MINISTER of Communities, Ronald Bulkan has said that the absence of leadership in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) has caused meetings of the region’s Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to be left incomplete and work undone.
The minister was at the time responding to a question from Opposition Member of Parliament, Zulfikar Mustapha who enquired why meetings were convened in the region but not completed.

Despite the odds, the minister said the administration continues and government will continue working towards ensuring that there is a cohesive working environment in the region.
As part of its continued efforts, government has allocated $3.7 billion for the region, a sum which was approved by the Committee of Supply during the consideration of the budget estimates.

Among the major projects in the pipeline for the region are the Extension of Liberty Hall Nursery School; crops and land utilisation project; construction of a bridge at Airy Hall and the rehabilitation of the Latchmansingh Primary School and Belladrum, Rosignol, Novar, Mahaicony and Bygeval Secondary Schools.

In addition, $91 million was allocated for infrastructural development in the region. Part of the development includes the upgrading of roads at Ithaca, Bath, Rosignol, Hopetown, Bush Lot, and Belladrum among others. Government has also allocated $300 million towards the enhancement of the agriculture sector in the region.

Meanwhile, the committee also approved $7.6 billion for Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). According to Minister Bulkan some $114.3 million of that budget will go towards the construction of drainage structure at Macaw, bridges at No. 65 Village, Cromarty and Revetment; excavation of creeks and canals at No. 66 Village and Black Bush Polder and the rehabilitation of the sluice at Nigg, Revetment, Crabwood Creek and Black Bush Polder.

Government has also budgeted $173.6 million for the rehabilitation and construction of roads at Kildonan, Numbers 43, 48, 51 and 72 Villages, Canefield, Canje, Angoy’s Avenue, Edinburgh Housing Scheme, Gibraltar and John’s Settlement.