14 NEWS Town Council awaits expert advice GPF, GDF conduct security Mabaruma on cutting down of century-old rubber trees assessment in Region 1 T MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
Members of the Joint Services meeting with the regional administration
T
he Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Thursday last conducted a security assessment in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Wiani). The initiative was aimed at improving and repairing its image among the residents in that region. This came shortly after the allegations of rape were levelled
dia on Friday. Both teams expressed concern about such and committed to rebuilding the image and public trust of the Joint Services across the region. The Joint Services team was led by Colonel Skeete of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Clifton Hicken.
Members of the Joint Services
against five GDF ranks. “The visit was and also to meet with the regional administration to assure that the Joint Services were thoroughly investigating the allegations of rape brought against military personnel in the past week,” the Police stated in a release to the me-
The team also met with the regional administration including Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Vice-Chair Annasha Peters, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Tikaram Bisesar, and other members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The members of the Joint Services also met with the Mabaruma Town Council. During the meeting, the regional team raised the concerns of the issue of poor accommodations for the members of the Joint Services and noted that proper and adequate transportation is needed for both land and water for the effective combating of crime and other duties. The issue of timely payment of contracted suppliers of the Joint Services was also raised. The Joint Services team also reiterated that the members of the Joint Services who are serving in the region must and will be proactive while approaching their duties with a high level of professionalism. A commitment was also given for the serving members to continue collaborations with the regional administration on various projects and activities that the administration may propose. These assurances were met with the regional administration team’s pledge of support to the Joint Services’ members serving in the region. Talks of continued collaboration to ensure highly maintained security to the region were also explored. After the meeting, the Joint Services team visited several areas including Morawhanna, Shell Beach, Imbotero and the Mabaruma Police Station where they briefed ranks on what was expected of them while serving in the region and urged them to continue to work together as a team to fulfil the mandate of securing the region and the country’s frontier.
he Mabaruma Town Council is awaiting a report from experts at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) on whether the century-old rubber trees that line Philbert Pierre Avenue in its township are a threat to citizens. This is according to Mayor Chris Phang, who told Guyana Times that the Town Council and Regional Administration are presently engaging the Public Works Ministry and the GFC on the way forward. The trees were scheduled to be removed on January 27, 2021, to facilitate a road project which started under the previous APNU/AFC
findings of the previous consultation report and to engage the Public Works Ministry to have the engineers come up with a solution to have the road constructed with the trees intact. Mayor Phang, however, explained that another consultation on the cutting down of the trees is likely to be held in the coming week among stakeholders including residents from the town. He is hoping that the report from the GFC will be completed and dispatched to the Town Council as soon as possible since it would assist in the consultations. According to Mayor
The century-old rubber trees that line Philbert Pierre Avenue, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini)
Government. However, following mounting public outcry, Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall intervened and ordered that the cutting down of the trees must be halted until another consultation is held. Minister Dharamlall also instructed the Mayor and Town Council and Regional Chairman to publicise the
Phang, a similar consultation was held under the previous APNU/AFC Government and the majority of persons voted in favour of having the trees removed. He further explained that persons residing in Mabaruma are aware that the trees have outlived their time. He explained that branches are falling from the trees which pose a threat
Mabaruma Mayor Chris Phang
to citizens as the trees are located on the main access road, next to public offices. He recalled an incident in which one of the branches fell into the churchyard, but fortunately, no one was injured. Reports are that the road project has already commenced but has not yet reached Philbert Pierre Avenue. Despite protests from residents, the Mabaruma Mayor and Town Council had informed road users that the tree cutting exercise would begin on the morning of Wednesday, January 27, 2021, and end around 14:00h. This led to an online petition urging the township’s Mayor and Town Council to reconsider what was described as a “poor decision” of having the trees removed. The original petitioner stated that the trees are iconic and meaningful to Guyanese everywhere, as well as foreign visitors. As such, calls were made to the relevant authorities for the trees to be preserved. The petitioners have insisted that there is another route to facilitate the desired road expansion without cutting down these trees.
GPF teams up with businesses to construct home for Linden family
T
he Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Police Division along with several stakeholders have come together to construct a home for a Linden single mother of two. Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter said the initiative which is in the initial stage was birthed after Police conducted a community outreach programme at Prosville, Wismar, where they learned of the woman’s plight. Ranks from the Police Division, with the assistance of businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), pooled their resources and started to construct the two-bedroom concrete home. “The ranks brought it to our attention. Then we decided that we’re going to do it. When we visited the site, she indicated to us that she
The foundation is set and blocks are being laid
doesn’t have any outside bathroom, any outside toilet, no bathroom to bathe. It was just something put up with couple blocks around, no windows. You know, the condition wasn’t nice,” the Regional Commander said. He explained that based on a needs assessments, the group donated a mattress to the single mother after which, the focus was placed on erecting the home. With the Linden businesses com-
ing forward to donate materials, construction workers and contractors have volunteered free services in the humanitarian drive. The Police have also contacted the Linden Electricity Company Inc to have electricity supplied to the home once completed. In addition, a plumber is on board with the initiative. The construction is expected to be completed in three weeks.
