Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St James Senator Sandra Husbands (left) looking on as residents of the National Housing Corporation (NHC) Haynesville Housing Estate speak about the electrical problems in the area.
The Barbados Labour Party (BLP) candidate for St James South, Senator Sandra Husbands, is appealing to the National Housing Corporation to fix the electrical problems affecting homes in the Housing Estate at Haynesville.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Husbands declared that she has joined with residents of The Haynesville Housing Estate in their collective protest and petition to the government, through the NHC, their landlord, to have the problems urgently rectified.
Recently, there was a house fire in the area and residents believe it was caused by the electrical problems.
Almost 200 residents have signed a petition which Husbands said she will be presenting to the NHC between Friday and Monday.
“Over the past two years there have been four house fires resulting to, and, or, loss of property of the affected residents.
“These recurring electrical problems have been and continue to be the source of [distress] among residents who live with the repeated tripping of breakers; sparks and sounds emitting from the electrical system, and the frequent replacement of light bulbs, switches and sockets.
“Residents complain of the stress they experience, especially during the evening hours when the electrical usage is higher, in that they constantly fear the loss of life and property,” Husbands said.
The candidate said residents have been advised by private electrical contractors as well as fire officials, that electrical wiring which is over 30 years old is desperately in need of replacement, as it is unable to carry modern appliances.
She noted that residents who approached the NHC for rewiring were told that the Corporation does not have the funds to rewire.
However, Husbands, who declared that she rejected that assertion, said government finds the money to deal with issues viewed as national priority or to provide political advantage.
“I speak of the hastened road works programme in response to public outcry regarding the many large potholes in our road network, funding found for the David Thompson Football classic, funding found to host CARIFESTA and the present de-bushing programme. The circumstance at Haynesville is dire and deadly…
“The hallmark of an effective government is its responsiveness to the felt needs of its citizens, and its capacity to prioritise expenditure that treats to and advances the cause of the most vulnerable in our society. That is who we are,” Husbands said.
Meanwhile, a number of residents also expressed concern regarding the issue. They too called on authorities to fix problem. One young male resident who described the situation as dire said many residents are living in fear and hoping there are no more fires in the area.
(AH)