Head of State assents to anti-money laundering legislation
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, yesterday announced that the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism Act was assented to by President Bharrat Jagdeo on August 14, setting the stage for Government to proceed with implementation of this important piece of financial sector legislation.
Minister Singh described the Act as modern and comprehensive, and consistent with international standards. He also stated that the provisions of the Act had benefited from extensive examination and consideration while the Bill was before Special Select Committee in the Parliament.
According to the legislation, a person who, knowingly or having reasonable grounds to believe that property (money, investments, holdings, possessions, assets and all other property movable or immovable) is the proceeds of crime, and engages to conceal or disguise the illicit origin of that property will be guilty of money laundering. Terrorist financing has been defined as willfully providing or collecting funds with the unlawful intention that they should be used to aid the execution of terrorist acts or in support of terrorist organizations or individuals.
Role of the Ministry of Finance
Under the Act, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) within the Ministry of Finance is responsible for requesting, receiving, analyzing and disseminating of suspicious transaction reports and other information related to money laundering, terrorist financing or proceeds of crimes.
The FIU will also compile a report and send it to the appropriate law enforcement authorities, if having conducted its analysis, they have reasonable grounds to suspect that the transaction involves money laundering, proceeds of crime or terrorist financing.
The FIU shall also compile statistics and records, disseminate information received, issue guidelines to reporting entities and advise Minister Singh accordingly or may conduct research into trends and developments in the area of money laundering or terrorist financing and improved ways of detecting, preventing and deterring money laundering and terrorist financing, and may educate the public and create awareness on such matters.
The FIU will be staffed by an attorney-at-law and accountant appointed by Minister Singh and personnel training in financial investigation appointed by the Unit’s Director.
Anonymous accounts and accounts with fictitious names
The legislation specifies that financial institutions shall not establish or keep anonymous accounts or accounts with fictitious names. They have to establish and verify the identity of any customer by requiring the applicant to produce an identification record or any other reliable, independent source documents as the FIU may request.
Customer accounts must be kept in the true name of the account holder.
In the case of existing customers, financial institutions have to verify the identity of the customer within six months from the commencement of the legislation, which would be February 14 of next year, unless the Finance Minister extends the period for a further three months.
If the agency is unable to verify the identity of the customer at the end of that nine-month period, they will be required to terminate the business relationship with that customer.
Where it is suspected that an applicant is acting on behalf of another person, the financial institution shall establish the true identity of the person for whose ultimate benefit the applicant may be acting in the proposed transaction, whether as a trustee, nominee, agent or otherwise.
Also, financial institutions shall not maintain any business relationship with other banks that do not maintain a physical presence under the laws of which they were established (the laws of Guyana), unless they are part of a financial group subject to effective consolidated supervision.
Reporting obligations
Reporting entities, which include financial institutions, real estate agents, precious metal dealers, betting shops and other similar entities, under the legislation, are required to establish and maintain records for seven years of all transactions they complete with a customer and that customer’s personal information including the name, date of birth, address and occupation or business activity.
Reporting entities are required to pay special attention to complex, unusually large business transactions or pattern of transactions that have no apparent economic or lawful purpose, and business relations and transactions with persons in jurisdictions that do not have adequate systems in place to prevent or deter money laundering or terrorist financing.
Whenever a reporting entity suspects or has reasonable grounds to suspect that funds, a transaction or attempted transaction are connected to the proceeds of criminal activity, money laundering or terrorist financing offences, it shall, not later than three days after forming that suspicion, take reasonable measures to ascertain the purpose of the transaction, the origin and ultimate destination of the funds involved and the identity and address of the ultimate beneficiary, and prepare a report of the transaction and submit it to the FIU.
This requirement is also applied to attorneys-at-law, notaries, other independent legal professionals and accountants when, on behalf of a client, they engage in buying and selling real estate, managing money or the creation, operation or management of companies.
If the FIU, after consulting the entity that reported the transaction, is of the opinion that the transaction is suspicious, the Unit may direct the reporting entity not to proceed with the transaction for a period of not more than five days to permit the Unit to make necessary inquiries concerning the transaction and if deemed appropriate, to advise a supervisory authority.
