Stanleytown residents cite Government for neglect, discrimination

Sep 30, 2014 News

Residents of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, are upset over the treatment they get from

One of the streets in Stanleytown, New Amsterdam

the present administration. As a result, they are gearing themselves to fight for what they want. They say that they are being neglected and discriminated against.
This past week, during their protest they cited the street lighting project, where the entire community was ignored. They said that they are being treated that way because the present administration views the area as an opposition block.
The Unity of the Nation Group is prepared to lead the fight to help the residents and the area get some attention from the government. This group is accusing the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration of marginalization.
Eli Hazel, founder and coordinator of the Unity of the Nation Group, said that the administration has hardly done anything for the community in close to two decades. “They patch one and two street and that is all.”
Hazel, a community and social service activist, stated that he has so far spoken to a number of Government officials concerning street light in the Stanleytown area, but all he is getting are promises.
None of the persons he has spoken to so far has given a plausible reason why the area cannot get street lights.
He stated that Stanleytown is a well developed community. It has been in existence for a number of years and yet it is being overlooked by the relevant authorities.
Another resident stated that there are lights at every corner in Central New Amsterdam. The lights came up to ‘High Bridge’ (Philadelphia Street) then continued on to West Canje right on to Sandvoort, instead of continuing through Stanleytown. There are lights on every post, even in some sections of the community where no one resides.
“There are also street light in East Canje and Corentyne. Why not Stanleytown, which is just next door?”
Many persons have been robbed by marauding bandits who prey under the cover of darkness and quickly escape in thick bushes.
Stanleytown is home to about thirty-five hundred residents.
Region Six Chairman David Armogan had told reporters that there are plans to put street lights in Stanleytown. He stated that he has been representing the issue at various fora, but that he will have to wait on the Government especially the Ministry of Public Works under whose purview the project falls.