A community consultation on a land-use policy went awry when Caura residents used the event to air their frustrations over a lack of infrastructural development in their area. Officials of the Ministry of Planning held a community consultation on the development of the Caura Valley at St Veronica's RC Church, Caura, on Tuesday to allow community members an opportunity to give feedback on a land-use policy for their area. The meeting, however, quickly went off course as residents questioned plans and voiced their disappointment. The ministry's plans included eco-lodges, an agri-park, upgraded recreational facilities, land for single family dwellings and adjustments to plot sizes for farmers.
During the presentation, the project's planner, Camille Guishard, was interrupted several times as residents sought to clarify issues dealing with the policy. After Guishard completed her presentation, residents aired their grouses. "Everything I hear so far is for people coming in," a resident said. "The people here get nothing and I think that is in poor taste." His statement elicited echoes from residents who saw the priorities of the project as good for tourism and not necessarily the Caura people. At this point, permanent secretary in the Planning Ministry, Sheryl Ann Haynes, intervened. "If you have priorities for the proposal, we would like to know," Haynes said. She added that the plan was still at conceptual stage.
Another resident of Caura, Ramlackan Singh, said although he appreciated and supported the development plan, it did not seem to meet the existing needs of the Caura people. He said: "Money is being allocated for the development of Caura and still Caura has no pipe-borne water. "You have come with a lot of grandiose plans to a community lacking the most basic amenities," Singh said, to the agreement of his fellow residents. President of the Caura Village Council, Saheed Ali, made his contribution next, asking how Caura could be turned into a tourism destination when problems were not being addressed by the local government councillor for the area. "PTSC (Public Transport Service Corporation) refuses to send buses here, school children have to walk a mile and a half to get to school," Ali said.
"We are plagued with praedial larceny, destruction of the river, people come and they rob river bathers and leave." Residents continued to offer their candid and somewhat heated views before local government councillor for Trincity/Macoya Ria Boodoo made her own observations. "I did not hear talk of tackling bushfires or partnering with local government," said Boodoo. The meeting took another twist when Boodoo's words seemed to incite residents to complain about the lack of commitment from their local government representative. During this time, Minister of Planning Bhoe Tewarie made his entrance.
Tewarie waited until residents had finished making comments before speaking. "We know there are concerns about land use and the environment due to an increase in residential usage," Tewarie said.
"We know that physical infrastructure is bad and the Ministry of Works is working on the issue." While he acknowledged that the concerns of the residents were valid and would be looked at, he encouraged residents to be open-minded about the development of their community. He told them the objective was to encourage sustainable development while maintaining Caura Valley as an environmentally-centred area. "If you remain a small, closed community, no matter how beautiful you would die," Tewarie said.
"Closed systems die and open systems thrive. "We will take into account your rationale thinking and emotions but will do what is best for the country."