THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), in collaboration with the Mayor and Town Council, has embarked on an illumination project in honour of the late Lomenzo Johnny, called “Sham”, who was brutally murdered in February 2020.

Twenty-four solar-powered street lights have been secured to date through the benevolence of overseas-based Guyanese, members of the cricket teams and others in support of the project.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, RHTY&SC president, Hilbert Foster, said the 24 street lights, which have already been installed, cost a little under $300,000. He is optimistic that by year-end, at least 50 will be installed.

“We are installing 24 lights in the arch southern section and along the JC Chandisingh access road, and this is being done in tribute to our friend, Lomenzo Johnny, who was brutally murdered along this same path here,” he said.

Foster added that since the new mayor took office, the club has been lending their support to him by donating much-needed items as they work together to improve the lives of the residents of the township.

“Dave Budhoo, the new mayor, is a very close friend and we have been very supportive of him in the development of Rose Hall… this is the third project we are doing together since he came into office. We are very proud being from Rose Hall, and as such, being the champion cricket team in Guyana, we are doing our best to ensure we give back to society,” he said.

He noted that the team aims to continue to install the solar light across the entire town and is hoping Guyanese in the diaspora will reach out and give their support.

Foster also noted that the incident with Jhonny last year and the rape of the town’s oldest member, a 98-year-old woman on Tuesday, highlight the need for the lights as well as the need to get the youths of the town more involved in meaningful activities and away from drugs and alcohol.

“Incidents like these makes me strongly believe that the death penalty should come back. I mean this should not happen in Rose Hall or anywhere, which is why the RHYT&SC spends every single day trying to get our youths off alcohol or drugs. We win some and we lose some, but this incident has really affected me and will also inspire us at the club to ensure that we get more lights to make our town safer,” RHTY&SC president said.