By: Indrawattie Natram

RESIDENTS living in several communities in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are grateful for the intervention made by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall to have street lights installed.

The minister recently distributed a total of 140 street lights to five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) within the region. Immediately after collecting the lights, the respective NDC Chairpersons began the installation.

Chairman of the Annandale/Riverstown NDC, Charran Sarabjeet, said his NDC was given 28 lights which were installed at Riverstown, Airy Hall, Perseverance, Zorg and Golden Fleece. Sarabjeet explained that during several face-the-community meetings that were held recently by regional officials, residents had requested street lights. He said he was happy that this request was fulfilled within days of it being made.

The Aberdeen/Zorg-En-Vlygt NDC also received 28 street lights. Its Chairperson, Jayashree Persaud said the lights were evenly distributed in the villages that are in her NDC. Persaud said too that residents are elated over the installations and commended the efforts of all stakeholders involved.

Meanwhile, People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) councillor and resident of Charity, Faraz Baksh, said residents in his community are also extremely content as street lights were placed at strategic points.

He said that given the fact that most of the communities are very dark at night, the newly installed street lights will provide security for businesses. Dyal Singh, a resident of Golden Fleece, said he is happy for the lights in his community. “In the night, the place is dark and many people are scared in the area. We are happy and thankful, at least it starts and we would like a continuation,” Singh said.

Regional Executive Officer Devanand Ramdatt during the first statutory meeting for January informed the council that the NDC in the Pomeroon River also received street lights. He said while the area does not have streets, the lights will be placed on the government buildings and health posts located alongside the river.