Residents praise NDC, express concern about other areas of development

By Shirley Thomas

RESIDENTS of L’Venture, Canal Number One Polder are high in praise for their Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for working diligently to improve the aesthetics of the community and for making life more comfortable for the people.
They cited the recent desilting of Canal Number One and the timely disposal of garbage as well. These words of commendation came when the Pepperpot Magazine made a recent visit to the neighbourhood.

But while this is so, residents also have some concerns which they would like to have addressed soonest, particularly since these matters are likely to have a negative effect on the growth and development of young people of the community.

Residents are acutely concerned over the state of neglect in which the only playfield in the community has been left for the longest while; according to them, this has effectively denied youths the right to clean and socially acceptable outdoor recreation such as athletics, football, cricket and volleyball.

A visit to the playfield showed that it is heavily overgrown with weeds and more recently, irresponsible persons have taken to dumping waste around the periphery. This practice, the residents say, creates a haven for the breeding of mosquitoes, even as youngsters with sporting potential are being denied the opportunity of practising whatever sports they show potential or desire to pursue.

The elders are of the view that if systems are put in place to take care of the field and have it used for what it was intended, the Number One Canal can, in time, be shot to fame, since the community will be churning out ‘quality’ national sportsmen. The residents recall that a few young men showed signs of hope and promise in the football arena. In fact, some ambitious residents identified a football coach they approached to train the youngsters, and the coach was said to have agreed. Unfortunately, however, the proposal never materialised due to lack of cooperation on the part of others who were ideally positioned to get the proposal off the ground, residents said.

Meanwhile, other areas of concern included: the need for fencing the area identified for sporting activities to protect it from roaming animals and the need for at least two floodlights at the playfield. Residents acknowledged that the NDC had donated one for the purpose, but unfortunately, about three weeks later it was stolen.

Residents expressed concern about the increasing spate of criminal activities in the area. One suspect in a break and entry matter was said to have been recently identified during a police identification parade. Investigations are ongoing.