Dear Editor,
The Community Recreation Ground at Lamaha Park, East La Penitence, George-town has turned into a jungle due to neglect and lack of maintenance.
I am thinking of inviting the Guyana Defence Force to conduct a part of their Jungle Training there instead of taking their ranks to the interior for such training exercise. The unkempt ground has grown into an ideal place for jungle warfare exercise. Members of the community, including the Community Policing Group, had several engagements with the Ministry of Public Works, The Mayor and City Council and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in an effort to put the ground in order but without success. All three entities are kicking the ball around. The goal posts keeps changing. They are shifting responsibility from one to another.
Residents heard that it is the responsibility of the Mayor Narine, Minister Edghill and Minister Ramson. None of these gentlemen are taking ownership for the community ground. Recently, government officials visited Tucville, Sophia and South Ruimveldt and had discussions with the residents but did not come to Lamaha Park. These communities’ bordered Lamaha Park. Perhaps this peaceful community has not yet come on the radar of the government. This ground was once very active with the residents, particularly the youths being engaged in cricket, football, athletics, cycling, other sports and social activities.
The current situation is that the youths in the community are forced to play cricket, football and other sport on the busy road where their lives and limbs are in constant peril. They cannot use the ground because of its present unfit state. Construction of several buildings is in progress at an area on the northern side of the community which was exclusively designated as a recreation ground. It is feared that a similar arrangement will be done to the community ground in question, thereby depriving the community of a much needed community ground.
I hereby make a clarion call to the person/s in authority to take positive action to ensure the urgent rehabilitation of the community ground commence for the benefit of the community. Who knows? Perhaps another Clive Lloyd will emerge from the ground.
Sincerely,
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner of Police
(Ret’d)
