THE second largest administrative region in Guyana, and probably the richest in natural resources, Region Seven, has, through the Regional Democratic Council [RDC], been executing expected developmental tasks for the year 2018.
Education

In a Guyana Chronicle article late last year, the Region’s Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford, expressed that the Paruima Primary School in the Upper Mazaruni region, valued $27.7M is approximately 90 per cent completed. The said school is now complete and waiting to be commissioned. Bradford shared that it will be commissioned by the end of this year.

It is anticipated that the school will have the capacity to accommodate 250-300 children. Currently, the pupils of the school are being taught in the old structure, which is not only derelict, but is also prone to flooding. The new structure was constructed on higher ground to prevent the latter.

The contract for construction of this primary school was awarded to B&S Contracting Services last August.

Along with the completion of Paruima Primary School, an identical primary school is currently being constructed in Kamarang. It was explained that the Kamarang Primary School is in a decrepit state, and the government, in its 2018 National Budget, approved $28M for the construction of a new primary school at Kamarang. Bradford told this newspaper that it is within their best interest to improve the quality of education provided to their people, and in doing so, the necessary tools needed to ensure that every citizen receives the education they rightfully deserve, have to provided.

Additionally, in the same publication last year, Bradford told this newspaper that financial provisions have been made for a new dormitory at Waramadong and improved facilities at the Desrey Fox Secondary School, formerly known as the Waramadong Secondary School. The dormitory is now complete and has the capacity to accommodate the students that travel from afar for schooling and improvement of facilities at the Desrey Fox Secondary School was also done.

Apart from the dormitories, some students are housed in chalets, and of the 11 existing chalets, the RDC did maintenance on eight and constructed a new sanitary block in the same complex.

Maintenance was also done on Isseneru Primary, Wineperu and St Mary’s. In Jawalla and Chinoweing, much work wasn’t done since a lot were completed last year end.

“They have also constructed a spanking new four-apartment teachers’ quarters in the Bartica Secondary School compound, which cost approximately $27M,” Mr. Bradford said.
“We are dedicated and committed to provide the environment needed to facilitate the execution of education to the people of Region Seven. And that includes, ensuring we have provisions for teachers who may come to the region to serve in that capacity,” the Regional Chairman said.

Health

In health, for 2018 the RDC saw the completion of two doctor’s quarters, one in Phillipai, Upper Mazaruni, and the other in Isseneru, Middle Mazaruni. The two doctor’s quarters amounted to approximately $10M. This along with maintenance of the health post in Phillipai, and the hospital in Kamarang were done.

The Regional Chairman shared that the region is committed to providing the best health facilities for the people and they are working towards making better provisions to serve or to meet the health need of the people in the hinterland communities. He added that they are also working towards having health centres in each community with community health workers to tend to the people. Doctors are also identified to be placed in the communities to serve.

Infrastructure

This newspaper also engaged in conversation with the Region’s overseer, Andrew Chandler, who is also currently acting as the Senior Superintendent of the Works Department.
He shared that contractors are currently working on a trail from Waramadong leading to Kako. Chandler explained that they are trying to link the communities by road since a lot of students from Kako, travel to Waramadong for schooling.

“What they usually do is travel from Kako to Kamarang by river and that usually takes about half an hour and then it’s another hour to get from Kamarang to the Waramadong complex. The construction of the road to link Kako with Waramadong, will shorten their daily journey to school,” he said.

In addition to that, they have been maintaining drains, cleaning creeks and patching roads across the Region, the overseer said. They have also done maintenance of the river defence at sections of the Bartica Beach.

Chandler shared that infrastructural works are still ongoing, they are progressing speedily and continuously working towards the development of the region.

In 2018, a total of $255M was allotted to capital expenditure. The sum will be spent on regional administration and finance, public infrastructure, education delivery and health services.