Bethany residents lament poor quality work by ‘outside’ contractors

– say they must be consulted on projects in their community

The increased incidents of poor quality work being done in their community by ‘outside’ contractors is a major concern for the residents of Bethany, an Indigenous community located in the Supenaam riverine community of Region Two (Essequibo Coast).

Residents are therefore asking to be consulted at both the planning and execution stages of projects to be undertaken in their community.

This issue was raised over the weekend, when Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, accompanied by Regional Executive Officer (REO) Rupert Hopkinson and Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Hemraj Rajkumar, held a ministerial outreach in Region Two.

Bethany resident James Thomas said residents wanted to be consulted on community projects being executed by local and central government, since the community understands its own challenges and would be in a position to make pertinent recommendations.

Romona Thomas, a midwife, said contractors and engineers would frequent the community and start projects without consulting the residents. According to a GINA release, she noted that no work had been done on the health centre’s landing since the project commenced one year ago.

Concerns were also raised regarding a leaking roof and inadequate furniture at the primary school; the lack of electrification and absence of cupboards at the health centre, and the teachers’ quarters not having furniture.

Minister Allicock told residents that while Government would like to consult with them more regularly, it is not possible. “I don’t know if you know that there are 115 Indigenous villages across the country, and we have to engage all of them…you are easier to access, you are at the centre, and so you are at an advantage where you can get everything that can help you move forward. “Imagine those communities way back there, like Masakenari… While we work with you, we have the Community Development Officers and the Regional Administration who are easily accessible,” Minister Allicock told the residents. He suggested that community leaders be more proactive and consult more with villagers, since toshaos are privy to the projects being undertaken in the villages.  He also noted that the issue of contractors entering communities without consulting the Village Chief is a common one around the country, but the situation needs to be corrected.

Bethany has a population of close to 1000 persons, most of who are involved in trading in lumber. Minister Allicock encouraged the Village Council to use the royalties from the lumber project to execute small projects. He told them the community could even bid for petty contracts, like furnishing the teachers quarters and making furniture for the school.

Region 2 Executive Officer Rupert Hopkinson assured that steps would be taken at the regional level to address residents’ concerns and ensure residents are more involved in projects at all levels.

He told residents they have a duty to oversee any project being undertaken in their community, and if they observe that something is not being done to a high standard, or not in keeping with the Bill of Quantities, they have a right to object.

The residents are also asking for a secondary school to be constructed within the community, or that a secondary department be established. Felicia Thomas, a single parent, said her child would be attending secondary school on the coast in September, and she cannot afford to pay transportation to and from school every day. Hopkinson explained that having a secondary school within the area may not be feasible, since there are only approximately 20 secondary-age students in the area. He said, however, a proposal can be made for a secondary department to be established at the primary school.

Regional Member of Parliament (MP) Hemraj Rajkumar reminded the residents of Government’s commitment to their development. He told them that development is a process, but he said that process has started.