Baksh outlines infrastructure developments in Region Two
CHAIRMAN of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Alli Baksh has announced that, within a short period of time, the hope is to establish an additional scheme. He said, apart from the 10 already established, additional areas will be designed for more house lots in the Onderneeming area.
Baksh was speaking on the occasion of the first 2010 ‘One Stop Shop’ outreach, by the Ministry of Housing and Water, at Anna Regina, also on Essequibo Coast.
Responding to those who are opposing Government policies and alleging that money is not being spent in rural communities, he said, in 2009, a water treatment plant costing $450M was built to benefit some 20,000 residents, for the first time in the history of the Region.
Baksh reminded that service connections are being upgraded and water meters are being installed in the Queenstown and Walton Hall areas, at a cost of $24M, for a similar number of beneficiaries.
He also alluded to the drilling of a new well at Sommerset and Berks at a tune of $20M which has already been completed.
“That is an area where we had tremendous amount of problems and we were fortunate, through the Ministry, to receive this sum of money,” Baksh acknowledged.
He said, last year, some $502M was spent and, additionally, through the Ministry, in collaboration with the Region, $230M on the installation of a transmission main from Queenstown to Walton Hall to ensure better water flow.
Baksh encouraged his audience to respond to some of the negative things in newspapers by telling of the positives.
“We must not forget everything. We must always remember where we were and where we are at the moment,” he said.
Alluding to more progress, Baksh said, this year, a new well will be drilled at Aurora, for $70M and 4,000 consumers are slated to benefit from it.
He mentioned another new one at Lima, for $46M and at Onderneeming for $31M, with $147M being expended on the coastal belt.
Baksh said the Government is not only creating housing schemes and giving people the house lots but putting in additional things which have a cost.
He said, from, the Regional Budget, $400M goes to do other works, such as drainage and irrigation and, every year, approximately $350M is used only to maintain sea defences.
“It is not us. We come and inherit that and we inherit a budget of $2.2 billion in debt, yet we were able to clear that to a great extent and we are expending monies to the extent that you are the people who are the beneficiaries in this region,” Baksh noted.
“Therefore, I implore you to see with us what we are doing. With all the constraints we have got, with all the demands that are there, we are trying our best to ensure that there is a smooth flow in every community without any form of discrimination. We are doing work in all areas so our citizens can be more comfortable,” he insisted.
Baksh said: “We have a constraint financially and otherwise but we are working faithfully and honestly with dedication to ensure that our policies are well placed and are well tuned to have an impact on you, the ordinary people.”