Dear Editor,
I wish to report that five drainage and irrigation workers in Caracas, Vryheid, West Canje, Berbice are not giving value for our taxpayers’ money as several irregularities have been taking place with regard to the execution of their tasks on a daily basis. Each person is contracted to clean 7 rods or work 4 hours each day. This is not the case, as they only clean 2 rods which means 10 rods per working day when it should be 35 rods per working day.
These workers are usually seen riding home by 9.30am each day. The canals are backed up with grass and other vegetation and this is causing immense flooding in the area, especially during the rainy season. I spoke repeatedly to the foreman of the workers and although he is fully aware of this situation, no action is being taken.
I even spoke to the Regional Chairman while he was in Caracas last Tuesday but to no avail. He was surprised to know about the situation and said that he was made to understand that the canal was silted. I then revealed to him that the canal is full of grass. I concluded that the foreman has not been communicating as he should to the chairman. Meanwhile, the work keeps backing up and these workers are outsmarting the authorities. The regional administration recently sent in an excavator to assist with clearing the canals, but why should this be? I think this is a waste of money as these D&I workers are contracted to do the same work.
I hope the Local Government Minister is reading this.
Yours faithfully,
Gerald Sawh