The reporting entity shall appoint a compliance officer to ensure that the entity is meeting the requirement of the legislation.
Also, it must establish and maintain internal policies, procedures, controls and systems to satisfying its obligations under the legislation, establish an audit function to test its anti-money laundering and countering of terrorism financing procedures and systems, and train its officers to recognize suspicious transactions.
Role of supervisory bodies
The Governor of the Bank of Guyana, the Commissioner of Insurance, the Guyana Securities Council and a Special Assistance Committee appointed by Minister Singh will be the supervisory authorities for the purposes of this legislation.
The supervisory authority will also issue instructions, guidelines and recommendations, cooperate and share information with other domestic competent authorities, develop standards applicable to the communication of suspicious activities, cooperate, request and exchange information with agencies performing similar functions in other countries and territories and maintain statistics concerning measures adopted and sanctions imposed.
For breaches of obligations under this legislation, the supervisory authority may impose written warnings, orders to comply with specific instructions, order regular reports from the reporting entity on the measures it is taking, prohibit convicted persons from employment in the sector or recommend the reporting entity’s licence be suspended, restricted or withdrawn.
The supervisory authority shall inform the FIU as to the sanction imposed and may order the publication of its decision.
A person who has been convicted of a serious offence whether in Guyana or elsewhere of an offence under this legislation shall not be eligible or licenced to carry on business of a financial institution.
The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act represents a great stride forward for Guyana in combating crime by preventing criminals from accessing the resources they need to finance their activities and preventing them from enjoying the results of their actions.
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200 more houselots for Diamond/Grove Housing Scheme
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
A further 200 houselots will be developed in the Diamond-Grove housing scheme, East Bank Demerara, as the Ministry of Housing and Water continues its efforts to consolidate infrastructure and satisfy the increase in demands for houselots.
The reserves in Sections ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ Diamond and Section ‘C’ Grove will be converted into houselots.
 From left: Chairman, Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Grove/Diamond, Omar Khan, Permanent Secretary, Minister of Housing and Water, Emile McGarrell, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali, Chief Executive Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Myrna Pitt, Land Development and Administrative Manager, Denise King-Tudor and Planning Officer, CH&PA Planning Division, Germaine Stuart
Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali along with senior officials and technical staff from his Ministry met with the Diamond community yesterday to discuss and outline the development plan for the areas.
The consultation sought to address the needs and garner the community’s inputs.
Minister Ali said the Diamond housing scheme is regarded as one of CH&PA’s largest emerging urban centers, and the expansion of services points to the fact that the value of property in Diamond is increasing tremendously.
He noted that there are some challenges which hinder the development of services in the area and as a community and government; measures must be put in place to mitigate and change the look of Diamond.
The challenges, he highlighted include unutilised play fields and lands that are earmarked for facilities that are not developed but are overgrown by trees and shrubs, congestion of traffic and vending at the scheme’s entrance.
“The plan is to rationalize the services in the area that is the open space, the play fields and other public facilities…What we have done is to strategically resurvey the area and we have identified a number of play fields that would be developed by CH&PA and handed over to the community and the NDC,” Minister Ali said.
He stated that during the development of the scheme, the plan had entailed an occupancy rate of 90 percent. However, since a number of persons did not occupy their lots the Ministry had to repossess them.
People not occupying land within the given time-frame has resulted in the disfigurement of the environment and infrastructure with the growth of weeds and blocked drains and the waste of resources, he said.
The Minister further added that approximately $15M has been spent for maintenance work in the housing scheme and more resources will have to be provided.
“We can provide infrastructure but if persons are not constructing, then where are we going?” Minister Ali asked.
 Diamond residents
Macro Plan for Diamond
On July 10, the Minister and other government officials had met with private stakeholders to discuss a $500M plan to change the landscape of the housing scheme.
The Plan includes: the establishment of a paved corridor for traffic safety and pedestrian crossing, the establishment of a pedestrian walkway along the main highway, with bus shed and the construction of a tarmac facility for vending and parking of taxis.
