122 roads under construction in Region Two

Region Two residents can soon look forward to improved connectivity, enhanced safety, increased mobility and an improved quality of life, as 122 priority roads are currently being constructed in the region.

The roads span a number of areas across the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and the Anna Regina Municipality.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, provided this information to the Committee of Supply on Wednesday afternoon, in his response to Opposition Member of Par- liament (MP), Shurwayne Holder.

He reminded the committee that Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, had gone at length to explain that some 1,084 roads on Guyana’s coast will be constructed.

Of that number, 261 were identified in Region Two, of which 122 are being built.

These roads will be done in asphalted or reinforced concrete.

Charity, Bounty Hall and Dunkeld are among the communities that will immediately benefit from these roads.

The Ministry of Local

Government and Regional Development has allotted some $108 million in the 2023 National Budget for the construction of community roads in Region Two.

The construction of priority roads is part of an overarching project fostered by collaboration among the ministries of Public Works, Local Government and Regional Development, and Housing and Water.

The project will see a number of important roads across the country being identified for construction, as part of the government’s wide-reaching and inclusive transformative agenda.

The villages of Morawhanna, Smith creek, Oronoque, St. Peter and St. Paul will benefit from the construction of new schools. With this intervention, students within these communities will no longer have to travel long distances to get to school.

The rehabilitation of the Santa Rosa Primary school is expected to be completed, along with the extension of the Kamwatta, Waramuri and Kwebanna primary schools.

Some $150 million was also budgeted for the completion of the education office at Oronoque and Santa Rosa Primary School.

To further enhance the health sector within the region, Minister Dharamlall outlined the plans for several health centres and hospitals.

Notably, the completion of Arakaka, Assakata and Kariakau health centres and the maternal waiting home at the Mabaruma Hospital.

Construction of health huts at St. Anselm, Hosororo and Chinese Landing.

A living quarters will also be constructed at Chinese Landing, White Water, Koriabo and the Mabaruma Hospital.

In addition, $80 million was budgeted for the purchase of medical equipment within the region to cater for more patients and a further $23 million for water ambulances, buses and ATVs for emergency care. “I’d like to report that we are now doing surgeries, not outreach surgeries but in house theatre surgeries at both the Kumaka District Hospital and the Mabaruma District Hospital,” Minister Dharamlall disclosed to the committee.

Over 60 persons were able to have their surgeries successfully done.

Complementing the developments in the health and education sectors, will be the construction of new roads and improved electricity distribution.

“For the first time, we will have roads heading from Mabaruma to Wauna… concrete roads from Kumaka Waterfront in Moruca to Kwebanna,” the minister said.

The construction of these roads will also lead to the employment of over 100 residents.

The minister said $80 million was budgeted for the upgrading of electricity distribution networks at Mabaruma, Barabina and Kumaka.

Notably, villages such as Yarakita will now benefit from electricity for the first time.

Construction of farm-to-market roads, other interventions for Region Five

Residents and farmers of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) can expect major infrastructural upgrades and construction of farm-to-market roads within their communities.

This is in keeping with the government’s objective of boosting agricultural production in the region.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, during the consider - ation of the 2023 budget estimates on Wednesday, highlighted that some of the farm-to-market roads will be upgraded to asphaltic concrete.

The project is the fulfillment of a commitment by the PPP/C Government to Guyanese.

Further, more than $100 million will be expended to address drainage and irrigation challenges in the region, while $144.9 million will be utilised to construct bridges and roads, among other interventions.

Also, $178.5 million was approved to boost education delivery. Government remains committed to providing equitable access to health services across the region, as such some $236.5 million has been budgeted for health sector development in Region Five.

$11.9B budgetary allocation

Residents of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will benefit from agriculture, health, education and infrastructure projects as the Committee of Supply approved the region’s $11.9 billion budgetary allocation on Wednesday (February 1, 2023).

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall said $71.5 million will be expended for the rehabilitation of bridges and revetments at Rotterdam, Razack Dam, Moleson Creek and other areas.

This will improve access and irrigation systems for farmers in Region Six, the minister told the committee during the consideration of the 2023 budget estimates.

Some $8 million is earmarked for the provision of a tractor that will improve oper- ational efficiency for farmers. In total, $79.5 million was approved for the agriculture sector.

Meanwhile, for infrastructural projects, $359.8 million will be expended for the construction of new bridges and roads, as well as the provision of land and water transportation. Currently, over 500 new roads are being constructed and 17 new roads have been iden-