TO address community concerns, President Dr. Irfaan Ali last Friday visited the Dr. Charles Housing Scheme in Coverden, East Bank Demerara, highlighting his commitment to understanding and resolving the challenges faced by residents.

During the community engagement, President Ali interacted directly with residents, responding to issues related to water scarcity, land ownership complexities, and infrastructure deficits.

One resident raised the pressing issue of the absence of running water in the area, prompting the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Shaik Baksh, to clarify that the area operates as a private scheme and the proprietor is responsible for its management.

With over 500 residents in the scheme expressing their grievances about water shortages, the complicated matter of ownership arose due to multiple individuals assuming control since the original proprietor’s passing.

President Ali swiftly addressed the complexities surrounding land ownership by instructing Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Coral, to investigate who is the true owner of the land and work towards a resolution.

He urged Minister Coral to engage with the current owner to explore possible arrangements, such as selling house lots to residents, with the government subsequently investing in the necessary infrastructure.

“We have a lot of problems here. We have to establish the ownership of the land. We have to work with the private owners to come up with an arrangement for the community.

“Then, we have to get the public health people to come in here… to see how we can find a way to deal with the public health issues because that is a major issue,” President Ali expressed during the meeting.

Residents also highlighted concerns about improper drainage systems and appealed to the President for assistance in obtaining black tanks to aid in water storage.

In response, President Ali empathised with the community’s challenges and pledged to look into providing water tanks, prioritising low-income families.

“I don’t think at this stage we can address the issues because we have a land problem,” President Ali said before assuring residents that Minister Coral will obtain all the necessary details about the area within one week.

Based on the outcomes, President Ali committed to returning to the community within two to three weeks to implement further solutions.

“Once we have a solution to which the owner agrees to pass on the title… then the government will come with a plan and a plan to put up the water [systems],” President Ali told the residents.

President Ali explained to the residents that his visits exemplify his hands-on approach to engaging with residents of various communities, listening to their concerns, and taking decisive action.

“We are meeting with every community, meeting every resident so that we can better understand what some of your challenges are… We want to listen to you to hear what some of your priorities are and to see how we can work together…,” the President said.