Budget 2021 is a ‘template for development’ – Minister Indar
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar says Budget 2021 is a significant tool that will guide the Government’s development plans for the nation.
The Minister made this statement during Thursday’s Budget Debate at the National Assembly.
Some 32 per cent of the Government’s spending on capital works would be executed by the Public Works Ministry.
“This is in keeping with the President’s vision of massive infrastructural development. This is in keeping with our promise to the people when we were campaigning that we will up Guyana- a modern Guyana. This is the template for development,” he said.
Minister Indar wasted no time identifying some of the major takeaways of the Budget that would be realised through the Ministry to create social and economic growth.
A $1.06 billion allocation for the Ogle-Eccles four-lane bypass road was among the highlights. Miscellaneous roads would see an injection of $7.9 billion, while the Government has budgeted $1.1 billion for urban roads.
With regard to the programme for public and main access roads and the Sheriff-Mandela expansion project, $378 million and $2 billion have been allocated, respectively.
Concerning hinterland roads, the flagship Linden-Mabura Hill road project and the construction of farm-to-market roads, the Ministry intends to spend a further $2 billion, $3.5 billion and $400 million respectively.
There are also plans to rehabilitate the Linden-Soesdyke Highway to tune of $150 million and a $200 million earmarked for work on the new Schoonord to Parika thoroughfare.
The Minister also said $890 million has been allocated to purchase 20 pontoons and to rehabilitate span-9 of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, while $367 million has been set aside to procure street lights and build sidewalks and parking lots.
Dredging and marine works have also been prioritised with an allocation of $425 million to procure a new pilot launch and suction hopper dredger.
Minister Indar said $215 million has also been budgeted for bridges in Better Hope, Cemetery Road, Big and Little Baiboo, Groenveldt and Leonora.
Moving on to sea defences, $1.3 billion was provided through funding from the Caribbean Development Bank and sea and river defence will benefit from a $3 billion allocation.
Waterfront development is also on the cards for Stabroek and Vreed-en-Hoop. The budget provides $185 million for these projects.
Meanwhile the stellings at Wakenaam, Fort Island, Parika, Supenaam and Leguan are slated for rehabilitation at a cost of $310 million.
Money would also be set aside for navigational aids and reconditioning of ferries at a cost of $645 and $500 million, respectively.
In the aviation sector, $345 million is directed to the rehabilitation of airstrips while $2.5 billion will fund the further upgrade and modernisation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
At the close of his presentation, Minister Indar issued a call for the Opposition to not only support the budget, but to join forces with the Government to seek common ground for the betterment of all Guyanese.
Budget 2021 was presented under the theme, “A Path to Recovery, Economic Dynamism and Resilience.”