Dharamlall promises improved infrastructure for Glasgow Housing Scheme
Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall (middle) shares the head table with regional officials
Improved state of the infrastructure of Glasgow Housing Scheme was promised during a ministerial visit to the New Amsterdam, Berbice community on Sunday. As part of the government’s agenda to interact with citizens on a one on one basis, yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall visited the Glasgow housing scheme, and promised that efforts will be made very soon to improve the state of the housing there.
While noting that no one should be left behind as the nation continues to progress towards achieving greatness and fulfilling what was promised by the administration in its manifesto, Dharamlall assured the residents that he will ensure “support” is given to them.
The Minister’s visit was one to help him identify the shortcomings of the local NDC and Town council as well as to address the concerns raised by residents and find, if not, long term but short term solutions and immediate relief.
Abdul Ali, a fifty one year old resident of Glasgow Housing Scheme who has been living in the area for several years complained that rates and taxes have been one of their major concerns; as it relates to the fundamental development of the area for which nothing has yet been done.
Among, that the man said they have other issues that can be resolved within the local level but for too long they have been living under the gutters.
“This scheme got people living in it and we are humans not animals. The council take thousands of dollars from our pocket giving us hope that work will be done and issues will be fixed but unto now we ain’t even see one person to help us,” Ali pointed out, “We don’t even have street lights in here, our water that we’re paying heavy water rates on cannot even be used for washing clothes or drinking. What really these people doing with our money and where is it going because it is definitely not coming here to better our lives,” he asked.
Ali, told the Minister that the council is yet to resolve the garbage situation and pointed to the poor recreational facilities available for youths in the community. He posited that better facilities could lead to a drift in their focus from drugs and illicit activities and they can be involved in some form of sporting activities.
He also stated that it is unfair for them to pay thousands of dollars in taxes and the council does not address their issues when they have complaints.
“These people don’t do anything for us in here. It’s like we’re nobody,” Ali said “all that tax we pay and once a month they does come in here and pick up garbage. The place does be very smelly. Sometimes, a private garbage truck does come and have to pick up garbage,” he explained.
Additionally, another resident expressed dissatisfaction with the developmental aspect of the scheme.
The man, forty-six year old, Charles Cadogan said from time to time the roads throughout the scheme have been deteriorating and no one has ever looked into it. He noted that when the rain falls and the potholes are filled with water, is is difficult for persons to walk through the scheme especially the children when they have to go to school.
According to Cadogan the drains in the housing scheme have been clogged and bushes have taken them over but yet still that hasn’t raised an alarm to the council to ensure something is done to fix that situation.
“This place is in a terrible state especially them drains. The council don’t do anything, they just sit down and collect people money. We want to see progress in this housing scheme, we are people this is not a pasture we living in for it to be anyhow and for no one to pay little or no attention to us.”
Cadogan said the community has a computer Centre but not even the children have access to it, as such he asked the minister to investigate the matter and perhaps pass the message on to his colleagues in relevant authorities to address that issue so that children can be able to access educational information.
In his response to the residents, Daramlall noted that in the coming weeks work will begin in the scheme and as it relates to the community Centre ground (ball field) he asked that members of the community form a community council to help with development which will in return also create jobs for them.
“I can commit to you that very soon we will start some work in this area and a machine will be deployed here to begin D&I work in your area.”
Minister noted that the machinery that the council have, were given to them by the Regional Democratic Council, however, they were not use for D&I purposes and as such, he further stated that he will look into that matter specifically since those machinery are the government’s property, more so tax payers as well.
“It can’t be use to the comfort of people in the Town Council and in a discriminatory way. So, I will ensure the Chairman and Regional Executive Officer look into the management of that and for every area of the Township to get support without being victimized or neglected.”
Minister indicated to the residents that they can form a Community Development Council (CDC) in order to have some jobs.
“If you have not yet form a CDC I can organize my staff to come in and help you work on it but it has to have wide consultation and not a specific set of people. When this happens the CDC can then have work with the Regional Democratic Council and other Ministries through community participation and you can get little contracts to do developmental work in the area. That will provide jobs and income to build the economy.”
The residents noted that they are grateful for the Minister’s presence in the area since it has been a while they had a visit from someone in higher authority to listen to their concern and address them.
