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AFC blames “continued incompetence of NDC”
Bartica market woes…
The AFC is calling on the new Minister of Local Government, Norman Whittaker to seriously re-engage the defaulting NDC, GPL and GWI with a view to resolving the crisis and alleviating the suffering of the stall holders in Bartica, most of whom are totally dependent on these ventures for their daily existence.
This was expressed by Executive Member Gerhard Ramsaroop at the party’s weekly press conference at Fourth Street, Campbellville headquarters on Wednesday.
Gerhard Ramsaroop
Ramsaroop said the party is seriously concerned with the rampant lawlessness and gross mismanagement exhibited by the Bartica NDC which has negatively impacted residents of this region.
He said at the request of residents and as part of their hinterland outreach, a team of AFC officials visited Bartica on August 13 and 14, 2011, to deal with issues affecting the Bartica community, and more specifically, the Bartica market fiasco.
Noting that the relatively new market building, constructed by persons outside of Bartica, is without water and electricity for two months due to the continued incompetence of the NDC, Ramsaroop asserted that the NDC, though they have been paid the required fees by the stallholders, have yet again failed to remit monies to GPL and GWI, resulting in disconnection of electricity and water.
This situation, he said, coupled with the inadequate ventilation, poor internal design and general apathy with respect to maintenance, have led to serious loss of income through the closure of some stalls, and a slowdown of business activity in the market.
Adding that stallholders expressed disgust and frustration at the snail-paced decision-making of the NDC and the apparent lack of concern by the Ministry of Local Government, Ramsaroop said they (stallholders) are also asking for a shed to be erected at the back of the market so that the doors do not have to be closed when it rains. Presently, with the lack of lights this puts the market in darkness. Awnings are also needed over the vents to prevent rain from flashing in and wetting the stalls below.
Ramsaroop further underscored that the drainage system in the meat and fish section is completely blocked. The stallholders said the pipes should have been run individually straight down to the river instead. They pointed out, too, that most of the stalls at the sides of the market are unoccupied because they lack direct access from the main passageways.
“An AFC Government on the other hand will seek to utilise contractors from within the region. Where that is not possible, we will introduce clauses into contracts requiring a minimum employment level for persons in the region. At the consultancy level, the AFC will also involve the people for whom the projects are intended. In the case of the Bartica market, the consultant would have been required to discuss the design with a stallholder committee.”
He concluded by stating that the Ministry must ensure that measures are put in place to avoid recurrences of the NDC’s failings, including prosecuting culpable officials.
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