Minister Khadijah Ameen: RDC Must Be ‘Cleaned Up’ Before Delivering New Projects
Minister of Rural Development and Local Government Khadijah Ameen says the Rural Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago must be « cleaned up » before it can effectively deliver projects under the current administration.
Minister Ameen says the Rural Development Company of Trinidad and Tobago is facing serious operational and administrative challenges that must be addressed to ensure it can effectively deliver projects.
« To the board of the RDC, I say to you that there are so many things that I know that we have to treat with, there are so many things in the Rural Development Company that we have to correct. We have so many projects that were awarded on the eve of election, monies that were that were paid that are unaccounted for. We have situations of over staffing that we must properly audit and assess as we go forward. »
The Minister said efforts are already underway to tackle the issues facing the organisation.
« It is a project management company through which so much can be delivered. But we cannot go forward with the burdens of the past and all of the allegations that hang over. So I want to acknowledge the fact that you have been working to clean up this mess. That you are seeking legal guidance to ensure that the company is ready to go forward to deliver under this new government. »
One of the matters now before the Rural Development Company involves a stalled youth facility project in the La Horquetta/Talparo constituency.
Five farmers were removed from lands earmarked for the project, but despite assessments being conducted to determine compensation, they were not paid for their losses.
The farmers finally received compensation cheques during a ceremony on Friday.
However, Minister Ameen said the circumstances surrounding the project, which was managed by the RDC, remain under investigation.
« The project was initiated by the Ministry of Sport under the then Minister, Minister Cummings, Foster Cummings, and it was sent to RDC as the project manager. The circumstances surrounding that project award, the fact that it did not continue, the fact that payments were made to the contractor and no payments were made to the farmers remains subject to investigation. And a report will come from the RDC to us with advice on how to go forward. »
Meanwhile, MP for La Horquetta/Talparo, Phillip Watts, said the compensation exercise demonstrates the Government’s commitment to treating citizens fairly when development projects affect their livelihoods.
« Today we are pleased to distribute negotiated compensation settlements to the five farmers affected by this project. This represents the fulfilment of a commitment made to you and reflects the Government’s responsibility to ensure that development is pursued in a fair, respectful and people centred manner. »
Minister Ameen described the compensation exercise as an important step in recognising the impact the land acquisition had on the farmers’ livelihoods and credited MP Watts for helping to secure the payments.
