia, ‘B’ Field, ‘A’ Field, Plum Park, and Farmer’s Field.
In those hard-hit areas mentioned earlier, theft of electricity and water has become major concerns for the authorities.