RDC halts rent deduction for nurses, teachers in Govt. houses

Jun 11, 2018 News

– cites overflowing septic tanks, other ‘atrocious’ conditions

The atrocious condition of many of the houses occupied by teachers and nurses in Region Ten has led Chairman Rennis Morian to order the immediate halt to the deduction of rental for these quarters.
The halt, which would be temporary, comes in the wake of several complaints received, about the atrocious living quarters the public servants are forced to live in.
This action followed the unanimous passing of a motion by RDC Councillors on Thursday after the issue was highlighted by Councillor Charles Sampson.
Morian said that the cessation would be in effect until all situations relating to housing conditions are corrected.
Councillor Charles Sampson, acknowledging that the complaints are “embarrassing,” noted that enough is not being done to maintain these living quarters .
“What we have found is that even though the Regional Democratic Council does work on buildings owned by the Region, including teachers quarters…. in recent times there have been many complaints…enough attention is not being paid to teachers’ quarters”, Sampson said.
Morian in alluding to some complaints about the condition of the houses said that some of them have septic tanks that are overflowing.
He however said that the RDC could not be faulted for the prevailing conditions at these houses as the administration is doing its best, given its budgetary allocation for maintenance.
Morian added that temporary measures are being considered, and the RDC will seek adequate funding for improved rehabilitative works to be carried out.
According to the Regional Chairman back in 2012 the quarters were slated to be sold for $1 based on face value. “Because when they looked at the amount of money we’re spending, a lot of money to repair it’s not enough…Nevertheless these houses weren’t sold, so we’re faced with a situation here where there are complaints from nurses and primarily teachers…. based on what is happening right now”, the Regional Chairman said.
The RDC, he indicated, will appeal for more funding to repair the quarters since it has received insufficient funding for repairs over the years.
“So we’re saying ‘stop, no rent for nobody. Send the money to us and let’s bring these houses up to proper living standards for the people’. There will be no rent with immediate effect for all the teachers and nurses that occupy houses that fall under the Regional Democratic Council”, he added.
WANT THEM OUT!
As regards houses occupied by persons not employed by the RDC, Morian said that these would be taken back before a decision is made. In the meantime, the cessation in payments for rental, will only apply to teachers and nurses, he stressed.
“We want persons that are occupying the houses and are not working (with the RDC), we want them out of the Government properties. We got other people working at the RDC, teachers and nurses who looking for houses and can’t get houses, so we want them out!”Morian stated emphatically.

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