The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on Thursday issued a warrant for $18M for the rehabilitation and upgrading of 17 community grounds in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) under the Ministry’s initiative to further the development of sport from the grassroots. The presentation took place at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) office, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony said the Region will be receiving a substantial portion of the $300 million allocation for the development of sport from this year’s budget.
He revealed that 160 project proposals have reached his Ministry and 155 were approved.
The minister also explained that the regional administration will be monitoring the project, noting that funds will be given to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and which is not be put into the hands of the managing committee.
Dr Anthony said based on experiences, checks and balances have been put in place. The RDC is now being tasked with the responsibility of monitoring projects and disbursing money as work progresses.
He added that the regional administration will make timely disbursements to contractors, based on work that has been completed.
He indicated that government recognises that NDCs have limited financial resources available to them and would prioritise projects, therefore, it is hardly likely that an NDC would put money into the upgrade of a community ground.
He pointed out that only recently, Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) benefitted from the upgrading of their community grounds.
Dr Anthony pointed out that the second phase of this project focuses primarily on community grounds in hinterland communities.
He noted that measures should be put in place so as to ensure it goes through the tender board process quickly in order to guarantee the timely delivery and commencement of works.
He urged that works should be wrapped up in a timely manner and by the end of November, and the management committees of these grounds should be in “tip top” shape to report completion of the upgrades.
He noted that $1M will be granted to each committee for the upgrade of one ground in their respective community, with the exception of the Den Amstel Camp Site.
Anthony said that in examining grounds in Region 3, challenges were faced as persons brought forward the idea to establish community grounds, however, this project and these allocations only deal with the upgrading and rehabilitation of such grounds and not the establishing of them.
He also suggested that proper management committees be established for better management of these grounds.
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry, Alfred King noted that there is need for young people to get involved in organised activities.
He said that a partnership would go a long way to help to fix facilities and is encouraging persons to coordinate activities for a better quality of the project.
He reiterated that monitoring is an exceptionally important aspect in this project.
He explained that government wants to see value for money, stating what the officials specify in their proposal is not what is seen when these grounds are visited.
He urged that persons ensure that quality is intact and nothing is missing in the delivery of works.
Regional Executive Officer (REO), Donald Gajraj explained that the money has been released in the form of a warrant and as such, it is necessary that the RDC account how the monies are spent.
He urged that these works commence and conclude in a timely manner without sacrificing quality and procedure.
Regional Chairman Julius Faerber indicated that a similar exercise was held last year and within a short time, the grounds were back in a condition before the funding was granted.
He warned that it is very important to take care of these grounds after and even before rehabilitation and upgrading.
He urged the committees responsible for managing the grounds to ensure that they are not destroyed and should always be well taken care of.
He also said that persons should be allowed to benefit from these grounds and make full use of it.
He reminded that the funding is for the upgrading and will benefit the entire community, noting that these are public grounds which come under the management of the RDC as well as the Local Government Ministry and not the private property of an individual.
Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Collin Croal posited that the ministry was involved in these committees which would have approved the grounds to be submitted and that they also have a role to ensure that the warrant is spent responsibly.
The grounds on the list of rehabilitation are: Santa/Aratak Village, Greens Park Play Field (Leguan), Western Hogg Island, Hydronie Playground, Ruby Playground, Den Amstel Football Club, Bell View Ground, Parika Community play ground, Den Amstel Camp site, Northern Leguan Ground, Gronveldt Ground, De Kendren Ground, Versailles Ground, Philadelphia ground, Viva La Force play ground and the Stewartville Community Centre Ground.