Capital works
progressing in Region Nine
Georgetown, GINA, August 27, 2003
Several Capital works projects are progressing
in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).
According to the Regional Executive Officer Mr. Deolall Rooplall,
Health Centres have already been completed at Kwatata and Toka,
while construction works are continuing on the Health Centres
at Wermur and Yupukari. A total of $8M was budgeted for buildings
in the Health Sector in the Region this year.
Region Nine also purchased a quantity of health supplies for various
Health Centres in the Region. Two cardiac beds, a delivery bed
and a refrigerator were acquired for the Lethem Hospital, while
two radio transmitting sets were purchased for Fair View and Simone.
Gas stoves were also purchased for other Health Centres in the
Region.
A new Sub-Treasury office has been completed and rehabilitation
works are ongoing on the Administration Office in Lethem. In relation
to buildings in the Education sector, there are budgets for the
construction of five Primary schools.
So far works have commenced and are ongoing on four of these schools,
namely, Apoteri, Shiriri, Tiger Pond, and Cuduwini. The Basic
Needs Trust Fund, according to the REO, is constructing the school
at Potarinau. Construction of Teachers' Quarters have been completed
at Kaicumbay while works are ongoing at Hiowa and Yakarinta. Within
two weeks, the REO said works should begin on Teachers' Quarters
at Cuduwini, Rupunau, and Shiriri.
The Region purchased a total of 114 double-bunked beds for the
dormitories at Annai, St. Ignatius and Aishalton. Teachers' tables
and chairs were also purchased for these institutions. These furniture
were locally-made by Ovid Hernandez, who resides in the Region.
The REO explained that because of the heavy persistent rainfall,
several of these communities could not be accessed, which contributed
to the delay in some of the projects. However, the Regional Administration
is hoping to have most if not all its capital projects completed
by the end of November.
Three of the four road projects identified for this year are in
process. These are the Annai to Lethem road, the Lethem to Aishalton
road and the Hunt Oil to Yupukari road.
The Annai to Lethem road, the REO said, was intended to be a joint
project among the Regional Administration, Chris Correia and Mekdeci.
But, Mr. Rooplall said the Region has not received any feed back
from its counterparts. The Region has injected $500,000 into the
project and will facilitate grading the road with the Region's
machinery.
Rooplall also reported that the roads from Tiperu to Karasabai
and Tiperu to Rukumuta have been completed. And the clearing of
the road shoulder at Chidawau has also been completed.
In keeping with its budget allocations for water transport, the
Region purchased two aluminum boats for Karasabai and Yupukari,
and the Regional Administration is in the process of getting two
15HP engines for the boats.
With the aim of further extending health services to far-flung
communities, three motorcycles were purchased. These are to be
used by health officials at Karasabai, Sand Creek and Annai. A
4x4 vehicle has also been acquired for use by the Regional Administration
in Lethem.
Several household items were purchased for Staff Quarters and
the office costing $800,000.
For the firs time, the Region would be having a housing scheme
at Culvert City, Central Lethem. This year The Region budgeted
$4M for infrastructural facilities and the extension of electricity
to the scheme.
The Region is in the process of obtaining electrical poles to
complete the electricity extension programme, and works on the
road leading to the Scheme are likely to begin by next week.
Improving access to remote communities in the Region, will be
enhanced by a bridge that was built at S-Turn, approaching Karasabai,
and Jakari. Construction works are ongoing at Tabatinga, where
a concrete and steel bridge is being erected.
The bridge across the Rupununi River leading to Achiwib, did not
start because of the high level of water in the river, but Rooplall
assured that as soon as the rain eases, work will commence there.
Reporting on Agricultural development, the REO said that the Region
commenced rehabilitative works to the Lethem abattoir, which was
constructed over 30 years ago.
The adverse weather condition affected the installation of hand-dug
wells in some communities. New wells were earmarked for Sand Creek,
Yerung Paru, Tiger Pond and Katoonarib. Works began on the well
at Sand Creek, but were brought to a standstill after the heavy
rainfall. Works on the other wells are dependent on the dry season.
TOP
Wednesday,
August 27, 2003