The Prime Minister’s Region 6 Rep. was not present

Oct 09, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to recent articles in all the daily newspapers written by well-known activist of the Alliance for Change in Berbice accusing the Regional Administration of Region 6 of not consulting with key stakeholders in the preparation of the 2017 Budget estimates.
This is far from the truth and is reminiscent of their pre-election mantra of corruption without one iota of evidence. About two months prior to the Budget preparation, letters were sent to all Neigbourhood Democratic Council (N.D.C.) and all Regional Councillors by the Regional Chairman for them to make submission in order of priority of projects they would like to see done in their respective NDC’s and communities for inclusion in the 2017 Budget Estimates.
Most of the N.D.C.’s and Regional Councillors responded and made submissions which were checked by the Works Committee (of which the Vice Chairman is Head) and the Engineering Department to arrive at quantities for the projects. Mr. Gobin Harbhajan (A.F.C.) Councillor and Prime Minister’s Representative in Region 6 made no submission.
It should have been the responsibility of the Regional Executive Officer (R.E.O.) and the Engineering Department to put together the submissions in Budget format. Unfortunately the R.E.O. abdicated his responsibility and the Vice Chairman who acted as Chairman (substantive Chairman was on leave) sat with the Engineering Department to format the Budget submissions.
In any Budget Submission it is impossible to include all the projects listed by stakeholders. These had to be prioritised and taken to the Regional Democratic Council for approval before being sent to Budget Office.
The Proposed Estimates received the unanimous support of all R.D.C. Councillors. A few projects raised by councillors were included in the final proposal.
It should be noted that the Prime Minister’s Representative Mr. Gobin Harbajan was not present at the R.D.C. Council meeting to approve the budget neither did he make any submission of projects. It is rather unfortunate that he decided to cry foul after squandering all opportunities available to make his input. To now say that the 2017 Budget Estimates was done by two persons is wicked and dishonest. I was at all the meetings and consultations took place at all levels.
The A.F.C. activist in Region 6 seems to be still in opposition mode forgetting that they are in the Coalition Government and are “running things.” If they discover corruption they are in power to stop it. Bring the evidence and let the law takes its course. Stop being crybabies and let’s get on with the task of developing Region 6
Sherry Ann Beharry
Regional Councillor
R.D.C. 6

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