Minister within the Natural Resources Ministry Simona Broomes has made an appeal to Lindeners to practice problem-solving at the local level, with a reminder of the purpose of Local Government Elections (LGE). The call was made during a meeting with residents of the community on Sunday where a number of issues were brought to the fore and discussed, including the recent termination of workers under the Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP).
A section of the gathering at the meeting
Present at the meeting was Councillor within the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Gordon Callender, who wasted no time in relaying the concerns of the workers. Callender, who was very vocal on the issue, stressed that many persons employed under the CIIP programme are single parents. He pointed out that more people in the community had been employed under a similar drainage and irrigation (D&I) programme under the previous Administration, stressing that the numbers have since decreased and there was a recent attempt to have the numbers further decreased.
Callender complained that although efforts were made to have the termination letters rescinded by Regional Chairman Renis Morian, this was not done, noting that there are several issues surrounding the CIIP that leaders in Georgetown are unaware of. Meanwhile, Councillor Charles Sampson stated that there are many irregularities as it relates to payment associated with the programme and opined that the payment policies should be clearly outlined so that workers know what they are.
“If this programme has to continue, it has to continue in an orderly way. The people must know up front, what are the hours they would work, they also would need to know who takes care of their NIS; there are so many irregularities with this programme that it needs to be put into discussion. I am sure that the people in Georgetown who are ultimately responsible for this programme don’t know what they are doing… we want these workers to get an ease. It is not easy. Linden is a place with high unemployment,” he stressed.
In response, Minister Broomes urged the community to “wake up” and become more involved in the process of moving their community forward, and reminded those present of the aim of Local Government Elections in returning the power to the people. As such, she advised that certain issues should be tackled at the level of their local administrations. She urged those present to come up with proposals and solutions to the issue and to have those presented to the relevant Ministry, through the RDC, adding that she was surprised that it was not ventilated at that level.
“You have certain powers at the local level… go through the Constitution of your RDCs, go through the Constitution of your NDCs and the township… change has come, you had Local Government Elections… I don’t want to come here to dictate… These are problems you could fix comrades… stop calling on Ministers to fix problems. Fix your problems in house… you got a RDC and you got a Council… call an emergency meeting… raise it at the level of the RDC, make a decision on it and then you send that RDC minutes and a cover letter to the Minister responsible with your position. I don’t want to come in your region and dictate…”
The Minister also encouraged Lindeners to stop the infighting and “shake off the spirit of depression”, noting that there is a lot that can be done; however the drive to get things done is lacking.
“Linden, I want to see you straighten up. We got to bring Linden to where it used to be. Lindeners, let us unite and stand up”, Broomes said.
She also encouraged those present to become more involved in democracy and to hold their leaders accountable.
