President tells residents in outreach…
Better roads, street lamps soon for Lodge
By Chamanlall Naipaul
Guyana Chronicle
May 25, 2004
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has assured residents of Lodge that his government will address the problems affecting their community, but advocated greater involvement of people in tackling problems forming a partnership with the City Council and the government.
Interfacing with residents of Lodge at a community meeting yesterday the President listened keenly to the problems articulated by residents which included the poor state of streets, drainage problems, street lights and the menace being created by the two dumpsites-one official and the other unofficial.
However, the meeting was somewhat affected by a small group of placard carrying protesters, mainly women, who were chanting loudly anti-government slogans and ringing a bell and calling for the removal of the Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj. Some of the slogans included “No Justice, No Peace” and “Gajraj Must Go.”
Nevertheless, the meeting concluded successfully without any incident.
As regards the hazard being created by the Mandela Dumpsite and the unofficial one, the President explained that some US$10M is being sought to develop the new dumpsite at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
The Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green who was also at the meeting pointed out that the Mandela site has outlived its usefulness by nearly two and a half years but remedial action is being taken to reduce the hazardous effects of residents, adding that holes have been bored to extract gas being produced at the site, and there is a plan to seal it off.
In relation to the unofficial site Green said trucks dump builders and other waste thus creating problems for residents. The President requested that action being taken by the relevant authorities to stop the illegal dumping activity.
The President gave the assurance that within two weeks the sum of $2M will be made available to do repairs to the streets and a further sum of money will be made available to have two lamps per street. He called on the Lodge Development Committee to organize themselves to identify the streets to be repaired and to supervise the spending of the money, but cautioned them to ensure there is accountability.
Among other concerns raised by residents included the call for a bigger health centre, a mosquito nuisance and foodstuff intended for dumping ending back in shops and restaurants.
The President conceded that such a large community needs a bigger centre and gave the undertaking that the present health centre will be expanded, and he will ask the Ministry of Health to do fogging of the area to reduce the problem with mosquitoes.
Residents who accused the City Council of not providing a proper service to the people of Georgetown called for the appointment of a City Manager.
The President agreed with the suggestion but expressed reservations that such a move would be supported by the opposition which as a majority in the City Council, nevertheless he said the idea would be pursued.
Green also alluded to being handicapped by the wrangling within the City Council and the bureaucracy of its administrative structure.