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Controversial Dangriga Market Soon Done; Town Mayor Says He Won’t Accept
Tue, October 21, 2014
13 months ago, Dangriga Town was up in arms when the biggest scandal at the Social Investment Fund emerged.

The Dangriga Market place fell 9 months behind schedule, allegedly because of corruption and poor public spending. The former contractor alleged that he was "hustled" by senior staffers at SIF. That scandal led to 4 staffers being dismissed, the executive director being forced to resign, and a change in contractor.

The market construction started all over in April, and at the beginning of this week, SIF reported that they had finally completed the construction of the market.

Well, the Mayor of Dangriga Town is not satisfied with the product, complaining that it cost 1.8 million dollars to renovate and extend, but there are no signs of value for money.

He spoke to us via phone this evening in which he explained that the project had to be pushed 3 weeks beyond the agreed completion time. Here's how he puts it:

Gilbert Swazo, Mayor - Dangriga Town Council
"There was some delay and they were expected that it would take at least 2 weeks and I am telling you that isn't good enough for us. I believe that it was incumbent on SIF, the project implementary unit to contact the mayor and to say that they are having some delays and that the project would be delayed for whatever period of time. I believe that was proper procedure and protocols to be done on behalf of SIF. So there is no apology, then when the project was terminated in 2013 and still no apology from SIF at this time, then the further delay exorbitated the problem in our view, so they continue to behave in a manner that is disregarded and disrespecting the people of Dangriga."

Daniel Ortiz
"What is your impression of the finished market right now, is it up to standard?"

Gilbert Swazo, Mayor - Dangriga Town Council
"Today I had the privilege of touring the market with representatives from SIF which also included the consultant engineer Mr. Polanco and I expressed to them that the money that has been spent which is 1.8 million dollars and what I am seeing on the ground in my humble opinion there were some issues that I saw which needed to be addressed and if those issues are not addressed or there isn't a promise or a contract to stipulated that those issues that we pointed out on the ground are not addressed then I will not be prepared to take on or sign for that market on Thursday. So they assured me today that those issues which were pointed out to them will be rectified even after the official handing over and that will be part of the signing or the handing over document on Thursday. But I need to see that before the start of the official ceremony for us to proceed."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, how would you answer to those who say that you are simply finding things to criticized and complain about?"

Gilbert Swazo, Mayor - Dangriga Town Council
"I would say to everyone for them to come on the ground to view the market and they make an estimate for themselves - they can see. I am of the view that 1.8 million dollars which has been spent comparing to the frustration, the disrespect, the loss of economy that this town has suffered - let them compare all that to what is on the ground then they be the judge of it."

The official handing over takes place on Thursday, which is when we'll know if the Mayor agrees to accept the Market or not.

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