While Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan on Tuesday acknowledged that $6.2M was collected to sink eight wells in Region 9 during the drought this year, he maintained that contrary to allegations of extortion, the monies were voluntarily donated.
Bulkan responded orally in Parliament to questions from the opposition People’s Progressive Party Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira , who wanted to know if some $8M collected, from contractors in the water sector, were entered into GWI’s accounts as revenue, or placed in a special projects fund.
Though Teixeira addressed her questions to junior minister within the ministry, Dawn Hastings, it was Bulkan who answered as he explained that he was responsible for the water sector.
“The sum in question was not $8M as stated but rather $6.2M and was (reflected) in the accounts of the GWI as a special projects fund,” Bulkan told the House.
Teixeira interjected, requesting clarity in relation to the figure given by the minister as she said that she had read in the state newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle, that GWI’s CEO had admitted that the utility company had collected $8M.
Bulkan then said that he believed an $8M figure was given as the contractor and GWI had signed a contract to build the wells to the tune of that sum and that a memorandum of understanding was signed which stated the same.
His answer further puzzled Teixeira who looked for support and explanations from her party colleagues asking ‘What is he talking about?’
Seeking further explanation she told the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland that she wanted to know if the monies taken from the contractors were placed in a special fund designed for donations.
This time it was Bulkan who seemed bewildered and went on say “Mr. Speaker, these voluntary donations, cheques for refunds were subsequently prepared for distribution to the voluntary donors.”
This further perplexed Teixeira as she told the Speaker “I am getting more confused by the answers from the minister.”
She sought to ask questions surrounding the same issue but was told by the Speaker that it was not her substantive question or follow up and it could not be allowed.
Responding to whether the monies collected were deposited in the Consolidated Fund, the Minister of Communities gave a terse no as his answer but replied “yes” to the question as to if receipts were issued to the donors for the contributions. He said too that no preferential treatment will be given to those who contributed.
The GWI had said in April that it received financial support from local contractors in Region 9, which would facilitate eight potable water wells being drilled in the then drought-hit Region Nine communities of Wowetta, Rupertee, Aranaputa, Kwaimatta, Marcanata, Shulinab, Potarinau and Kumu.
GWI’s CEO Richard Van West-Charles had expressed gratitude to all the contractors who contributed to the programme including Andre Webb Drilling Company, S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services, C.B. General Contracting Services Inc., Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services, R Kissoon Contracting Service, Faldhari Singh and Son Contracting Services, B.K. International, H.J. Contracting Services, Satar Mohamed and Son Construction, Manohar Services, Dresden Geotechnical Services, M. Ahmad Construction, John and John’s Construction and Nabi Construction Inc.
Van West-Charles also thanked the business community and private donors for their contributions including Ganesh Parts and General Store, Renie Mitchell, Larry Bynoe, Olanie Husbands and Bibi Osman.
Local contractors involved in well drilling were invited to meet with Van West-Charles in early March at which point details were provided on the urgency of the situation in Region 9. Since then, GWI said that the response from local contractors and members of the private sector has been overwhelming with donations pledged amounting to in excess of $8 million.
Later in April, after allegations of extortion by the PPP, Van West-Charles had also dismissed the claims that the contractors were forced into donating and had assured that no one would be blacklisted if they did not contribute.
