Government, in its drive to continue the efficient and effective implementation of its various  policies and programmes to better the lives of residents in the ten administrative regions, this year will come closer to reality with the $20B approved by the National Assembly for the  continuation of regional development. The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development will spare no effort in continuing the modernisation process, through the various regional democratic bodies in developing the agriculture, health, education and the public works sectors in the various regions, with particular emphasis on hinterland communities.
In the pursuit of providing quality services and sustainable physical and institutional infrastructure so as to enhance the social and economic development of citizens throughout Guyana, government has been allocating significant sums each year to accomplish these goals. This trend continued this year with each region receiving increases in their capital budgetary allocations.
Region 1 (Barima/ Waini) received $1.3B
Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) $2.7B
Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) 2.5B
Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) $2.7B
Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) received $1.5B
Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) $3.5B
Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) got $1.5B
Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) $744.8M
Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) $1.1B and
Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) received $1.7B

Region One
Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Region 1, Nigel Fisher, stated that the region has over the years been rapidly developing due to the administration’s continued focus on bridging the distance between hinterland communities. 
Government, in 2011, is placing more emphasis on providing better roads to hinterland communities.

Region Two
In Region 2, $181M will be used for capital projects, all aimed at improving the lives of residents.
Regional Executive Officer, Region 2, Sunil Singh, stated that for this year, the region will be building an incinerator at the Suddie Hospital which is projected to be a major boost to residents, and will alleviate the problem of proper disposal of medical waste. 

“All these are beneficial to children’s schooling and farmers in terms of the D&I system and health sector providing health care for the residents of Region 2… we are  confident that we will be able  achieve this,” Singh said.

Region Three
Regional Executive Officer, Region 3, Paul Ramrattan, told GINA that $135M of the region’s budgetary allocation will finance the administration of the region, while agricultural development will be boosted with $269M.  Another $183M will be spent on improving infrastructure under public works.  For education delivery, $1.4B will be spent, and $558M is allocated for the health sector.
An additional $120M will go towards routine maintenance of drainage and irrigation structures.

Region Six
Regional Chairman of Region 6, Zulfikar Mustapha, stated that the region will put more emphasis on agriculture for 2011, but added that a significant portion of its $3.5B allocation will be for works at Canje Secondary School, New Amsterdam Multilateral, the primary school at Corriverton and the Corentyne Comprehensive Secondary School.

The Regional Democratic Council, with a 9% increase over last year’s allocation, will focus on further development of agriculture, health, education and the public works sectors.

Region Seven
In Region 7, an annex will be built for the St. Anthony’s Primary at Bartica for which $20M will be expended, roads will be done at Bartica at a cost of $17.5M, and several bridges will be constructed and rehabilitated in several areas, such as lower and middle Mazaruni.
Region Eight
Under education, there is a sum of $36M approved to construct teachers’ quarters at Mahdia, specifically for teachers coming from the coastland, as well as an extension for the Mahdia Secondary, Regional Democratic Officer, Region 8, Ishwar Dass said.

There will also be general rehabilitation works to Paramakatoi Secondary and the creation of a new industrial arts department at the school, he added.

Region Nine
In Region 9, a significant portion of the region’s allocation will be used for road works, including major roads in Lethem and leading to south Aishalton, as well as the construction and rehabilitation of several bridges and culverts.

Regional Executive Officer, Region 9, Ronald Harsawack, said that the region’s allocation for 2011 has increased and they are now better positioned to execute many of the programmes they have for 2011.

Region Ten
Regional Executive Officer, Region 10, Henry Rodney, told GINA that $188M will be spent under the capital programme, and for the current programme, $1.3B for education and health.
He stated that they will be targeting outskirt schools in the Demerara and Berbice River, and will be affording students of primary schools access to secondary schools out of their communities, as well as the construction of an extension to the Amelia Ward and Kwakwani hostels.
The ten administrative regions have over the years been receiving increased attention from government through the various ministries, including Agriculture, Health, Education and Public Works.
Over the years, the People’s Progressive Party has prioritized hinterland development, with specific focus on Region 9, the region closest to the country’s southern neighbour, Brazil.
Government plans to further propel development in Lethem, and its transforming plan for that region into a town, has already begun.
Over the past five years, billions of dollars has been allocated for capital and current work programmes for projects in the various sectors.
The size of the 2011 Budget is $161.4 billion, 13.1 percent higher than last year’s, and the largest budget in the country’s history, geared at delivering a brighter future for all Guyanese. (GINA)