With a few days remaining for the Local Government Elections, we asked members of the public if they would be voting and if they have seen the candidates that would be representing them in their communities. Here are their responses:
Interviews and photos
by Shabna Rahman
Rupert Doodnauth, farmer/vendor
‘Yes, of course I would be voting on Friday. I have seen the candidate that I would be voting for. A few people came around to do campaigning and after listening to them I decided whom to choose. I just hope that as a representative, he would make a change and bring about development. Right now we have a water shortage in Ruby Backdam. The previous government had run some pipelines through Parika Backdam a few years back but we never got the water. Everything was left at a standstill. I hope that this new government can continue the project because water is essential. We already have good road and electricity and we are very thankful for that.’
Holly Bacchus, snackette vendor
‘I would not be able to vote because I relocated from the area that I got registered. I really wanted to vote but by the time I tried to get a transfer they had already closed off. I cannot go back to my former village to vote. Besides, I don’t even know the people there who are contesting and I don’t know what is going on. At Tuschen I have seen the candidates and spoke to them. I even attended a meeting in the area where they were explaining what Local Government Elections is all about. I still hope that whoever is chosen to represent my community would push for development and I will give my full support.’
Abdool Shazad, taxi driver
‘I will go out and vote on Friday but not at Tuschen where I live. I was registered at Parika and that is where I voted for the national elections. I don’t know who the candidates are as yet but when I go there I will choose someone. I still have an interest in that area so I hope that the representative would do the work that he/she promises. The roads in Tuschen scheme need to be fixed. They are in a very bad condition. We also need a police station in there too because when you go to the outpost they send you to the Leonora station. Two days ago bandits broke into a house and stole a lot of items while the people were away at work. That is happening often and something needs to be done about it.’
Rudolph Jack, taxi driver
‘Yes, I will be voting on Friday at the Tuschen New Scheme. I have seen my representative and I think he would do a good job in developing the constituency. I am hoping mainly for improvement in the drainage and irrigation and an upgrade of the road. We would also need an upgraded playfield, telephone lines and better health centre with proper facilities and adequate medications. I would also like to see an increase in the police patrols especially at nights. The scheme also needs to be regularized.’
Dwight Jordon, construction worker
‘Of course I will be voting on Friday. I have seen my candidate and based on his policies I believe that he genuinely wants to develop the community. I know he would make good representation that would benefit everyone. I have been living in the Tuschen Scheme for the past seven years and I would like the playfield to be developed so that the youth and everyone can have recreational facilities. I would like to see enhanced sanitation and beautification of the scheme. The roads are in a terrible condition and badly need to be fixed. Also the main carriageway is too narrow and they need to erect a footpath so pedestrians can walk safely. There should be a better security system with increased patrols especially at nights. We know everything cannot be done at one time but we can start with this and in time to come we can do more. Jobs need to be created in the scheme and we are happy that a call centre would be established there soon. I would also like to see zoning in the manufacturing section of the scheme. They have earmarked a section for a commercial zone. But right now there are businesses, such as block-making and mechanical workshops that cause dust and noise pollution, scattered in the residential area.’
William Wong, taxi driver
‘Yes, I’ll be voting on Friday and I have seen my candidate. He came and kept a meeting and distributed flyers. I think he is competent and would do a good job at looking after the interest of the people and the community. I would like him to take care of the drainage and to ensure that the roads are upgraded. We already have a good playground at Uitvlugt. We need more streetlights for security reasons because some sections are very dark. I am attached to the Tuschen Hire Car Park and we have a serious problem affecting our work and that is with the private-hire cars. The police have not done anything to help us and if we try to speak to these drivers they would be abusive and issue threats. We would like the traffic chief to intervene.’
Wayne Nedd, taxi driver
‘I will be voting because the Local Government is the main pillar for democracy, notwithstanding the fact that at no time 100% of the people would have 100% of their concerns addressed. But that should not deter us from exercising our franchise at the upcoming elections. I have not seen my candidate. They should have been made known in the media. In the same way they publish the names in the papers, they should have published the photos. I was living in the Rupununi and I was registered there so I’ll be traveling there to vote. I live at Uitvlugt but I don’t mind going all the way there because I still consider myself a resident of that area. I would like to see something done about the private cars that work hire at the Tuschen Park. We have complained to the police but nothing was done. They shouldn’t wait for a riot … to take action. What happened at the prison should be an eye-opener for the authorities to be more proactive..
Farina Khan, vendor
‘Of course I will vote on Friday. I know that I have to vote at the health centre in my area but I have no idea who I am voting for. I don’t understand anything about that. Two people came around and told us how to vote and I saw my name on the list. I heard that the candidates’ photos would be at the voting place. So I would look for who I know and hope that he will help to develop my community.’
Marendra, farmer
‘I would not be voting because I am from Hog Island and that is not a local authority area. I voted for the national elections though. Right now everybody is moving out of Hog Island because there is no development. The produce that I plant there is not selling and I have to actually give most away and sell some at a cheap price. The farming is not profitable at all but there is nothing else to do and we have the land.’
Christine Jones, university student
‘I’ll be voting but I don’t know as yet who would be representing my constituency. As far as I know they haven’t walked around to do campaigning. I was told that there would be photos of the candidates at the polling station so I guess I’ll have to depend on that. But I would have liked to get to know the candidates and hear what they have to offer to the community in aspects of development. I think they should set up community bins where everyone can dump their garbage and the NDC would take it away. We also need streetlights. As a young person, I’m a part of a newly formed foundation that builds bridges among young people, senior citizens, single parents and school dropouts. I’m the vice president. We’re also involved in community projects. Our motto is: ‘Making a difference to face tomorrow.’
Drupattie Ramsarran, housewife
‘I have seen my candidate and I would go out and vote on Friday. He came around in the village and spoke to the residents. I feel he is capable of doing something positive for the community. We need garbage bins around the village and we need proper roads and drains.’
