Region 2 RDC questions 2018 project implementation

The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) is questioning the implementation of the region’s capital projects under the watch of Regional Executive Officer (REO), Rupert Hopkinson.
Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt said despite repeated calls and clear recommendations offered by the RDC regarding the need for enhanced transparency and accountability; poor quality projects continue to be done in Region Two. He added that the Council has outlined some steps for the REO to implement when monitoring the execution of works in the region.
“Residents and beneficiaries must be consulted so that information can be shared between the technical staff, the RDC and Local Authority officials and beneficiaries; relevant details, bill of quantities and designs of projects must be accessible to residents of the area where projects are to be done; and strong monitoring of projects must be conducted by engineers, technical staff and Works Committee members,” he said.
The Chairman further related that at the March 13 statutory meeting, concerns were raised in relation to the way the Lima Sands road is being built. The concerns outlined there was no consultation with the 300 plus residents in the Amerindian community [Lima Sands], adding that it is the main reason the project is “poorly designed.”
The community of Lima Sands leads into the backlands where farming and forestry are done; as such, tractors and trucks use these roads frequently. Ramdatt noted the two major concerns raised by residents regarding the construction of the road – it is narrow and has a weak shoulder.
The REGIONAL CHAIRMAN has mandated the Works Committee to urgently inspect this project and provide a report since REO Hopkinson failed to intervene despite being written to on this matter by the Regional Chairman.
“The RDC is focused on accountability and transparency, particularly since the REO as Accounting Officer continues to fail in promoting proper accountability and prudent financial management of public funds,” Ramdatt said.
Lima Sands is a small Amerindian community located approximately five miles inland from Anna Regina. The road is expected to serve as a means of accessing the Lima Sands backlands. The residents are concerned with the current design since it suggests that the road is too narrow with inferior materials being used in its construction.
For his mismanagement of the region’s budgetary allocations, REO Hopkinson was recently upbraided by The Public Accounts Committee.