DESPITE the cuts instituted by the combined parliamentary to the national 2012 budget, which has greatly affected a number of the projects that were initiated in the Moruca Sub Region, Region 1 (Barima Waini), government continues to work with the regional budgetary allocation towards continued development. The mobilisation of contractors and other resources that are necessary to pursue works within Amerindian communities continues within the various regions across Guyana.
This was reiterated by the Chairman of Region 1, Paul Pierre who was at the time addressing residents of the Santa Cruz village – (Moruca Sub region) last Friday during a visit to the area.
“The projects that have started and have been earmarked to be completed this year will continue despite the cuts to the budget,” the Regional Chairman said.
Rehabilitation to schools, health centres, the construction on main roads and other such development continues, he told the residents.
In his address to the villagers said, it is an insult to the Amerindian people by the opposition to cut out the finances for projects that intends to benefit them whether directly or indirectly.
“For me as an Amerindian it is injustice, hopefully our government will be able fight through this decision by the combined parliamentary oppositions to justify this move and put things back in place,” Pierre added.
The RC restored the lost hope of the villagers by reminding them that the Guyanese President Donald Ramotar has promised to remain committed to his people, and to make provision for them in every way possible.
“We continue to work with our regional budgetary allocations for the people of Santa Cruz and the other sub regions that will and have been affected,” he stated.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, Collin Croal who also met with the residents’ of Santa Cruz said that government will continue to work with the community to make provisions whenever requests are made.
The permanent secretary emphasized the importance of some of the major projects however he maintained that every effort will be made to ensure residents of Region 1 remains beneficiaries of governments’ investments.
“The cuts will greatly affect us, take for example the presidential advisors, anywhere around the world you go the president would have persons advising him and helping him with decision making.”
Croal said it is and will always be the intention of the government to make sure that the people of Guyana benefit from whatever resources there is that will work towards the development of  the country’s people .