Design criteria will be established for vendors’ stalls to ensure that the area is nicely laid out, he said.
A survey, the Minister said will also be conducted for a new entry and exit to the scheme which will cost in excess of $500M.
 Residents viewing the cadastral plan for Block X Diamond
Other facilities to be developed
Plans are also in the pipeline to establish a multi-purpose tarmac for sporting activities including basketball, volleyball, grass track and a multi-purpose center for Diamond/Grove that will serve the community’s educational needs.
“We are going to start work to convert some of the open spaces into housing development…the resources that we raise will be spent back…this is the development we have and we are moving towards that,” Minister Ali assured.
The Diamond Housing Scheme is one of the fastest growing and largest housing areas in the country, with a population of about 40, 000 people. Over the years, the administration has invested huge sums to develop the scheme and provide basic social amenities.
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Agri Ministry intervenes in long-standing rice farmers’ payment dispute
- MRL vows to clear outstanding debts in near future
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, met with the Mahaicony Rice Limited (MRL) and the Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA) in the presence of a representative of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Demerara Bank Limited earlier today in his office in an effort to bring an amicable resolution to the long-standing payment dispute between the MRL and rice farmers.
 Representatives of the MRL, GRPA, Demerara bank Limited and GRDB at a meeting with Minister Persaud.
At a media briefing immediately after, Minister Persaud and General Secretary of GRPA, Dharamkumar Seeraj, briefly discussed the outcome of the meeting.
Minister Persaud pointed out that all stakeholders, including the GRDB and the sector Ministry, have shared unease regarding the non-responsiveness of the MRL to the concerns resulting from its treatment with farmers. Consequently, Minister Persaud met and discussed the issue with the Chief Executive Officer of MRL, Jai Beni, who assured that he was looking into the matter seriously and making necessary institutional and management changes to ensure the company is more responsive to its obligations to farmers.
 Minister Persaud briefs the media subsequent to a meeting with the MRL and GRPA
Beni promised that outstanding payments for 2008 would be made immediately and that of the first crop of 2009 would be addressed with the greatest urgency.
However, farmers and the GRPA have reported that there has been a delay in payments, particularly in Regions Five and Six where the greatest degree of indebtedness on the part of MRL exists. This will impede significantly on their investment in the second crop for this year. And this reality has necessitated this meeting.
 General Manager, Mahaicony Rice Limited (MRL), Taramati Ghani
The Agriculture Minister informed that MRL, through its General Manager, Taramati Ghani, pledged to settle all outstanding payments to farmers for the first crop before harvesting of the second crop for this year, and work towards building a good reputation as it relates to its obligations to all stakeholders. The GRPA and GRDB will monitor the situation to ensure that MRL honour its commitment.
It is hoped that the company would iron the payments issue expeditiously, and work to ensure there is no recurrence of such problem, because all stakeholders and the rice industry as a whole are affected, stymieing growth and development in the sector.
 Assistant Manager, Corporate Credit, risk Management, Demerara Bank Limited, André W Lam
Minister Persaud stated that the possibility of farmers receiving fertilisers from the company in lieu of cash payments is also to be examined, but this will have to be considered carefully in light of the fact that some farmers have complained that the company has been selling fertilisers at higher costs than what obtains at the markets.
Seeraj stated that MRL is the largest and consequently, most indispensable operator in the sector – a reality which may have contributed to its unfavourable posture in recent years. Having been exhorted by the Minister to operate within the interest of the industry, despite its size, Seeraj expressed optimism that MRL will clean up its acts, change its posture, restore its image and contribute as significantly as it is capable of to the sector.
 General Manager, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Jagnarine Singh
The significant strides made by MRL within the last two months are testimony to the intent of the company to operate within the interest of the industry, Seeraj, who thanked Minister Persaud for his intervention, said.
Asked about the recourse the Ministry is disposed to take in the event that MRL renege on its commitment, Minister Persaud disclosed that the GRDB has the power to take certain measures against defaulting companies within the industry. These are non-punitive measures that are a last resort. Farmers can take private actions sanctioned by the GRDB.
