Region Eight needs sound leadership

Dear Editor
I HAVE been following the news concerning the REO of Region Eight with regard to the relieving of his duties as accounting officer of that region. I personally believe it was one of the best things that this government has done for this region since it took office.
In the first place, he should not have even been appointed. Apart from the many allegations of corruption, “ which warrant an investigation,” he doesn’t seem to have any idea about management and administration. The big question is why would a government appoint someone to such an important position who is not au fait with their responsibilities?
As a resident, I have never seen this region being managed in such a manner before. This region was being managed in such an ad hoc manner that at times one would get the notion that the political head was the accounting officer. I recall during the colonial days and even before the regional system came into being, the region was being managed by a district commissioner and despite of the limited resources that were available to them, the region was managed better.
Since this government took office, the regional budget has actually increased by 100 per cent, which they should be commended for. Despite all of the increases instead of things changing for the better it changed for the worst. It is important for the government to know that providing resources is not all, it needs to monitor it. A responsible government doesn’t just provide resources; they put system in place to ensure that the resources are utilised accordingly.
One example of waste of resources, a bridge was rebuilt at Kurukabaru last year. I was told it cost $17M; that said bridge is being rebuilt this year for almost $10 million this year. They are also two guard huts that were built recently; one at the REO’s residence and another at the Regional Boardroom for a cost of almost $3M. What is so disturbing here is, the boardroom doesn’t need any security. Mr. Editor, isn’t this a waste of taxpayers’ monies.
There is another burning issue that needs to be addressed urgently,it is the misuse of the region vehicles. All of the vehicles that belong to the various programmes of the Regional Administration, that’s Health, Education, Public Works and Regional Administration and Finance are being controlled by a senior member of the RDC. These vehicles can be seen parked at his home. These vehicles are being used by his relatives for their personal use. On many occasions in the night, these guys have these vehicles at the discos and night spots having a ball imbibing alcohol. And what is most disturbing is that while these guys have these vehicles for their personal use, these various programmes remain immobile. Instead of these vehicles serve a community, they are serving a family.
On many occasions when these programmes need a vehicle to use, they have the chartered one. I can recall on one occasion when a sick patient came over to Mahdia from the North Pakaraimas for medical treatment there was no vehicle to take her from the airstrip to the hospital, she had to be taken there with an ATV, while the hospital vehicle was parked at this senior RDC official yard. On numerous occasions when the hospital has a patient for medivac they have to be all over searching for a vehicle. These vehicles were procured with taxpayers’ money to serve these various programmes within the entire region — not just one family.
If ever something is to go wrong the government will be blamed for not providing resources, when in fact the resources are being misused. What is even more disturbing is every month this officer takes at least two of these vehicles with at least two drums of fuel to the North Pakaraimas where he links up with some senior members of his political party and they would go from village to village campaigning, using State resources for political purposes. Whenever he comes back from his trip, the vehicles have to go into the workshop for repair. Millions of dollars are being spent from these various programmes’ budget to repair these vehicles, when in fact they are not getting the benefit of them.
Since this officer took office he has destroyed most of these vehicles. As soon as they procure a new one he collects it and has it park at his home for personal use. It would be very interesting to discover whether these vehicles have any log book. And while all of this is taking place, the REO just sits back as though nothing is wrong with that. Is this accounting officer aware that he is accountable for the assets of the region and he should seek to ensure that the resources of the region are utilised to the full benefit of the region? He is the accounting officer. The head of the RDC is not the accounting officer, he is the political head. The big question is why this government is permitting such things for so long. Somehow I got the notion that this government doesn’t care much about the persons that voted for them.
Regards
James Williams

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