Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 06, 2013 News
Regional officials in East Berbice, Region Six, are tightening up on their accounting to ensure better management and accountability.
According to Member of Parliament for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC), Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo, this commitment was recently made to him by Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Six, Paul Ramrattan.
Several regions including that East Berbice area came under the scrutiny of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and were found wanting. Like the other regions, the PAC found a number of accounting shortcomings in Region Six, recommending a number of critical improvements to systems.
In supporting the measures of the 2013 National Budget recently presented to Parliament, Mahadeo said that the region is implementing a number of changes that include stores and log books monitoring and the clearance of cheque orders within the stipulated time frame.
“He has implemented a stronger system of internal controls by boosting the internal audit department etc. In addition, the regional administration has enforced the rule that all variations of works, whether it’s a change of scope or additional works that involve the use of contingency/provisional sums, must get the relevant Tender Board approval before the execution of such works.”
Mahadeo, in insisting that Region Six has been growing, admitted that in looking back at 2012, there were indeed areas that could have done better.
“Did we get complaints? Yes we did. Did we hear that some staffers were rude? Yes we did. Should we have had a maternal death? No we should not. Should we have blackouts? No we shouldn’t. Should we have a generator that malfunctions, even once? No we shouldn’t. From all of these experiences, though Mr. Speaker, we have learnt.”
He said that government has gained experience and taken corrective measures as far as humanly possible.
“Taking all of this into consideration, Mr. Speaker, Region 6 has progressed over the last year and I say with a clear conscience we are better than we were before.”
Listing several instances of achievements last year, the MP included improved accountability systems, increased numbers of community meetings, and development in Angoy’s Avenue, an area that has suffered because of the lack of electricity and other facilities.
Some $115M was spent on bridges and roads in Port Mourant, Whim, Black Bush Polder, Canefield New Area and Manchester.
Over $1B has been budgeted this year through Ministry of Public Works for road improvements.
Within the last few years, there were new health centres built in Siparuta, Skeldon, Number 53, Whim, Port Mourant and Angoy’s Avenue.
Mahadeo happily pointed out that Region Six’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Department, at the primary health care level has done exceptionally well over the years and in particular in 2012, winning a number of national awards, with its immunization programme doing extremely well.
This year, access to health in the Berbice riverain areas will improve considerably with the acquisition of a new All Terrain Vehicles.
Last year, 552 food handlers were trained, with rice production in the region breaking new records.
“Region 6 is a large rice producing area, Mr. Speaker. We managed to have over 50,000 acres under cultivation and to achieve record output. In fact, farmers are pleasantly surprised at the yield they are getting as high as 54 bags per acre.”
He dared the Opposition to question the developments under the PPP/C administration.
“Who can deny sitting in this assembly that 300 teachers had scholarships last year; that we have had over 2,450 new health care professionals introduced into the system? Who can deny that we have heart surgery being done in Guyana now?”
“I dare anyone sitting in this assembly to deny that we have had continuous growth over the last seven years.”
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
Apr 18, 2024
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