Residents of Block 5, Great Diamond, on the East Bank of Guyana, are facing escalating hardship as the continued absence of basic public services drives up living costs and heightens safety risks, according to a letter published in Village Voice News by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Nima Flue-Bess.
In the correspondence, Flue-Bess described conditions in the community as “unacceptable,” citing the lack of electricity, potable water, transportation, and adequate security as persistent challenges confronting residents.
“Families in the community are struggling daily without access to basic necessities such as electricity, potable water, and adequate security,” the MP wrote, pointing to the strain on households forced to independently secure essential services.
She detailed the steep financial burden residents now carry. “On average, households are burdened with approximately $36,000 monthly for fuel to operate generators, an additional $32,000 for water, and about $5,000 daily for a taxi due to the lack of public transit,” Flue-Bess stated, noting that these expenses come on top of existing obligations such as loans and general household needs.
The situation is further compounded by environmental and security concerns. “Persons continue to dump garbage indiscriminately within the area, creating unsanitary conditions, while residents live in fear as bandits exploit the lack of security, particularly during the night,” the letter said.
Flue-Bess also revealed that residents had previously sounded the alarm directly to the authorities. In a letter dated April 1, 2025, residents wrote to Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, outlining the severity of their circumstances and appealing for urgent intervention.
In that letter, residents warned that the lack of infrastructure and services was creating serious risks and hardships. They highlighted that during periods of rainfall, vehicles frequently become stuck in mud and wet sand, severely restricting movement within the community. Transportation costs, they noted, have increased significantly, further burdening already strained households.
Residents also raised concerns about emergency response, warning that ambulances and other emergency services would face difficulty reaching homes in a timely manner under current conditions. Additionally, they pointed to serious security vulnerabilities, noting that the limited accessibility of the area could hinder the police’s ability to respond quickly to robberies and break-ins.
Despite these documented appeals, Flue-Bess said little progress has been made. While the Minister of Housing had previously given assurances of relief, she noted, “to date, no meaningful action has materialized.”
“Promises without delivery only deepen the frustration and sense of neglect felt by our community,” she wrote.
The APNU parliamentarian stressed that Block 5 is home to “hardworking citizens who deserve dignity, safety, and access to basic services,” and renewed calls for urgent government action.
“We are calling once again on the authorities to act with urgency and compassion to address these longstanding issues,” Flue-Bess said, urging responsible agencies to “move beyond promises and take tangible steps to improve the living conditions of the residents of Block 5.”
The disclosure of prior correspondence underscores growing concern among residents that repeated warnings have gone unaddressed, even as conditions continue to deteriorate.
