Dear Editor,
A few days ago a meeting was held at Mabaruma, Region One by a visiting team from the city that included a Minister and a parliamentarian and some senior personnel.
The meeting was quite interesting and we were happy to have their visit. They explained the purpose of the visit. They told us what the government has for us in their package especially for the young people.
The minister explained to us the importance of Local Government and what we must expect from it. The NDC has not been effective here for a very long time so we introduced a system in certain areas just to get things done.
At Kumaka, a small group takes care of the garbage from Kumaka and they are business people. These business people arranged a canter and two workers. The problem with the collection is that there are some persons who do not want to pay because of the political climate in the area. Some of them are reasonable farmers and shop keepers but just do not want to cooperate. When the NDC starts to function they will have to comply with the laws of the NDC.
Now after the Minister and the Regional Chairman were finished speaking the floor was opened for comment and suggestions. We did mention about our garbage problem and non-communication by the parliamentarian Mr Richard Allen to the Mabaruma Sub Region. When we spoke about our garbage problems his answer was inappropriate. Elected government officials must be in a position to respond to the people in an appropriate manner. We the Mabaruma people will not condone this type of attitude from government officials, they must learn how to relate to the public.
The residents of Mabaruma will be very grateful if Mr Moses Nagamootoo can extend his generosity by letting us have personnel in our Region.
A week ago a resident from Barabina Hill asked me what the president is doing about the Barabina road. The president promised them if he won the election he would take care of that road. The chairman of Region One mentioned at our public meeting that he will include that project as one of his main priorities for next year.
The farmers of Hotoquai also need some assistance. The residents of Barabina allowed the previous government to bring their roads to that stage. In the rainy season you will have to walk and ferry the other half.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Hope
Former AFC councillor
