The Alliance for Change (AFC) recently conducted a thorough assessment of the infrastructure in Region Three and was able to expose the wastage of taxpayers’ money and government’s incompetence on several projects that either deserve attention or have become white elephants. Also unearthed is the sloppy distribution of cash grants to fisher folks, many of whom have complained not receiving any money, which should spark national outrage at government’s management of the oil and gas wealth.
AFC Leader and Member of Parliament Khemraj Ramjattan has repeatedly called on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government to establish a public registry that include the recipients of cash grants allowing the beneficiaries and society to track disbursement. Ramjattan warned under the current system of secrecy, transparency becomes vital because the money belongs to the citizens of Guyana and forms part of public accounting.
In a recent statement the party, during its visit to Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), outlined a litany of government’s malpractices regarding the functionality and efficiency of crucial facilities.
Wakenaam
Projects in Wakenaam Island that have caused taxpayers tens of millions are in disused, become “white elephants” are outlined below:
- GWI pump station that cost approximately $60 million.
- The $19.7 million drying floor at Merzorg. People were drying paddy on the road ways.
- $15 million shade house at Zeelandia that for over three years has been lying idle.
- An air strip at Meerzorg never used or any attention paid to it.
The party said in its visit to Fredericksburg and Belle Plaine flood victims have received no assistance from the government for the loss of crops and livestock.
In Dumburg the drainage is in a deplorable state despite there being a small excavator parked at the NDC for four months. Doing the rounds in the party also spotlighted a plantain factory that was built since 2012 but left abandoned.
alo neglected is the Maria Johanna community Centre which is in a deplorable state, leaving residents on their own to fix it up and hold activities.
West Bank and West Coast Demerara
In its visit to the West Bank and West Coast the AFC said it found the $981.2 million Pouderoyen pump station; A-Line canal pump station, and Met-en-Meerzorg pump station all deserving of attention.
According to the party, incompletion of these pump stations poses significant threat to the community’s well-being and the region’s overall infrastructure resilience. “The failure to complete these stations on time will not only disrupt daily life but also jeopardizes agricultural productivity and the safety of residents, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding as we saw a change of the weather pattern.”
The AFC is demanding immediate action to address the challenges facing these pump stations. The party said it is actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders, including local authorities and community leaders, to ensure checks are made on the progress of these contracts that amounts to over $2.5 billion
Shoddy cash grants distribution
The party said during its visit in the region several fisher folks reported not receiving the cash grant the government was giving out to this category of the business community. According to the Party when this is looked at against the list the Ministry of Agriculture published these persons showed that they have collected, this spells massive corruption, causing undue hardship and frustration among this vital sector of the community.
Committing to act on the information the party said “We recognise the critical role that fisher folks play in the economic and social fabric of Region 3, and we are committed to resolving this issue promptly. Our team is working closely with relevant agencies to investigate the root cause of this discrepancy.”
At the same time residents are encouraged to remain unwavering in ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of all in Region 3. “Our commitment remains unwavering in ensuring the safety, security, and prosperity of all residents in Region 3,” the party concluded.