– about community affairs since last LGEs

THREE years ago, residents of the community of Kwakwani elected a new Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to manage their affairs.

Now as the lifespan of that Council is about to come to an end, residents shared their views on whether they believe Local Government Elections (LGEs) and the new Council would have done then any good and impacted the community positively. The following is what some had to say on the subject:

CHARLES DEQUOY: “I believe that the NDC was not able to do much because of the lack of finance and expertise amongst the Councillors to make a complete turnaround for Kwakwani.

“Right now we can say our roads are in excellent shape compared to times past, and they are able to do some amount of work with the barge that is bringing in money. But to say there was a complete turnaround: No, I don’t think so!”

DWAYNE MARSHALL: “I have been living in Kwakwani for about 15 years, and I have not seen no real improvement since the last LGEs. The Council came up with ventures and ideas, but they were not able to execute them because there is a whole breakdown of unity and politics that is playing a major role in stymieing progress; these on this side might not be getting support from those on the opposite side because of their political affiliation.

“I try to advocate for the residents to engage in self-help work in cleaning up the community, cleaning the drains and so forth, and this can bring us together and help put aside our political differences. “Sporting can bring any family together as well, so I would also encourage the youths to get involved in sports.”

ORVIL AUGUST: “Since the last LGEs, I think we would have benefitted greatly, and the Council would have done a lot.

“We were able to acquire a subvention to get money for development; we were also given the barge where we were able to acquire a percentage of the revenue to assist financially as well.

“The Council would have cleared overhanging trees, cleaned drains, repaired the roads and installed street lights.

“Since the LGEs, we would have also had several ministerial visits which enabled us to network and build capacity as a community; we would have gotten a tractor for garbage collection from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and that is helping to keep a clean and healthy community. Residents were also able to acquire land titles from the Ministry of Community.”

VIVETTE BLAIR: “For the past three years, I have not seen any major thing happening in the community in terms of youth development and infrastructural development; I see they are now fighting up to fix the road.

“I believe that the downfall was bad management by those in authority. You have to plan for the community with the community; you have to consult with the residents and work as though you have the best interest of the community at heart, and prioritise on things that will bring development.

“You have to look at the roads; the hospital needs major upgrading; we need a mortuary with freezer. The high school needs upgrading; recreational facilities for the youths. All these things need upgrading.”

SASKIA CONWAY: “It is not about speaking, but about action. Kwakwani is a beautiful place that can be developed, but we need people who truly care about us and about development.

“The community is treated like it is not on the map. It is not treated right; we are treated like we are on the back burners.

“We have a very lucrative natural resource here, and it is being shipped out. Kwakwani residents are suffering; the entrepreneurs are suffering.

“We need a bank up here so we can be able to save. Without money, there can be no development. For the Council to move forward, they have to first get a vision; everything has to do with a vision and wisdom, and Kwakwani will develop one day.”