-as Local Gov’t Ministry’s 2014 allocation is approved
The $2.798 billion, 2014 operating budget of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, $1B of which will be for a National Clean-up programme was given the consensus of the National Assembly.During the consideration of the estimates, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker noted that the Ministry, with support from the Ministries of Public Works, and Natural Resources, in 2013 started a regional solid waste programme. He, and that the $1B being made available will go a far way in advancing this programme. The minister explained that the main focus will be on cleaning drains and desiliting kokers.
Of the $1B; the sum of $500M will provide for the clean up of Georgetown. During the examination of the estimates, A Partnership for National Unity’s Member of Parliament (MP), Ronald Bulkan enquired how involved the Georgetown City Council would be in identifying the activities that would be funded under the exercise.
Whittaker said that the municipality would have an equal opportunity to be involved in the exercise like any stakeholder. “We would not exclude them, they will be a part and I have communicated this to the Honourable Mayor,” he said.
It was pointed out that some of the focus that the minister said would be addressed under the National Clean-up exercise, including cleaning up of the cemetery, provision to the tune of $484M was for the same under the Ministry of Housing and Water. APNU’s MP, Annette Ferguson noted that this therefore means that was a duplication of efforts.
Whittaker however, explained that the allocation to the Housing Ministry targets community road improvement and refers to work to be undertaken in the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC.)
The 2014 provision of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development also covers a provision of $1.070B to improve sanitation, and includes institutional strengthening and capacity building, public awareness and community participation, construction and operation of Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, waste collection and disposal from NDCs, treatment and disposal of health care and hazardous waste.
Alliance for Change MP, Moses Nagamootoo wanted to know whether this amount could conclude the dumpsite facility’s operations, and whether it covers provision for additional landfills. The allocation is solely to complete the construction of the Haags Bosch site, Minister Whittaker explained. He said that this contract comes to an end in December 2014.
A provision of $359M will cover capital subventions to the municipalities and local community councils and $24M will cover several infrastructure development initiatives including the completion of Mabaruma market tarmac and sanitary block at Buxton. Minister Whittaker is expected to provide the National Assembly with a break-down of the $359M that will be allocated under the six municipalities and 65 NDCs.
Also covered under the 2014 allocation of the Ministry is $108.368M for ministry’s main office for the successful implementation of its plan, policies and development programmes in accordance with good governance, facilitating infrastructure and human development.
Meanwhile, $59.638M provides for the Ministry’s administration to ensure effective administrative and accounting services; promote and coordinate careers development within the ministry. Under this allocation, $12.5M will provide training in several areas for over 700 RDC, NDC and ministry staff. (GINA)