House approves estimates for Region 6

The National Assembly Monday approved the estimates of expenditure for Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) totalling $4.48B.

Of this amount, $134.5M will go towards the regional administration, $611.7M for agriculture, $296.9M for public works, $2.3B for education and $1.13B for health service delivery.
Alliance For Change (AFC) MP, Dr. Veersammy Ramayya inquired about the sums budgeted for maintenance of buildings, to which Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, informed that six buildings are slated for repairs. These are: State House, the regional administrative building, the regional accounting unit, the Regional Development Council (RDC) boardroom, the personnel building and the administrative building at Springlands.
With regard to agriculture, questions were asked about the increased sums for contracted employees when the number of employees has moved from 22 in 2013 to 18 this year. The minister explained that while the number of employees has decreased, the emoluments paid to the remaining 18 employees have increased.
The sum of $193M was budgeted for fuel and lubricants and Dr. Ramayya asked about the number of vehicles and the equipment that will be catered for under this provision. The minister said that a total of 48 vehicles will be catered for. These include: trucks, backhoes, drainage pumps, excavators, pickups and tractors.
Further, from the fleet of 48 vehicles, a few are currently not operational; one of them is a low-bed truck GKK 6487, which Dr. Ramayya had a particular interest in. That vehicle is currently at a mechanical workshop while its trailer is parked at the Whim Community Centre Ground.
Questions were also asked about the increase from $27.1M in 2013 to $43.8M for security services. He also asked for details as to the locations where security services are provided on a 24-hour basis.
Minister Whittaker informed the House that the company that has been contracted is Homesafe Security, which is providing a 24-hour service at 13 locations, including Black Bush Polder pump station, Borlam pump station, No. 63 Benab, Sea Well pump station, Eversham pump station, and Joppa pump station, among others.
Further, the increase in the allocation is as a result of service charges being increased from $145 per hour to $300 per hour.
AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan inquired about the $146M budgeted for maintenance of drainage and irrigation structures. Minister Whittaker informed that over 60 areas are targeted and committed to providing the House with a detailed list.
In terms of Public Works, questions were asked about the roads that will be rehabilitated with the allocation of $42.5M. The minister said that these include stretches of road in areas such as Light Town, Fyrish Branch Road, New Amsterdam Main Street, Strand New Amsterdam, and Highbury Road among others.
The minister also clarified statements made by Dr. Ramayya who suggested that contracts are given to private contractors in the region. The minister explained that contracts are awarded to bidders who meet the eligibility criteria.
Five bridges have also been identified for works in Region 6 at a total cost of $25.5M. These include one at No. 2 ($4M), Moleson Creek No.1 bridge ($5.5M), Adelphi main access bridge ($7M), Lesbeholden bridge ($2M) and one at East Bank Berbice ($7M).
In terms of education delivery, Dr. Ramayya questioned the increase in the sums allocated for security services. The Local Government Minister committed to providing a complete breakdown with regard to the number of nursery, primary and secondary schools, the shift system and the number of guards to be placed at the various locations.
As for the delivery of healthcare services, APNU MP Karen Cummings inquired about an ambulance which will be purchased by the region. Minister Whittaker, replied that this ambulance will be stationed at Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder.
Further, a number of other vital pieces of equipment will be purchased such as an ultra-sound machine which will be given to the Skeldon Hospital ($6M), two cardiac monitors, one each to the New Amsterdam and Skeldon Hospitals ($5M), one 500kva generator for the New Amsterdam Hospital ($18M) and 15 pulse oximeters to be located at a number of health facilities across the region.
On Friday, the National Assembly approved the allocations for Regions 1 to 5.

(GINA)

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