THE Central Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA), on Wednesday, officially handed over 13 communities to the leadership of Haslington/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
At the short handing over ceremony at the Golden Grove/Nabacalis/Haslington Community Centre, NDC Chairman, Maureen Philadelphia deemed the move an important one by the government.
She said people have long been lobbying for such, and they are thankful that what was once deemed a “hoax” is now being made a reality by the government.

The areas include Nootenzuil Block A & B, Hope Cum Annexis, Craig Milne Block one and two, Milne Block three, Haslington Block 18, Haslington Area E, Haslington Block 20, Bellfield Block one, Lowlands Block XLV111, Douchfour Block v111, Hope Block five, Hope Parcel 152 and Hope Estate Phase two.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson, said the initiative was one of many efforts being made by the APNU/AFC government to ensure democracy was afforded to the people throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

She also made reference to Article 71 of Guyana’s Constitution, which speaks to local governance.

“I wish to remind us of the importance of local governance… Article 71 clearly states that local government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised to include as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live,” minister said.

For over 20 years, Ferguson said residents were deprived of this constitutional mandate and Interim Management Committees (IMC) were imposed on the affairs of the people.
The minister said in order for the communities to be adequately represented, persons must be living there and have first-hand experience of issues facing the communities.
She further explained that now the 13 communities are under the purview of an NDC, their concerns will be better addressed.

“Some of these areas being handed over today came into existence since the early 90s. It is noteworthy that with the handing over of these areas from CH&PA to Haslington/Grove NDC is a major accomplishment. It will allow for the following to be done: empower the NDC with support of many existing community groups to spearhead efforts related to successfully implementing community development project initiatives for the areas; ensure that all community development efforts for these areas, remain locally relevant to residents they were catered for; and underscores transparency in the management of future planning or decision-making for these areas by legitimising the roles of relevant stakeholders,” Ferguson explained.

She further encouraged the residents of the communities to play their part in transforming their communities the way they want them to be.

This, she advised, can be done by paying their taxes, and exercising volunteerism to mobilise resources and coming together to improve their communities.
A resident of one of the areas that were handed over said she was happy that her community now had leadership.

“Any problem we had, there was nobody to tell. Now we have people to tell and I glad for that. I glad for the community to be developed,” the woman said.