Dear Editor,
I have been assiduously following the letters written by RDC Councillor Mr H Yusuf in relation to the total disregard for any serious consultations with stakeholders in Region 6, and would like to agree with the facts which he so boldly outlined and which I do feel warrant my input.
During the last local government elections I contested as a candidate for the National Congress of Progressive People’s Alliance, and won a seat in the 52-74 NDC. I am aware of the political considerations which would take precedence over socio-economic considerations in the NDC, hence my choice not to be affiliated to any political party. I am also aware of the directives which would normally be handed down by high officials of a certain political party. I was duly elected as a Councillor and the Vice-Chairman of the Works Committee and have since been dumbfounded by the corrupt practices which are evident at the RDC and NDC levels. This is done by the people who are supposed to have the Region’s development at heart.
There were many project proposals from the 52-74 NDC which were sent to the RDC, but many of these did not gain favour at that level and to my dismay no explanations were given. Furthermore, there were projects which were in the RDC 2017 Proposal but which were not prioritized by the NDC, and again there were projects which should not have been done but found their way into the RDC Estimates. For instance, Item 20 in the RDC Estimates which is the rehabilitation of #59 Main and Cross NOPR was done last year, and the few holes in it had already been repaired by the NDC, yet this found its way into the 2017 Estimates. If proper consultation had been done then this would not have happened, since there are roads that were never done and were completely overlooked ‒ for instance, the 71/72 Sideline Road (East). This particular road has been in the NDC Budget for the past 4 years but never gained favour with the RDC. If any consultation was done then this road would have been in the 2017 Proposed Estimates.
When I read who had done the 2017 Capital Estimates, it became clear why this type of anomaly would arise. It is also evident that there is lots of substandard work being done in my NDC yet which was certified. For instance, the #52 First Cross Street and Middle Walk SOPR was done about three weeks ago but is already rapidly disintegrating. If the bill of quantities had been properly adhered to then this would not have happened.
There is massive corruption at all levels in Region 6 and I am calling on the relevant authorities to consider scrapping the entire RDC 2017 Estimates and let them be done in the proper manner, especially the Capital Expenditures Estimates. This type of corruption is eating away at the development of the Region and should not be tolerated by anyone.
Yours faithfully,
Lakram Singh
Vice Chairman Works Committee
52-74 NDC
