–Tucville residents anticipating much-needed assistance, community development

FOR many residents of Tucville, especially those residing in the ‘big yard’ or the East La Penitence Housing Compound, getting by on a daily basis is no easy task.

Some years ago, several persons were temporarily placed in the area following a fire in Tiger Bay.

On Wednesday, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, along with several ministers visited the community and made several commitments to the residents there, one being the relocation of their households to a safer community.

“We needed the recognition; the politicians needed to come and see how we living. It’s not easy in here and it wouldn’t be easy to relocate either,” one resident told the Guyana chronicle on Thursday.

“We are all single parents and we are barely getting by,” she added.

While appreciative of the visit and the interest shown in the community, the woman believes a more targeted approach is needed to address the issues in the community.

“We need a lot more in here, yes. We are willing to move but once help is provided, if not they could regularise the area and let us build here,” the resident said.

Hackette (only name provided), said too that he is willing to relocate, and is grateful for the timely and historic intervention by the President.

The man said that most persons in the community cannot afford to rebuild their lives from scratch.

“Relocation calls for a lot, you have to change schools for children and all of that; so once we getting help, it would be good,” the resident said.

Another resident, Paul Joseph, related that he is willing to make the move, but is concerned about the relocation of his farm as well.

“In the community, you don’t find much people here doing farm and planting. I got a lot of permanent crops here now; I do a little cash crop. I also mine pigs.

“I see the government is focused a lot on agriculture and that is one of the reasons I spoke to him about the land here, because I would like to get somewhere that I could expand on my poultry farming and cash-crop farming,” Joseph said.

Meanwhile, an expecting mother, Alfernetta, said she is happy to relocate to another location for the benefit of her children.

“I glad to get a land to come out of here… I got my three boys, I don’t want them growing up here anymore and I have my daughter on the way,” she said.

During his visit to the community, the President also engaged the community on their recreational needs including upgrades to the Tucville Football Ground.

Treating the issues one by one and skillfully directing his team to take action in the process, President Ali committed to residents that an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) hub will be established in the community to assist youths who are interested but unable to join the Guyana Online Learning Academy (GOAL) due to not having the means.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar were also part of the President’s team. There will be follow-up visits to the community.