Opposition-aligned Region 10 Chairman, Deron Adams has expressed disappointment with the government for reportedly not earmarking monies for the construction of a new Regional Democratic Council (RDC) headquarters. This, the official said, is one of the things he finds most troubling about the government’s proposed $1.146 national budget for 2024.
“This is definitely an untenable decision, since every justification exists why no employee should be forced to work in this current building,” he said, while apologizing to residents for exposing them to serious risk of harm each time they visit the building to conduct business.
Adams also raised concerns about the hazardous conditions faced by RDC staff, noting that the building had been declared a fire hazard by the Guyana Fire Service. Despite these risks, employees dedicated to serving the region continue to work in the compromised structure, thereby endangering their health.
“Some sections of this building are crumbling. That is a fact. Our employees also occupy a building that pose serious risk to their health, with human feces from the septic system backing up ever so often in their office spaces, and only addressed by cleaning and disinfecting the areas before employees are required to return to these same areas to sit in these spaces for hours each day to do their tasks,” the Chairman noted.
Adams committed to advocating for a safe and hygienic workspace for RDC employees.
“This is what we mean when we say that the 2024 budget ignores the direct needs of the people of Region 10, and as Chairman of this Council, I will continue to fight for the right of our employees to work in a safe and hygienic workspace,” he added.
