I see corruption all over in Region 6 governance

Sep 09, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have been arduously following the letters written by RDC Councillor, Mr H. Yusuf with relation to the total disregard for any serious consultations with stakeholders in Region 6 and would like to agree with the facts which he so blatantly outlined and which I do feel warrants my input.
During the last Local Government Elections, I contested as a candidate for the National Congress of Progressive People’s Alliance and won a seat in the 52-74 NDC. I am aware of the political considerations which would take precedence over socio-economic considerations for the betterment of the NDC, hence my choice not to be affiliated to any political party. I am also aware of the directives which would normally be handed down by high officials of a certain political party. I was duly elected as a Councillor and the Vice-Chairman of the Works Committee and had since been dumbfounded by the corrupt practices which are evident at the RDC and NDC levels. This is done by the people who are supposed to have the Region’s development at heart.
There were many project proposals from the 52-74 NDC which were sent to the RDC but many of these did not gain favor at that level and to my dismay no explanations were given. Furthermore, there were projects which were in the RDC 2017 Proposal but which were not prioritized by the NDC and again, there were projects which should not have been done, but found its way into the RDC’s Estimates.
For instance Item 20 in the RDC Estimates which is the rehabilitation of #59 Main and Cross NOPR was already done last year, and the few holes in it were already repaired by the NDC yet it found its way into the 2017 Estimates. If proper consultation was done then this would not have happened since there are roads that were never done and were completely overlooked- for instance, the 71/72 Sideline Road (East). This particular road was in the NDC Budget for the past 4 years and never gained favor with the RDC. If any consultation was done then this road would have been in this 2-17 Proposed Estimates.
When I read that the 2017 Capital Estimates were done by just the Regional Vice-Chairman and the Region’s Engineer, it became clear why this type of anomaly would give rise. It is also evident that there are lots of substandard work done in my NDC and which was certified by the same Engineer and the Regional Vice-Chairman. For instance, the #52 First Cross Street and Middle Walk SOPR was done about three weeks ago and is already rapidly disintegrating. If the bill of quantities was properly adhered to then this would not have happened.
There is massive corruption at all levels in Region 6 and I am calling on the relevant authorities to reconsider scrapping the entire RDC 2017 Estimates and let it be done in the proper manner, especially the Capital Expenditures Estimates. This type of corruption is eating away at the development of the Region and should not be tolerated by anyone.
Lakram Singh
Vice Chairman
Works Committee 52-74 NDC

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News