In Committee of Supply…
MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony has said the National Stadium does not reflect sub-standard work and assured that schools and other clubs have the support of his ministry. He offered the assurance during consideration of the 2011 Budget estimates, in the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly, Tuesday evening.
Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. David Patterson had pointed to sums being spent on areas like sand blasting at the Stadium and the need to do rehabilitative works, all of which, he charged, indicated a sub-standard level of execution of the project.
Anthony refuted the charge and said the recommended cost for maintenance works is three per cent of the total and Guyana is spending less than one per cent.
Patterson turned his attention to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, where rehabilitation was, recently, done on the floor and additional funds are dedicated for maintenance.
The AFC MP claimed that an international tournament was cancelled in Georgetown because of the floor’s conditions and such information is in public domain.
Anthony said his ministry is unaware of any such cancellation.
Patterson mentioned the Olympic size swimming pool and the related $12M allocation, as well as the time of completion, to which the Minister said the facility will be officially opened in a few months and that the money allocated takes care of consultants fees, as well.
People’s National Congress Reform – One Guyana (PNCR-1G) MP, Mr. Mervyn Williams asked about the use of the synthetic athletic track at Leonora, West Coast Demerara and Anthony informed that the first phase, started in 2010, will be finished in June this year and the second phase would take another 18 months.
“At the end of phase two, it will be a functional facility,” the Minster stated.
Williams wanted to know about the proposed third phase, expected to cost $79M and the sum paid for the land and Anthony said the plot is state-owned and phase three will address improvements to the facility.
He said phase one was executed at a cost of $124M and phase two is costing $477M.
Minister Anthony also said the time for the facility to become functional is at the end of the phase two (18 months) but phase three will be undertaken when the resources are available.
IMPROVEMENT
Other PNCR-1G MP, Ms. Vanessa Kissoon called attention to community clubs and schools in need of support and Anthony said there is an allocation to assist in the improvement of community grounds, as well as those used by schools.
However, he assured that priority will be given to the needs determined by stakeholders after consultations.
Kissoon asked whether schools could make requests and Anthony answered in the affirmative, noting that the same procedure goes for the distribution of sports gears acquired by the Ministry.
He said, currently, the main beneficiaries of supplies include the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), Kuru Kuru College and the National School of Dance.
Kissoon enquired if support will cover the Burnham and Mackenzie Basketball Courts and Anthony said, while works were done last year, the ministry will work with the basketball associations to facilitate other assistance.
The minister announced that the National Culture Centre (NCC) is expected to benefit, this year, from works to the plumbing and electrical systems, among other areas.
Anthony also gave Opposition MPs the undertaking that there are no overseas scholarships, usually awarded by the Public Service Ministry, to be offered and in-house training will be done.
He said youth officers are posted in all 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana and the budgetary allocations will see improved services to the Guyanese people. (Vanessa Narine)