In addition, the Agri Minister pointed out that previously, according to an earlier amendment to the Rice Factories Act, it was incumbent upon every rice mill to pay 95% of total transaction to a rice producing group. However, owing to some discrepancies, a new draft regulation to be tabled in Parliament will amend the Act to ensure that every farmer is paid 95% of total transaction, instead of the entire group.
 General Secretary, Guyana Rice Producers’ Association (GRPA), Dharamkumar Seeraj
The intervention of the sector Ministry and the new measures enforced are all reflective of Government’s appreciation of how important it is for all stakeholders to be treated fairly and how critical conducive conditions are to the development of the agriculture sector, and the economy as a whole.
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Head of State sends independence greetings to Pakistan, India
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
India and Pakistan, two nations whose history are intimately intertwined with that of Guyana, celebrated their 62nd Independence anniversaries on August 15 and August 14 respectively, and President Bharrat Jagdeo joined with other leaders around the world in sending their leaders independence greetings.
The Head of State, in his greetings, told Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Indian President, that the Guyanese people greatly value the close fraternal friendship and cooperation between India and Guyana, and look forward to the further strengthening of these relations.
To Asif Zardari, the Pakistani President, President Jagdeo stated that he looked forward to the maintenance of the friendly relations which exist between Pakistan and Guyana.
Both Pakistan and India secured their independence from Great Britain in 1947.
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Regional climate change negotiators to meet in Guyana
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
In preparation for the upcoming international negotiations on a climate change treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol, regional climate change negotiators will be meeting in Guyana on August 21 to establish a unified regional position on this very critical issue.
This was announced by President Bharrat Jagdeo, on August 13, when he met with scouts from around the region who were gathered for the 14th Scout Jamboree in Guyana.
The President indicated that Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Stevenson King, who has portfolio responsibility within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for sustainable development, will be in Guyana to chair the meeting.
Recognizing that the region is under severe threat from the devastating effects of climate change and sea level rise which have led to increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events, damage to biodiversity, coral bleaching, coastal erosion and changing precipitation patterns, CARICOM leaders had issued the Liliendaal Declaration on Climate Change at the end of the 30th Heads of Government Conference that was held in Guyana.
It is expected that the declaration, which emphasized that dangerous climate change is already occurring in all SIDS (Small Islands and Low-lying Coastal Developing States) including the Caribbean, would be the framework within which the negotiators will work.
The estimated total annual impact of potential climate change on all CARICOM countries is estimated at US$9.9B in the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2007 prices or about 11.3% of the total annual GDP of all 20 CARICOM countries (member and associate member states) according to World Bank estimates.
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Coast Guard Ranks benefit from training aboard Brazilian Naval Vessel
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
Lieutenant Coast Guard (CG) Johnny Talbot joined several Military Marine Officers to experience shipboard training on the 23rd Instruction Voyage aboard the Naval School vessel BRAZIL.
The Brazilian Naval School usually invites young Naval Officers from other Caribbean and South American countries to participate on the training voyage. Lieutenant CG is currently the Mechanical Engineering Officer with the responsibility for the supervision of the Coast Guard’s junior engineers in the ship and other mechanical maintenance works, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) said in a press release.
The six-month voyage, which commenced on June 20, 2009 provides extensive training for graduates of the various military Naval Schools in Brazil and enables them to gain exposure to the navies and cultures of several other countries across the world. On this voyage, the BRAZIL will be visiting at seven South American Countries, 10 countries of the European Union, the United States of America and Morocco and is expected to return to Brazil on December 17, 2009.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant CG Andre Cush and Able Rating (AR) Kenroy Fraser recently returned to Guyana, after gaining valuable shipboard navigation training over the course of 22 days, aboard the Brazilian naval vessel GOIANA.
Lieutenant CG Cush is currently the Executive Officer of the GDF Coast Guard and has responsibility for the Unit’s administrative duties. He is also tasked with the monitoring of the Sub-Units to ensure that the Commanding Officer’s instructions are carried out. Lieutenant Cush has also completed several other courses both locally and abroad. On five previous occasions, he benefitted from similar training aboard British, American and French Military vessels.
