THE Councillors of the National Community Development Council (NCDC) has hailed Budget 2014 as one of the most transformative budgets that will facilitate continued development at the community and national levels via physical, social and economic programmes and policies.This position was adopted at a general meeting last Thursday to review and receive feedback on Budget 2014, as presented by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Kumar Singh to the National Assembly on March 24, 2014.
The meeting sought to educate the leaders of the Community Development Councils (CDCs) on what the budget contains in all sectors that will impact the work of the various communities.

Physical programmes
The $6.9 billion allocated for drainage and Irrigation, will be used in part to complete structures for the Northern Relief Channel Project, the Hope/Douchfour public road bridge, the construction of nine new drainage pump stations at Windsor Forest, Canal Polder, Pine Ground, No. 66 Village, Paradise, Gangaram, Eversham, No. 43 Village and Lima, and the rehabilitation of intake structures and sluices at Ann’s Grove, Hope, Annandale and Nancy will prevent flooding to homes and business, assist in agricultural programmes and create a healthier environment for all persons.

Councillors also expressed elation at the continuance of Government support to the energy sector. Rural communities, in particular, are pleased that Government plans to deliver on its promise to provide solar panels to specific communities currently without access to electricity and on Government’s plan to continue to pursue the Amaila Falls Hydro project. Access to affordable electricity for rural communities creates opportunities for small business development, access to information through ICT and extends the reach of education for members of the community. The domino effect of such a basic utility has far reaching positive consequences, which will only contribute to the overall development of Guyana.

The allocation of $2.5B to the water sector was also widely praised for its plan to reach remote, and hinterland communities including Waikerabi, Santa Rosa, Arau, Taruka, Kanapang, Kathur, Aishalton and St. Ignatius, which is expected to benefit approximately 20,000 residents.

Social Development
Councillors noted that Government increased the allocation to education by close to $4B and increases throughout other areas will help the elderly, single parents, youth and children. It was noted that Government programmes targeted at these groups are essential to the overall empowerment of communities and the most vulnerable social groups.

Economic growth
As part of the CDC’s goal to create self-sufficient systems for communities to blossom and become less dependent on Government, councillors are pleased that the programmes outlined in the budget are conducive to helping their respective communities achieve this goal.
As a general reaction, the councillors are excited that the budget will provide the kind of support that is needed to strengthen the country through community development. However, there is strong concern and fear that the Opposition will deliver on their promise to cut Budget 2014, and in so doing will set back the initiatives that would otherwise propel the work and achievements of the CDCs.

Many councillors are worried that projects such as community centres, which begun construction last year, will become obsolete; that health centres will not be able to provide necessary and vital medications and trained staff, and that single parents will not have access to much needed public assistance. Those are just a few concerns, should funding be discontinued this year. Likewise, councillors noted that many of the rural communities are cash crop and livestock farmers who depend on manoeuvre roads and bridges in order to transport their products to make an income. Should funding to these infrastructural projects be cut, local communities and the families that comprise of these communities will feel the consequences.

The CDC in congratulating the Government on the 2014 Budget is also calling on the Opposition to consider the thousands of lives that will be affected should they deliver on their promise to slash Budget 2014. The CDCs and the communities they represent, remain hopeful that all members of the National Assembly will work in the interest of promoting the interest of all Guyanese, regardless of political, social, religious influences as the debates begin.