REGION 4 Chair, Genevieve Allen, is counting the days to the long-awaited Local Government Elections (LGE) due in March.For her, it’s a dream come true, particularly for the 15 constituencies under the region’s supervision, as it brings fresh hope for greater development and a fair distribution of the good life for all as promised by the APNU/AFC government.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office at Triumph, Allen said she is looking forward to working with the newly elected council following the March 18 elections, and hopes they come fully prepared to work.
“We are hoping that with the new persons on board, they will come with fresh ideas; that they will come with a lot of zeal.”
She said she fully supports the election, especially because of its structure and opportunities for fair representation and better management of all communities countrywide.
“I particularly like these elections,” Allen said, “because you are going to have constituency candidates and persons elected directly from a constituency that will have the responsibility to the people within that particular constituency.”
As she explained, elected candidates are expected to raise real issues faced by individuals within communities they represent.
“It means, therefore,” she said, “that that candidate is expected to raise the issues affecting the persons, and the persons themselves will know that this is my councilor, and so I can bring the issues to my councilor so that it can be represented at the level of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council.
“This kind of council is new to us, so, therefore, I am looking forward to see how it will work.”
GARBAGE
As to the garbage situation in Region Four, that is fast becoming out of hand, Allen said her office will be taking taking serious steps to address it.

Just last Monday, it wasd brought to the Guyana Chronicle’s attention that residents at Better Hope, on the East Coast Demerara, are now using the seawall in their neighbourhood to dispose of their garbage.

And, responding to a report from residents at Triumph, also on the East Coast, that garbage is being dumped by persons unknown alongside the roadway in their community, the Guyana Chronicle paid a visit to the home of a councilor within the Beterverwagting area to raise the issue with him, only to find a full to overflowing bin just outside of his home.

Also at Herstelling, on the East Bank Demerara, residents have been known to regularly dump their garbage in the canal running through the community and on the roadways as well.

According to the Regional Chair, she has already spoken with one Mr Persaud, who reportedly works with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on such matters, and arrangements are being made for the city to assist the rest of the region with certain facilities, and in drafting a programme for works to be done with various villages.

Allen said she has also met with the various NDCs about putting measures in place for dealing with garbage disposal, but more particularly on organising sensitisation campaigns within communities, with the aim of enlightening residents about the importance of keeping a clean and green community which looks and smells pleasant.

Based on our observation, many Region Four communities, particularly those on the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara continue to experience pollution, and be exposed to mosquitoes and other water-borne diseases, because of the piles of garbage disposed along the road and even in the waterways.

By Shauna Jemmott