‘Totally outrageous’ – President blazes regional officials after issues flagged by Mara residents

Several issues were flagged by residents and farmers of Mara, Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) on Saturday during an engagement with President Dr. Irfaan Ali and a team of government ministers.

And President Ali scolded several regional officials during the engagements with the residents because of their apparent failures in addressing these issues.

Poorly done drainage works and the distribution of the old age pension in New Amsterdam, a town, instead of in the community of Mara were among the major issues raised.

President Ali heard that the regional engineer did not adequately inspect works done and consequently, residents have been affected. That engineer, the President heard, also did not prepare adequate reports on any inspections.

Dr. Ali was also told that pensioners are still required to go to New Amsterdam for their pension despite the government’s policy of having the pension distributed in the communities.

“…I am disappointed with the performance of the regional engineer and the [Regional Executive Officer] in addressing some of these issues (but) I am very pleased with the work of the MInistry of Agriculture and the drainage and irrigation [team] as the residents demonstrated,” the President said.

These concerns seemed to draw the ire of the President and he emphasised that public sector workers must be held accountable.

“We are paying people and we are not going to tolerate the lack of concern for communities.

“These ministers, the cabinet is in the field everyday, we are making the resources available. We can’t, in a small society like ours, we can’t have little Gods all over the place,” he said.

Aside from those concerns, the President and Public Works Minister Juan Edghill acknowledged that the $100 million Mara roadway improvement project has not been progressing as swiftly as it should.

So the President said a meeting with the regional contractors is necessary to advance this project.

“We are cautiously pleased with the advancement on the road but very disappointed, like the residents, in the pace at which the work is being done.

“We have made the resources available and it is totally outrageous, the pace at which the work is being done,” Dr. Ali highlighted.

Meanwhile, the President immediately addressed other issues raised including relief requested by farmers. He tasked the Ministry of Agriculture with helping to clear five acres of land for all farmers and said a new canal will be built nearby to help improve drainage.

The President is currently on a regional outreach and is expected to engage residents in other communities at the weekend.