THE SUM of $3B was approved for Region 10 (Upper Demerara–Upper Berbice) by the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly on Thursday last, after some amount of scrutiny, during what the Opposition PPP described the process as a “hurried process.”Last year, when the coalition government presented its maiden budget, Region 10, which relies heavily on mining, was granted $2.6M. But this year, being in a position to offer its first full-year budget, the government budgeted $2.6B for the total current expenditure and $412M for total capital expenditure.

In the 2016 estimates, massive increases were recorded in the current expenditure for both education delivery and health services in the region. There was an increase from $410M in 2015 to $532M in 2016 for health services, with drugs and medical supplies accounting for $141M of this amount. This allocation prompted a query from Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Bishop Juan Edghill, who questioned Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, on whether this amount was sufficient, and what mechanisms were in place to ensure that these sums are spent.

The question was based on the premise that many of the executing departments had underperformed in the preceding year.

However, according to Minister Bulkan, these programmes will be “efficiently executed” to avert the situation which was perceived to have been created in 2015; that is, the underperformance of the executing departments. And given this response, Edghill rhetorically questioned if the minister was suggesting that there was “inefficiency” in 2015.

In 2015, the allocation for buildings was $18M, but only $8.4M were spent; and in 2016, the sum of $55.8M has been allocated for this purpose. Similarly, for land and water transport, some $8M were allocated in 2015, but none was spent. In 2016, $6.4M are budgeted to be spent for this purpose.

Meanwhile, $54M were allocated for the maintenance of roads, and this represents a $31M increase over last year’s figure. Upgrades to roads are expected to be done at Amelia’s Ward, Redwood Crescent, and from Reunite Avenue to St. Aidan’s Primary School; One Mile Primary, and the Constabulary Compound entrance in Linden.

Additionally, $10M have been allocated for bridges, and this registers a $7M increase over the 2015 figure. Rehabilitation of bridges and revetments is expected to be done at Katabulli, Blueberry Hill and Industrial Area.

Under education services, $100M were allocated for the maintenance of school buildings, and this represents a $34M increase over last year’s figure.

Edghill had also questioned Bulkan on the composition of the newly appointed Regional Tender Board, and the minister has promised to provide the information at a subsequent time.

(Ravin Singh)