I urge the President to fulfill his promises and turn our community into a true masterpiece

Aug 29, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

I read with interest the Stabroek News editorial titled “Masterpiece,” dated August 18, where President Irfaan Ali, during the opening of the recent Building Expo, extolled Silica City on the highway, calling it his “masterpiece.”

Several thoughts came to mind when I read those words. Is Silica City going to be another of the President’s “masterpieces,” similar to the Remigrant Scheme at Providence Garden?

Allow me to remind readers of the history of the Remigrant Scheme. Guyanese in the diaspora were urged to take advantage of the house lots at the Remigrant Scheme at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The scheme was established several years ago by the current administration to provide a North American style of living for Guyanese in the diaspora.

However, the Remigrant Scheme is far from being a masterpiece. Instead, it has become a community plagued by frequent blackouts, broken promises, brown and black drinking water, and ineffective drainage systems.

I hope the new Silica City will not follow the same path as the Remigrant Scheme. The Remigrant Scheme was envisioned as a community for citizens returning from overseas, but today it is no longer true to that purpose, as more locals have purchased homes in the scheme.

Of the over 400 house lots, only about 25 percent of the homes are completed. The remaining lots, although sold, are now overgrown and home to anacondas, mosquitoes, and otters.

I urge the President to fulfill his promises and turn our community into a true masterpiece. We paid some of the highest per square foot for land in Guyana, and we deserve to see that investment reflected in the quality of our community.

Regards,

Remigrant

• community, masterpiece, President Irfaan Ali, remigrant, Silica City