THE ADMINISTRATION of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) has completed paving several roads in Lethem and surrounding areas as part of its $218M capital works project for 2010. This is according to Regional Executive Officer Mr. Ronald Harsawack, who said the cost of the work at reference was in the sum of $50M. Other elements in the capital project, some completed and others nearing completion, he  said, include the construction of bridges and other infrastructural works in the sum of $50M, taking to $100M the total amount of money spent on roads, bridges and  infrastructure.
The roads completed extend as far south as Parabara. The remaining $118M was expended on agricultural development, upgrading of schools and health and administrative buildings, acquisition of  furniture and equipment for schools and health facilities, acquisition of   land transport for the Public Works, Health and Education Departments and extension of electricity and water supplies to villages within the Region.
The Regional Administration  spent a total of $15M on installing generators to provide eight hours of electricity per day to villages as a means of improving the quality of life of the villagers.
The 65 KVA  generators are operated by District Development Officers, and the electricity provided is free of charge, Harsawack said.
Villages which benefited from the eight-hours a day electricity programme were Annai, Karasabai, Sand Creek and Aishalton.
Additionally, the  sum of $14M was spent on installing trestles, water pumps and pipelines at Potarinau, Bashaidrum,  Katunarib  and Aishalton to upgrade potable water supply systems in these villages.
The major education projects included the construction of a dormitory for live-in students at the secondary school at Annai, in the North Rupununi, which is nearing completion.
Harsawack said unseasonal rains had disrupted  execution of the capital works for most of the year.
He is however optimistic  that the entire capital works programme will be completed by yearend. (Clifford Stanley)