Latest update February 23rd, 2025 1:40 PM
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With whom did they consult?
Dear Editor,
You will agree with me, that people who are elected are there to serve the interests of the people who put them there and moreover the decisions they make should be made after meaningful consultations with all stakeholders.
As a resident of Region Ten and equally so, a staff of the Regional Democratic Council, I am angry and disappointed that I wasn’t consulted on a very important decision that was made and the majority of the people in the region are still in the dark about it.
The poor and visionless leadership of these policy makers, who make the decisions for our region is heart-rending and very disappointing most times.
I accidentally came upon the information of the site chosen for the building of the new regional office, that will house all the budgetary heads and their staff, hence, education, health, agriculture, etc.
Mr. Editor, I am annoyed not about the new office, for it is indeed needed. What I am upset about is the information I unearthed several days ago. The design of this new office lacks vision, lacks creativity, there is nothing impressive about the proposed building, and guess what, my tax dollars will pay for it.
Another very important issue I have concerning this new regional office I will have to work in, is the proposed location for this uninspiring building.
It befuddles the mind to believe that right thinking people who have been entrusted with the confidence of the people in this region and that of the Government would choose such a site for this new regional office so close to an area designated as an industrial site.
A site that is a stone throw away from the once pride aluminum plant, steam power plant that are now dysfunctional.
What a sight to behold when one who will be housed there will have to see when they look outside the office windows. Old steel structures, several huge tanks containing chemicals and on the opposing side some distance away a school with continuous sounds of children playing which at times will become disturbing for accounting officers, personnel and other staff.
This is the vision of our leaders in the twenty-first century. Did they ever considered the possibility of investors wanting to revive the aluminium plant that will make loud noises when operationalized which will definitely affect workers who will be house in that nearby building.
What about the prospects of some other industrial investments? After all it is an industrial site. Or what about other investors who may want to utilize the close proximity of the Demerara River, all with the possibility of providing needed employment opportunities for our people, especially our youths.
With oil on the horizon much can be achieved at that location. What were our leaders thinking or the question is were they thinking?
Additionally Mr. Editor, the rumors of radioactive materials around that location has resulted in the region sending soil samples to be tested to verify or nullify all assumptions. Those results are being awaited while the contractor is impatiently long to restart his work.
As a staff I understand the contractor’s position but as a citizen, a resident of this region whose tax dollars are being utilized I hold my position above the outsiders’ interest.
I propose that this letter will spark the first of many more rounds of consultations with all stakeholders about this very important decision that has to be made over and that such consultations should go beyond Linden.
What are the views from the people of Ituni, Kwakwani, Rockstone, Kimbia, Great Falls, etc?
The monies the contractor already received cannot equate to the future prospects of what that location can provide for our community and the talks of the region will lose out if they don’t spend that money speaks to the poor quality of leadership we in this region have to Contend with.
Why haven’t they considered another site to begin with, like in Amelia Ward, the Linden Highway, or somewhere at Wismar, Blueberry Hill back roads, Wisroc or some pathway to Rockstone? What consultations have they done, with whom, when and if they did why the majority of the people are unaware?
If a random survey is done with people who traverse in front of that RDC building, you will confirm what I’m saying, people don’t know.
The Government of Guyana is not responsible for this Region’s slothful progression and poor vision for development, it’s the leadership it has at the RDC and they all should be looked at with a critical eye.
Yours faithfully,
RDC staff
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