| Contractors warned of sanctions for shoddy work- Local Gov’t Minister -Moruca residents updated on Opposition’s unprincipled parliamentary tactics |  |  |  |
| Written by GINA |
| Sunday, 28 October 2012 21:14 |
MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud has warned contractors of sanctions for shoddy work.
 Ministers Ganga Persaud and Juan Edghill listening to the concerns of Moruca, Region 1 residents Reaching out to the masses, regardless of their geographic location to ensure that they are provided with all the basic services, has and continues to be a motto by which the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is driven. Against this backdrop the ministerial team recently visited Region 1 (Barima/Waini) where residents from the various sub-districts were given the opportunity to discuss issues that are of concern to them. Persaud acknowledged that there have been delays in rolling out some of the developmental projects as a result of the opposition-inflicted budget cuts. However, government is committed to ensuring that whatever was programmed for 2012 is delivered. Responding to the concerns that were raised by the residents who complained bitterly about the negligence of contractors who are executing works in the region; noting some of the shoddy, sub-standard work that were done. Persaud said that while the contractors are to be blamed, the regional officials have to shoulder some as well as residents as they are supposed to be the eyes and ears in relation to how taxpayers’ dollars are spent. “We just can wait until the work is finished and the contractor is gone to complain about the poor quality. We each have a civic responsibility to overlook these projects while they are going on…irrespective of who these contractors are. If they don’t give us value for money, we have to use sanctions against them,” he lamented. The regional authorities were instructed to ensure that the bills of quantities are passed on to communities in which government projects are ongoing. Speaking at one of the meetings at Moruca, Mr. Edghill, Minister within the Ministry of Finance, said that PPP/C and the Donald Ramotar administration offer the people of Guyana development with dignity; whereby it does not take the approach of giving handouts, but rather it has a comprehensive framework of development which caters for all Guyanese. He said that as a country, this is a very exciting time for Guyana unlike Europe, North America and several other developed nations, which are still reeling from the worst ever financial crisis and are under severe stress. “Here in Guyana we have experienced positive growth at an average five percent over the last five years,” the minister said. This accomplishment he credited to the astute leadership of former president Bharrat Jagdeo. He explained that President Donald Ramotar has taken over the leadership of a country that currently stands on solid footing, on which he and his Cabinet are working effortlessly to build. Edghill also spoke of the dilemma that government is faced with in the Parliament as a result of one-seat majority Opposition. He said that the APNU and AFC’s collaboration is aimed at reversing and stymieing that development that has been made thus far by the PPP/C since 1992. “While we are seeking to bring development in a greater way to you, this one-seat majority is trying to block our efforts. They have presented themselves as unreasonable, unprincipled, small-minded We have an Opposition that is trying its utmost to stop this development,” the minister lamented. At present development is taking place in every urban centre, region and sub-region across Guyana at a highly unprecedented rate. Edghill posited that “what we are doing is not giving charity; instead we are creating an enabling environment.” With respect to the business community Edghill said government has been putting in place the suitable legislative framework such as tax concessions so that the private sector will be able to make the necessary investments in terms of employing more people and expanding the economy. Similarly, developments are made in the hinterland whereby more opportunities are created through higher education, and development and expansion of village economies. The regional authorities were instructed to ensure that the bills of quantities are passed on to communities in which government projects are ongoing. |