I am the owner of Hyper Sounds Music system. I played, on September 8, 2017 for the Education Department for Literacy Road March. The said activity was from Jaigobin Tarmac in Henrietta to Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary Compound.
For this activity I had to hire a lorry with a generator and my cost was $35,000. So far I am experiencing great embarrassment in my efforts to collect my money.
On Monday, 19-12-2017, I visited the Education Office in Cotton Field., The Education officer informed me that the contract is missing and I will have to sign another one. I was assured that payment would be made before the end of 2017. No other contract was prepared for me to sign.
After constant checking with the Education Department and the regional system I was given a royal run-around.
On Monday February 12, 2018, I communicated with the Regional Chairman, Mr. D. Ramdatt who promised to follow up on this matter. However his efforts were to no avail.
I checked with some finance officers in the region accounting system and they have told me my contract passed through the system and payment should have been made.
Sir, it is very disconcerting that many who have played music after me, have been promptly paid. On the other hand I have experienced, to my mind deliberate attempts to deny me my payment.
As an elected councilor of the Anna Regina Town Council and Cotton Field being part of my constituency I had a confrontation with the Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Rupert Hopkinson on 11th November, 2017.
He illegally by-passed the Town Council to put a construction on a piece of land. When I contacted him on site, he used some expletives; he said that the government has dictatorial powers and that he can do as he likes. I have the whole conversation on phone.
The R.E.O was the last person to sign my contact. It is my firm belief that I am victimized. The ridicule in securing my money is a shame to the social cohesion that government is promoting. However at the end of the day I must be paid.
I shall continue to vigorously pursue this matter.