A model residential area

REGION Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) Councillor Michael Scotland was drawn to the quiet, countryside life at Electra Housing Scheme, Nismes, West Bank Demerara.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that the area has come a long way in terms of development; when the scheme was established, they moved in without water and electricity and today, every house is equipped with internet and landline services.

Scotland related that when Nismes was first established as a village, most of the buildings there were government buildings.

Giving the background history of Electra Housing Scheme, he said it was established in the early 1980s and the houses were built through the assistance of the Guyana Mortgage Finance Bank.

He pointed out that the first set of houses were constructed in 1986, but the land was purchased in 1981.

Scotland added that the Electra Housing Scheme is primarily a residential area and it forms part of Nismes village, which comprises two other housing schemes.

The Electra Housing Scheme has 27 house lots, with 23 houses and Scotland said life is quite comfortable and quiet there.

Scotland related that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is tasked with the cleaning of internal drains, the weeding of bushes and other works that fall within the body.

“The grass on the public road is weeded every month and comes under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, but internal works are done by the NDC,” he said.

Scotland explained that the Strategic Investment Programme (SIP) which falls under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, has in its employ workers from Nismes, who work for 16 days per month for four hours daily.

He added that the SIP workers are paid by the ministry and they clean drains and clear the community of weeds and overgrown bushes.

Scotland reported that the NDC does what it needs to do with the resources it have at hand, because getting people to pay their rates and taxes is still a ‘tall’ challenge.
He pointed out that contracts have been awarded for excavation of canals in the village and they have made some recommendations, which seek to foster development of the village. They are, however, awaiting the installation of street lights, given that they benefitted from well-paved roads about a month ago.

“Basically, the first thought is about the young people. There is a community ground and they have been trying to upgrade it, but so far our efforts haven’t borne fruit. We talked to people for assistance and partnerships, but nothing yet, but first of all, it needs a proper fence after which we can arrange fundraisers to further develop it,” he said.

Scotland stated that a fence is needed because Nismes is an area with a lot of cows, goats, sheep and other animals, so they have to maintain the ground at the community centre.

He said Nismes is a traditional village where people rear their livestock and cattle and some are into farming; it is also a place of vast backlands, which are used for rice cultivation and the lands are privately owned.

Scotland, a former regional councillor, noted that it is his second term with the NDC and the NDC is made up of 14 councillors; these are drawn from both the coalition and the opposition party.

He added that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has six councillors while the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has eight at the Nismes NDC.