…RDC says 70% of awards goes outside of the region
The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10, Upper Demerara/ Berbice is calling out the Government of Guyana for not holding up to its promises to the people of the district.
In a press release, the RDC accused the Regional Tender Board of only awarding a low percentage of contracts to contractors of the district, while, over 70% of the contracts were given to persons outside of the region.
The release highlight that upon his first visit to the RDC of Region 10, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharmlall had stated that contract applications by residents of the Region should carry greater weight than those from outside of the Region because he is positive that residents of Region 10 possess the skills to execute projects.
It was also pointed out that Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton during his visit to Linden, noted that even if residents, especially women and youths, do not have the skills necessary to carry out the projects, he would advocate for the training of these persons before the awarding of contracts to ensure that persons from the area are awarded the contracts.
Village Voice News understands that some 54 contracts were given out for the early part of 2021 by the Regional Tender Board, Region 10. However, only 16 of those contracts were awarded to persons from Region 10.
The release noted that the RDC, Region 10 has, over the years, made it clear that the preferred procedure is that the people of Region 10 participate in the provision of goods and services that contribute to the development of this region.
Hence, the residents of the region should be awarded, if not all, a substantial amount of contracts.
The release read, “our residents are equally capable of constructing drains, building schools and health posts, constructing security huts and building revetments. Indeed, because our contractors reside in these communities, and their employees live where the work is being undertaken, they cannot afford to deliver shoddy and substandard work”.
Additionally, the RDC indicated that it will continue to demand that it plays a part in the selection of representatives who sit on the Regional Tender Board.
“The law is clear and it states that apart from the appointments made at the national level, the other appointments are made by the Regional Administration. The Regional
Administration works for and on behalf of the elected Chairman and Councilors of the RDC in question, and acts on the lawful instructions of the Council,” the RDC noted.
The release went on to say that idea that is currently being broadcasted is that the Administration through the Regional Executive Office alone decides on the persons appointed to serve on the Regional Tender Board, including choosing which Councilors should sit there.
Hence, the narrative should be corrected since the Administration executes the decisions of the Council and should not be allowed to carry out important functions breaching the direction of the RDC.
As a result, the RDC will retain its position that the Regional Executive Officer of Region 10, who also serves as Chairman of the Regional Tender Board, shall confer with and respect the RDC’s judgment on those who sit on the Tender Board, apart from those nominated by the National Procurement and Tender Administration.
