Behind in its capital works programme, Region Ten could see most of its budgetary allocation for this year being returned to the treasury, according to Junior Local Government Minister Norman Whittaker.
“We are disappointed that not even 40% of the funds allocated under the [region’s] capital and current work programme has been expended,” Whittaker said while in Linden yesterday, noting the amounts allocated under the capital budget is well over $200 million.
He was commenting on the state of affairs within the regional administration, for which the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Youlanda Hilliman has responsibility.
Whittaker warned that serious measures have to be taken if the situation is to be corrected. The work for which the funds have been allocated fall under health, education and infrastructure. “I spoke with the chairman in the presence of the REO and we all agree that we accelerate,” Whittaker said, adding that as part of the acceleration contractors would be fired if they fail to produce. He suggested that in the instances where contractors might have too many jobs and not enough resources, financial and/or otherwise, that they also be given fresh timelines and that contracts be revoked if need be and be given to others who are capable of delivering within a stipulated timeframe.
Efforts to contact Hilliman for comment proved futile yesterday afternoon, however, several officers of the regional administration office endorsed Whittaker’s conclusions. They opined that Hilliman, who is relatively new to the responsibilities of the REO post, should be pressured to produce work at a much faster rate. The officers, who requested anonymity, accused her micromanaging and failing to delegate.
As an example, the Casuarina Road at Mackenzie was cited and the officers said it should be given priority. “That contract was awarded long before the shutdown. Look how many weeks the protest ended and still not a straw has been pull on that road,” said one of them.
Whittaker was visiting the town to consult with the regional leaders on the government’s advertised proposal for expressions of interest in solid waste management in Linden and other regions in the country.
