THE National Assembly on Wednesday approved $3,432,836 budgeted for the total current and capital expenditure for Region Two, Pomeroon -Supenaam as the consideration for the 2016 estimates for current and capital revenue and expenditure continued.The region’s budget was approved following a line of questioning from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) fielded to Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan. Under Programme 725, Health Services, Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Dr. Frank Anthony questioned the amount of money allocated for drugs and supplies for the Region.
Last year, $87.9M was allocated for drugs and medical supplies while $176M has been budgeted for this year. “How much of the $89M allocated for 2015 was used for the procurement of drugs?” asked Dr. Anthony. Minister Bulkan could not readily provide the amount but said all of the money allocated was not used, noting that the unused portion was returned to the treasury.
He added that the amount budgeted for 2016 will remove the possibility of any drug shortage in Region Two. $893.749M a combination of current and capital expenditure will be used to improve health care and upgrade health facilities in Region Two, the Minister stated. Of the total, Bulkan noted that $81.417M will go towards retention payment, the provision of an Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E) at the Oscar Joseph District Hospital at Charity, and the provision of oxygen supply tanks.
Meanwhile, under Programme 722, Agriculture, a total of $344.12M has been allocated for agricultural development. Of the allotted amount, $44.846M will be spent on miscellaneous drainage and irrigation works, retention payment, the completion of regulators at La Resource, and sluices at Perth, Hampton Court and Lima.
Irrigation checks at Huist’ Dieren, a tail wall at Queenstown and a culvert at Bounty Hall are also to be completed, the Minister of Communities stated. $151.057M has been allocated for infrastructural works along Region Two with $14.97M being expended on bridges. Minister Bulkan noted that the allocated sums will also be used for retention payment, the completion of a bride at Good Hope and the construction of a new bridge at Richmond on the Essequibo Coast.
Additionally, $19.070M has been allocated for road works and will be used for the completion and upgrading of roads at Dartmouth and Adventure. On the Education front, the Minister said, $1.843B will be allocated to the sector of which $196.352M will be used for the construction of a nursery school at Akawini, Pomeroon, and the Aurora Primary School along with the extension and rehabilitation of several other schools in the region.