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Regional Engineer disappears with over $300,000 owed to Region One Toshao and villagers
Kaieteur News – Since February 2023, the Regional Engineer attached to Region One has not been seen after contracting Toshao of Waramuri Village and other citizens to clean the Moruca River.
The frustrated Toshao, Vivian Edwards, told this newspaper that some $300,000 is owed to six workers who assisted in clearing the blocked River. He explained that the emergency works were conducted since the channels were blocked, preventing boats from traversing daily.
Toshao of Waramuri Village, Region One, Mr. Vivian Edwards
According to the Toshao, the Regional Engineer had assured him verbally that the workers would be paid as early as possible. In the past, the Village leader said small contracts were granted to the citizens, however he was told that the work was not contract-based and that he would be paid liquid cash upon completing the job. As such, Edwards said he gathered six villagers to complete the task, which he supervised.
It has now been more than four months and the villagers are yet to be paid or hear from the Regional Engineer. In fact, the Toshao said he has not seen the engineer for a number of weeks. He said he has been told the engineer was replaced. The Indigenous leader said he has since turned to other individuals from the Regional Council for assistance but has been unsuccessful.
“We were finding out about this payment, every time we do get in contact, they would have some [excuse] to tell us…four months passed and we’ve been finding out and they always say they would get back to you,” he related.
Edwards explained that he was told once that the cheque was ready to be collected but on that date, he was busy so he asked his Deputy to collect the payment.
“When my deputy reached over there, no cheque was presented and they said there was no cheque,” the frustrated man detailed. Edwards complained that he is very upset over the matter as the villagers have been constantly asking him about the monies they are owed.
According to him, he even contacted another Regional official who also promised to look into the matter but to no avail.
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