Dear Editor,
I read the very emotional article, ‘Moblissa beset by health, transport woes,’ by Zoisa Fraser (SN 8.7.08).
While I agree that the community has fallen, I am pretty sure that there are certain measures which the community leaders, the Ministry of Housing and Water, IDB, UNDP, the Poor Rural Community Support Project, or a large conglomerate like Queens Atlantic or the Gafoor Group of Companies can do to lift the standards.
Here are some of my recommendations, which I am sure that the reporter, Ms Zoisa Fraser, might want to present to the governmental and non-governmental organisations which work with communities like Moblissa and Ituni:
1. The National Library has a mobile library.
2. The Institute of Development and Continuing Education should include in its budgetary allocation, the establishment of a centre in the all-age school.
3. GPOC should be able to set up a container as temporary housing/office for a postmaster and his staff.
4. The Guyana Police Force should also be able to set up a police outpost in a container.
5. The graduates of the medical programme who have fulfilled their requirements as interns, should be assigned to communities such as Moblissa, Ituni and other hinterland areas, with the understanding that they will be granted post-graduate scholarships.
This requirement should also be made of nurses, midwives and medexes. The health centre can eventually be converted into a cottage hospital.
5. Volunteer teachers comprising nationals as well as expatriates can form a cadre of secondary teachers in the secondary department.
7. GPL should be able to supply power to the community.
8. The community leaders, including Ms Beulah Major, should be able to request that GWI drill 300‘ to 400‘ for sweet water.
9. One of the larger companies, such as the Gafoors Group of Companies, should be able to build a mini-mall, comprising a pharmacy, supermarket, general store, office rental service, fast food restaurant and apartments.
10. The ‘big holes’ in the land can be used for the cultivation of agricultural produce. This is done in Vietnam.
Mr Editor, I have to confess, that these recommendations are by no means novel. When the bauxite mining community was established in the early 20th century at Mackenzie and Wismar in Linden, the Canadian investors built houses and offices for themselves, their employees and their families with the available resources.
Thanks for drawing attention to the plight of the residents of Moblissa.
Yours faithfully,
Hazel Woolford
