Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 19, 2017 Letters
Dear Editor,
I have been following the news concerning the REO of Region Eight with regards to the relieving of his duties as accounting officer of that region. I personally believe it was one of the best things that this government has done for this region since it took office.
In the first instance he should not have even been appointed. Apart from the many allegations “of which warrant an investigation” he seems not to have any idea about management and administration. The big question is why would a government appoint someone who is not au fait with their responsibilities, to such an important position?
As a resident that has lived here all of my life, since the colonial days, I have never seen this Region being managed in such a manner before. This region was overseen in such an ad hoc manner; at times one would get the notion that the political head was the accounting officer.
I can recall during the colonial days and even before the regional system came into being, the region was being supervised by a District Commissioner and despite the limited resources that were available to them the region was managed better.
Since this government took office the regional budget has actually increased by 100% which they should be commended for. Despite this increase instead of things changing for the better they have changed for the worse.
It is important for the government to know that providing resources is not sufficient; it needs to monitor functions and implementations.
A responsible government doesn’t just provide resources; they put systems in place to ensure that the resources are utilized accordingly.
Here is one example of a waste of resources – a bridge was rebuilt at Kurukabaru last year. I was told it cost 17 million dollars. That very bridge is being rebuilt this year for almost 10 million dollars.
There are also two guard-huts recently built; one at the REO’s residence and another at the regional boardroom for a cost of almost 3 million dollars. What is so disturbing is the fact that the boardroom doesn’t need any security. Mr. Editor isn’t this a waste of tax payers’ dollars.
There is another burning issue that needs to be addressed urgently; the misuse of the region’s vehicles. All of the vehicles that belong to the various programmes of the regional administration – health, education, public works and regional administration and finance – are controlled by a certain senior member of the RDC. These vehicles can be seen parked at his home.
The vehicles are being used for work not related to the Region, and on several occasions, at the nigh, can be seen at the night spots.
On many occasions when projects in the region required a vehicle one had to be chartered. I can recall one case when a sick patient travelled to Madia from the North Pakarimas seeking medical treatment, there was no vehicle to transport her from the airstrip to the hospital; she instead had to be taken there via an ATV; while the hospital vehicle was parked in this senior RDC official’s yard.
On numerous occasions when the hospital has patients requiring “medevac service” it has to search all over for a vehicle.
These vehicles were procured with tax payers’ money to serve these various programmes within the entire region, not just one group of people. If ever something was to go wrong the government will be blamed for not providing resources, when in fact the resources are being misused.
What is even more disturbing is that every month a certain big wig takes at least two of these vehicles with at least two drums of fuel to the North Pakarimas where he joins some senior members of his political party and they would go from village to village campaigning.
Using state resources for political purposes is wrong. Whenever he returns from his trip the vehicles have to go in the workshop for repairs. Millions of dollars are being spent on these jaunts.
It would be very interesting to discover whether these vehicles have a log book. And whilst all of this is taking place, the REO just sits back as though nothing is wrong.
The big question is why this government permits such things to run for so long. Somehow I am getting the notion that this government doesn’t care much about the persons that voted for them.
James Williams
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
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