THE National Assembly has approved the budgetary allocations for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) that were set at $9.1B.Minister of State Joseph Harmon, having been asked to explain the $157M allocated for training, indicated that the amount extends to training officers in Brazil and China. Further, training is still being conducted under the Trade Winds Programme.
Asked about $157M proposed for buildings and whether this was for the construction of a floating base, the minister said it was not.
The allocation of $9.1B will see the following capital expenditure works being done: completion of Cadet Officers’ dormitory at Base Camp Stephenson and the Engineers’ Office at Timehri; the construction of an ablution block at Tacama Training School and fence at Mabaruma; upgrading of facilities at Base Camp Stephenson and Ayanganna; and electrical upgrades and perimeter lights at Base Camp Stephenson and Ayanganna.
$62M will go for marine development of the GDF, which includes the completion of the training school in Kingston, Georgetown; $154.4M will be spent to procure vehicles, boats, motorcycles and All-Terrain Vehicles; and $5M for the rehabilitation of animal pens to aid the development of the Force’s Agriculture Corps.