Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:00 AM
Mid year financial report…
Less than half of monies allocated for infrastructure development utilized
The mid-year financial report for 2008 says that of the $6.2B budgeted for the development of infrastructure such as roads and bridges countrywide, less than half was utilised.
The report noted that of the $5B allocated for roads only $1B was utilised while of the $1.2B allocated for bridges only $286.5M was spent.
The eastern approach road for the Berbice Bridge is one of the many roads yet to be completed
An analysis of the spending for the first half of the year showed that rehabilitation of the New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek Road attracting $286.5M, expended, representing mainly work on Lot 1 (New Amsterdam Stelling to No. 36 Village), while work has also commenced on Lot 2 (No. 37 Village to Moleson Creek).
It noted that in addition, the Linden to Lethem road project’s pre-feasibility study has been completed, and it is expected that the feasibility study will be proceeded with shortly.
As it relates to the Berbice Bridge at the half year, 18 spans, including the high span, were installed out of a total of 39 spans.
Additionally, $317.7M or 32 per cent of the allocations made for the access roads was spent.
The approach on the western bank of the river has been completed while that on the eastern side is yet to be completed.
The report also pointed out that the sum of $148.5M was expended on the rehabilitation of bridges along the Timehri-Rosignol corridor.
The Takutu Bridge linking Guyana and Brazil was also completed at the end of March 2008, opening a gateway of opportunities in trade and development.
Of the $160M allocated, $159.3 million has been disbursed to procure and install four fixed platform vehicle weight scales and five additional portable scales.
The installation of these scales will facilitate the protection of the bridge infrastructure and also aid the function of load restriction to protect the road network.
Sea Defence
The government had budgeted $2.2B to continue construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of the sea defence structures. Some $1.2 billion was disbursed.
Major sea defence works are ongoing at Turkeyen/Ogle, Sea Spray, Toevlugt, Henrietta, Leguan Island, Kartabo, Profit Foulis, Riverview, New Forest, Belladrum, and Craig. Works completed include Profit Foulis and Gangaram.
The establishment of a shore zone management system for monitoring, planning and management of the coastal zone in Regions Five and Six to protect the coastline has also been completed.
There was an allocation of $3.7B for the drainage and irrigation sector and in the first half of 2008 a total of $1.3 billion was expended on reducing flooding and improving irrigation to farmlands.
The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been allotted $2.1 billion to
improve the drainage and irrigation network across the country.
Construction and rehabilitation of culverts, kokers and structures are completed at Leguan, Palmyra, Hogg Island, Boeraserie conservancy, Vryheid and Nooten Zuil, and works are in progress at Beribissiballi, Enmore, Crown Dam and Moleson Creek.
Works done in these areas, along with other identified areas such as Buxton, Parika Backdam, and Garden of Eden are expected to relieve 50,000 acres of farmland used for cane, rice, coconut, cattle and cash crop farming.
Construction and rehabilitation of sluices have been completed at Adventure and No. 67 Village, while works are on-going at Kuru Kururu, Kofi, Strathavon, Maida and Borlam.
These works, along with other identified areas including Cozier, De Willem and Soesdyke, are anticipated to relieve 250,000 acres of farmland used for cane, rice, coconut, cattle and cash crop farming, among others.
Embankment, empoldering and revetment works are completed at Ituribisi, Palmyra, Riverstown and Golden Grove, while works are ongoing at the East Demerara Water Conservancy and Kofi, according to the report.
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