THE Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) successfully upgraded 20 community access roads in 2018 and is ready to commence capital projects in 2019, with high optimism that the allocation for public infrastructure will be wisely utilised and in a timely manner.

Some of the roads that were completed include Amelia’s Ward Main Street, Speightland access road, River Side Drive and Toucan Drive amongst others. Regional Executive Officer (REO) Orrin Gordon noted that out of $460 M allocated in 2018 for capital works, $397 M was spent. In total, there were over 70 projects that were undertaken in 2018. The remaining monies were to be used for construction of the first phases of the Bamia Nursery and Primary Schools, as well as a state-of-the art RDC building. There were some unavoidable hiccups such as the slothful tendering process, as well as the identification of a suitable plot of land that did not see these two projects being rolled out in 2018. Gordon, however, is optimistic that they will be constructed in 2019. In this regard, the funds had to be pulled back and reallocated for other projects.

He however expressed concern that the national tendering process is slower than the regional tendering process which was mostly used for completion of the 20 roads. He revealed that consultancy bids for the nursery school have been completed, but bids for the primary school are under way.

Two roads, Stanley and Ball Field Road on the Wismar shore, have not been completed. He is hoping that in 2019, the regional tendering process will be utilised, so that the $3.9 B budgetary allocation, will benefit residents of the region. “It is shown that when we do our regional tender, we get our work done,” he said. Some of the communities that will benefit from access roads in 2019 are Wisroc, Block 22, Kara Kara, Silver City and Christianburg. A total of $10.8 M will also be used to construct a bridge at Kara Kara. In 2019, there will also be upgrading of drainage systems, including structures at One Mile Extension Area and Silverballi.

In addition to the two schools at Bamia, the education sector in the region will also see the recreational areas constructed at Children’s Garden, Kwakwani Waterfront and Wiruni Nursery Schools to make them more child-friendly. Water systems at LICHAS and Watooka Day Primary schools and incinerators at Kwakwani and Amelia’s Ward student hostels will also be constructed. A total of $348M out of the $3.9 B, has been allocated for infrastructural development.