Government has allotted in excess of $200M for capital works in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) for the year, including the rehabilitation and construction of schools, health clinics and the maintenance of drainage and irrigation structures.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall made this disclosure when he visited the region to inspect ongoing capital works recently, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Regional Chairman of Region Three Julius Faerber and the Regional Engineer Patiram Ramlall accompanied the minister and pointed out necessary works for the further improvement of the region.
GINA said that Lall inspected roads, including a major farm-to-market access road from Parika to Pleasant Hope, East Bank Essequibo.
Under the Community Services Enhance-ment Programme (CSEP), GINA added, an all-purpose road was constructed from Pleasant Hope to Bendoff. Under this programme, funding was allocated for the upgrading of rural communities to promote better community services and improve the standard of living.
However, the road has deteriorated somewhat and farmers have been finding it difficult to traverse and transport their produce.
On inspection of the road, Lall said that $6M would be spent for its upgrading to allow for easier access from farm-to-market. Moreover, residents and farmers will benefit from the construction of a wharf at Bendoff to aid transpor
t of farmers’ produce.
The area is highly agricultural, GINA stated, and has a large population.
To date 36 percent of works has been completed and other projects are ongoing for the capital works programme while 56 per cent of works under the current budget has been completed, GINA concluded.
