– for current and capital estimates totalling $1.9B
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, yesterday tabled Financial Paper No.3/2010 for supplementary provisions on current and capital estimates totalling $1,918,999,270 for the period September 30, 2010 to December 31, 2010. Under the current estimates which amount to $678, 858,365, supplementary provisions are being sought by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to meet expenditure incurred by hosting the IV Regular Summit of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).
The Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Home Affairs and Agriculture are seeking provisions to cover the costs of fuel and lubricants as a result of the inclement weather conditions that the country has been experiencing in recent months, as well as the hike in fuel prices.
The provisions being sought by the Health Ministry are to meet increased patient demand for drugs related to chronic diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes, and orthopaedic supplies for hip-replacement surgeries.
The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security’s provision is to meet education stipends to workers retrenched at the Barama Company Limited, while the provision for the Education Ministry is for the purchase of supplies of dietary items for the Waramadong dormitory as a result of an increase in the level of enrolment.
Under the capital estimates, which amounted to $1, 240,140,905, provisions are sought by the Office of the President for the purchase of security and Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment for the National Intelligence Centre and for the paving of a circuit and car park at the National Park.
Provisions are sought by the Local Government Ministry for the procurement of garbage trucks, while the provision for the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is for Amerindian development projects and programmes.
The Agriculture Ministry’s provision is for a UPS radar tower, while that of the Tourism Ministry is for counterpart funding under the Competitiveness Programme.
Under the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, provisions are being sought to cover expenditure on the rehabilitation of bridges at Numbers Two and Three on the Moleson Creek terminal road, facilitation of remedial works at the Supenaam Stelling and the purchase of civil aviation equipment.
Under the Education Ministry, provisions are sought for the establishment of an Educational Television Broadcasting Service, secondary schools Information Technology (IT) laboratories, and the purchase of tools and equipment for the expansion of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP).
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, is seeking a provision for the completion of a swimming pool and other related infrastructure, while the Housing Ministry is seeking provisions for the improvement of hinterland, coastal and Linden water supplies.
Additionally, a provision is being sought for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for the construction of a National Veterans Rest Home, while the Supreme Court’s provision will go towards additional works to be done at the Family Court.    
The estimates will be debated for passage at the next sitting of Parliament on December 23.  (GINA)