PNCR-1G Shadow Minister of Housing Aubrey Norton yesterday lobbed several questions at the Housing Minister on infrastructural works being undertaken at Sparendaam, at the housing area dubbed ‘Pradoville 2,’ as consideration of the 2011 Estimates of Expenditure continued.
Norton asked, “…What is the actual cost for infrastructural work done at Sparendaam?” Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali, however, stated bluntly that he did not “have to answer anything about Sparendaam” but rather questions on estimates on the 2011 budget under the relevant budget profile. He also stated that he “was not aware of any government housing scheme at Sparendaam.”
Moments later, as the estimates were perused Norton asked the Minister “what is the actual cost of putting a water main direct from Better Hope to Sparendaam.” But Ali stated that he could not say under what budget profile the question was being asked.
Norton later quizzed the Minister on the cost of road works being done at community levels as budgeted under current works. Ali said that several roads are planned for rehabilitation this year, including at areas within the communities of Uitvlugt, Leonora and Plaisance, among others. Norton then asked, “What sum was allocated to the housing area at Sparendaam?” But Ali held his ground, while noting that he had outlined clearly what areas will benefit from road works.
‘Pradoville 2,’ situated at the site where the National Communications Network once had its transmitter, has raised several concerns recently, including its proximity to the sea defences there as well as the non-existence of a tendering process for lands allocated there. The homes of several government officials, including President Bharrat Jagdeo, are under construction in the area.
Norton also quizzed Ali on water systems rehabilitated in the Amelia’s Ward area, in Linden, while noting that the capital estimates for works in this year’s budget reflect a sum of $75M for the rehabilitation and upgrading of water supply systems in the Linden area. Norton also charged that the Housing Ministry resorted to using an old well, after it dug several wells in the Amelia’s Ward area but received no water.
Ali noted that he was not aware of such developments, stating that he was “not aware of any well in the Region 10 area that did not produce no water.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy stated yesterday that the agency is working to address the issue of data entry, which he conceded was a constraint facing the health system. Dr George Norton, the PNCR shadow Minister of Health (MoH), questioned whether the $1.2M allocated for clerical and office support in this year’s budget will be utilised to improve the MoH’s data collection services. Minister Ramsammy stated, “I have to concede that we can do with extra staff for data entry,” and he noted that the agency has worked to address the issue over the years. He said that the ministry will continue to address the issue, while noting that the agency has upgraded its information technology systems around the country in this regard.
