Gov’t looks to add another $3.3 B to budget

Sep 20, 2011 News

– An extra $1.2 billion for electricity
– $35 million to set up inter-religious TV station
– Additional sums for new airport access road

The government will this week seek another $3.3 billion as “Supplementary Estimates” to the 2011 budget, with a significant amount going towards the payment of electricity charges, and setting up an inter-religious TV station.
With the opposition maintaining its boycott of the National Assembly at this time, the government will use its majority in the House to approve the additional spending.
It was the same thing it did two weeks ago, when it approved a $2.64B “top up” to this year’s budget without any questions being raised.
The Parliament should have gone on its two-month recess from August 10, but the government passed a motion to extend the life of the Parliament and work through the recess.
The opposition is maintaining that the government had enough time to do its business and would not be attending Parliament during what was supposed to be the mandatory recess period.
On Thursday last, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, tabled two Finance Papers in the House, seeking the additional $3.3 billion.
Of this amount, $1.2 billion is being sought for the payment of “additional electricity charges.” This represents a 50 per cent addition to the sum ($2.4 billion) that was already approved for in the national budget.
For the setting of a “multi-faith” religious television station, the government is seeking the House’s approval for $35 million. The project is slated to be executed under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
For the rehabilitation of roads in Leguan, $68 million is being sought under “Miscellaneous Roads” under the Ministry of Public Works and Communication. Under that very Ministry, the government is looking for another $150 million to facilitate the construction of a new access to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.
Before, $2.2 billion was already approved for this project.
A large portion of the monies being sought, falls under the Ministry of Agriculture. Under “Subsidies and Contributions to Local Organisations” an additional $350 million is being sought to clear expenses for the Drainage and Irrigation Authority and the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute.
Under the Conservancy Adaptation Project, the Ministry of Agriculture is also looking to clear $53 million for “additional inflows.”
The Ministry of Health is looking to clear spending in the amount of $993 million for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies for hospitals in Regions affected by malaria. These hospitals are Lethem, Mabaruma and Bartica.
The drugs being procured are for six new health centres.
In addition, a further $343 million is being sought for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies under the Georgetown Public Hospital. The drugs and medical supplies are needed for the implementation of “new services and improvement of treatment regime for patients.”
Under the Ministry of Education, the government looks to clear $4.8 million for emergency repairs to schools in Region Four.

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Gov’t looks to add another $3.3 B to budget

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