The education and health sectors of Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) are set to benefit greatly from the proposed 2016 capital expenditure of the Regional Democratic Council.
According to revelations made during the consideration of the region’s budgetary allocations last Wednesday, topping the list of proposed projects is a new building to house the students of the Golden Grove Secondary School.
Speaking with Stabroek News yesterday, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas explained that the present population of the school has outgrown the building in which it is housed.
She said a decision was taken to construct a modern building in the same compound. It is expected to cost $94 million and will include all facilities necessary for modern learning including an Information Technology Department and ramp access for students and teachers with disabilities.
Also planned is the rehabilitation of the Buxton Primary and Hendon’s Nursery School. These two schools, which are housed in the same building, are expected to be rehabilitated to the tune of $10 million and $5 million, respectively.
According to Hinds, the works planned for these schools are more than just repairs but rather a complete rehabilitation and upgrading of the physical facilities.
Within the health sector, the government plans to plug $3 million into the CC Nicholson Hospital at Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara.
This investment will see the ground floor of that hospital remodelled to accommodate a trauma room, the location of the labour room changed and the room itself expanded to house five to eight beds.
A major investment is also planned for Eccles Housing Scheme, where a new health centre will be constructed for $22.3 million. This health centre is expected to cater for approximately 8,000 residents who now use the Agricola Health Centre.
