Bethany residents say they must be consulted on projects

The increased incidences of poor works by contractors from outside the community is a major concern for the residents of Bethany, an indigenous community on the Supenaam River, Region Two.

GINA said that the residents are calling for more consultations, not only in the planning stages of the projects, but in their execution.

This matter was raised during a ministerial outreach in Region Two over the weekend, which was led by Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock. GINA said that James Thomas, a resident said that they want to be consulted on community projects being done  by local and central government, since the community understands their own challenges, and will be in a position to make appropriate recommendations.

Romona Thomas, a midwife said that often times, contractors and engineers would enter the community and begin projects without consulting the residents. She also lamented  that no work was done on the health centre’s landing since the project started one year ago. Concerns were also raised regarding a leaking roof and inadequate furniture at the primary school, no electricity and cupboards at the health centre and no furniture at the teachers’ quarters. GINA said that Allicock told the residents that while the Government would like to consult with them more regularly, it is not possible. “I don’t know if you know that there are 115 Indigenous villages across the country and we have to engage all of them…you are easier to access, you are at the centre and so you are at an advantage where you can get everything that can help you move forward. Imagine those communities way back there like Masakenari…while we work with you, we have the Community Development Officers and the Regional Administration who are easily accessible,” Allicock told the residents.

Allicock told the village leaders that they need to be pro-active and consult more with the villagers since Toshaos are privy to the projects being undertaken in the villages.

The Minister noted that the issue of contractors entering communities without consulting the Village Chief is a common one around the country and needs to be corrected. Bethany has a population of close to 1000 persons, most of who are involved in lumbering, GINA said

GINA said that Allicock encouraged the Village Council members to use the royalties from the lumbering project, for small projects.  The residents are also asking for a secondary school to be built within the community or for the establishment of a secondary department. Felicia Thomas, a single parent said that her child will be attending secondary school on the coast in September, and she cannot afford to pay transportation to and from school every day. Regional Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson explained that having a secondary school within the area may not be feasible since there are only about 20 secondary-age students in the area, however, they can make a proposal for a Secondary Department to be established at the Primary School.