LOCAL Government & Regional Development Minister, Ganga Persaud, stated at last Monday’s press conference that nine out of ten administrative regions have met the Finance Ministry’s deadline for budgetary submissions for the year 2013.
With the exception of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice), all regions were able to make their presentations at the various levels by the August 20th deadline.
Minister Persaud noted that a submission was made by Region 10, but that submission did not have the full benefit of discussion at the level of the Regional Democratic Council.
Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, was therefore approached by Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon, and an extension was granted to facilitate the late presentation of the budget proposal.
According to Minister Persaud, budget discourses on the regional proposals at the Finance Ministry level are set to begin during this month, and would conclude in the month of October.
He noted that all six municipalities in Guyana had received subventions for 2011. However, only three of these were able to fulfill their 2011 subvention programmes.
Linden, Georgetown and Rose Hall Town still have not completed their programmes, and Minister Persaud advised that, through its Municipal Service Department, the Local Government Ministry is working with these municipalities to aid in the successful completion of their 2011 subvention programmes.
He also stated that the 2012 subvention programme has started, and four municipalities have made submissions to the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. Of these, Rose Hall Town, Corriverton and Anna Regina have each received part of their subvention.
The proposal from New Amsterdam is currently being reviewed, while Linden and Georgetown are still working on their proposals.
Speaking more specifically on the municipality of Georgetown, Minister Persaud noted that the acting Town Clerk, Ms. Carol Ryan Sooba, and her team were making efforts to remove illegal vending from Regent Street. However, according to the minister, their efforts have been thwarted by the Mayor of Georgetown on his return to Guyana, who immediately ordered that the vendors be allowed to remain on Regent Street unhindered.