Region 10 budget allocations… Health, mining sectors to get boost – MP Rutherford

Aug 20, 2015 News

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By Desilon Daniels

As the debates on the $221B National Budget continue in the 11th Parliament, the health and mining sectors of Region 10 are expected to get big boosts thanks to the regional budgetary allocation.
This revelation was made by Region 10 Member of Parliament Audwyn Rutherford who on Monday evening unveiled a number of projects catered for the region in the national budget.
During his presentation, Rutherford opined that Region 10 had suffered tremendously while under the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.
“To say that the former administration neglected Region 10 is an understatement,” Rutherford said. He added that the region therefore needed to make significant strides. These strides, he said, could now be made thanks to the budgetary allocations given to the region under the new coalition government.
In Rutherford’s address, much attention was placed on the health and mining sectors.
The minister revealed that over $45M was allocated to the region for its health sector. This money was to be split amongst a number of areas, including $18M for the construction of incinerators at Coomacka, Sand Hills, Muritaro and Ebini Health Posts, along with the extension of the One Mile and Amelia’s Ward Health Centres. Additionally, $8M was allocated for water and land transportation, while $19.9M was allocated for the purchase of equipment such as neonatal ventilators, ultrasound machines and other special apparatus. Rutherford stressed that the health centres will be equipped to better serve Region 10.
“This will support our thrust in building sustainable communities for stronger regions and a stronger nation,” Rutherford emphasised. He said too that by improving the services provided at health posts and centres, persons will be allowed to be treated close to home rather than travel all the way to the Linden Hospital Complex for the same treatment.
Likewise, he said, better treatment options at the Linden Hospital will negate the people of Region 10 from travelling to the Georgetown Public Hospital or the East Bank Regional Hospital.
Additionally, he expressed hope that with the budgetary allocation health practitioners in the region will be better trained and equipped to carry out their duties.
Meanwhile, with regards to the mining sector, Rutherford noted that quarrying and mining continue to be the main economic activities for Region 10.
He said that these two sectors will be strengthened through financial support while small and medium scale miners are especially expected to benefit from the budget. He added that they will benefit from duty-free concessions on specific mining equipment, which he said, “will aid in reducing the cost of production and level the playing field.”
However, Rutherford noted that the mining sector was facing some difficulties and its shortcomings were driving up unemployment rates in the region. Amongst its difficulties were the recent cutbacks at the Bosai Minerals Group coupled with declining gold prices and unfair practices in the mining sector. Thanks to these factors, he said the issue of unemployment was worsening.
According to the MP, unemployment in Region 10 was at an “all-time high and possibly getting higher”.
“The decline in gold prices and consequent production has significantly affected our people,” Rutherford said. However, a turnaround is anticipated and will be fueled by total expenditure of $3.675M along with $83M for a number of mining associations, Rutherford revealed.
Additionally, Rutherford shared the belief that the nation’s unions were underperforming. Therefore, he said, $19M was budgeted nationally for unions in an effort to strengthen the capacity of unions to adequately represent workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, the region’s forestry sector also received some attention. In Region 10, the forestry sector is a thriving one and over the years has seen growth. In fact, a 14 percent growth was recorded in 2014.
Rutherford said that the $80M of the region’s capital expenditure and $544.42M of the current expenditure will foster better management and training at the Guyana Forestry Commission. Once again, small loggers from the region are expected to benefit from training and the leveling of the playing field.
“This will support and strengthen our stakeholders in the region,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure and education sectors are also expected to benefit.
The sum of $41.18M was allocated to improve access and the completion of bridges and revetments of the Mabura and Rockstone roads while $10M was allocated for the improvement of drainage systems in a number of areas.
Furthermore, after deeming education as “pivotal”, Rutherford indicated that the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) was allocated $23.17M to complete an automotive workshop and purchase tools, equipment and furniture. The sum of $57.5M was also allocated for works at the Mackenzie and Christianburg High Schools, while an additional $13.5M was allocated for the purchase of furniture.
Rutherford indicated that schools in One Mile, Amelia’s Ward and Mabaruma will also benefit. However, Rutherford’s focus was not only the physical development of the schools. He made special note the quality of work being delivered by teachers in Region 10 and opined that there were much needed improvements.
Rutherford further said that the region was looking forward to the possible reopening of the Linden branch of the Critchlow Labour College along with the restoration of its subvention.

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