Region 10 residents want “mines” communities regularised
– stress lack of infrastructural development
residents of several communities in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) referred to as the “mines” have made calls for the areas to be regularised in an effort to effectively benefit from budgetary allocations allotted to the Region.
Residents turned out in their numbers to discuss issues affecting their communities
The calls were made by residents of Yaribo, Coomacka and Three Friends Mines, during a recent visit to the communities by Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson; Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira and regional officials.
The population of the Three Friends Mines area is about 350, while Coomacka has just over 1000 residents.
During the visit, several dilapidated bridges and deplorable roads were highlighted by residents of the “mines” communities, who indicated that they have been getting the bitter end of the stick for years. In some cases, it was highlighted by residents that there were no proper systems for maintenance of communities’ infrastructure, since the areas did not fall specifically under the purview of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) or the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC). As such, they have been unable to benefit from budgetary allocations.
Coomacka resident David Adams pointed out that the communities lacked development, as well as clarity on whose purview they fell under. As such, he said the time has come for the “mines” communities to be formalised under one body, or included in the extended township of Linden.
“We went to Local Government, they say it falls under Central Government and that’s how we keep going back and forth, back and forth… We’re looking at proper infrastructure, because we are striving for development within this community. When you get elections, everybody doing what they got to do, but after elections is development. The community needs to get together and we need to develop it. If we continue this way, we’re not going to go nowhere,” Adams declared.
No potable water
Apart from infrastructure, Adams further stressed the fact that residents in the community lacked potable water. He noted that under past bauxite mining companies, potable water had been provided for residents, but after nationalisation and the privatisation of the bauxite industry, everything went downhill and the community was left neglected.
Speaking with officials, a resident of Three Friends Mines also stressed the lack of development in the area.
Responding to complaints made by residents, MP Figueira said that there were discussions with regard to extending the township, but the “mines” area fell under the purview of local government and not the municipality.
While residents agreed that the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) indeed budgeted for schools in the communities, they noted that it did not do so with regard to infrastructure. Other aspects of the communities’ development, they noted, are sponsored by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
MP Figueira indicated that with regard to the extension of the township, officials will engage the community in the discussions. He said what was noted by Adams in terms of budgetary allocation made much sense, since infrastructural works needed to be executed.
Meanwhile, Regional Councillor Gordon Callender added that based on his knowledge, there were provisions in the Region’s budgetary allocation for roads, bridges, schools and health centres within the communities, but noted that the time frame for execution of the projects and the time funding was received was cause for worry.
Minister Ferguson, in her response to the concerned residents, explained that the Ministry was committed to looking after the interest of such communities.
