Kwakwani residents bemoan non-use of President’s bus

Residents of Kwakwani, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) recently complained to Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman that the bus gifted to them to transport children to school is not been utilised. The bus was donated to the Kwakwani community by the Head of State through his Three B’s Initiative, but it is not being operated.
According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Region 10 Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph has said that advertisements for a driver to operate the school bus will begin this week. The Vice Chairman told irate Kwakwani residents that advertisements for drivers were done in the community, and of the six applications that were submitted, none had contact information.
The Regional Council will, through the Neighbourhood Democratic Council, re-advertise for drivers during this week. “So put your contact number so they could contact you,” Adolph urged.
Residents pointed out that a driver had already applied, but heard nothing from the regional authorities. Adolph explained that that applicant did not qualify because of his age. “The vacancy stated from 18 to 45 (years old). That is the basic Public Service rule,” the vice chairman explained.
Neighbourhood Democratic Councillor Charles Thom asked for residents from the community to be given the opportunity to operate the vehicle. “It is going to be wrong for a Linden man coming here to drive this bus and we got drivers,” Thom said to resounding support from residents.
The vice chairman assured the residents that this would not be the case. “They say they will not employ anybody outside of Kwakwani. We will not do that, but to give Kwakwani people a chance,” Adolph said.
Minister Trotman apologised to the community for the non-use of the bus, and vowed to see that the vehicle functions as intended.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Kwakwani Secondary School PTA, Curt Simeon, raised his concerns about electrical problems at the school. He explained that the electricity supplied to the school is more than what is required, and this results in light bulbs being destroyed.
While the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated has been working on the supply of electricity to the school, Simeon said, the school is in need of materials such as bulbs and other electrical fittings to complete corrective works.
Minister Trotman pledged to supply some of the materials to ensure that the issue of electricity is rectified. “I am prepared to work with you on it, but I will still engage the Ministry of Education,” Trotman said.