CIIP was created by PPP for votes

May 21, 2018 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Over the weekend, I was sent a video by a good friend of mine on Facebook.  The video is a part of a newscast on a television station in Guyana that spreads lies and tries to deceive the people. That very television station is linked to one of the worst newspaper in Guyana that peddles almost 75% lies against the government daily.
Anyway, I do not look at that newscast, neither do I read that newspaper.
I decided to open the link and the headline for that particular news item which says “CORE workers being used to get government monies into private pockets”.
I am not surprised at the headline.
How can the workers being used when they are being paid to do a job?
I agree the worker’s pockets are private, so when they draw their salaries I do believe that they put their monies into their private pockets.
What amazes me is that not only the two gentlemen who are high political leaders in the PPP Region Six administration blundered or lie to the nation but also a letter writer did same.
It is unfortunate when people try to lie to this nation and the nation does not grasp.
It was carried as if those very people are fighting for them. In reality, they are trying to betray them, and get them to believe the lies they are spreading about this government and (Community Organised for the Restoration of the Environment) CORE.
One of the PPP writers questioned which ministry is charged with CORE. He even went on further to say that Ministry of Communities and Ministry of Public Infrastructure denied knowing about CORE workers.
Well, that’s a fat lie. Why would a ministry that takes care of CORE across Guyana deny its own responsibility?
At every group launched in the various regions throughout Guyana, it is being made public via the media, and even Region 6.
Another one of the persons on the newscast is calling for CORE to fall under the region just like the CIIP workers.  So, if one is to listen carefully they will realize that both gentlemen are trying to deny knowledge as to whom CORE falls under, but yet wants it to be just like the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project  (CIIP) workers that fall under Ministry of Communities.
What was more laughable is when one of the persons start to talk about the payments for those CORE workers.  They want people to believe that the workers’ salaries are being paid to the Volunteer Coordinator and then he pays them.  That’s laughable because those workers are not working under any or no personal contractor but under a Ministry.
How would almost 20 workers salaries be paid to one man when all of the workers are contracted to the Ministry?
It is sad that the PPP is calling for workers to be paid minimum wage but yet for all the same PPP guys are saying that the salary for CORE workers are too high.
The entire PPP is losing it and it seems that it is spreading fast across Guyana.
The facts of CIIP is that PPP created that arm for votes.  They use to hire their very own and get them at elections time to weed and clean places for their public meetings and rallies.  They use to get those very workers putting up posters and distributing flyers in a house to house style, etc.
In Region 5, CIIP workers are working less than two hours day manually, most of the times they sit and chat. I have made several complaints about CIIP workers especially in the PPP managed NDCs.
The facts are that CORE falls under the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.  CORE has been doing a fantastic job whether when they are slashing road shoulders, street corners, playfields, etc.  They are enhancing surroundings and public spaces.  Workers do the painting of schools, kiddies corners, religious buildings, cleaning of drains, etc.
In Region, five CORE workers were highly praised for their work because they are committed and have been ensuring that the communities are enhanced towards having a cleaner and greener community.
In Region 5, workers are being used to help various organizations, including government, religious, sports, private citizens (elderly, disable and poor), saving thousands of dollars and I can say millions of dollars per year when it comes to school, health and other government compounds within the regions.
So those that want to discredit CORE must do a countrywide check.
I understand and the country knows that the PPP is bad mouthing every development taking place, although they are enjoying a clean and green environment in a better Guyana today under this APNU+AFC Government, which they couldn’t have done in 23 years.
I urge the Ministers within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to better CORE in the days to come by ensuring that it’s bigger and better.
Progress bread enemies and the entire PPP mind has been blinded to the development countrywide and the good works of CORE and this government.
Abel Seetaram
Regional 5 Councillor

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