…but residents say no work done … drainage works reek of corruption – Councillors
Councillors at the Soesdyke/Tu Huiste/Coverden Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) are accusing the Chairman and Overseer of collusion when it comes to drainage works in the community, since many of the drains have not been cleared but monies paid.
According to the Financial Report circulated at the last statutory meeting on Thursday, the NDC would have expended over $6 million, with some $1.6 million for drainage works. The report explained that the Baksh, Nig-a-Kein, Meertins, Policeman, and Leacock and Jandoo Outfall trenches were cleared for the month of September but upon inspection, it was discovered that very little or no work has been done.
The Policeman Outfall trench that was supposedly cleaned in September
Councillors Dave Singh, Udairam Baijnauth and Vice Chairman Aaron Grant-Stuart all raised objections to the expenditure, but the Chairman refused to entertain their objections. They related that the Chairman informed that all payments were made and that the works were satisfactorily completed.
Vice Chairman Grant-Stuart, who also heads the NDC’s Works Committee said he was forced to resign after repeatedly expressing dissatisfaction with the drainage works but being forced to approve them after the Chairman would demand that he sign off.
When Guyana Times visited the Soesdyke area on Saturday, residents expressed dissatisfaction with the overall performance of the NDC since they feel very little work is being done despite them paying their rates and taxes.
Councillor Dave Singh
One woman living along the Policeman Outfall trench said she moved to that area some 15 years ago and is constantly being forced to endure flooding, due to overgrowth in the trench. She said she would have to clear the section behind her house because the water would become stagnant, resulting in the breeding of a whole host of bugs, as well as carrying a foul smell.
“The last time them clean this trench was early part last year (2017) and even before then they does barely clean it. The can never say that them clean this trench here last month because they would be lying. The next thing is that the road is another story. If you know how long [Leslie] Glasgow (NDC chair) said that he will send the man them to weed the road [parapets] and we still waiting here. I tell them already that elections coming up and them won’t come here and expect to get a vote. Them really not doing anything,” the resident lamented.
The woman explained that she used to collect $500 from every resident in her neighbourhood so that they could have paid to have the sides of the road weeded but the NDC even refused to aid them in disposing the cut grass, so the residents stopped paying to have it cleaned.
“The records are showing that all of the outfalls including the Policeman trench which is the conservancy has already being cleared and paid for and that is not the case. Literally no cleaning was done and we asked and the Chairman insisted that the work has been completed and paid for,” Councillor Singh said.
Singh explained that the Policeman Trench serves as the conservancy for the residents of Soesdyke Back area since the water from the highland would roll off into the trench to be drained. He further related when the trenches are clogged, it means the water has nowhere to go which results in flooding.
“Now is dry season but wait until December and you will see how high this trench does raise. The water does run on the people land and then it does cause flooding. We are really in a bad position because the Chairman and Overseer just doing what them want to do and even though I have no evidence of them getting a kickback, I want to believe that they are,” he said.
The Councillor said the contractors who are being hired to do the work are not from the area, despite them calling for otherwise.
“We does pay $347,000 to clean outfall and none is being cleaned. We are paying out money without getting any service. The Chairman and overseer are dictatorial and we are paying money to clean a trench where not even a blade of grass is being touched. I had a talk with the contractor who was supposed to clean the Policeman trench and he does not know where the trench is. He signed for the money and he don’t know,” Singh related.
The Councillors said they are at their wits’ end when it comes with dealing with the Chairman and Overseer (Fazila Manna) since they are both unprofessional. They reported that if they raise too many objections, they are banned from speaking at meetings unless they apologise.
Vice Chairman Grant-Stuart told Guyana Times that the NDC’s spending is very exorbitant, identifying that they would have spent over $1 million to just lay some stones on the Grant Sand Road and over $270,000 for a galvanised pipe barricade.
