The Alliance For Change is calling for urgent intervention to address the many problems affecting residents of Chenapou, Region Eight. Regional Chairman Mark Crawford visited the area on November 19 – 22, 2013 as part of his duties to look into the concerns, welfare and development of the Potaro – Siparuni Region. Crawford was named Regional Chairman after the AFC got the most votes in Region Eight at the 2011 Regional and General Elections.
During his visit, the Regional Chairman had a first-hand look at, infrastructural works being done, the condition of the health centre, living quarters for health officials, schools and living accommodations for teachers. In all the places he looked at, Crawford saw the need for urgent attention. The community health centre and the personal quarters for health personnel assigned to the community are both in need of urgent repairs. In addition, the health personnel quarters needed furniture.
During a walk-about in the village, the Regional Chairman noticed that five pedestrian bridges were in need of repairs, the trail from Chenapou to Paramakatoi needs to be cleared as Chenapou children attending the Paramakatoi Secondary School make a two-day trek along this trail to attend school.
At the teachers quarters where two VSO teachers from the United Kingdom were being housed, there was no electricity, no proper furniture, the toilet was not working properly, the shower stall left much to be desired and basic appliances were not available.
On November 20, 2013 the Regional Chairman met with residents of Chenapou. The residents four main concerns were, the need for a safe house that will serve as a rest shelter for school children making the two day journey between Chenapou and Paramakatoi, the need for a potable water supply in the village, pensioners having to wait three months to collect Old Age Pension and land titling.
The residents called for the original boundaries of their reservation to be honoured. The Land Title that they are being offered does not include all their original land. The residents were told they can apply for an extension at a later date.
Chenapou residents would also like to be included in the management of the Kaiteur Falls and National Park and share in some of the revenue that is generated since it is located within the original boundary of the village.
The residents also identified the need for, a medical team to visit the village, a medical technician to conduct testing for tuberculosis which is very prevalent in the area, expansion to the maternity section of the health centre, anti-malaria drugs as the health centre was out of supply at the time, mosquito nets and, a fogging machine to help in the fight to stop the reproduction of the malaria carrying anopheles mosquito.
Residents also complained that the Primary School was overcrowded and because of the overcrowding two classes from the Primary School have to be accommodated in the Nursery School. Both schools are without adequate furniture.
The residents asked that an Education Officer be assigned over the North Pakaraimas – Sub-Region One which has 27 schools since both the Education Officer and District Education Officer are stationed in Sub-Region Two that has nine schools.
The residents raised the need for a proper road to be built linking Chenapou and Murwa and for an apron to be constructed at the airstrip.
They also asked for spades, wheelbarrows, hoes and other tools so that they can do work around the village.
While at Chenapou, the Regional Chairman learnt that the Regional Executive Officer had visited the village and saw the condition of the schools and teachers quarters. He promised to look into the situation but to date he has done nothing to improve the situation.
Since loosing control of Region Eight, the PPP Government through its appointed Regional Executive Officer has continuously sought to stifle the work of the RDC in Region Eight and in effect cause much suffering to the people of Region Eight. Earlier this year the RDC passed a vote of ‘no confidence’ against the Regional Executive Officer and called for his removal after many attempts to gain his cooperation failed. However, the Minister of Local Government has refused to honour the wishes of the RDC
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