Region 10 RDC on target with budget spending

DPI, Guyana, Friday, September 14, 2018

Regional Executive Officer for Region Ten, Orrin Gordon says the region is on target with its 2018 budgetary spending as the year draws to an end.

The total current expenditure thus far is 67 percent out of $3.4 Billion. For education, which is the largest budgeted programme, spending is currently at 65 percent while health has already consumed 70 percent of its allocation. Gordon said that for public infrastructure, spending is currently at 48 percent but noted that the two major capital projects, the construction of a new Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building and the Bamia Nursery and Primary Schools had issues.

Region 10 REO, Orrin Gordon and Councillors discussing the 2018 budget at a September RDC statutory meeting

There were hiccups in the tendering process and it is unlikely they will be executed in 2018, as planned. The first phase of the construction of the schools was budgeted at $130Million while the RDC building was budgeted at $94Million. He noted that these two represent more than 50 percent of the capital works budget under public infrastructure.  Gordon related that all of the capital projects have been awarded and all of the projects are expected to be completed by September. Out of these, 21 projects have been awarded in Sub Region Two, which is Kwakwani and other hinterland communities.

With no movement on the awarding of contracts for the RDC building, Gordon urged the Regional Democratic Council to come up with some projects which could be funded by the $94Million that was allocated, so as to avoid it returning to the national coffers.

Some of the capital works that have been completed for 2018, in terms of roads include the Main Street Amelia’s Ward Road, Powis Crescent Road, Speightland Access Road and several drains on the Wismar shore. The Council has already commenced the planning process for 2019 through consultations.

Story and Image: Vanessa Braithwaite

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