AR Fraser serves as a Watch Keeper aboard the Force’s flagship, GDFS ESSEQUIBO and is responsible for the vessel’s mechanical operation. He has also completed a number of training courses locally.
The training is part of the cooperation agreement between the Brazilian Military and the GDF and was provided by the Brazilian Navy. This intervention is also the Force’s ongoing effort to ensure that all CG Ranks obtain equal benefits.
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Sugar production for second crop surpassed 26,000 tonnes – GUYSUCO
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Incorporated has announced that sugar production for the second crop has surpassed 26,000 tonnes after four weeks of grinding.
In Berbice, the Albion estate recorded 2,393 tonnes of Sugar, Rose Hall, 1,537 and Blairmont, 1,421 tonnes.
In Demerara, Enmore contributed 1,231 tonnes and La Bonne Intention (LBI) 931 tonnes. Uitvlugt 1,091 tonnes and Wales, 1,195.
A release from GuySuCo noted that workers at six of the seven locations currently grinding, are benefiting from monetary incentives for surpassing their weekly targets.
Additionally, cane supply to the LBI factory was sufficient to permit operations for over 100 hours. This was considered the best weekly achievement for the factory for some time, although it did not achieve its weekly production target.
The GuySuCo management has lauded the workers’ efforts and noted the improved attitude since the commencement of the crop as reflected in their “high morale, good worker-management relations, stable industrial relations climate and improved attendance.”
GuySuCo noted that other influential factors to the improved production performance are good weather, and cane supply, enhanced quality of cane and reduced burning to grinding intervals.
This encouraging tonnage is expected to increase significantly from the new week when the new factory at Skeldon joins the production drive.
The performance of Guyana’s sugar industry has been closely monitored since the decline began with the devastating 2005 flood.
GuySuCo had alluded to climate change, industrial action and workers’ absenteeism as some of the main reasons for the industry’s performance over the past few years.
Last year some 226,267 tonnes were recorded and it was noted that production could have been significantly higher had the new factory at Skeldon been commissioned last September as indicated by Booker-Tate.
Booker-Tate is a United Kingdom (UK) based global institution that facilitates management and development services to the world of sugar, ethanol, bio-energy and other agribusiness projects. The institution was invited to the management position of GuySuCo since 1990.
In October 2008 Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud announced that Booker-Tate would no longer hold the responsibility for managing the implementation of the agricultural component of the Skeldon Factory.
Minister Persaud had also ordered a Commission of Enquiry to examine field operations at East Demerara estates. The enquiry discovered poor management of the cultivation, resulting in low production.
At the opening of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) 19th congress, President Bharrat Jagdeo called on workers to “pull their weight” to develop the sugar industry which is the country’s largest employer with over 20,000 workers including private cane growers, suppliers or service providers. Around 125,000 people rely on the $35B revenue earning industry.
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Detection, eradication of carambola fruit fly essential to agri expansion
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
In the interest of expanding and modernising the agriculture sector, the Ministry of Agriculture is sparing no effort to eliminate potential threats to this upswing of agricultural development, and set the foundation for a prosperous sector. The Carambola Fruit Fly (CFF) (Bactrocera carambolae) is one such threat, and has been gaining the attention of the ministry and international partners.
Hon. Robert Persaud, Minister of Agriculture, delivering remarks on the second day of the Carambola Fruit Fly Training Programme
To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the United States Department for Agriculture/Animal Plant Health and Inspectorate Service (USDA/APHIS), the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Canadian Hunger Fund (CHF) is hosting a training seminar on Carambola Fruit Fly for technical officers within the Ministry. The seminar commenced yesterday and will conclude on Friday.
Dr David Midgarden, Entomologist, USDA/APHIS
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, in his address of participants on the second day of the seminar earlier today, asserted that as a matter of priority and emphasis, all stakeholders must appreciate the necessity of ensuring that the monitoring and response systems that form the base of all agricultural endeavours are functional and relevant to the thrust the sector has embarked upon. This monitoring or surveillance effort will help the Ministry and its agencies to detect the prevalence or potential invasion of the threat and help them to devise and implement measures to deal appropriately with it.
