After a period of intense questioning the budget estimates for Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) and Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) were cleared in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Opposition Member of Parliament Priya Manickchand led the questioning of Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities on the expenditures budgeted for Region 5.
Manickchand thoroughly questioned every and all expenditures at one point requested to be provided with the length of a road (Esau and Jacob) which was to be rehabilitated.
This detailed questioning did not go over well with the government side, who as the evening progressed began to make sounds of dissatisfaction.
This drew a response from the former minister of education who at one point tartly noted “for those grumbling at the back, I have constituents that I answer to and it is on their behalf that I ask these questions”.
In examining the estimates provided for region six, Bulkan was questioned by opposition chief whip Gail Teixeira on capital works which she said had been started in 2014 and the early part of 2015 but which were not reflected in the estimates.
Concerns were also raised about “inadequate” allocations for medical supplies in both regions, the provisions for which Teixeira noted were not enough to support the government’s professed intention to extend the provision of primary care.
In the end the estimates were passed without objection from the opposition side of the house.
