Guyana government looking for an additional $1.9 billion

The Guyana government is returning to Parliament to seek an extra GUY$1.9 billion (US $9.5 million) to spend before the end of the year.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, – The Guyana government is returning to Parliament to seek an extra GUY$1.9 billion (US $9.5 million) to spend before the end of the year.

According to the Guyana Information Agency, a third Financial Paper for 2010 was laid in Parliament yesterday, Wednesday, by Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, to cover current and capital estimates totaling GUY $1, 918,999,270 for the period September 30 to December 31, 2010.

The current estimates for the period amount to just over GUY$678 million (US$3.3 million). However, Government is seeking to triple that amount with this supplementary provision in order to meet a host of additional expenses ranging from health and security related to event-hosting costs.

The estimates will be debated for passage at the next sitting of the Parliament next Thursday, December 23.

According to the release by the information service, the supplementary funds are being sought by:

• The Foreign Affairs Ministry to meet expenditure incurred with the hosting of the Fourth Regular Summit of the Union of South American Nations.

• The Ministries of Amerindian Affairs, Home Affairs and Agriculture to cover the cost of fuel and lubricants as a result of the inclement weather conditions that the country has being experiencing in recent months, as well as the hike in fuel prices.

• The Health Ministry to meet the increased patient demand for drugs related to chronic diseases, particularly hypertension and diabetes and orthopedic supplies for hip replacement surgeries.

• The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security to provide education stipends to workers who were retrenched at the Barama Company Limited.

• The Education Ministry for the purchase of supplies as it relates to dietary items for the Waramadong dormitory as a result of an increase in the level of enrollment.

Under the capital estimates, which amounted to GUY$1.2 billion (US$ 6.2 million), provisions are also being sought by:

• The Office of the President for the purchase of security and information communication technology equipment for the National Intelligence Center and for the paving of a circuit and car park at the National Park.

• The Local Government Ministry for the procurement of garbage trucks.

• The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for Amerindian development projects and programmes.

• The Agriculture Ministry for a UPS radar tower.

• The Tourism Ministry for counterpart funding under the Competitiveness Programme.

• The Ministry of Public Works and Communications to cover expenditure on the rehabilitation of bridges at numbers two and three on the Moleson Creek terminal road, facilitation of remedial works at the Supenaam Stelling and the purchase of civil aviation equipment.

• The Education Ministry for the establishment of an Educational Television Broadcasting Service, secondary schools information technology laboratories, and the purchase of tools and equipment for the expansion of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme.

• The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for the completion of a swimming pool and other related infrastructure.

• The Housing Ministry for the improvement of hinterland, coastal and Linden water supply.

The Guyana Defence Force for the construction of a National Veterans Rest Home

• And the Supreme Court for additional works to be done at the Family Court.