Day Four of the consideration of estimates for the National 2019 Budget saw Region Four’s budgetary allocation of $7.2Billion being approved.
Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan told the Committee of Supply that residents stand to benefit from several projects; one such being improved disaster risk management.
“One of the major additions in 2019 that was not part of the previous allocation will cater for disaster relief interventions by the region to support residents affected by various forms of disasters,” Bulkan was quoted by DPI as saying.
Minister Bulkan was at the time clarifying the increase of funds budgeted under Region Four’s Regional Administration and Finance. According to the Communities Minister there are several other initiatives slated for the Demerara-Mahaica region which will be undertaken in 2019.
The maintenance of drainage and irrigation in various sections of Region Four is another scheduled project. The Minister explained that the increased funding will allow both residential and farming communities along the East Coast and East Bank of Demerara to benefit from “the regular maintenance to the drainage trenches and canals.” He added that it will also facilitate the upkeep of two electrical pumps, sluice doors, kokers and culverts.
According to the Minister, there are plans to construct and rehabilitate several bridges and culverts in various communities across the region including Victoria, Diamond, Soesdyke, Friendship, Ann’s Grove and Buxton and at Haslington. The construction and upgrading of roads have also been budgeted for in 2019.
According to DPI, the $7.2Billion allocated to the Region also covers expenditure for educational and health services.
The provision will see the rehabilitation of several schools such as Bladen Hall Multilateral, Friendship Secondary, New Diamond Grove Primary, Diamond Primary and Kuru Kururu Nursery schools.
The Grove/Diamond area will see a health centre being construed while the health facilities in Clonbrook, Timehri and Soesdyke are scheduled to be extended, DPI said.
