Continuing his visits…

Minister Rohee, Ovid Glasgow, Administrator Community Policing Group (CPG) Secretariat, and Deputy Commander ‘A’ Division, David Ramnarine at Low Wood, Demerara River on Sunday. (Photos by Adrian Narine)

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee continued his visits to Demerara River communities last Sunday.

At Sand Hills, he encouraged residents to form a community policing group (CPG) for their own security.

That was after they raised concerns about a new bauxite mining company and logging concessions, saying a number of shady characters have been passing through the area and, as a precautionary measure, requested a Police outpost, citing the place as a central point of business and the people venturing there.

Residents of Susannah’s Rust, Demerara River at a meeting on Sunday.

One of the complainants, James Allicock said strangers pass through and use the trail which leads to Linden but offers access to Essequibo River by boat.

The man also expressed his dissatisfaction with Police investigations into the murder of his nephew.

Deputy Commander of Police ‘A’ Division, Senior Superintendent David Ramnarine, who was in the ministerial party, said, by month end, he would ensure that a CPG is established, to be monitored by Timehri Police.

Sand Hills, Demerara River residents in meeting with Minister Rohee on Sunday.

He said, with a male population of about 75, it is a reasonable number from which some can be trained to become rural constables (RCs) to police the area.

Minister Rohee also addressed the issue of roaming wild animals that have been destroying farmers’ crops and a call for a secondary school.

He said all the matters outside his portfolio will be referred to his Cabinet colleagues.

Rohee and his team also went to Susannah’s Rust and Low Wood, where he heard of similar worries and requests were made for licences for families to jointly own firearms.

Susannah’s Rust farmers requested a water pump, fertilisers, insecticides and tools, as well as Ministry of Agriculture help to clear drains on privately owned lands to which they have no access.

“When it rains, we experience floods because the drains are clogged and we cannot clear those that are damaging our crops and result in huge losses,” said Gilbert George.

He also lamented the slow mail service and the registration of births and deaths that causes them to have to travel to Georgetown.

Low Wood resident Vivian Gentle complained of wild animals, including tigers, feding and destroyinf their cultivations.

He said all 10 of his dogs were eaten by tigers recently.

David Fraser asked that two derelict buildings in the school compound be dismantled or rehabilitated as they pose a hazard in the event that they collapse.