A REVIEW will be done on projects under the $1 billion Rural Development Fund that was approved in the 2014 National Budget.The projects managed by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce were aimed at creating employment in rural communities.
Briefing Cabinet on Tuesday, Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin said some work has been done on projects at Wakenaam, Leguan and Tuschen, West Coast Demerara and at Enmore, East Coast Demerara.
At his post-Cabinet briefing on Wednesday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon reported that the projects at Wakenaam and Leguan had to do with construction of a plantain chip factory and call centres.
However, as of June 30, over $20 million has been spent on the building at Wakenaam and a further $33.6 million is to be spent, while some $24.7 million was poured into the construction of the structure at Leguan.
According to Harmon, what was worrying is that on checking, Minister Gaskin found no proposal or documents for these projects.
Cabinet has since made a decision that the Minister of Business, assisted by the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, the Ministry of Agriculture and officials of the Ministry of Business will conduct a review of the money spent under the fund.
“So far the understanding that the ministry has is close to $100 million has been spent,” Harmon said, pointing out that the team will do a review of the balance in the $1 billion account and the way in which the monies disbursed were spent.
Aside from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Marketing Corporation, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan have undertaken to join the review team. They will be checking to ensure that the projects are feasible and serve their intended purpose.

By Tajeram Mohabir