Toshaos complain about substandard work on transport infrastructure
-free travel promised for pensioners from November 1st
Leaders of hinterland communities are frustrated with the “substandard” works and repairs that are being done by contractors on transport infrastructure and they also heard that pensioners will be able to travel for free on state vessels from November 1st.
Various village leaders voiced their concerns yesterday to the Minister of Public infrastructure, David Patterson at the 13th National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference, which is currently being hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
During the Q&A session, many village leaders took the opportunity to thank the minister for his “speedy” responses to their issues. They also thanked him for the roads and bridges that were recently constructed. However, a representative of the Mabaruma Section, Randolph Daniels complained that contractors that are awarded road or bridges contracts are refusing to listen to village leaders when they try to suggest what materials should be used. Another representative said the contractors are doing sloppy works and there is an urgent need for improvement. He requested that contracts be awarded to villagers.
In response, Patterson said, he support the suggestion “wholeheartedly” that contracts be awarded to persons in the villages because it takes time to mobilize contractors and send them to various locations. He said that he will investigate the incidents where the contractors are refusing to cooperate with the village leaders. “They should be cooperating with the toshaos because you (the toshaos) have control over your land,” he said.
Responding to another issue raised by a