–goes back to Bethany, urges Toshao to be more proactive in community’s affairs

GOVERNMENT has delivered on a campaign promise to residents of Bethany to return, once elected to office, and address the many challenges they face.

That promise was made good last Sunday when Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs’, Mr Sydney Allicock led a team to the indigenous village, located approximately seven miles up the winding Supenaam River.

The team included Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Rupert Hopkinson; Member of Parliament, Mr Hemraj Rajkumar; and several regional councillors.

The two residents who were the most vocal were Mr Banes Thomas and Ms Ramona Thomas, a midwife. The latter was primarily concerned about contractors going to the village unannounced, as was the case just recently when one of the contractor and a team of workmen went to repair the Health Centre’s roof.

“We would see a contractor just come and start measuring; and I am responsible for the Health Centre,” Ms Thomas said.

“I would like to at least hear from the contractor what they are about, and not just walk in without saying anything to anybody. I would like to see that changed,” she added.

And while the Health Centre’s roof has been successfully replaced, she also pointed to the need for special attention to be paid to its water system, toilet facilities, yard maintenance, and the provision of a cleaner, among other things.

A request was also made for the provision of fuel to the village on a needs basis to offset costs associated with transporting the sick to the hospital.

Of greater concern to residents, however, is the need for more consultation on projects being executed in the community.

“Many times villagers are not consulted on projects done in the village, and I believe that we, as a village, should be involved in whatever project is going on here, whether it’s being spearheaded by the region or the Ministry,” said Mr Thomas.

One of the reasons he raised the matter, Thomas said, is that many times, projects being executed there are done in a haphazard manner, since there is very little community involvement.

MORE PROACTIVE
Having heard residents out, Minister Allicock told them that while it is the government’s intention to pay equal attention to each and every village, toshaos need to be more pro-active by disseminating information to the villagers, which will greatly help with alleviating some of the concerns they may have.

“There are 115 indigenous villages across the country, and we have to engage all of them,” he said.

“And since you are easier to access, you are at the centre; and so you are at an advantage, where you can get everything that can help you move forward. Use the opportunity to get what you want,” he charged Bethanians.

On the issue of contractors going to the village unannounced, Minister Allicock called on the toshao to have it addressed immediately.
The REO agreed, saying that if villagers are to take ownership of projects being executed in their communities, they must be properly briefed as to what those projects entail.

Parents and teachers also sought the minister’s assistance with the provision of school furniture, since, according to Acting Headteacher, Miss Rhonda Grant, the school is woefully short on that particular commodity.

In response, the REO asked those residents who have the skill to produce furniture to take up the challenge, as it will boost the village’s economic prospects.

Other requests for intervention included supporting a school-feeding programme, and establishing a secondary department within the primary school, since, according to one single-parent, it would ease the financial strain on her of having to send her child to school on the coast daily.

A boat builder, one Mr. Fiedtkou, promised to provide the village with a boat and an outboard engine to transport secondary school children to and from school from the beginning of the new school year.

An issue that has been plaguing the village for more than two years, the minister heard, is the several failed attempts to regain control of the village’s Community Centre which is currently in the hands of a resident and former councillor.

The minister asked the REO to look into the matter, with the expectation that he would put it to rest.