– discusses progress of current and capital works
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development yesterday held a meeting with the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of the various Regions to discuss matters of concern including the reports on progress of current and capital works, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils’ subventions, road maintenance, miscellaneous roads and other critical issues.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall and Permanent Secretary Sewchan at the Regional Executive Officers meeting at the Ministry of Local Government.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall pointed out that they are currently at 64 percent of their spending out of a capital budget of $1.8B.

The Minister noted that the objective is to complete capital projects in the allotted time; as such all contractors from the various Regions who have been awarded contracts and have been paid mobilisation fees will be penalised if they are unable to start the awarded projects at the end of September.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Sewchan said the Ministry will intensify its monitoring and evaluation of the Regions through the presence of its engineers. He reminded the REOs that they are the sole managers of their agencies and should keep with their responsibilities as administrators since leadership seems to be lacking. He told them there is a need for the rules that govern public servants to be enforced.

He stated that the Ministry will prepare a format that will measure both the physical and financial aspects of the achievements that have been realised.

Hinterland Coordinator Harripersaud Nokta noted that each region has been given an increase in its budgetary allocation for each consecutive year and that there have been remarkable achievements in the development of infrastructure being enjoyed by the residents. He advised that the programmes continue to be implemented till the end of the year.

The capital budget status of the $1.8 B that was allocated for 2009 shows that $1.18B has been expended, which represents 63.75 percent. A further break down of this amount shows that Region One has an expenditure rate of 42.2 percent, Region Two-80.2 percent, Region Three – 30.4 percent, Region Four- 50.8 percent, Region Five- 77.6 percent, Region Six- 78.5 percent, Region Seven- 75.2 percent, Region Eight-78.3 percent, Region Nine- 44.9 percent and Region Ten-70.1 percent.

The current budget status as of September 28 shows that of the $14.3 B that was allocated for 2009, $9.86B has been spent, this is a representation of 68.7 percent. Broken down this figure shows Region One – 64.9 percent, Region Two -71.6 percent, Region Three – 64.4 percent, Region Four – 70.4 percent, Region Five – 71.6 percent, Region Six – 68.8 percent, Region Seven – 67.6 percent, Region Eight 63.4 percent, Region Nine – 73.7 percent and Region Ten – 73.7 percent.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s capital budget status is 41.6 percent and its current budget status is 60.7 percent.

All Regions reported that they are expected to complete all work programmes before December 31.