The construction of several roads and schools in Region Four are among the planned capital projects that will be on hold until next year, according to the Regional Executive Officer Deolall Rooplall, who yesterday announced the postponement of all major works in the region.
In a press release issued yesterday through the Ministry of Communities, Rooplall blamed the postponement of the works on the “irresponsible actions” of the previous government, while assuring that the projects will remain relevant next year.
The projects that are affected are the construction of a multipurpose building at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) compound; construction of all-weather roads at Bamboo Dam and Mahaica Middle Walk; construction of roads at Benkay Alley in Lusignan and Martyr’s Ville Main Access; extension of the BV Practical Instruction Centre; reconstruction of the Golden Grove Secon-dary; rehabilitation of Bladen Hall Secondary; reconstruction of Peter’s Hall Primary; rehabilitation of Mahaica Primary and Enmore Primary; extension of the Kuru Kururu Primary; construction of nursery schools at Grove, Craig, and Vryheid’s Lust; the extension of the Mocha Nursery; the extension of the Triage and Observation Unit, the Intensive Care Unit and the Delivery Room at Diam-ond Regional Hospital; construction of a health centre at Eccles New Scheme; and the construction of a health post at Haruraruni Village.
Additionally new initiatives and training will not be accomplished, he noted.
According to Rooplall, approval of the 2015 budget was delayed owing to the actions of the PPP/C administration in 2014. He said with the prorogation of Parliament on November 10th, 2014, followed by the dissolution of Parliament on February 28th, 2015, and the holding of the general and regional elections on May 11th, 2015, the budget preparation timetable was disrupted.
Further, he said the new government was “forced” to adjust the budget timetable to reflect a new budget cycle that commenced on June 4th, 2015.
“The Ministry of Finance being conscious of the available time for the execution of large Capital Projects and the adherence to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003, has made a conscious decision to scale down the capital programme to what can be realistically accomplished within the calendar year,” he said.
The budget was presented last Monday and debates will commence tomorrow.
“The events following the appropriation of funds by the National Assembly will be the preparation of bid documents, advertisement of projects, opening and evaluation of bids, award of contracts, and the execution of projects. This procurement process leaves approximately two months for the execution, monitoring and completion of projects,” Rooplall added. He said that the result is the necessary adjustment of the capital programme to complete projects that can realistically be completed within a two-month period.
Rooplall noted that the 1/12 monthly release of funds for the first half of the year was a “holding” budget for maintenance of existing buildings, other infrastructure, vehicles and equipment, continuation of ongoing programmes and acquisition of materials needed for routine works this year.
