Residents squatting on area set aside for Mahdia commercial zone

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud is urging the Mahdia police to take aggressive measures to curb squatting, on noticing that an area that had been earmarked to become a commercial zone had become a squatter settlement.

Persaud and his team, comprising Permanent Secretary Colin Croal and Region Eight REO Ronald Harsawack made the discovery during a walkabout in the community on Saturday, a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said. He pledged to bring the situation to the attention of the Minister of Housing, and, during a visit to the Mahdia Police Station he called on the officers to use aggressive force to curb squatting and crime. The police also gave the minister an update about the activities being undertaken to curb social ills.

Persaud also noted the changes in the community, including theMahdia Arcade which now houses 28 stalls. On July 1, 2010 the arcade was completely gutted in an early-morning blaze but through interventions by the Housing Ministry it has now been rebuilt and regularised to accommodate vendors.

The Minister and team conversing with a street side fruit vendor (GINA pic)

During the walkabout along the main streets of Mahdia, the team interacted with several roadside vendors and business owners including businessman Roger Hinds, about the community’s immediate needs. Residents suggested that the community needs a radio station, which the minister commended.

The team also visited the Mahdia Power and Light (MPL) plant which is providing a 24-hour supply of electricity for the first time since 2011. Government subsidises the plant and residents receive the first 15 kilowatts of power free every month and pay a minimum cost of $100 per watt thereafter. Persaud encouraged MPL staff to ensure that residents are metered and he urged the line crew to ensure proper maintenance of equipment to minimise losses.

Later in the afternoon, Persaud joined Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai to journey to the Denham Bridge that was built in 1933 over the Garraway Stream, linking Mahdia to Bartica by trail.

The bridge that links Mahdia to Bartica by trail (GINA pic)
The Mahdia Police Station (GINA pic)