Operatives of the Belladrum Community Development Council (CDC) are calling on villagers in this West Coast Berbice community to remain vigilant in the face of threats by the Government to dismantle the present council and its leadership and impose an Interim Management Committee (IMC). Village Voice News first reported efforts by government to impose its will on the community and the villagers’ determination to fight back.
The Opposition, A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC), at its press conference last Thursday, condemned the action of People’s Progressive Party (PPP) activists at Belladrum, which the Opposition said is a clear-cut case of power-drunk politicians, agitating for unsavory responses from law-abiding citizens and an attempt to sow seeds of division among villagers.
Mr. Lelon Saul, a member of the Belladrum CDC, who attended the press conference advised that “at approximately 16:00 hrs on Wednesday 17th May 2023, a team of PPP operatives, led by Minister Sonia Parag, descended upon the Community Development Council’s (CDC) property at Eldorado Village, West Coast Berbice, with the intention of imposing an interim management committee.”
Their presence, Saul said, resulted in the disruption and suspension of the Grade Six lessons that were being held in the building. “Consequently, scores of angry residents converged at the location venting their anger and disgust at the PPP’s wanton abuse of power.”
Further, only two weeks ago, Minister of Local Government, Nigel Dharamlall, spoke at a public meeting at Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice, informing those residents that the government is responsible for the operations of all CDCs and he is empowered to effect managerial changes where he felt necessary, Saul advised.
It was reported by some residents who attended that forum that the Minister has expressed a desire to orchestrate a CDC that is managed by PPP activists, which the residents of Belladrum rejected and warned the minister that he is provoking unrest in the community.
Using the press conference platform Saul said the opportunity was taken to inform the nation and the Ministers that the Belladrum CDC is a registered trust and is currently conducting its operations and programmes on a portion of land that was leased from the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC).
He pointed out, when the APNU+AFC government was in power, the Belladrum CDC obtained grants from several organisations including, the Central Government, UNDP, IPADA-G, and other NGOs, for the execution of several projects including the construction of buildings.
Informing of the organisation’s legitimacy Saul cautioned the body that should not be removed by this dictatorial administration.
He warned “the attempt by Minister Parag and known PPP elements to illegally impose an IMC on the Belladrum CDC is a flagrant violation of the law and is indicative of the PPP’s continuous disregard for the rule of law.”
The Opposition has advised the members of the CDC and the residents of Belladrum to remain vigilant and protect their interests at all costs, pointing out that it is obvious the ministers of government are not only spiteful but woefully misinformed pertaining to the statutes of CDCs.
