Residents of Belle Vue have reported alarming living conditions as caimans have moved into the idle pump area, raising urgent concerns for the community, particularly for children. This afternoon, residents invited Mr. Mohamed and members of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party to witness first-hand the dire situation they have endured for the past three years, which has been largely ignored by local authorities.
The community is grappling with deteriorating infrastructure, including an eroded and crumbling split concrete road, and a massive open hole filled with stagnant water where caimans have taken up residence. These conditions pose serious risks to families, especially children who frequently play near the area. The water’s foul smell, coupled with a surge in mosquitoes, forces residents to seek refuge indoors by 5 PM daily.
The contract for the Belle Vue Pump Station, valued at approximately $865 million, was awarded to Tepui Inc., a company led by a controversial figure known for social media advocacy rather than relevant experience. Despite receiving an advance and interim payment totaling $160.894 million, reports indicate that almost no meaningful work has been completed as of August 2024, with similar findings confirmed in 2025. Concerns have been raised over the unreturned funds, gifted by the government.
The situation points to significant oversight failures by the government and its agencies, particularly the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and procurement bodies. Billions of dollars intended for drainage and irrigation have been mismanaged, leaving communities like Belle Vue to suffer from polluted water, crumbling roads, hazardous open pits, and a failed drainage system that leads to flooding.
The Auditor General has been critical of the situation, highlighting notable deficiencies. Tepui Inc. failed to meet nine of the eighteen evaluation criteria necessary for a valid bid, raising questions about the firm’s qualifications.
WIN and the villagers are calling on Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapaha and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo to conduct an on-site assessment and take immediate action to address these hazards, restore basic infrastructure, and clarify the status of the pump station project. Residents are urging strong governmental intervention to alleviate their plight and ensure safety in their community.
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