Dear Editor,

I am a resident of Great Diamond Housing Scheme. Having used my life’s savings and a mortgage to acquire my own home, I thought I had realized my dream.

Thanks to the housing policy put in place by the present government, thousands of persons have been able to join with me in praise of the achievement of owning our homes.

I could not envisage the grand plans the NDC of Diamond-Grove had in store for residents of Section A Block X, particularly the first and second streets.

Fitness walks are now compulsory for us since taxis are refusing to come into the first two streets. In addition, we are forced to either walk through the street-wide craters filled with water barefoot, wearing long rubber boots or with our regular footwear which must be kept on all day in its wet state.

The ruling People’s Progressive Party is scheduled to host its conference at the Diamond Secondary School in early August. Without fail there will be a hive of activity to hide the apologies passed on to us the residents for the ‘roads,’ albeit if only in the immediate vicinity of the school. Craters will be filled and possibly covered with hot mix. Those of us living beyond this point will continue to ‘enjoy’ the distinctive and unique passageways to get to our homes.

It is ludicrous to hear taxi owners and drivers describe the ‘million dollar’ area as one with dams instead of roads.

It is very embarrassing for us to invite relatives and friends to visit. We are placed in a position of manufacturing excuses for the gross incompetence and disregard by the Grove-Diamond NDC for the residents of Block X Great Diamond Housing Scheme.

Having paid more than one million dollars for a house lot, raising a mortgage for building a house for one’s satisfaction and comfort, and to be forcibly enduring this nightmare are unacceptable.

Owners and caretakers of cows from the Grove district and other villages are allowed to deliberately pasture their animals in this area. Accosting one of these cow minders met with the response “You people came and met these cows here.” That remark can only be interpreted to mean that the cows have an inalienable right to roam the parapets and unfenced lots causing costly damage.

In spite of all its failings, the Grove-Diamond NDC has the gall to demand the payment of rates and taxes by residents.

Thanks Grove-Diamond NDC. If it was your intention of making our area uniquely different and a ‘showpiece’ for the people who reside outside of here, you have done well. Congratulations to the Chairman and Councillors for ruling over this debasement.

Yours faithfully,
Rudolph D. Mahadeo