Region Six had a productive 2012 - Regional Chairman

Region Six had a productive 2012 – Regional Chairman

Jan 14, 2013 News

By Samuel Whyte

The Regional Administration of Region Six had a very productive and successful 2012 despite many challenges. Except for some roads, all of the planned works were successfully completed with some savings realized, which saw additional works being undertaken. These were some of the disclosures made by Regional Chairman, David Permaul Armogan when the administration held a press conference to review its last year’s performance. The press briefing was held on Monday in the Boardroom of the Regional Administration.

Regional Chairman Region 6 David Permaul Armogan (third from right) and some of his top regional officials speaking to the media during the Region’s end of year press briefing.

The sum voted for the Region was $3.8 billion, which was broken down into $3.5B for current estimates, and $3.7M as capital estimates.
The estimates were broken down into five headings namely Administration and Finance, Agriculture, Public Works, Education Delivery and Health Services.
Agriculture had a good year with rice continuing to do well. The Region cultivated a total of 97,797 acres of land and produced 2,600,075 bags of paddy at a yield of 4.3 bags per hectare, and with more areas being put under cultivation, there is no reason why there will not be another bumper crop, the Chairman said.
Cash crop and livestock production also increased during the year. However, there were some reports of losses due to various factors including destruction, flooding and rustling. Not much was mentioned of the fishing industry which continues to suffer.
In terms of sugar, the Regional Chairman stated that despite the ongoing problems being encountered in the sugar industry, the Region, with its three sugar estates: Albion, Rose Hall and Skeldon, produced the most sugar in the country, accounting for 218,054 tons or 56% of the total amount of sugar produced by Guysuco in 2012.
He stated that Skeldon was a big disappointment and was expected to pick up during the year. The estate recorded a shortfall of $1,184 tons. Armogan said that major remedial works are ongoing on the factory at the moment and it is hoped that it will start to fulfill its potentials during this year.
In terms of the collection of Rates and Taxes, the Chairman said that the 16 Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Region Six were only able to collect 54% of taxes. He referred to the 54% as a very poor show, mentioning that “People want 100% services but they are only prepared to pay 54%. It tells the story that people like to have everything free.”
Speaking about the miniscule $3M subvention that is given by the government, Mr. Armogan stated that it has become totally inadequate and efforts are being made to get the Government to increase that sum.
Looking at the other areas, Administration and Finance had a budgeted sum of $94.8M with $92.9 million or 98% spent.
Public Works had a sum of $152.1M voted with $151.4M being spent. This area was divided into four subheadings –Maintenance of buildings, on which $15M was voted and 14.9M spent; Maintenance of roads $38.5M budgeted and $38.4M spent; Maintenance of bridges, $22.5 budgeted with an expenditure of 22.4M. While other infrastructure saw $11M available and 10.3M spent.
Education delivery had an estimated budget of $1.885B and 1.883B spent; an estimated expenditure of 99.9 %. Education delivery was broken down into two sub-headings-Maintenance of building for which $76M or 100% was expended, and Maintenance of other infrastructure for which $21M was budgeted and spent.
Health Services also had 100% expenditure under its two subheadings of maintenance of buildings $40M and maintenance of other infrastructure $14M. Form their overall budgeted estimate of $962.5M, it showed an expenditure of 953.2M or 99%.
The Regional Chairman, who was flanked by senior officials of his administration at the press conference, stated that with more cooperation and assistance the Region can do even better.