GOVERNMENT’s commitment to empowering regions with the necessary resources that they need was reiterated on Wednesday when Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Annette Ferguson, handed over six Toyota Double Cab Hilux vehicles to officials of three administrative regions.

The Regional Executive Officers (REO) of Regions One, Seven and Nine collected the keys for the vehicles.

During the handing-over event at the ministry on Wednesday, Minister Ferguson noted that so far the ministry has procured ten (10) Toyota Double Cab Hilux vehicles and anticipates to spend in excess of over $100M for the number of vehicles procured. The cost for those handed over thus far is close to $64M.

“I wish to underscore this point, that since we came into office from 2015 to date, we have seen tremendous growth in the budgetary allocation for the various regions by 158%,” the minister said.

REO of Region Nine, Carl Parker, stated that the vehicles allotted to that region will be used by the regional health officer to enable the official to conduct outreaches into the villages where health matters are of concern. He said too that a vehicle will be going to the Regional Education Department to assist in the supervision of schools.
Parker also noted that a third vehicle will be assigned to the Public Works Department to enable them to monitor and evaluate projects around the region; another will be assigned to the Regional Accounting Unit, since there are always challenges with paying salaries in the region.

“Presently, we only have two vehicles and they are shared, so these vehicles will greatly improve our delivery and ensure that communities have access to the regional administration and its programmes,” Parker said.

It was noted at the event that four additional vehicles will be delivered in October. The Ministry of Communities previously donated a number of equipment and vehicles for capacity- building of the town councils.

These include compactor trucks, Toyota Hilux vehicles, a hook lift truck, 12 tractors, and 11 skip lift trailers.