Government seeking to aid Aranaputa in finding markets for peanuts

Regional Vice Chairman (RVC) of Region Nine, Bertie Xavier has disclosed that coming out of
his outreaches, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Hon. Nigel
Dharamlall has ordered an investigation into how the finances of several villages and NDCs
were handled based on the numerous complaints that they received.
This was the revelation made by Xavier, while speaking to www.aroundtheregions.com recently.
He said that the outreaches that he has been doing have been receiving overwhelming responses
from residents as he has visited and will continue to visit several villages.
Commenting on his meeting in the village of Aranaputa, Xavier said that the residents were
eager to engage his team, as there were several unresolved issues that they wanted to be
addressed. The RVC said that several residents spoke of the lack of accountability and
transparency within the NDC, which Aranaputa is and the manner in how the village affairs were
being managed by the Council.
This, he said resulted in several other villagers coming forward and pleading with the Minister
and him to urgently address their concerns.
“Several of the villagers urged us to look into the issue of accountability and transparency
urging us to intervene. They also requested that we can assist in having systems put in place as
they would like to see their council work more effectively and closer to bring about greater
benefits for the residents. They also spoke about hardy having health meetings in the village and
expressed an interest in having this and other urgent matters addressed,” Xavier said.
The Regional Vice Chairman said that with regards to the issue of transparency and
accountability he reminded the village leaders that this is a very important matter as they have a
responsibility to ensure that whatever resources are entrusted to them is properly accounted for,
disclosing that complaints were made in how the NDC handles its financial resources.
“After hearing the many complaints regarding the manner in how finances and other resources
were handled, Minister Dharamlall informed the residents that he is ordering a full audit and
investigation into the NDCs and all the villages to ascertain how they were expended. This, he
reminded, will be done to determine how those that were entrusted with finances were spent,” he
said.
Xavier disclosed that the village which is known for its vast agricultural development especially
in the production of peanuts, revealed the challenges and difficulties that they are encountering
in securing markets. He reiterated that finding markets are of grave concern to residents, noting
that there are currently some 1000 lbs of peanuts that the villagers have that needs market.

“They disclosed to us that they have over 1000 lbs of peanuts and their greatest challenge is
finding markets for the peanuts. This is because their largest buyer from Georgetown would
prefer to buy the peanut shell as he wants it in its shell. Peanuts come in a scale and the buyer
doesn’t want the peanuts the way it used to be sent but rather in the shell,” he explained.
The Region Nine top official went on to disclose that in an effort to resolve the situation a
number of initiatives were put forward. He said, “the region is pursuing avenues to buy a sheller
so instead of doing it manually you will have an equipment that will shell the nut before it is sold
to the buyer. This in our view will aid the villagers in garnering more markets as this is what we
are trying to address at the moment.”
Xavier also revealed that irrigation issues are of concerns to the residents of the village noting
that they will be addressing it. He said that with regards to the promised audit and investigation
by the Minster, he welcomes it as it is his firm belief that persons should be made to account for
finances and resources given to them.
"Minister said that he will be sending an audit team to all of the NDCs to ensure that all financial
resources that were made available to the NDCs are accounted for. I am hoping that indeed the
auditors will come to audit these places, so that the monies that were spent can be accounted
for,” the Regional Vice Chairman declared.