Machines left idle as fuel concerns grip Region 6 – RDC hears

…chairman acknowledges shortage; REO insists regional supply sufficient

Several machines in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) have been left idle because of a lack of fuel, Regional Chairman Junior Basant acknowledged on Thursday, even as Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ronald Harsaywack maintained that the Regional Administration has sufficient fuel to keep its own equipment operating.
The issue surfaced during Thursday’s statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), after Councillor Collin Moore questioned the administration over the fuel situation and its impact on machinery and communities across the region.
Responding to Moore’s Notice of Question, Basant acknowledged that the fuel problem had already affected the operation of machinery.
“We are aware that there have been several machines within the Region that are not in operation because of the lack of fuel,” the Regional Chairman told the Council.

He said the REO had been directed to engage the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), with the two agencies expected to work out the logistics to ensure fuel is supplied to the affected machines so that services to residents can continue.
Basant also expressed concern about the situation, saying equipment should not simply be placed in the region without arrangements to keep it operating.
“Much like you, I am very much concerned about the shortage of the fuel in the Region,” Basant said.
“I agree that it shouldn’t be a case where machines are dumped in the Region. However, the REO was instructed and directed to have that sorted with NDIA, and that is in process.”

Distinction
Harsaywack, however, drew a distinction between machines for which the Regional Administration provides fuel and heavy-duty equipment being operated under arrangements involving the NDIA and private contractors.

According to the REO, two contracts exist between private contractors and the NDIA for the operation of heavy-duty equipment in the Region Six backlands. Under those arrangements, he said, the contractors are responsible for fuelling, maintaining, securing and operating the machines.
The Regional Administration also has a limited number of its own machines deployed in the backlands and provides the fuel for that equipment.
Harsaywack said the NDIA had written to the Region approximately one or two months ago requesting assistance with additional machines and that the Regional Administration had since been supporting those machines.
“The issue lies with, I believe, contract management with the private contractors and the machine operators,” the REO said.
He said those matters were being addressed by the NDIA and contractors, with input from the Regional Administration.

Fuel in stock
Moore subsequently clarified that his concern was not about the privately contracted NDIA equipment, but machines under the Regional Administration’s control.
“Our machines do have a shortage of fuel,” Moore maintained.
“So, what I am asking is not about the contractors with NDIA. I am asking about our machines. Right now, in certain NDCs (Neighbourhood Democratic Councils), the machines are parked and they’re saying that they don’t have fuel.”
The Councillor said the situation had been ongoing for several weeks and questioned whether a request had been made for additional fuel.
Harsaywack responded that the Regional Administration had fuel in stock at its sub-office at Whim.
“Up to, I think, about the day or two ago, we had about 3,000 litres of fuel remaining at those locations. And that will replenish before the end of the week,” he said.
The REO maintained that the available stock was adequate for equipment under the Regional Administration’s control.
“So, for our machines, we have a sufficient supply of fuel to carry on,” Harsaywack told the Council.
He said the administration was also working closely with the NDIA to ensure that the other machines received the fuel they required in a timely manner.