—-MP Figueira

THE $3.9B allocation which has been set aside for developmental projects in the Upper Demerara Upper-Berbice region will boost the enhancement of key sectors within the area, according to government Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira.

During his contribution to the budget debate on Tuesday, the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice MP told the House that the region is most pleased with the 12% increase in its budget allocation this year. He said that the infrastructural upgrade will provide better accessibility for road users and will benefit thousands of people.

Figueira said that agriculture in the region has not been able to realise its true potential over the years, noting that “more than 86 per cent of the food comes from outside the region, even though they have quite an abundance of fertile lands.”
However, he noted that the infrastructural upgrade–more specifically the construction of roads in 2019 in the region–will provide access to farmlands which will enable farmers to produce their own food to address this anomaly.

As he spoke about the budgetary allocation for the region and outlined its benefits, Figueira said that the budgeted sum of $218M to the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) revolving fund will aid and continue to stimulate economic growth within the township, by providing financial support to business ventures, manufacturing, agriculture, and housing initiatives.
“The people of Linden and more specifically our young entrepreneurs now have an alternative lending institution that is more friendly and flexible to support their business ventures and ideas,” he posited.

He further noted that several communities and countless individuals have been able to benefit from skills-training and employment opportunities under the self-sustainable, livelihoods and entrepreneurial development programmes under the Ministry of Social Protection.

Government is actively pursuing plans for the development of the Linden/Lethem highway, and several stakeholders–including the Brazil and Chinese governments–are being consulted for realisation of this project.
On Tuesday, Figueira said the township of Linden is well positioned to benefit tremendously from this development of the “Super Highway.”

He described the 2019 budget as “far-sighted”, noting that its policies will positively impact the nation way beyond 2020. He said that Guyanese will continue to see and experience an even greater degree of the “good life” guaranteed by the David Granger administration.

He described the benefits of the budget as “a brilliant showcase of the minister’s skilful and prudent management of the state’s resources in such a short time, to deliver us out of the economic quagmire we inherited as a government.” He said that “this budget is a forever ever forward, backward never budget,” as he said it caters for all aspects of development throughout the country.