Aspects of a plan aimed at returning the troubled Buxton community to normalcy have now reached the level of implementation and President Bharrat Jagdeo recently met with religious and community leaders of the East Coast Demerara village at the Office of the President to discuss some of the programmes underway for the area.

Pastor Vibert Moffat of the New Life Full Gospel Church, one of the leaders, said the meeting was a follow-up to other meetings the leaders had before with the Head of the Presidential Secretariat and they have now reached the level of implementation of some of the plans and programmes, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

It was noted, GINA stated,  that the plan will include programmes to aid in instilling morals in the youths of the area and psychosocial training. Literacy programmes for school dropouts and sports activities are also other areas being targeted with the objective of engaging Buxton youths in meaningful activities.

Pastor Philip Bowman of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, a former leader of the Conference of Seventh Day Adventists who ministers in the Plaisance and Bachelor’s Adventure villages, pointed out that the community has now become safer and more people are entering the area without fear. This, he said, was not happening before due to past shootings and other criminal activities.

He explained that with more farming activities available and assistance being given to farmers, more persons have been getting involved. He also pointed to new bridges and other developments in the village, noting that plans are also underway to establish more libraries to encourage reading.

“We’re working on short-term and long-term programmes….it’s gradual. We’re working towards making it better and the tension has eased down,” Pastor Bowman is quoted as saying.

Following the Lusignan massacre on January 26, 2008, a number of plans were established by the administration and the Joint Services, with the first move being to flush out criminals from the area and to clear the Buxton/Friendship backlands of its thick vegetation which residents of the East Coast provided  criminals with a hideout after committing their crimes.