Crabwood Creek residents call out NDC for corruption, neglect of responsibilities
Residents have vented their concerns over the services provided by the Crabwood Creek Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC). These include poor customer service and neglect of responsibilities.
During a recent meeting with Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall, residents posited that more needed to be done by the members of the NDC while highlighting that the infrastructure in the community was deteriorating.
Local Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall addresses residents of Crabwood Creek
In addition, one resident claimed that he was verbally abused by a Councillor; the Minister has since asked the Regional Executive Officer to look into the allegation. He noted that the Ministry would not condone such behaviour.
“Any staff of any NDC that behaves like that will be taken to the Local Government Commission,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, Chandrradoe Damru told the Minister that the NDC Chairman attempted to remove the members of the Management Board without a reason. He also accused office staff and members of the Water Users’ Association of corruption.
“These are complaints that are being received from different areas of the country. I would encourage him too that the waters users should be audited so that we can know how the resources are spent. This is not the first complaint I have received about the Water Users Association and I know for a fact that [the] Agriculture Minister is addressing them,” Dharamlall stated.
A resident raising a concern at the outreach
Another resident, Sahadeo Anga told the Minister that the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) had been destroying the streets and that the NDC was informed, but the situation remained unchanged. The deteriorating streets were a major concern for the residents.
“When someone gets sick is a problem to get them to the hospital. As soon as it drizzle, you have to put on a [pair of] long boots. We also need some street lights,” he said.
In addition, the residents called on the Minister to lobby GTT to install landline phones in the community.
However, the Minister promised that some repairs would be done on the streets while outlining that the way forward would be for the NDC to have consultations with the community before it embarked on any project.
He also promised residents that street lights would be installed in the community before the end of the year.
“But you would have to decide as a community, which are the critical areas to be fixed and I will support whatever the community decides and as for the street lights, you will decide where they will go. You will make that decision; not the NDC. As a matter of fact, part of our new way of work is that the NDC will have to go out in the community and meet with you to determine priorities,” the Minister added.
