The National Assembly yesterday approved financial estimates for the 10 Administrative Regions, during the first session following several clarifications by members of the Opposition. While considering the items listed on the schedule, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament, Ernest Elliot, sought clarifications on the establishment of markets, tarmacs and holding areas.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall, said that after conducting several surveys, it was found that several markets are in need of urgent repairs as many of them are dilapidated.

“This year we will be constructing two new markets, one at Mahaica and one at Soesdyke. We will also be constructing holding areas at Rosignol and Mahaica,” the Minister said.

Minister Lall added that in 2009, several tarmacs were built to accommodate some of the vendors who were asked to remove from the parapets. He said that this year this project will continue in consultation with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Municipalities.

The Minister also clarified that he recently held a meeting at Golden Grove on the East Coast of Demerara and finalised arrangements to construct a market tarmac there.

PNCR MP Winston Murray sought to find out how many municipalities are to benefit from the capital subventions provided for in the budget.

Minister Lall said that all municipalities benefit from the subvention. He added that based on the size of the municipalities and the level of their incomes, various sums have been allocated to them.

Georgetown was allotted $20M, Anna Regina $9M, Linden $10M, New Amsterdam $10M, and Rose Hall and Corriverton $8M each.

Murray also sought clarifications in relation to the completion and subsequent operation of the Haags Bosch landfill site.

Minister Lall said that the first phase of the project will be substantially completed and will be operational this year. However, its completion will require another few years. A significant sum will also be made available for the closure of the Le Repentir landfill site.

Responding to PNCR MP Basil Williams, the minister said that a total sum of $195M in subventions was allocated to the 65 NDCs. This would see a sum of approximately $3M allotted to each council.

PNCR Mervyn Williams questioned when the rehabilitation of the Parika stelling would be completed.

The Minister said that the plan for the ‘roll-on roll-off’ facility will be completed by the end of this year.

“The idea is to convert Parika, Supenaam, Charity and Bartica into townships, and so we will have to do a lot of training to move them from NDC areas to municipalities at a cost of $26M,” he said.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, presented the $142.8B on February 8 to the National Assembly, under the theme “Consolidate, Transform, Sustain.”   It supersedes the 2009 budget by approximately10.8 % and marks yet another record for the PPP/C administration, without the introduction of new taxes.