Chairman to meet REO to resolve issues

Following the non-implementation of this year’s budgetary allocations to advance the 2016 work programme in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Roderick Edinboro are expected to meet today to discuss the issues.
According to information reaching this publication, Chairman Ramphal will outline the reasons for the much-needed implementation of the programme since the Region has been going through “immense hardships” as a result of the non-approval of the funds.
Region Five Vice Chairman Rion Peters related on Thursday the many challenges which the Region has been facing. It was reported in this newspaper that the Region’s infrastructure was poor, there was a lack of improved services and the agriculture sector was dwindling.
Peters was of the view that these matters could be addressed if swift action was undertaken to provide the Region with the monies approved by the National Assembly.
Peters had noted that many contractors were awaiting the renewal of their compliances, alleging that some of the Region’s contractors were not affiliated to the current Administration, so   delaying tactics have been used to “accommodate those contractors”.
Peters, therefore, implored the REO to provide the money for the work programmes to benefit the residents of the Region so that they too could enjoy “a good life”.
In Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), REO Dennis Jaikarran told this newspaper on Saturday, funds for their work programmes are being used. He noted that the Region was focusing on preparing for the 2017 Budget.
Jaikarran also said that the primary aim of this year’s budget was to ensure that farmers adequately benefited from the conservancy which was now the main source of water for the Region.
To this end, funds were designated for maintenance of pumps and to provide fuel to ensure their constant functioning. In addition, the budgetary allocation is being used for the rehabilitation of roads, among other projects, that will advance the Region.
In Region One, it was indicated that the budgetary allocation would be used primarily to evolve health and educational facilities in the Region. Of the amount, million will be spent on procuring an ambulance for the Region’s central health facility.
On February 23, the Government passed the 0 billion National Budget, presented under the theme “Stimulating Growth, Restoring Confidence…the Good Life Beckons”.