Regions 5, 6 tapped for major drainage, farm access, health expansion

Agriculture, drainage, and rural infrastructure dominated discussions in the National Assembly on Thursday as lawmakers examined allocations for Regions Five and Six during day four of the consideration of the 2026 National Budget, with the government outlining a broad package of works aimed at strengthening food production and expanding public services in two of the country’s most agriculture-dependent regions.
Both regions, long recognised as major contributors to national output, are set to benefit from expanded drainage, irrigation, road, health, and education investments under their respective Regional Democratic Councils, as the administration positions infrastructure and service delivery as central pillars of rural development.
Responding to questions in the Committee of Supply, Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand highlighted Region Five’s status as the country’s agriculture capital, noting that the region is home to 11,535 farmers and remains a leading producer of livestock and rice.
Under Region Five’s capital programme, $144 million has been allocated for drainage, irrigation, and agricultural development initiatives, primarily targeting farm-to-market access. Works are slated for areas including Britannia, sections of the western sideline at Number Seven Village, access roads linking the line top to Bennet Dam West and Murphy Dam South in Rosignol, as well as projects at Planters Hall, Quakers Hall, Champagne Top in Burma, Golden Fleece, and Catherine.
Emphasising the importance of access roads, Manickchand told the Assembly, “Farm-to-market roads are equally important… when that road was done from Burma to Governor Topside in Mahaicony, it changed the way farmers are able to take their paddy out, take their crops out, and access markets.”
She further noted the scale of agricultural activity in the region, stating, “Region 5 is the largest cattle-rearing region in the country… Region 5 also plants rice, cash crop, are known for their livestock production. So it’s a very large region as far as interest in and production of agricultural products go.”

Health expansion
Apart from agriculture, Region Five’s health sector is slated for continued upgrades. Capital works include major electrical improvements at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, extension works at Dundee and Haidam health centres, construction of a new health centre at Now or Never in the Mahaicony River, and upgrades at Mora Point. The region currently operates five land ambulances and one water ambulance, with one additional land ambulance budgeted for 2026.
In education, all secondary schools in Region Five now have guidance and counselling officers in place, while 29 additional sweepers are being appointed across the system. The Mahaicony dormitory, which houses approximately 47 students from riverine communities and is projected to serve about 50, continues to receive allocations for dietary and operational support.
In Region Six, the agriculture programme has a stronger emphasis on drainage and water management. Outlining the projects, the minister stated, “We will be constructing a concrete culvert at Lonsdale Western Canal Dam to the tune of $11 million. About 1,200 residents will benefit, and 25 farmers will benefit. We will be rehabilitating the revetment at Coker Sluice and Byrne Bush Dam at $14 million. About 1,200 residents and 25 farmers are also going to benefit here. We are going to be constructing a revetment at Razack Street, West Canje, about 150 residents will benefit. Borlam Sluice will be rehabilitated, and about 500 residents and 20 farmers are going to be benefiting there. We will rehabilitate the Sewell Sluice at $9 million, about 500 residents and 20 farmers will benefit there. The Eversham Sluice will be rehabilitated at $6 million; about 1,200 residents and 35 farmers are going to benefit here. We will rehabilitate the Cote d’Ivoire Sluice at $8 million, about 800 residents and 58 farmers will be benefiting here. Rehabilitation of Lightongue Street at $8.5 million, where 1,000 residents and 69 farmers are going to benefit. We are going to be purchasing the HDP tubings at $7.5 million… and constructing a revetment at Sewell Village at 4th Street, which will benefit about 50 residents.”
Public works allocations in Region Six also include concrete road construction and bridge and culvert works across several neighbourhood democratic councils, including Bush Lot/Adventure, Gibraltar/Fyrish, Black Bush Polder, Rose Hall, Good Hope, Port Mourant, and Enterprise, aimed at improving connectivity in agricultural communities.
Significant expansion is also underway in the region’s health sector. The minister disclosed that 209 patient care assistants are to be employed, alongside additional technical and administrative staff. Two new ambulances are budgeted for New Amsterdam and Port Mourant hospitals, bringing the region’s total road ambulances from ten to twelve. A water ambulance and an all-terrain vehicle are also earmarked for riverine communities in Orealla and Siparuta.
Nineteen health facility projects are listed under Region Six’s capital programme, including rehabilitation and extension works at New Amsterdam Hospital, Port Mourant Hospital, and Mabikuri Hospital, installation of central oxygen lines in multiple wards, and improvements to several health centres across the region.
On the education front, 23 schools in Region Six are scheduled for rehabilitation or upgrade. Two 30-seater buses and a boat and engine have also been budgeted to assist student transportation, particularly for those travelling from remote communities. A new secondary school at Orealla is expected to reduce reliance on dormitory accommodation in the Skeldon area once completed.