Dr Maxine Parris-Aaron, Agricultural Health Specialist, IICA
Minister Persaud emphasised that, considering the significant investment made in the development of the agriculture sector, and how heavily dependent national development is on the sector, all measures to reduce risks and hindrances to development must be taken.
Minister Persaud pointed out that akin to the national health programme that caters to the prevention and treatment of diseases in human beings, the programmes developed for the prevention and treatment of plants and animals within the sector should be given similar importance.
Minister Persaud alluded to the comprehensive agricultural diversification programme the Government has embarked upon with contributions from various international agencies, central to which is the development of a modern plant health system on which close to US$1.7M will be spent. This significant investment is necessary if the sector is to meet international standards. Guyana becoming a leading, internationally recognised, demand-generating producer of fruits and vegetables in the Caribbean is contingent upon a thriving plant health system. Export and market access, consequently, will become more favourable; processing will be certified.
Minister Persaud, Dr Midgarden and Dr Parris-Aaron sharing a light moment at the end of the second day of the Carambola Fruit Fly Training Programme
The sector Minister informed that shortly, the Government will be investing in the extension and equipping of the plant health laboratory at the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI). This will boost the capacity to conduct the necessary diagnostic operations.
The presence of CFF in Suriname and French Guiana in the 1990s represented a major threat to production and marketing of fruits and vegetables throughout tropical and sub-tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean. Given the proximity of the named countries to Guyana, the infestation of this plant disease was imminent. This situation demanded immediate response by way of appropriate control measures to address the infestation, and a robust strategy to ultimately eradicate the pest from South America. The Carambola Fruit Fly Campaign was consequently initiated in Guyana in 1996.
Participants at the Carambola Fruit Fly Training Programme
Subsequently, IICA, a specialised agency for agriculture of the Inter-American system, whose main purposes are to encourage, facilitate and support cooperation among its Member States so as to promote agricultural development and rural well-being, became a partner in Guyana’s fight against the plant pest. Among IICA’s Guyana Project Activities – June 2001 were support for the development of the Guyana Agricultural Information Network (GAIN) Project; and the Carambola Fruit Fly Surveillance Project in Guyana, among others.
In late 2000, Guyana was declared free of CFF, but subsequently, the pest was detected in the Orealla, Region Six area. This has necessitated the reformed fight against the pest, and given the momentum in the agriculture sector, a formidable response is critical.
On-going training of farmers and extension agents, induction of new skilled practitioners and the procurement of necessary equipment are all part of capacity building within the wide framework of diversification and modernisation.
Minister Persaud implored participants to make full use of the seminar and enhance their proficiency to operate in an expanding agriculture sector.
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Minister Benn dissatisfied over City Hall maintenance projects sloth
Georgetown, GINA, August 18, 2009
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn has expressed his dissatisfaction over the sloth in the completion of the road projects in the City even as another $10M of the Government’s promised $120M Government was provided for the enhancement of Georgetown.
“We here at the Ministry are extremely unhappy in terms of value for our money; we put this down to the lack of good organization and management of the activity,” Minister Benn said.
A meeting was held recently with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall, personnel from the Public Works Ministry and officials from City Council to review how the money is being spent.
City Hall’s Town Clerk (ag) Yonette Pluck-Cort at a press briefing on July 21 said, “It is intended that we commence work in Cummings Lodge and Agricola from the 27th of this month (July). The engineers have already presented a programme for the works that are going to be done, and work is expected to commence on schedule in those areas.”
The works according to Minister Benn are yet to commence.
The Public Works Ministry will be looking into the matter to ensure that the initial objectives of the city enhancement projects are realized.
On March 19, Government and the City Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) granting an additional $120M to the City Council, separate from its $260M budget.
The fund which will aid in the maintenance of the city’s roadways will be released over a
one-year period.
The five computers that had been promised have already been handed over to the
Council.
Government over the past several years has significantly improved the conditions of several roadways and bridges to improve infrastructure around the city.
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