-First time ever budget consultations held

IF ALL goes well, Guyana can soon see the return of the much-loved rice cereal, as plans move apace at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two (Pomeroon /Supenaam) to resuscitate this now defunct industry.Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has disclosed that, as part of its 2017 proposed work programme, the Council will pursue major developmental projects in collaboration with various ministries and other government agencies.

The region is expected to bring the once thriving rice cereal factory back into operation, he said, as he noted that the council also has plans to block drainage in the Pomeroon to increase crop production, and create access road and drainage and irrigation networks in areas where lands were allocated by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to residents for farming and entrepreneurial ventures.

The RDC has approved its proposed $4.7B budget for 2017 at its August 9 statutory meeting, after a series of consultations with Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), the Anna Regina Town Council, the Water Users’ Association, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Group, programme managers, and other key stakeholders.

It was the first time that budget consultations were ever held in the region.

“During the deliberations, emphasis was placed on sustainable developmental projects that can positively impact the lives of residents in all communities in the region,” Ramdatt disclosed.
Key priority areas identified include construction of bridges at Golden Fleece, Queenstown, Anna Regina and Charity; and upgrading of roads in Good Hope, Johanna Cecilia, Perseverance, Pomona, Affiance and Better Success.

Ramdatt revealed that support has been sought from the Ministry of Public Infrastructure for the upgrading of the Onderneeming Sandpit Road.

According to the Chairman, plans are also in train to rehabilitate the roads leading to Mainstay, Tapakuma and Lima Sands; and also ensure the maintenance of several community roads. The region also plans to enhance several community playgrounds, as a decision has been taken to support development of playgrounds, as against play parks. The RDC has proposed the purchase of brush cutters to maintain playgrounds in the region.

Among other initiatives are the construction of a new building for the Abram Zuil Secondary School; extension of the Charity Secondary School, and extension of the Kabakaburi Primary School to provide access to secondary education in the Upper Pomeroon.
There is also a planned extension of the Malborough Primary School to provide access to secondary education in the Lower Pomeroon.

Ramdatt has said that, for the health sector, the region is expected to construct a new wing at the Suddie Public Hospital, rehabilitate the Oscar Joseph District Hospital, and install oxygen lines at the Wakapao and Kabakaburi Health Centres.

“Generally, provisions will be made for infrastructure that can ease the burden on rice farmers by enhancing drainage and irrigation access dams,” Ramdatt detailed. He said maintenance of all-weather roads in cultivation areas and construction of timber revetments at Huis’t Dieren Relief and Riverstown Creek are also among the proposed plans.

The Region Two Administration has, moreover, agreed to construct a road to link the Essequibo Coast at Tapakuma to the Pomeroon at Siriki.

The Aurora Land Development Project is expected to promote crop and livestock production and establish pastures to promote cattle and diary production.

The region has also planned to purchase a boat and engine to transport students in the Lower Pomeroon to Wakapao, and for the use of Wakapao, Bethany and Mashabo communities.

Among other plans for the region are the upgrading and maintenance of sluices, pumps, excavators, trenches and main canals; the rehabilitation of regulators and culverts, and the construction of irrigation checks at Better Success. The budget has also included a plan to clear the outfall canals to enhance residential and cultivation drainage, the de-silting of canals and trenches, and the purchase of two long-boom excavators to enhance drainage and irrigation works in the region. (Ministry of Communities)