-following President Jagdeo’s pledge
The problems with transportation for students in the Abary Creek are expected to be solved soon as President Bharrat Jagdeo’s promise to provide them with a boat is being acted upon.
The president made the promise following a request by parents when he visited the creek during the flood in January. The parents related that the children were having a difficult time travelling to school especially during the rainy season.
In an interview with this newspaper on Thursday, Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five, Floyd France told Stabroek News the boat which would be equipped with an engine is in the procurement stage. He promised that the boat would be made available in time for the September term.
Meanwhile with regard to other projects in the region, the REO also pointed out that he has informed officials from the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and the region that all works programmes would be strictly monitored.
In terms of drainage he said that the two entities are responsible for the clearing of residential drainage. France said that the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary-Agricul-tural Development Authority (MMA-ADA) has been tasked with “cleaning the primary drainage systems and a total of $48.6M was disbursed to the Ministry of Agriculture via the Inter Departmental Allocation warrant.”
He said that before the end of the month MMA and the region would “agree to a set schedule of works so that the funds can be disbursed in a timely manner.”
France said that the RDC would be “undertaking works to ensure that the systems are cleared” and implored the NDCs for “collaborative efforts” in this regard.
He said too that he has already informed officials of the NDCs and RDC that the programmes would be “strictly monitored” and said that the “sluice attendants would be monitored as well.”
The REO said that the region has advertised and awarded its scheduled capital and current works which includes $20M for maintenance and $30M for the 10 NDCs in the region. A further $42M has been allocated for “miscellaneous roads” through the Ministry of Finance. The projects, he said
