Linden residents complain of garbage, drainage issues

Residents of the Constabulary Compound and Industrial area in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) highlighted several issues affecting them during a recent ministerial outreach to the community.

Among numerous issues, residents complained about garbage woes and improper drainage in these areas during a discourse with Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings. They explained how they were affected by clogged drains and flooding.

Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira, who was also part of the outreach, acknowledged that the garbage issue was a major concern in the community.

“The Town Council needs its own garbage truck and another tractor to assist in satisfying all the needs related to garbage collection,” he noted. Community officials, who were also present, made recommendations for an increase in monetary allocations, as well as the need for more vehicles to assist with cleaning and clearing as they also stressed the lack of proper tools.

A resident also voiced concerns over what he described as the tardy actions of some Community Infrastructure Improvement Programme (CIIP) workers in the execution of their duties.

However, the Minister urged residents to be self-sufficient and work towards maintaining their immediate environs. She noted also that there was need for proper garbage collection in an effort to move away from the habit of slashing and burning. Municipal Councillor Wainwright Bethune told those present that the garbage situation in Linden was a very complex one.

“The rate at which we are disposing is far slower than the way garbage is being generated. Our equipment to dispose the garbage, we’re limping along. It’s a very difficult situation. So what we are advising residents is, rather than the indiscriminate dumping in your area, you can dump at one location and what we’ll do is go to that area and try to clean it…,” he suggested, while stressing the need for more skip bins.

Shedding more light on the situation, District Community Development Officer Byron Kendall said Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) work was now only being conducted twice a year, and he was still fighting to have a partnership with CIIP to conduct a monthly programme.

“…since Government change, everything change. So it’s not like before…I understand that most persons in Linden depend mainly on the D&I and CIIP, but the D&I programme, we are waiting on Mr Flatts to make a decision,” Kendall said.

Residents also noted that there were large trees in their communities obscuring the view and posing a threat, which they recommended for trimming.

Bethune, however, outlined that trees were left at the Constabulary Compound area to prevent soil erosion, which would occur during inclement weather, since the soil was not “compact”. He said there were plans to clean the Constabulary and Five Corner areas following the Linden Town Week, but noted that it would be done in a prioritised manner.

A resident also highlighted issues with sewerage in the Constabulary Compound area caused by a “communal septic tank”, noting the pungent odour. A former worker said the system was designed in a sluice format.

“Residents took it upon themselves to build their own septic tanks, but some residents still use the sluice system, which I think is the right thing to do, because the drainage is not designed to take off no sewerage water,” he said, pointing out that foreign materials flushed into the system may also be a contributing factor.

Minister Cummings promised to make representations on behalf of residents where necessary.