A team of Wai Wai builders, who recently completed the structure for the Umana Yana reconstruction, have been paid, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs said yesterday.
Some workers had previously complained to Stabroek News about the delay in payments to them, while noting that they had not been given any definite word on when their wages would be paid.
According to a ministry statement, which was posted yesterday by the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Wai Wai builders, spearheaded by Toshao Paul Chekema completed the essential structure, including the roof, on Monday.
Toshao Chekema and his 35-man work team, it said, began work on February 5th and completed the work in exactly 31 days.
“Having completed – on Monday, March 7, 2016 – the aspect of works for which they were contractually responsible, the team of Wai Wai builders were today, March 11, 2016 paid in full the contract sum for the works done. They will now have some time to visit key areas of the city and to engage in relaxing activities before returning to their homes in Region Nine,” the statement added.
The Ministry added that the Wai Wais have benefitted from a total of $30,539,138 in total from the project. It noted that the value of their earnings from direct labour is $14,175,000, while the remaining sum relates to material supplied and other logistical cost consideration.
A worker, who asked not to be named, told Stabroek News earlier this week that no one could say when they would be paid.
“…One time we hear month end, next time next week,” a worker had told this newspaper.
When contacted, Minister with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe had told this newspaper that her ministry was unaware of the payment lag and would swiftly move to address the issue.
The ministry yesterday said it is aware of the efforts by wicked elements to create an environment of mistrust between it and the builders in both the conventional and social media. “These efforts are intended to destroy the excellent relations enjoyed by the Ministry and all Indigenous peoples, villages and communities. Such efforts are wasted. They shall never succeed. No attempt to politicise, manipulate or misrepresent the innocuous and sincere statements made in good faith by our Wai Wai brothers, or any Indigenous group for that matter will succeed,” it said. “The Ministry condemns in the strongest possible terms this most vicious and distasteful attempt by a few to vilify the Government of Guyana and to injure its relations with Guyanese citizens,” it added.
The ministry added that it remains resolute in its mission to ensure accountability, transparency and good governance. “The Ministry assures the nation at large and the Indigenous Peoples, in particular, that no attempt by detractors to impede progress, fertilise disunity or disrespect the citizenry will be allowed to go unnoticed or remain unchallenged,” it declared.
According to the ministry, the remaining works on the Umana Yana will resume on Monday. The works remaining include completion of the wall, fence, floor, stage and the electrification of the facility. These works are expected to be completed by April 30th.
