– during Budget debate
REPAIRS and extension to the Canje Secondary School, construction of a bridge at Black Bush Polder for rice farmers, construction of revetment at Orealla and Siparuta, and rehabilitation of a street at Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice are only some of the projects that will be undertaken this year in Region 6 from its 2014 budgetary allocations.

PPP/C MP Faizal Jaffarally, in his presentation to the National Assembly on Thursday, said that budget 2014 is yet another people-oriented budget, and herebuked the Opposition for decrying lack of consultations when they themselves chose to ignore invitations to do so. He also reminded them that preparation of the national estimates of expenditure is the responsibility of the Executive.
He said that all the criticisms that are now coming from the Opposition benches are nothing new, as the same is being said budget after budget, year after year.
Jaffarally said that the area of housing has seen unprecedented growth in Region 6, and this year’s budget proposes a further allocation of $310M to be spent in areas such as Bloomfield, Cumberland, Williamsburg, Adelphi, and No.77 Village. This will benefit about 14,350 residents.
Thus far, more than 10,500 ordinary, working-class Berbicians have managed to acquire their own homes as a result of the Housing Ministry’s robust housing plan, with 14 schemes and 24 squatter settlements being established across Region 6.
These beneficiaries include sugar workers, nurses, vendors, hire car drivers, policemen, and teachers. Additionally, last year, the Ministry undertook a massive infrastructural development programme in the region, including the laying of pipelines, rehabilitation of internal streets etc. This programme benefitted 13,530 residents.
He also spoke of the remarkable successes recorded in the education sector, as a result of the massive investments. In 2013, a total of 11,452 students wrote the CSEC examinations, achieving a pass rate of 81.93 percent; and out of the 2,305 students who wrote the National Grade Six Assessment, 93 percent were awarded places in secondary schools in the region.
Moreover, all of the secondary schools and 40 percent of primary schools in Region 6 are equipped with IT labs.
Responding to AFC MP Veersammy Ramayya’s criticism of the state of playgrounds in the region, Jaffarally informed that the Whim Sports Club was fenced, a new pavilion was built, the land was filled and a new pitch was laid. This facility, he reminded, is just a ‘stone’s throw’ away from Ramayya’s residence.
A total of 39 grounds were rehabilitated across Region 6 at a cost of $68.9M, and these include works at Burnham Park in New Amsterdam, Bermine cricket ground and Young Warriors cricket ground.
With regards to the funds budgeted for the sugar industry, Jaffarally said , “Sugar workers’ concerns will always be a concern of the PPP/C Government.” (GINA)