Dear Editor,
The political interference by the Opposition into the operations of the 52-74 NDC is getting worse by the day as Mr Zamal Hussain, the PPP Supervisor for Region 6, is trying his utmost to effect total control of the NDC. Now workers are not being paid because the acting Chairman refuses to sign the cheques, donations to school sports are being delayed due to this reluctance as well. This includes payment vouchers for expenses as well. What is wrong with Mr Hussain and Mr Deroop? Are they not satisfied with interfering in the granting of contacts for emergency works and the certification of substandard works? These guys want to have their hands in everything to the detriment of the NDC.
Now Mr Hussain seems to be obsessed with me. At the last caucus held at # 63 Freedom House, he wanted to know which ‘Judas’ was giving me the news about what was discussed at the caucus. I want to assure Mr Hussain that these people are not ‘Judases’ but patriots who do not want to see their community fall apart. They want to see development and these PPP officials are killing such development.
Imagine the 52-74 NDC is predominantly made up of PPP members and supporters yet they want to destroy the NDC so that the Coalition Government looks bad. This happening countrywide at the all the NDCs controlled by the opposition but Region 6 seems to be the worst hit.
Another problem is councilors are commanded to walk out of duly constituted NDC statutory meetings without knowing the reason why they are doing so. This was done at the last statutory meeting when a phone call was received by the acting Chairman. This effectively puts all works on hold including works tendered out. Businessmen with issues to be addressed had to be sent away. These people had taken time off from their urgent schedule and had to be turned away with great disappointment. How will this NDC progress?
I am calling on Zamal Hussain and Dennis Deroop, these two PPP officials, to stop jeopardizing progress in Region 6, the people are watching and they know what is going on. As the Regional Vice Chairman and the man who wants to be the next Chairman, Mr Deroop should know that the PPP will be held responsible for the rot of Region 6, blaming sugar has its limitations.
For too long the PPP has been stifling the economic progress of Region 6 and I want the Minister of Communities to take a serious look at what is happening at these PPP controlled NDCs. The Minister cannot and should not take a hand-off approach-he just cannot twiddle his thumb while Region 6 is falling apart.
Biilions of dollars are being spent in region 6 year after year but yet residents cannot see the value for monies spent since there is massive corruption at the Tender Board level where people with no knowledge and experience are being awarded contracts. It is a known fact that pundits, cane-cutters and fishermen are now contractors. These two PPP officials have a lot of influence in the tender process since one is on the Tender Board and one is the Head of the Regional Works Committee-responsible for signing off works for payments. It is alleged that ‘kick backs’ and draw backs’ are rampant and this is the reason for awarding contracts to these unqualified contractors. Millions of taxpayer dollars go this route-into the pockets of corrupted officials. Where is Region 6 heading?

Raj Lakram