ROADS, bridges and buildings used for education took the largest share of the Capital Budget of Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) in 2012.

All those projects in addition to some lesser ones were successfully completed, Regional Executive Officer Claire Singh reported earlier this week.
The total expenditure amounted to $263.6M or 20 percent of the total $1.27 billion allocated to the region for last year and she said expenditure on capital projects under the three major heads accounted for $148.5M or 56 percent of whole $263.6M.
The sum of $60M was spent on roads, $56.5 M on educational structures and $32M on bridges.
Upgrading of a bitumen surfaced road in Lethem and community roads at Sand Creek, Aishalton, Karasabai, Annai, Surama, Rupertee, Wowetta and Aranaputa, all in Rupununi were done at a cost of $44.4M.
Completion of other bridges at Shea, S-Turn and Saurab cost $24.6M and continuation of much needed revetment at Moco Moco crossing $15.5M.
For education, the accomplishment included construction of quarters for education officers at Aishalton and Annai; for teachers at Semoni; sanitary blocks for schools at Moco Moco, Karaudarnau, Tiger Pond, Sawariwau, Shea, Aishalton, Teperu, Massara and Katoonarib and purchase and installation of solar systems for more Government edifices at Aishalton.
Rehabilitation of primary schools at Achawib and Macushi and nursery schools at Awarewaunau, Massara, Yupukari and Yakarinta were done, along with five teachers’ quarters and dormitory kitchens.
Expense to improve more educational facilities included $15M on furniture and equipment, taking the total expense on education delivery to $643.4M or 51 percent of the total budget.
Capital projects were also done for the agriculture sector with $15M and health took $45.6M, which included erection of doctor’s accommodation at Karasabai and Sand Creek and enhancing that at Lethem, Singh detailed.
She said among other undertakings which boosted health delivery in the region were the rehabilitating of posts at Shiriri, Yupukari, Kwaimatta and Apoteri and improving the potable water system at the Bashaidrun post.
Other spending for health was $10M on acquisition of furniture and equipment.