Dear Editor,
THE people of Stanley Town, New Amsterdam, have spoken and they have made their stance clear: they want progress.

They fully support the government’s initiative to upgrade the sluice system, enhance drainage, and modernise the town’s infrastructure. This project responds to long-standing concerns, particularly flooding, that have plagued New Amsterdam for years. It is designed to address the very real threat that continuous rainfall brings, inundating the town and causing untold damage to property, livelihoods, and daily life.

Yet, amid this momentum for improvement, a small but vocal group of PNC-R loyalists, many of whom are no longer in touch with the current realities, have raised objections. They want to preserve the outdated, sluice structure, holding onto a piece of the past that no longer serves the needs of the people.
This is a curious stance—one that seems to ignore the reality that modern infrastructure is the key to progress. These same individuals were eerily silent when former President Forbes Burnham dismantled the nation’s railway system, despite it being an invaluable public service that could have supported long-term growth.

At the time, there was no outcry, no resistance. But now, when a proposal to upgrade the drainage system is on the table, there’s backlash from the same people who once stood by policies that eradicated entire transport systems.
Let’s be clear: it is not an argument of nostalgia versus progress. The people of Stanley Town understand that the only way to improve their living conditions, to protect their homes and businesses from flooding, is through modernisation.
A bigger, more efficient sluice will ensure better drainage and irrigation for everyone. It’s not just about today’s needs—it’s about future-proofing the town for generations to come. Even a child with basic logic can see that a larger sluice with enhanced capacity will serve the community better than a structure that has outlived its usefulness.

The fact that certain members of the town’s leadership, including the mayor and council, are aligning themselves with this outdated perspective is troubling. Their resistance to the project suggests a reluctance to embrace change, even when the evidence is clear.
Are they truly considering the long-term benefits of a modernised infrastructure, or are they more concerned with holding onto the past for political reasons? The people of New Amsterdam deserve better. They deserve leaders who are willing to look ahead and make decisions that will improve the quality of life for all.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has already signalled the government’s commitment to tackling the flooding problem, and the Minister of Agriculture has engaged engineers to assess the situation and come up with a comprehensive solution. This project is not just a response to residents’ complaints; it is a genuine effort to transform New Amsterdam into a more resilient and prosperous town. The residents raised their concerns, and the government listened. It’s time for everyone else to do the same.
It is baffling that there are those who would put politics ahead of the town’s development. It’s one thing to have a legitimate debate about policies and priorities, but when it comes to essential infrastructure that will alleviate flooding and improve life for everyone in New Amsterdam, there should be no room for obstruction.

This is not about political allegiance; this is about securing the future of the town and ensuring that its residents are not at the mercy of climate-induced disasters. To oppose this project is to oppose progress itself.
The people of Stanley Town are right to back the government’s plans to modernise the sluice system and improve drainage. It’s a vital project that will benefit the entire community and lay the groundwork for a better future.

Those who resist this change must ask themselves: do they truly have the town’s best interests at heart? Or are they allowing outdated political loyalties to stand in the way of progress? It is time to stop playing politics with New Amsterdam’s future. The town needs a modernised drainage system and it needs it now. Let’s not stand in the way of progress. Let’s build a better, safer New Amsterdam for all.
Regards,
Shaun Smith
Region Six Community Development Officer