By Sue-Ann Wayow
CHAIRMAN of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation Dr Allen Sammy is once again calling on funds to be released for the purchase of diesel.
In a recent press release, Dr Sammy said, “Public cleaning and maintenance works which required daily paid manpower in October and November 2021 and in February and July 2022 was hindered because of the failure to release funds. This is four months of eleven in this financial year alone.”
He added, “It is an ongoing practice of this government to continue to allocate money to local government but refuse to disburse releases for public works.”
Local Government Minister Faris Al- Rawi was called upon to release the funds.
Al-Rawi during a press conference had said that funding can be available through virement and taken from one vote to supplement another and there was no need to create public panic.
Dr Sammy said the corporation applied in writing for a virement on July 19 in the sum of $1.1 million mainly for the public sanitary works in the flood-prone region. Works include the cleaning of 622 roadside drains, 12 cemeteries, 36 recreation grounds, two markets and requests from other agencies of the state for assistance.
To date, the funds have not been released and the chairman said the Corporation has been in regular contact with the other relevant authorities concerning the release of funds.
