Region 9 residents disappointed with incomplete capital projects

Dear Editor,
Kindly permit me a space in your newspaper to bring to the attention of the general public an issue of four capital projects that were approved in 2016 by the National Assembly of Guyana for the enhancement and delivery of education in Region Nine, all of which yet remain incomplete, despite final payments having been awarded to the contractor. The projects were rolled over to 2017.
Editor, as aforementioned, in late 2016 four capital projects were awarded to a coastland contractor. These projects are the construction of Tabatinga Nursery School in the Municipality of Lethem, Baishaidrun Nursery School in Deep South Rupununi, Pipang Nursery School in South Pakaraimas and Teachers Five Apartment Living Quarters in Sand Creek in South Central Rupununi. Each project was costed at approximately GM.
It is pellucid and public knowledge that the awarded contractor had sub-contracted these capital projects. The stipulated month of completion of the projects was May, 2017. Checks and follow-ups were made by the Public Works Standing Committee of the Regional Democratic Council of Region Nine as the work on these projects progressed.
It has been revealed that the awarded contractor had received final payments for the said projects, pending 10% retention, yet all four capital projects remain incomplete.
Editor, the opening of their new nursery schools and teachers’ quarters, respectively, in the new school academic year in September, 2017 was highly anticipated by parents, teachers and pupils and the collective disappointment is indescribable.
I call on the subject minister and relevant authorities, since they have promised transparency and accountability on public spending, to intervene forthwith in this matter so that the nursery schools and teachers’ quarters are completed at the earliest for its beneficiaries.
Editor, of major note, and immense concern, is the fact that the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs and fourth Vice-President recently visited Sand Creek village but chose to turn a blind eye on the incomplete and stalled teachers five-apartment construction. The people of Region Nine have seen and noted that government ministers frequently visit, lecture and make pronouncements, with none addressing needs and concerns, or finding solutions to existing problems of the villagers; but they instead choose to make glowing remarks in self-praise of the “Good life” the people now enjoy.
However, some persons may be enjoying ‘the good life’, but at the level of the communities, it is a different reality.

Regards,
Alister Charlie
Member of Parliament
Region Nine