Dear Editor,
In last Cabinet’s press briefing, Minister Joseph Harmon mention that the three tiers of Government must work together in order for Government to be successful in serving the people.
This is a fallacy, and it is evident that the minister only speaks about respect to local government authorities. Many decisions that are being agreed upon by majority agreement, or even unanimously, are not being respected and implemented by the Government-appointed Regional Executive Officer in the Regional Democratic Councils that are being governed by People’s Progressive Party.
Just a few months ago, a motion was unanimously agreed upon by the Regional Democratic Council for Region Six to provide transportation for school children of affected sugar workers. To date, there has been no implementation of this decision. Government may want to give the excuse that this expense was not budgeted for, so it can’t be implemented.
Government should know that when three David G buses were implemented in one year, the expenses for drivers, fuel and maintenance were taken out from the budget when those provisions were not catered for in the budget. This cost for the sustenance of the David G bus programme is costing taxpayers millions to sustain the program. So why can’t sugar workers’ children enjoy the same benefit?
Maybe because they are not the coalition Government’s children, or just because their parents are PPP supporters.
Minister Amna Ally, at a Fyrish, Corentyne handing over ceremony of a David G bus, said, ‘Region Six did not vote for us, but the coalition Government still supports the people.’ This is a clear case of discrimination, and raises a lot of questions.
I can be proven incorrect if this coalition Government can give clearance for the motions to be implemented immediately, to help these poor children to go to school.
The President, at almost all the five Bs programme, reminds people that children should be given equal access to education. I only hope he remembers that and implement it immediately.
Don’t play politics with children and their education.
Another example where this coalition Government don’t respect local democracy is when the RDC in Region Six propose in their 2018 budget rehabilitation and extension of a fishing wharf and access road to the wharf at Chesney, Albion Corentyne, but that was taken out from the budget and another project was given preference. This particular project would have improved and expanded the fishing industry in this area, where more than 1500 persons directly benefit, and a few hundred indirectly.
The question is: why get rid of a project of this magnitude? This is a national disgrace when you speak something that you really don’t practice.
Sincerely,
Zamal Hussain
RDC Councillor
Region Six
