Dear Editor,
The Auditor General’s reports should be noted in relation to the performance of Region 10 for the period 2000-12 (13 years). The reports reflect overpayment of contracts, including unapproved variations in contracts; time lapses; overpricing; and fuel issued to non-related administrative vehicles.
The award of contracts exceeding the engineer’s estimates should be reviewed and the situation corrected where necessary.While it is business as usual the Regional Democratic Council cannot remain complacent about the inability of incompetent functionary bodies and staff to deal with this corrosive plague. No disciplinary action has been taken against the senior officers of the relevant bodies.
Overpayments to contractors have not been refunded, but new contracts are promised to these delinquents. Certificates to attest to the completion of work deemed satisfactory are lacking. No penalty clause has been invoked for incomplete work. The Kwakwani scrap metal fund was misappropriated, and funds for the Ituni Economic Project were unaccounted for. In addition, there was a Drainage & Irrigation payroll fraud.
The orgy of bribery and corruption must be investigated and eradicated; with due diligence such actions can be controlled.
Other matters concern the ‘state-of-the-art’ hospital, where there is a shortage of prescribed drugs, a lack of specialty medical services including a neurologist and dematologist, and a lack of MRI equipment. Chronic diseases and other illnesses are on the increase, and Linden patients have to travel to the Diamond and/or the Georgetown Public Hospital or seek private medical assistance for an MRI.
With respect to the fire service, fire hydrants in Region 10 need to be reactivated to protect property.
Yours faithfully,
Lorenzo Talbat
