…financial transparency improved
…over 90 per cent projects tendered, awarded
Working relations are improving among officials attached to the Region Four Regional Democratic Council (RDC) after Regional Chairman, Daniel Seeram had expressed displeasure two weeks ago regarding insubordination and poor communication.
In an interview with the Village Voice News on Tuesday, Seeram said that the officials have had a chance to express themselves and, though all issues are not yet rectified, steps have been taken to do so.
“It’s still under observation but what I can tell you is that some of the individuals have come forward and have apologized and we’re working to a better relationship at the RDC. Daily we can see small improvements but we’re not fully through the woods as yet; we’re still observing the behavior of certain staff,” he said.
On November 26, 2020, the RDC held its statutory meeting for the month at the Beterverwagting Primary School Auditorium. In attendance were Seeram; Vice Chairman, Samuel Sandy; Regional Executive Officer (ag) Mr. Deryck Persaud; former Regional Chairperson, Genevieve Allen; Regional Councilors; Heads of Regional Programmes and Heads of Departments.
Seeram said that the meeting was fruitful and several directives were agreed upon which will bring greater accountability and transparency to the RDC management. For instance, previously, financial decisions and alterations were being made without the knowledge of RDCs Heads. Now, all financial decisions must first be approved by the various committees of the Council.
“What we did realise was that there was a bad practice of programme heads and heads of departments, they would have made changes to their budget or to the money allotted to them without the Council being aware of these changes until we come to Council meeting or until we see it in the media,” Seeram said.
Working together, over 90 per cent of the RDC’s projects were tendered and awarded at the statutory meeting and, in December, the public can expect increased infrastructural works in and around the Region.
It is hoped that these projects will be completed by the end of December, including the Diamond Diagnostic Center which is being upgraded to a SMART hospital. As the Christmas season begins, Seeram said that he will soon be engaging the policing divisions within the Region to ensure that security and safety is high.
Previously, the Regional Chairman had also complained that he was not being informed or updated about the COVID-19 developments in the Region but this, too, has changed.
“I’m now receiving daily updates from the Regional Health Officer as it regards to COVID. This information is being disseminated directly to the Council members so that all of the Councilors can know what is going on as it regards COVID in and around the Region. More, in particular, Councilors are better aware of what is going on in their communities so they could make the representation if needed,” he said.
The RDC is still observing the COVID-19 developments at St. Cuthbert’s Mission and is pleased to see that the active cases have far reduced from over 200. Seeram also hopes to meet with the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) this month to seek out ways in which the Region can play a more integral role in combatting the virus.
Apart from the projects and plans on stream, a number of other initiatives have been embarked upon to further strengthen working relationships at the RDC for more efficient performance. Seeram said: “We do look forward to moving forward in a bit more peaceful manner, more productive and progressive.”
