Sharma Solomon
The Region 10 Democratic Council (RDC) will be embarking on a move to have its objectives for 2014 implemented shortly, according to Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon.
He said the region’s public works budget of Gy$197 million will focus mainly on areas such as roads, bridges and drainage and irrigation. Other areas budgeted for include health and education.
As opposed to the 2012 and 2013 programmes, which, he noted, focused on empowering and educating communities, Solomon said this will be the year for implementation. He noted that the council remains concerned over the poor quality of work carried out by contractors in riverine areas of the region such as Kwakwani, Ituni, and Aroaima.
Poor infrastructural works executed at Phase Three Amelia’s Ward is also a particular area of concern that will be given much attention, the regional chairman related. He added that the RDC is prepared to ensure that Amerindian communities within its jurisdiction are given the necessary attention.
He said the shaping of this year’s budget was based on consultations held with various communities. It will include more infrastructural works and will also focus more on agriculture and welfare, according to Solomon.
“The mandate outlined for 2014 is implementation, that is the objective of the Region 10 Democratic Council… it is expected that all the policies and initiatives that were approached in 2012 and 2013 are implemented. Those approaches will include the August 21 agreement – the council remains firm and committed on that, the aspects of the agreement, to ensure that the people of Region 10 receive a television station, as well as the advancement of an economic programme that will ensure that people are given a chance at development which will improve their lives,” he noted.
Acknowledging that more works could have been executed last year, if more attention was given to delinquent contractors, he noted that this year the RDC will be paying more attention. It will also be looking into areas of concern for some, who complained that they are not being paid fairly. Solomon emphasised that the regional administration intends to impose penalties on contractors who do not measure up to quality standards.
“The four areas that were recognised as reasons for work not being executed are… late releases by central government, delinquent contractors, the rate of payment by the administration to contractors and… central government not releasing the contracts directly under the administration,” he said.
An economic drive for local businesses within the region is also on the RDC’s agenda for 2014. The drive, Solomon stated, is expected to create employment for approximately 300 persons.
