Development with risks

Jul 10, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – Regardless of whichever government is in power, development could be seen, and their supporters would welcome it and the opposition opposes it. It’s a known fact that many supporters would seek to get high-paying jobs/positions that would pave the way for them to become corrupted, or they would seek to get contracts. One of the most ridiculous moves I witnessed was when the APNU+AFC got into power, they immediately embarked on various schemes, by acquiring vehicles, building white elephants, etc., to make most places green by repainting, but lo and behold, the paint didn’t dry properly. They had to demit office. During their brief stint, they focused more on enriching themselves instead of gaining the public’s confidence. Even though their period was short, they could have done more, instead of floating around hopelessly and embarrassing themselves, while their competitor continuously gained ground.

Editor, recently I was privileged to be given a sightseeing tour of a primary school and with anger, I wonder what type of scavengers have the responsibility to make life and security better for us and our children? From the road, the plumbing is riddled with faults, and the electrical work is such dismay, that expensive equipment keeps getting damaged, only to be replaced, instead of finding the faults and rectifying them to prevent future mishaps. The requirement to earth off any building is an approved earth rod, but the genius is so greedy to cheat on everything, he used a regular construction steel rod (pic available), which is almost rotted in two. Before the contractor is fully paid for his work, it is supposed to be inspected, so who inspects and approves? That person should be jailed for putting children and people’s life at risk. One school I inspected and everywhere I turned shoddy work was pointed out to me, so when will we get quality work for money being spent?

Finally, Editor, the announcement of the $9B for renovations of schools would be a relief to many, but how many have actually inspected a school to see if the money is well spent? How many of those schools slated for renovations were recently completed? The loss of lives arising from the Mahdia fire causes me to think that it would have been an eye-opener for everyone, even the administration that pretended to care, but sadly, that’s not the case. I expected all schools to be carefully inspected and preventative measures put in place to prevent any disaster. Whilst contracts are being given out to people who have no qualification for the work they are bidding for, no one is monitoring to see if the works are being carried out, when the shoddy work is completed, government jump to the front in order to steal the limelight. Meanwhile, the incompetent contractor walks away smiling and giving those that assist him 20% of his earning, to be disbursed. Meanwhile, the children are being schooled in uncomfortable conditions, and their lives are at risk.

Regards
Sahadeo Bates

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