Almost a whopping half a billion dollars was spent by government on the D’Urban Park Development Project, which was constructed for the Jubilee celebrations.
Government is now seeking approval from the National Assembly for the extra-budgetary spending and Minister of Finance Winston Jordan on Thursday tabled Financial Paper 1/2016 in the House, which covers $931 018 292 in extra government spending from January 1st to July 28th this year.
The figures show that an initial $72.8 million was previously approved for the D’Urban Park Development Project and government is now seeking approval for a further $406.7 million, which has already been spent. This means that altogether, $479.6 million was spent by government on the project, which was used to facilitate the hosting of Guyana’s 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. This sum does not include donations from companies and citizens.
Previously, Minister of Public Infra-structure David Patterson had said that $150 million was provided from the Contingencies Fund to complete Phase 1 of the project. In a statement in May, he had also revealed that donations were made to a registered company under a separate head outside of the ministry. The company was not named and neither were the donors and previous efforts by Stabroek News to ascertain further details from the Ministry of the Presidency, under which the National Commemoration Commission had been previously running the project, were unsuccessful.
The project had generated criticism due to the lack of transparency in its management and particularly after evidence of substandard works on the stands surfaced in the public, which eventually prompted President David Granger to assign it to Patterson’s ministry.
Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Agriculture, government is seeking approval for the spending of $234.7 million to combat the effects of El Niño and flooding earlier this year. Of this sum, $193.2 million is for the increased expenditure incurred by the National Drainage & Irrigation Authority resulting from the unexpected prolonged dry season affecting regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10. The figures show that $139.8 million was utilised for fuel and lubricants; $36 million for equipment maintenance and $17.4 million for the transportation of equipment.
As it relates to the flooding of several areas in Region 5, the figures revealed that $41.4 million was spent, of which $16.6 million was expended for fuel and lubricants; $4 million for the transportation of equipment; $8.1 million for the provision and operation of tractor pumps; $4.5 million for contracted excavation works; and $8 million for other works including procurement of fuel drums, stop logs, etc.
GDF and Operation Dragnet
The figures show that significant other sums were also expended for the Jubilee-related celebrations by the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Approval was sought for the spending of $20 million to offset expenses for the procurement of maps and writing materials, which aided the development of Orders and other related documents in support of the 46th Republic Anniversary Celebrations, 50th Independence anniversary celebrations and intensifying Operation DRAGNET. Previously, $33.7 million was approved for this.
Further, government is seeking approval for the spending of $35 million, which was used to aid significantly in offsetting expenditure incurred for intensifying operation DRAGNET in support of the 46th Republic Anniversary Celebrations and 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. Maximum serviceability and operational readiness of the GDF’s fleet of vehicles was necessary during the heightened period of Operation DRAGNET, the Financial Paper says. Previously, $250 million was approved for vehicles spares and services for the GDF.
In addition, also under the GDF, the Financial Paper seeks approval for the spending of $46 million for hired aircraft to satisfy routine maintenance issues and operational requirements since the GDF fleet of aircraft has been unserviceable for varying periods over the past months. Presently, the Y12 and Skyvan aircraft are unserviceable due to maintenance issues. Additional funding is therefore necessary for the hiring of air, sea and land transportation for other operational-related activities, such as Operation DRAGNET, according to the remarks justifying the expense. Previously, $461.1 million was approved for other transport, travel and postage for the GDF.
Also in relation to the GDF, approval for the spending of $30 million was sought. This relates to the offsetting of expenses for laundering of uniforms, rental of tents and other equipment in support of the intensification of Operation DRAGNET for the 46th Republic Day and 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. Previously, $53.7 million was approved for ‘other services’ for the GDF.
A further $54 million was sought for the GDF to provide for operational readiness of ranks for parades that ensured the success of Operation DRAGNET over the 46th Republic Day and 50th Independence anniversary celebrations. It was noted that of this sum, $3.7 million was used for funeral expenses.
Additionally, approval of supplementary spending of $63.5 million for the Ministry of Health is being sought. Of this sum, $38.5 million is to cover rental to the New GPC for the storage of pharmaceuticals for the period March to June, 2016, as well as payment of rental to the Linden Holding Company as per Cabinet decision for the month of July 2016 and security deposit of $25 million.
Under Region Six, approval for the spending of $41 million is being sought which covers payments for emergency excavation works done in various areas within Region 6: Eversham, Bush Lot, Maida, Adventure, Kildonan, Bengal, Letter Kenny, Nos. 73 and 74 Middle Walk, No. 72 Intake Canal and Chine Cross Canal to Kilmanock Village.
