RDC 10 awards over 5 million to prospective councillor

Officials at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region Ten are questioning how a prospective councillor with no evidence of grass cutting business and or skill reportedly was able to secure some five million dollars’ worth in grass cutting contract. www.aroundtheregions.com learnt that the 5 million dollars were for at least two grass cutting contracts valued at 2.5 million dollars each.

This media house further learnt that the contracts were allegedly issued by the former Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon, and according to sources close to the RDC, the Regional Chairman Rennis Morian reportedly playing a pivotal role in the contracts being issued.

Officials are claiming that the contracts are evidence that there is an urgent need for a forensic audit of the region with many claiming that the former REO and Regional Chairman operated the region as though it was a ‘cake shop’. “This is woefully unacceptable as I can’t understand how the Regional Labour Officer who has no evidence of a business being issued with these and more contracts, we want a thorough investigation into these and more because the RC used his position to ensure that certain people benefited and from the evidence that we have garnered benefited significantly,” an official said.

Another asked, “Is this the way that Government and Regional officials run a region, this can’t be right. Unfortunately, the people of Region Ten have not benefited from prudent governance and as such, we hope that the present administration will iron out and ensure that the public is never subjected ever again to such level of poor and dishonest leadership.”

Despite this media house securing documents, which shows that the official benefited from at least two weeding contracts, she has denied the allegations.
Meanwhile, an official within the Ministry of Communities who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed that they have received the reports of this and many other such similar projects and are currently investigating same. “You would appreciate that with all the many corruptions that we have seen since this administration has taken office that there are numerous allegations and claims of corruption unfolding. As a matter of fact, these are serious allegations that need to be fully and properly investigated so that those responsible for any wrongdoing can and will be fully prosecuted by law,” the official said.

The official further said that evidence thus far has indicated that there is certainly need for a complete investigation into Region Ten’s operations, noting that the region has been under the radar for a while after several suspicious and questionable contracts were issued over the past few years. “We have been closely monitoring Region Ten and I guess that we are now seeing all that was in the dark over the years and I can say that with this administration that we have today they are going to take firm and appropriate action against those found breaching the laws,” the official said.

Attempts to contact the former Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon proved futile, while the Regional Chairman refused to comment, stating that he is not bothered by any investigation. He boasted that he is in charge of the Region and challenged anyone to attempt at taking any action against him.
The former REO was fired shortly after the PPP/C government took office and the Regional Chairman was bypassed by his own party APNU/AFC for the list of candidates in the 2020 election, thus he will make his exit when the new council is sworn in shortly.

www.aroundtheregions.com will continue to monitor this story as it unfolds.