UDC hard at work

UDC hard at work


By Kerri Gooding

THIS year, as it celebrates 15 years of service, the Urban Development Commission (UDC) will use education, research and infrastructural initiatives to bring about change and make improvements in the 15 constituencies under its care.

Director at UDC Derek Alleyne told the Barbados Advocate, “Through the activities we want to raise public awareness and staff camaraderie as well.”

Alleyne said they also have high hopes for the activities which promote public interaction.

“Public response is expected to be warm and inviting. This is an opportunity to renew their requests and for us to respond.”

Yesterday, the UDC began the week of celebratory activities with a church service. Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Senator Darcy Boyce stated that the UDC was committed to commencing celebrations giving God thanks for all they had accomplished to date and praying for future guidance and achievements.

Throughout the week, with a series of activities, the employees of UDC will go out into the communities and seek to educate persons about the purpose of the UDC.

According to Boyce, many believe the UDC only works through improving infrastructure such as the construction of roads, homes and drains. He said that their minds go first and solely to these areas, but it should not stop there. He asserted that the work done by the UDC is done with a simple purpose – people. The objective is “to make the lives of people better.”

This evening there will be a lecture by Sir. Hilary Beckles at the Frank Collymore Hall, and UDC is appealing to members of the urban communities to attend.

On Tuesday the focus will be on ‘Greening Society’ when a clean-up will occur and there will be a tree-planting ceremony outside the UDC office. On Wednesday, through community outreach, UDC will enter various urban areas and interview people to get their issues and make plans going forward. On Thursday, at UDC headquarters there will be an open-day where the public can freely have their queries addressed; and Friday, the week concludes with a staff appreciation day.