Dear Editor,
The entire RDC Boardroom was in a state of shock and disbelief when the Regional Chairman, Mr David Armogan, announced to the councillors that he has refused to approve the payment to a certain contractor even though the work done was approved by three councillors ‒ two from the PPP/C and one from APNU+AFC.
With the contract in hand he explained to the RDC councillors the reason why he refused to do so. The work done was approximately half the size of a normal house lot, yet it cost the Region $150,000. The weeding was done at the monument site at Rose Hall Town, opposite the Republic Bank by the Rose Hall Town Arch. This was ‘emergency’ work done for the Town Day celebration. This work could have been done by the Rose Hall Town Council for as much as $5,000 maximum $10,000.
When the Chairman questioned the said councillors about whether they inspected the work they replied in the negative. How could these people whom the residents entrusted to get value for their money not inspect a work? How can they determine the standard of work? These are officials who should know the procedures involved before certifying works for payment.
The question is where are the checks and balances? This is the type of thing that Dr Ramayya was agitating about. He refused to approve payments for many such works and so he was to be pressured into resigning.
This revelation at the RDC Statutory meeting, I am sure, is just the tip of the iceberg, and as the Vice Chairman of the Works Committee of the 52-74 NDC I have had firsthand experience of substandard work being certified by some officials. Therefore, I am calling for a forensic audit to be done on all the ‘emergency’ works undertaken, including the tender process and the estimates. Unless this is done doubtful practices will continue and the development of Region 6 will remain retarded.
Yours faithfully,
Lakram Singh
Councillor and Vice Chairman of the Works Committee
52-74 NDC
