Local Gov’t Ministry hands over tractors and trailers to 12 NDCs in Region Three- under “Clean up My Country” initiative
Written by Gina Webmasters, Published in News, Georgetown, GINA, February 25, 2015, Source - GINA
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, today, handed over 12, 65 HSP-Double wheel drive tractors, along with 12 Bison Hydraulic lift trailers, to 12 of the 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara.
Some of the bins that were handed over to the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Three
The handing over ceremony, which was held at the Best/ Klien /Pouderoyen tarmac, saw representatives of Mora/Parika, Hydronie/Good Hope, Greenwich Park/Vergenoegen, Tuschen/Uitvlugt, Stewartville/Corneila Ida, Hague/Blankenburg, La Jalousie/Nouvelle Flanders, Best /Klien/ Pouderoyen, Malgre Tout/Meer Zorgen, La Grange/Nismes, Canals Polder and Toevlugt/Patentia NDCs receiving the vehicles, along with 25, 45-gallon bins each.
Wakenaam and Leguan NDCs did not receive vehicles, but they both benefited from 25 bins, each at a cost of $4,500.
Each NDC benefited from approximately $5.7M as the vehicles were procured at a cost of approximately $70M, with an individual cost of a tractor at $4.43M and a trailer at $1.25M each, and the 25 bins at $4,500 each.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker presented the representatives of the various NDCs with their equipment. He also pointed out that the initiative was not an electioneering one, but that of the government’s fulfilling its promise to its people.
Some of the tractors and trailers that were handed over to 12 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Three
He added that these vehicles and bins were procured under the “Clean up My Country” initiative, under the $1B allocation.
He further stated that this move was to ensure sustainability of the clean-up initiative, and aid in garbage collection and disposal.
Minister Whittaker urged the representatives to ensure that they make full use of the bins and tractors, and to also ensure their full productive life span, even as he encouraged them to cater for the elderly and prioritise when distributing the bins.
A representative of one of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Three receiving the keys to a tractor and trailer from Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker as Region Three’s Regional Executive Officer (REO) Donald Gajraj looks on
In addition, the minister highlighted that the ministry will soon be receiving a quantity of garbage bags, which will also be distributed to the various NDCs.
Meanwhile, Region Three’s Regional Executive Officer (REO) Donald Gajraj expressed gratitude to the ministry, for the initiative and the support that it has given to the region, over the years.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the NDCs, for the use and management of the vehicles and bins.
