Emergency interventions needed at Hinterland communities

Feb 19, 2012 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

The Hinterland regions continue to be affected by many issues and situations that could be resolved if some attention is paid and systems put in place to alleviate them. For example:
REGION #8
1.   THE WATER & ELECTRICITY SITUATION AT MAHDIA AND CAMPBELLTOWN
Since last June/July, the residents of Mahdia and Campbelltown have been depending on the rains for their daily water supply; however, they are becoming anxious with the approaching dry weather.
The Salbora water main needs to be repaired. This was reported to Guyana Water Inc. on more than one occasion. The AFC was told by one of GWI’s managers about a month ago that GWI workmen were up there to fix the main, but from all reports coming in from AFC Parliamentarian, Ms. Eula Marcello, residents are still not getting any water through their pipes. Ms. Marcello along with other councilors did a “walk about” in Campbelltown and obtained signatures from many of the residents who are requesting that GWI go into the Region and get the necessary repairs done.
Added to that many of the Campbelltown residents do not have pipelines running to their homes and many of them, also, do not have electricity.
2.   THE MAHDIA SCHOOL DORMS
The Mahdia School Dorms are in a deplorable condition. They have no running water due to broken guttering and broken pipes. Last year the dorms were visited by a Regional Administration staff and they had promised that the guttering would be fixed the next day, but no one visited after then to do anything.
The steps are made of hollow blocks and are breaking away. The gate is falling apart. The security hut is hidden among tall grass.
Other than the grass the yard is very dirty; there is no drainage so the water piles up. They also need 20 more beds in the dorms.
These are conditions that no child should live under. It is a danger to their health and physical wellbeing. Emergency interventions are needed at this dormitory.
3.   PARAMAKATOI
In November, Marijuana was found in the school dorms. Twenty students were expelled from the dorm and three were expelled from school and dorm – these three were the traffickers.
Parents are very worried and are asking for a chance for their children to complete their secondary schooling. The children have nowhere to stay but the dorms and parents of some of the students wrote the education department asking for forgiveness and a chance for their children to stay in school.
The problem with marijuana has its roots in the mountains of Region #8 where villagers suspect that it is grown.
The AFC, while we do not condone the use of illicit substances, is asking the Ministry of Education to address the matter of reversing the expulsion. We support any reasonable action that will allow the children the opportunity to write their exams.
REGION #1
4.   THE KUMAKA/KWEBANA ROAD REGION #1
Over half a century ago, Mr. John Ferreira, the then Captain of Moruca started cutting a trail from Kumaka to Kwebana. Today, after so many years, the Kumaka/Kwebana road remains still a trail which is made difficult to traverse by vehicle during the rains.
Moruca has a population of about 10,000 people and business is increasing. Kwebana has a population of several hundreds of people and they travel everyday to Kumaka for business, or to go to the hospital or to travel out to Georgetown. They have to travel that road in whatever condition it is.
Over $70,000,000 (seventy million dollars) was spent last year to repair the road and as soon as the rains come the road goes right back to the terrible state where vehicles get stuck while travelling. Residents are fed up. It is time that they get a wide, paved road that can last for years. The communities all along the road right up to Kwebana will be enhanced, the transportation business will increase; business, on the whole will increase.
Another bitter pill Morucians are made to swallow is that the contract for the repairs is always given to persons from the coast and these contractors do not employ persons from the communities. The AFC insists that if the Morucians cannot get the contract themselves, then they must be able to get some jobs at least.

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