A STATEMENT indicating that capital projects for Region 4 were postponed until next year, which was released to the media last Friday, purportedly attributed to Deolall Rooplall, former Regional Executive Officer of Region 4, was yesterday described to be an “erroneous” one by Regional Chairperson, Genevieve Allen. The statement which was released on Friday last had accused the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration of being the reason why the capital projects were allegedly postponed.
“Approval of the 2015 budget was delayed owing to the actions of the PPP/C Administration in 2014. With the prorogation of Parliament on November 10, 2014, followed by the dissolution of Parliament on February 28, 2015, and the holding of the General and Regional Elections on May 11, 2015, the Budget preparation timetable was disrupted. The new Government was forced to adjust the Budget timetable to reflect a new budget cycle that commenced on June 4, 2015” the statement said.
As a result, it further revealed that due to the “irresponsible actions” of the previous Administration, residents of Region 4 are advised that the following projects will not feature in the capital programme for 2015, but will remain relevant in 2016; these include construction of multipurpose building at the RDC compound, construction of all-weather roads at Bamboo Dam and Mahaica Middle Walk, construction of roads at Benkay Alley in Lusignan and Martyr’s Ville Main Access, extension of BV Practical Instruction Centre, reconstruction of Golden Grove Secondary, rehabilitation of Bladen Hall Secondary, reconstruction of Peter’s Hall Primary, rehabilitation of Mahaica Primary and Enmore Primary, extension of Kuru Kururu Primary, construction of nursery schools at Grove, Craig, Vryheid’s Lust, extension of Mocha Nursery, extension of Triage and Observation Unit, Intensive Care Unit and Delivery Room at Diamond Regional Hospital, construction of Health Centre at Eccles New Scheme and construction of Health Post at Haruruni Village.
But according to Regional Chairperson, Genevieve Allen, the statement reportedly issued by Rooplall had been an “erroneous” one, which was allegedly issued by a man who was no longer REO of the region since his contract ended on July 7, 2015. Rooplall’s contract had not been renewed, Allen said.
She further charged that if perusal of estimates was done, it would be recognised that a number of projects under the heading “Capital” have been given financial allocation in the five programmes, namely administration and finance; agriculture; public works; education; and health.
Additionally, she denounced the actions by Stabroek News to feature the statement on their front page, which gave it credence, since she argued that the budgetary estimates would have been distributed to media officials. Little effort of investigation, Allen said, would have revealed that the statement had been a misrepresentation of the facts.
To this end, the local government official called for an immediate retraction of the story which was featured in their daily newspaper on Saturday, August 15. (Ravin Singh)