Region Ten Regional Executive Officer Yolanda Hilliman has been given up to Tuesday to submit a detailed report on the completion of contracted capital works in the region.
During a recent visit and meeting with stakeholders of the town, Minister in the Ministry of Local Govern-ment Norman Whittaker had expressed dissatisfaction at the level of progress on capital works. Region Ten stands to have to return to the treasury about $200 million, which was disbursed for projects that have not been executed.
The matter took centre stage at the sitting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on Thursday in Linden and Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon called on Hilliman to update the council on the status of budgeted projects.
Hilliman stated that with regard to roads (capital projects) 100% of the work budgeted for was advertised and had received responses, with the exception of one for Kwakwani, where the lone bidder had not been qualified. Most of the capital projects (approximately 85% of them) had also been advertised and awards are expected on these projects soon. Under education, 100% of the projects have been advertised, tendered for and contracts awarded. Health projects stand at 66% advertised. However, the major focus was on education buildings because of the need to do this in the period school was out. There were hindered by the protest action, which commenced on July 18.
She said contractors were written to and told that they needed to be mobilised in order to move the process forward. Hilliman also expressed the view that some contractors are working towards ensuring that their projects are not completed and that those monies are returned and she would have no problem revoking those contracts.
According to Hilliman, the Katabulli Creek bridge project needs the approval of the Chief Planning Officer (CPO) before it could be moved forward. Other similar projects, especially on erosion control, need the approval of the CPO before they can be addressed. She also informed that contractors were given a deadline of September 7, to commence works.
Solomon said he would have a serious problem with any contractor, who, three weeks after the conclusion of the protest action, has not made any attempt to execute work on an awarded project.
The chairman said while there was a need to pay attention to the late commencement of the 2012 work, the council also needed to remember that projects for 2011 were incomplete. He asked that on Tuesday, September 10, Hilliman, who is also the Clerk of Council, present to the council a detailed report on the status of contracts in Region 10 and their level of completion, which he intends to make public.
Councillor Charles Sampson asked that the administrative process in the Council be speeded up, while Councillor Maurice Butters asked that an attempt be made to have transparency in the award of contracts.
Meanwhile, Regional Vice Chairman Byron Lewis revealed that he had stopped a construction project to build a security hut at his residence after he observed that a load of old boards with nails were delivered to execute it. He said he immediately contacted the contractor to ask what was going on and the contractor informed him that the scope of work was to repair a security hut at his residence. He said he enquired of the contractor how it was possible that a contract could be accepted to repair a security hut that did not exist, and instructed that no work was to proceed until this could be ironed out. He invited the media to see for themselves the condition of the material delivered to his residence in Retrieve, Linden.
When Stabroek News visited a pile of rotting, termite- infested wooden material was observed on the lawns of Lewis’s residence along with a number of used pieces of zinc on the opposite side of the road. In the compound was a freshly laid concrete base on which the security hut is to be erected.
