MINISTER of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee, visited three Demerara River communities on Sunday, to listen to residents’ concerns.

Charlie, a farmer as he expresses his concerns to Minister Rohee while ‘A’ Division Commander, Leroy Brummel looks on.

Beginning at Clemwood, he was accompanied by a group including Administrator of Community Policing Groups (CPGs) Secretariat, Mr. Ovid Glasgow, Police ‘A’ Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Leroy Brummel and CPGs Liaison Officer, Mr. Philip Ishmael.

Those who met the team said, as farmers, their main worry is the unavailability of land for farming because, presently, they are squatting.

They explained that, although they were born and bred there, the plots they are occupying are not theirs and they have been warned to vacate.

They said, as a result of the current dry weather, their crops are infested with pests and wild animals have been destroying their cultivations.

Another lament was that the area does not have a health centre and they have to travel very far to seek medical attention.

Residents listening to the Minister’s address at Clemwood.

The cash crops planters said their banana harvest is affected by parasites and the cassava is often uprooted by roaming animals.

They also spoke of the difficulties experienced and cost involved in transporting their produce to the nearest market at Linden and asked Rohee to help them acquire a boat with engine or a motor vehicle to meet their transport needs instead of them having to use the muddy trail that could be sand-filled if they are given the equipment to do it.

The villagers said they want a qualified secondary school teacher to teach their children who cannot afford to attend city secondary schools.

In response, Rohee said all the issues talked about, especially those outside his portfolio, will be conveyed to his colleagues at Cabinet today.

But, in relation to requests for firearm licences to protect their crops from wild animals, Rohee suggested they form a committee and apply collectively.

Dora residents meeting with Rohee.

He encouraged them to make applications, as well, for prescriptive rights to the lands on which they are living.

At Dora, where the meeting was in the primary school, one issue was sand erosion and one resident said he received a lawyer’s letter, on behalf of the land owner, to remove.

Cecil Sookdeo, who said his mother is gravely ill, pointed out that their house is almost submerged in the river.

The farmer of 50 years experience said he is a victim of wild animals, as well and others spoke of pollution and diesel spills from a nearby dredge and pleaded for some relief.

The complainants said they are involved in logging concession and their livelihood is somewhat threatened because they cannot make the 60 per cent target.

A teacher drew attention to the condition of the school building and its floor, adding there is no drinking water available for the schoolchildren whose parents called for modern lavatory facilities to replace unsafe pit latrines.

Rohee reiterated that he has taken note of the burning land question and their dissatisfaction with progress on it and will relay that to the relevant Minister for redress.

Similar problems were raised at Endeavour in addition to the desire for a mail service, including delivery which is delayed for several months.

Headteacher Tricia Liam said the school is without potable water and lacks proper furniture and exercise books, while the boat landing is in dire need of repair.

The villagers petitioned for sport gears for the children and Rohee gave them an undertaking on it.