Residents must demand answers from Kwakwani leaders about the poor state of the community

Dear Editor,

In my last letter, I highlighted that the state of the roads in Kwakwani was the worst I have seen and they reflect the quality of our leaders. I was quite wrong about the roads because some road work was done to the value of millions of dollars and  they are worse than what I had called worst. I never knew that our roads could be made worse than what I saw then.

As an outspoken resident and one who would like to see my community progress, I make it my duty to be present at public meetings to hear for myself what plans are in store for my community’s benefit. And what I am now beginning to realise is that some persons have a monopoly on ideas on what is important and can be of benefit to the Kwakwani Community.

The sad part is their ideas must derive some personal benefit for them, if not they make sure that no other ideas are entertained. So we are in a state where you have to be in a certain circle for any idea you have to be considered even if the residents are suffering. I am very interested in hearing from the leaders of my community answers to the following:

-What form of engagement exists between the leadership of the community and stakeholders e.g. Bauxite Company and Forest Producers?

-Who or what is responsible for the Bauxite Company stopping their financial assistance to the community?

-Is it possible for the community to maintain a hydraulically-operated motor grader when we are finding it difficult to operate a farm tractor?

-Can we build roads if we cannot fix a few potholes?

-Who is looking out for our youths? Has anyone taken notice of the  high numbers of teenage pregnancies, gambling among 12-year-olds and drug use by  our youths?

-What became of the vocational youth training programme & equipment promised by Minister Benn?

-Who will go to the frontline and demand answers about the community water system where over $23M from the IDB and other donor agencies was spent to lay pipelines and the residents are still to use them?

I can go on but will stop to say that we cannot get electricity without a negative current or force. If I am seen by my leaders as negative for highlighting the truth about what is happening in my community then so be it.

The Kwakwani community should never be allowed to be and remain in the state it is in. There are adequate resources available to make it better.

It is up to the residents to demand answers of the leadership and work towards making the community better.

One senior resident once told me “Take care of the cent and the dollars will take care of themselves“. If we can take care of the little things, the big thing will automatically take care of themselves.

Yours faithfully
Jocelyn Morian