The ownership of the Anna Regina play park

Apr 02, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
I read an article in the newspapers a few days ago and was appalled when the writer, one Elroy Stephney ended his article by saying that he was pleased that the rehabilitation of Cheddi Jagan’s play park in Region 2 has been made a priority. I know Anna Regina very well as I grew up there in indentured houses. No religious or political grouping has ever been given the land which is now the Anna Regina Play Park. In the late 80’s, when Anna Regina was declared a town, the Mayor and the councillors – and I was a councillor then – designated the land as a play park for the Anna Regina Community. The ground was mowed and residents frequently used it for soft ball and volley ball. During that time many days I would be found playing either of the two games on the ground.
In 1997, as manager of Courts Guyana Inc., Essequibo Branch, I was instructed by the then managing director, one Errol Le Blanc, to have discussions with the owner of the park as the company wanted to make contributions to have the park made more attractive. I went to the Anna Regina Town Council and had said discussions. They were very happy with the gesture. Subsequently, hundreds of thousands dollars’ worth of items, including swings, slides, benches etc. were handed over. Even today, despite all the negligence over the years some of the items are still there. It would be good if this company can do some follow up work with the rehabilitation.
A few days ago, during dusk, a resident of Anna Regina was walking around with a petition asking for signature. When asked what the petition was all about he said that ‘they’ want to take away Cheddi Jagan’s Play Park.’ When told why fight for rehabilitated lands when your burial ground is in the most deplorable state on the Essequibo, he hastily retreated.
A few days ago I was riding through the Lima Sands Community when I was attracted by a large sign which reads CHEDDI JAGAN BIODIVERSITY PARK. I went inside and found at the entrance two huge stones painted in white and marked in red CHEDDI and JANET. On a cylindrical object were the names of P.P.P activists. In front, in the north easterly corner was an oil tank with an American flag. In front of the tank was the name Fidel Castro. Prepare for more petitions!
Make no mistake about it: during 23 years of P.P.P rule half of Guyana was sold out. Out of office they are still trying to gain ownership of state assets in Guyana. If they gain power in 2020 the other half will go. Most likely we will be a colony. In fact the Colonists are here already squatting in a prestigious way.
Nazir Mohamed

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