Julius Faerber is suffering from Epistemic Ambivalence

Aug 10, 2018 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
I took a position some time back not to challenge the political position of our Regional Chairman anymore on the basis that he is coming around to accepting that Essequibo Islands /West Demerara is climbing the ladder of success in the field of good governance and transparency but with his recent misinformation, which he presented to the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Board, that was reported to me, I am forced with no other alternative but to clarify.
It was reported to me that our Regional Chairman expressed his dissatisfaction with the manner in which the mini excavators are operating in Essequibo Islands /West Demerara. I am guided that he painted a picture suggesting that the machines engage in private work and not work to benefit the people of our region.
Since his concerns were never raised with the Regional Executive Officer, permit me the opportunity to detail how the established system concerning the excavators works.
To begin with, the excavators primary mandate is to provide a service to communities that do not fall within an NDC. Since they do not pay rates and taxes to any NDC it is the Regional Administration’s duty to ensure the communities are well kept in terms of drainage and other necessary services that are supposed to be provided by an NDC.
From time to time, considering the fact that NDCs are not financially rich and notwithstanding that drainage issues are NDCs responsibilities, the excavators would assist.
Requests must come from the NDC of itself that needs the assistance or from the constituency Regional Councillor. Those requests are then examined to determine the level of priority and urgency given that it’s only four mini excavators. At no time since May of 2015 to date were any request not honoured.
The machines have worked from as far as St. Lawrence down the East Bank of Essequibo to way past Patentia on the West Bank of Demerara. Every single village has received assistance and shortly Wakenaam and Leguan are next in line to benefit.
Currently the four machines are in Stanleytown, Windsor Forest, La Jalousie and Crane respectively. Within this very week one will be moved to Vergenoegen and in two weeks time one will go to Farm on the East Bank of Essequibo.
Recent works were completed in Good Intent, Leonora, Uitvlugt and Parika Backdam. Farmers and residents continue to enjoy the benefits of these machines. It is worth mentioning that at no time did these machines ever do private work unless if cleaning the drain in front the Regional Chairman’s residence that benefits him alone is considered private work.
The Regional Chairman did acknowledge at RDC Council meetings that the machines are working in the Region and residents are benefiting. To learn that a different picture is being painted at the NDIA Board meeting leaves me to conclude that the Chairman is suffering from epistemic ambivalence and the cure for this is to just be honest with yourself.
In conclusion, the Regional Chairman will continue to receive my utmost respect and if at any time he requires assistance with the excavators it will be granted as had happened in the most recent past. The service we provide as a region will continue to benefit all and not just a selected few.
Yours faithfully,
Ganesh Mahipaul.
Regional Information Officer.

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