THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) has reported that of the 18 roads slated to be repaired this year, under the Road Support Project, works have started on 17 so far. Regional Information Officer Jaidev Singh made the disclosure yesterday to the Guyana Chronicle, based on information he received from the Regional Executive Officer. Works on the 18th road at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, have not yet started, he reported. Regional Chairman Julius Faerber had reported at a press conference last month that roads will be repaired at Station Street, Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE); First Cross Street, Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD); Clarke Dam, Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD); Gap Road, La Jalousie, WCD; Third Cross Street, La Jalousie, WCD; Second Street, Silk Cotton Dam, Zeelugt, EBE; Belle Vue Main to End, WBD; Back Street, Groenveldt, WCD; Sea View Road, Hague, WCD; Main Access Road(front road) to Venezuela Housing Scheme, Uitvlugt, WCD; Singh and Murphy Streets, Sisters Village, WBD; First Street, La Grange, WBD; London Alley, Den Amstel, WCD; South Sideline (east), Nismes, WBD; Sideline Road, NPR, Den Amstel, WCD; Fourth Cross Street, Patentia, WBD; and First Street, Patentia Housing Scheme, WBD.
Under a ‘CRIP’ Programme, or a ‘Community Road Improvement Project,’ a total of 53 other roads will be repaired, the Chairman said when questioned specifically about Best Road, WCD. This road is reportedly in a deplorable state with huge potholes.
Faerber said there are three Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) that will be benefiting from this type of programme, and Best Road will be cared for when it gets on stream. “It is expected to start very shortly,” he said.
In the meantime, the administration has been doing minimal maintenance works to make sure the roads are useable enough for persons to traverse in and out.
It has also written to the Ministry of Finance asking for extra funding to develop Best Road and Bella Dam. These two roads are expected to be completed before the end of June.
The Chairman said the region is in a position to substantially complete its work programmes for 2011 by mid year.
With the capital budget standing at $255M, and the current budget in the vicinity of$ 2.3B, the region is hoping to achieve an increase in sugar and rice production, dairy and beef production, and chicken and egg production.
Meanwhile, 86 percent of works under the capital programme has been advertised, while 50 percent under the current programme was done. The region hopes to advertise the remainder of its work programmes within two weeks’ time.
The capital work programme for this year covers five programmes with $5M being awarded for administration and finance, $50M for agriculture, $98.5M for public works, $50M for education delivery, and $51M for health services.
According to the Chairman, $21M will go to bridge repairs, $41M to educational buildings, $30M to health buildings, $16M to health equipment, $2.5M to admin equipment, $9M to education equipment, $50M to agricultural development, $52M to roads, $24M to land development, $3M to water transport and $5M to the purchase of an ambulance.
Under the current work programme, $219.3M will go towards agriculture, $85.1M to public works, $1.4B to education delivery and $507M to health services.
Meanwhile, the administration has already started work under the current work programme that includes potholes patching and repairs, repairs to health centre bridges, weeding hospital compounds, and replacing pit latrines at some hospitals.