$2.35B was approved by the National Assembly for Region One, Barima-Waini, as the consideration of current and capital expenditure for the 10 administrative regions continued on Wednesday. Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan defended the total allocation noting that it will bring significant benefits to the residents of Region One.In the area of infrastructural development, a total of $382.8M was allocated for several upgrades. Of that sum, a total of $35.446M was allocated for the rehabilitation of several bridges including

the Hosororo Bridge that is to be completed along with the Papaya and Arocuro bridges that will be rehabilitated. An additional $31M will be spent on the construction of roads in Mabaruma and Moruca, while $20M will be used to upgrade the Hosororo, Wauna and Sugar Hill electricity distribution networks.
In the health sector, Minister Bulkan said better health care will be provided following an allocation of $694.5M. He said $52.045 will be used to complete an x-ray room at the Kumaka Health Centrre, along with the completion of a sanitary block at Falls Top. Additionally, the minister said the allocation will be used to construct a mortuary at Pakera, health posts at Powaikuru and Warapoka, an administrative building at Mabaruma, and the construction of health posts and living quarters at Katchikamo.
Additionally, $26M has been allocated for the provision of incinerators and oxygen supply tanks. The provision of sanitary blocks at Koko, Cabrora, Santa Cruz, Sebai, Wauna, Yarakita, Kamwatta and Chinese Landing has also been catered for under this allocation.
Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill questioned the minister on whether the health administrators of Region One had received $43M worth of drugs and medical supplies budgeted for in 2015. Bulkan responded, noting that the value of the drugs received last year was not the full amount and noted that the region is still receiving drugs and medical supplies from the 2015 budgetary allocations.
Bulkan was then asked whether the region has pharmacists, midwives and technicians and how many. The Minister of Communities replied in the affirmative and committed to providing the requested information to the House before the close of parliamentary affairs on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Frank Anthony called on Bulkan to provide a list of drugs, the quantity and how they will be distributed. He also asked the minister to explain the $80M allocated for the supply of drugs and medical supplies.
Minister Bulkan said the allocation is based on the requirements identified by the Health Department in Region One. Last year, $42M was allocated for the supply of drugs and medical supplies. He committed to providing all requested information to the House.
Under Programme 713- Education Delivery, an allocated sum of $1.132B will be used for improving the sector. Of the total, $65.29M will be spent on the completion of living quarters at Port Kaituma and Santa Rosa, along with the sanitary block at Baramita Primary School.
Additionally, a new secondary school will be constructed at Waramuri, while Port Kaituma and Matthews Ridge nursery schools will be extended.
$16.535M has also been allocated to purchase school furniture and equipment in Region One.