…residents banking on LGEs to help realise dream

By Rabindra Rooplall in Mahdia
THE needs of Mahdia include a bank, a Guyana Revenue Authority office, a National Insurance Scheme (NIS) office, recreational facilities for youths, a library and better public transportation amongst others. And to move the process forward, the residents of the community believe that these Local Government Elections are necessary.

In Mahdia, the voting process was a snail-paced activity with no lines in sight just persons trickling in polling stations to vote. Gloria Marks, 61, who moved to Mahdia since 1983 from Kato, said she looks forward for facilities such as a bank, GRA, NIS and other necessities which can stimulate employment and development in communities.
“I voted for a party with whoever they choose basically, because I feel if the party actually cares they will force and ensure their representatives look after people’s interest rather than their own,” the mother of three told the Guyana Chronicle.

Ariel Xavier, 19, said he expects his vote to be counted because as a youth there is need for more facilities and things to stimulate the interests of his generation since in Mahdia not many exist. “I know that Mahdia needs to be clean, with better roads, public transportation, a library for youths, and more job opportunities for the many who are looking to develop their lives, I feel these councillors and other officials can let the government know exactly what people need and work to give them it because only then will good things happen for us here,” the teenager said.

Twenty-eight-year-old Dominic Garrette said residents expect betterment now that Mahdia is a township, and many of the residents want to do something positive with their lives and they depend on the leaders who are paid by taxpayers to make that a reality. He noted that there is also need for sport facilities such as tennis and basketball courts to keep youths occupied if they are not employed.

“I just want a better future for youths, and these representatives, when elected, if they can’t make it happen then let them let the government know, and let them find a way,” Garette said.

Seventy-year-old Errol Alphonso said he is voting for the first time in LGEs and is expecting persons running for council and office keep to their promises since the electorate is watching and judging. Being a resident of Mahdia for the past four decades, he said the communities need proper medical facilities, well trained teachers and a healthy and proper supply of water for starters.

“Hopefully based on the results of the elections, those persons will be able to fulfill these [promises] to make people’s lives better,” Alphonso said.
Nancy Lorettia Roland, who has been a resident of Mahdia for the past 25 years, said this was her first time voting in the LGE process and she noted based on her assessment few people turned out. “I came out about 7:00hrs to vote, and based on the result we have to watch and see what will happen and then we can judge,” she said.

In October last President David Granger, amid much pomp and ceremony, challenged the people of Mahdia to transform their economic landscape by diversifying their economy, as he declared Mahdia a town.

Established in 1884, Mahdia, located in the Potaro-Siparuni Region, is renowned for its massive gold reserves, though in recent years there has been a drop in production among small scale miners. The President had noted that the town’s infrastructure, education, health, and tourism sectors would also improve with greater input from residents and strong backing from the government.

President Granger had explained that the elected representatives must work together for the good of their town, thereby allowing for better services and greater representation. He also made it clear that under the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Government; there will be no scrapping of NDCs for the installation of Interim Management Committees (IMCs), or delays in the holding of Local Government Elections.