JOSEPH Jacob is a miner, but he is back home in Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, “moonlighting” as a poultry farmer.
The 55-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he used to be in the interior full-time, working for months at a time and he would return home every quarter, but things became hard in the “bush.”

Jacob stated that one year ago he exited the “backdam” and is yet to return and is trying his hand at poultry rearing.

In addition, he has some creole fowls and ducks and would ensure his meat birds are fed and has enough water.

Due to the rainy weather, the father of six related that the pen must be cleaned often.
Delon Elcock, the snackette owner

The team also met Delon Elcock, a small-business owner of a snackette in Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that things are normal except the road and the prices for his snacks of pastries, curry and roti, puri, foods and cold beverages are reasonable “ghetto prices.”

The father of six added that the shop opened its door two years ago and it is his only source of income and even though things are a bit slow, he is surviving.

Elcock’s father Brian Elcock is the retired head teacher of Alleyne’s High School in the city and he served for 21 years before he hung up his teaching gloves.

These days he is at home finding things to occupy his time and enjoying retirement.

Compton Accra, the farmer
Compton Accra is a farmer and resident of Nabaclis, whose livelihood is threatened because of constant flooding.

He reported that his pigs, ducks and chickens had to be relocated to higher ground and he lost his cash crops.

Accra added that only some fruit trees survived the floodwater, which is still on the land in the “backdam” section of the village and is yet to recede.

He is hoping for some relief and is not sure how much longer he will be able to sustain his farm.

Derek Cort
The Pepperpot Magazine also met Derek Cort, a father of four of Bristol Street, Nabaclis Village, whose street is impassable due to the muddy conditions.

He had to come out to meet the team and stated that his wife is home for the holidays and due to the bad state of the street, she cannot come out to go to church or anywhere else.

“One time she had to come out and I literally had to fetch her out the street, as you can see the condition of it,” he said.

The 59-year-old stated that life has become bothersome as a direct result of the village’s road and streets, and it is time they get an upgrade.

Lindon Kingston
Lindon Kingston told the team that life is fair in Nabaclis Village, but his major issue is the road which needs to be all-weather.

The 56-year-old added that as a boy growing up they always had bad roads, and to date, it has gotten worse by far and it is difficult for locals to traverse.

“There are elderly people stuck in their homes because they cannot come out and we have resorted to filling the potholes with coconut shells,” he said.

Meanwhile, another resident Gavin Wood reported that there is a real need for the people of the community to benefit from good roads and streets, because it would enhance their lives rapidly.

The 52-year-old stated that apart from that, everything else is good in the village; they are a close-knit village with hardworking people.

The team also met Neil George, a Guyanese living abroad, who is back in his home village of Nabaclis to spend some time.

He related that for the past two weeks, he hasn’t been enjoying himself as he should due to the state of the road and he and some friends were fishing in the huge potholes on the main access road during the rain.

George, 54, noted that the community is thickly populated and there is a need for infrastructure to be upgraded because since his last visit in 2019, nothing new has happened for the village.