As the House last night examined the estimates for regions 1, 2 and 3, it remains clear that issues of sub-standard work and overpayment of contractors still need addressing as these were brought out through questions by the opposition.
APNU Member of Parlia-ment Jaipaul Sharma said that overpayment to contractors in Region 2 continues to be a problem as has been observed in the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), of which he is a member.
In response, Local Govern-ment Minister Ganga Persaud said that these concerns are being addressed. He said that these issues are always on the front burner. The Minister also spoke of building capacity of the works department in the various regions.
In examining the estimates for Region 1, Sharma also asked Minister within the Ministry of Local Govern-ment and Regional Development Norman Whittaker what was the position with some 300 electricity meters purchased for the Region Nine years ago but are yet to be installed. To this, the Minister confirmed that these meters have not been installed, but will be during this year.
When Sharma asked what prevented the meters from being installed all this time, the Minister said that the Ministry was awaiting funds to carry out upgrade works so that the meters could be used.
New Member of Parliament Rennita Williams asked Minister Whittaker how many hours of electricity residents receive, to which he answered six hours.
In providing answers to the questions by opposition MPs, Whittaker disclosed that the Moruca Bridge has had issues with regards to the standard of work and as such the contract was halted and an investigation launched to look at the quality of the works. According to the Minister, a report pointed out that there had been serious flaws in the work done.
Alliance for Change Member of Parliament Valerie Garrido-Lowe asked the Minister when it was that the works on the bridge would be completed since she wants to go back to that communities of the Moruca sub-region and inform the residents of this. To the MP, Minister Whittaker said that the Ministry is still in the process of examining the report.
