By Navendra Seoraj

THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has transferred $40 million to the Ministry of Public Infrastructure so that infrastructural work could commence in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

CH&PA had initially planned to contract out the work, but the authority believes that the ministry would be able to accomplish more in the community.

“This will go towards rehabilitating roads and other infrastructure within the community,” said Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CH&PA, Lelon Saul, during his remarks at a government outreach at the La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, on Wednesday.
Saul said upgrading of the road in the community is scheduled to commence within two to three weeks.

“When we came here the last time we made a commitment to fixing the roads, drains and clearing the bushes,” he said, noting that all of that will be done eventually.
CH&PA and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) had conducted an assessment of the work to be done in the community.

As a result of the assessment, the CH&PA identified roads to be fixed.
“This is to show that we have not abandoned you…we will continue to work,” said Saul, adding that La Parfaite Harmonie will also benefit from substantial improvement in 2020.
Major work will be conducted in the area through the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme. Residents of Sophia have benefitted immensely from the programme and Saul said residents of La Parfaite Harmonie can expect the same benefits.
He said roads will be upgraded, recreational facilities will be rehabilitated and drains will be fixed within the shortest possible time.

The programme, which has three components, will start with infrastructure development. This will include the construction of nine kilometres of asphalted road, the building of concrete drains, creating pedestrian pathways and building two recreation facilities.
Another component of the programme will see 75 “deserving families” benefitting from free core homes. In addition, some 300 families will benefit from home improvement subsidies of $500,000.

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, who was also at the outreach, commended the CH&PA for the work they have been doing to improve the lives of the residents in the community. The prime minister said there is a lot in store for residents of La Parfaite Harmonie.
He said, for instance, the government has been working to ensure that the electricity and water woes in the community are addressed.

For years, residents of La Parfaite Harmonie have complained about the quality of water they receive, but the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) told the prime minister that they have been flushing out the water systems to ensure that sediments are not found in the water.

GWI is also constructing a new well in the community to ensure that water is always available to residents.

“We want to show you that we are not just coming to you with promises… we are coming to you with real solutions to work and partner with you….we will continue to resolve your issues,” said Prime Minister Nagamootoo.

In addition to infrastructural development, government will be looking to empower residents of the community, starting with the youths.

Nagamootoo said government, through the Ministry of Social Cohesion, will be establishing a night school in La Parfaite Harmonie. The school will cater for high school dropouts. He said youths will have an opportunity to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams and receive training in various life skills.

As for empowering the younger ones in the community, government distributed school bags to children as a part of an effort to ensure that they are equipped to go back to school next week.

The La Parfaite Harmonie Community Policing Group (CPG) also received a donation of a dozen bicycles from Prime Minister Nagamootoo.
“They can use these bicycles to do their patrols and ensure that criminals are kept under check and away from homes and people,” he said.