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Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, during a recent visit to Recent Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), urged the Region’s Public Works Committee and other Regional Officers to strictly monitor all projects and to ensure an early start of the 2009 works programme and the rigid enforcement of project documents. 
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, meeting with Region Nine Public Works Committee at the Regional guest house, Lethem.
“We have to have this oversight by the Works Committee…to ensure that projects can be delivered within specified time, design and budget,” Minister Lall said.
The Minister made these remarks while outlining new policy initiatives at a meeting with the officers at the conference room, Regional guest house, Lethem.
The need for the Committee to have good monitoring capability was stressed. He noted that during similar visits to other Regions, the regional administration had complained of non-involvement in that process, but it is through these interventions that the elected Regional body has a direct oversight of the Region.
With regards to the tendering process, the officers were encouraged to prepare proper bills of quantities. Over the years it has been a practice for contractors to bid low and at the end of the project ask for extensions, which result in variations. It also burdens Government with an added cost. This practice will not be tolerated by contractors with the new tender and procurement process, he said.
Minister Lall said that Government is moving to a point where the engineering estimates will be published, and should a contractor bid low and cannot complete a project due to insufficient fund, then the contractor will have to pay the difference to complete the project.
Concerns raised by the representatives were that the village captains help in the monitoring of projects in their community.
Minister Lall said that it is important for the village councils to act as local government guardians.
Government will be undertaking several civil works project in the Region this year, to aid its development process. More than $917M was allocated to the Region, of which over $200M will be spent on capital projects, including the maintenance and construction of new infrastructure.
Some of the capital projects for 2009 include the completion of a bridge at Moco Creek and construction of new ones at Kumu and Bureo Creek.
In the education sector, the Katoka primary school will be completed and the dormitories at Annai secondary school will be extended, while schools will be built at Fair View and Semoni.
The medex quarters at Sand Hill will be extended and a new storage bond built at Sand Creek. The Lethem, Aishalton and Rupertee roads will be upgraded, while culverts will be built at Meriwau and Mukushi Village, and water supply systems at Awarewaunau, Potarinau and Katunarib installed. (GINA)
