THE Herstelling/Little Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is ensuring that the village sees its share of community development, thus, enhancing the lives of the residents.

The Chairman of the Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC is Puneet Jaigopaul, who is also a resident of Herstelling Village and is very instrumental in community-based development and volunteerism.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he took office in 2019 as Vice Chairman and the then Chairman was Mahendra Roopnarine.

It was a time they were starved for resources and development under the previous administration.

But they had a positive change in the image of the NDC even after they inherited a broken-down system with no access to the backlog and the ‘red tape’ issue. He explained that this was a long-drawn-out process which was eventually ironed out for ease of access to customers.

He reported that things changed when the current administration took office. They began lobbying for funds to foster development in the five villages they oversee.

Jaigopaul stated that they also brought the ministers to the people for community meetings and they have had fruitful deliberations in which development took place.

He added that they have had a better collection of rates/taxes and even hosted medical outreaches and charitable drives in which the people benefitted significantly.

Jaigopaul reported that they made representations for the upgrading of the internal streets in Herstelling Village, which were asphalted, and by 2022, most of the internal streets in the village were upgraded to all-weather.

He related that the squatting areas were being regularised so that they can be handed over to the NDC and garbage collection and the maintenance of drains and canals can be done to alleviate flooding.

Jaigopaul disclosed that 15 internal streets have since been upgraded for the five villages that come under their management.

The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC have since upgraded Somerset Court roads and they are working on a footpath bridge.

The third street from Hassan Street to Rumshop Street will soon be asphalted in Herstelling Village.

Jaigopaul revealed that the Farm Community Centre Ground, which is the only functioning ground and pavilion on the East Bank corridor is used for hosting cricket and coaching.

The NDC Chairman added that they have cleaned and de-silted a drainage canal which haven’t been cleaned in 40 years, and it was done late last year.

Jaigopaul reported that a similar exercise was on the agenda for the same canal, which is a major drainage source for the village and its environs.

He noted that a section of the sea dam was washed away and they have successfully rebuilt it, which was crucial for reducing flooding in the village.

“There is still some flooding in Herstelling Village but it is not as bad as before and we will continue to maintain the drainage network to prevent widespread flooding,” he said.

Jaigopaul pointed out that their coverage area has increased with the New Scheme at Herstelling, the squatting areas, Somerset Court, and Guysuco Scheme with their boundary stopping at Little Diamond.

He noted that developmental works were done in all five villages they manage, where footpaths and connecting bridges were constructed and internal streets upgraded.

The NDC Chairman told the Pepperpot Magazine that Prospect School street was upgraded from the nursery to the primary schools, and the Covent Garden Secondary School street was asphalted, as well.

“The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC building will be expanded in terms of a better customer’s experience and a general facelift is expected to take place shortly,” he said.

Jaigopaul said as for the Community Centre building, four new washrooms were being constructed for added convenience and the grounds were maintained for cricket coaching sessions, and the building will get a general facelift.

He added that the Chess Federation and other agencies would use the building while summer classes and cricket coaching for the target group of ages 10 to 18 years old will also be facilitated at the community centre ground by the East Bank Cricket Association.

Jaigopaul is also the President of the East Bank Cricket Association and Chairman of the Herstelling Policing Group.

The Herstelling/Little Diamond NDC covers five villages which are Little Diamond, Covent Garden, Farm, Prospect and Herstelling.