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Contractor abandons clearing back dam after five weeks
– “People getting free money”- La Harmonie residents
Disgusted at the way contractors are executing works at the Backlands of La Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, residents say that it is becoming unbearable the way money is being spent by the government to only fill contractors’ pockets for minimal work.
“Now a contractor get $8M to clear and shape a dam that is 2,350 rods; they start six weeks ago and done already. They only do 45 rods and all their machines are gone and we ain’t seeing nobody.”
Every year we go into Region Three and ask for them to get money to bulldoze the dam and clear it because the school children have to use it to go to La Harmonie Primary School.
Part of the dam which was haphazardly done.
La Harmonie is a farming community which has over 80 households. Thus, the dam is essential to access farming lands and the Primary School.
“If tractors or any vehicle go into there the overhead shrubs and bamboo with the overgrowth prevent anyone from reaching where they want to go, especially when it rains…this caused people to start using boat.”
A Hymac was used to clear a part of the area. Residents said that the machine just parted some of the bushes and did nothing much to penetrate the real area that needs to be cleared.
“When we went into the regional office and ask what is the specification of the area which is supposed to be cleared they (regional office) said that they can’t give we that. Some of them say the money wasn’t enough and the contractor could not have cleared the entire area!
“So is only the contractor benefits with money in he pocket; not the people that live here. If they don’t have all the money why put out a contract to do anything at all? The place aint even do properly!”
Regional Chairman Julius Faerber visited the area and noted the sloppy work done. Residents said that the chairman even acknowledged that a bulldozer was supposed to be used but that the region doesn’t have the machine.
“How can the Government hire a contractor that doesn’t have the right equipment?” residents questioned. “Imagine is a Hymac they used instead and it look like the operator can’t even use it properly. The government say, report when we see thing ain’t going right and when we report is another thing altogether.”
Another issue raised was the sea defence that is being done by another contractor. Residents noted that the contractor is building a four-foot wall to keep out the sea. However, it appeared as if the contractor left the project 70 per cent completed.
When Chairman Faerber was contacted he recommended that a comment should be sourced from the Regional Executive Officer, Donald Gajraj. Gajraj was not in office for the entire day and was said to be at a meeting in the city.
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