Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:46 AM
Apr 04, 2014 News
…unless demands for adjustments to critical infrastructure projects are met
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will not support the National Budget 2014 in its entirety unless critical issues regarding several infrastructure projects such as the construction of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant are addressed.
This was emphasised by APNU Parliamentarian Joseph Harmon during his budget debate presentation in the National Assembly yesterday.
Harmon, who is the shadow Minister for Public Works, made several recommendations which, if considered and implemented, would facilitate the successful passage of allocations for infrastructure projects which were highlighted in the budget.
According to Harmon, for APNU to support the allocation for the construction of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant, a Hydropower Authority must be established. This authority would be tasked with reviewing and deciding on all matters regarding the facility.
The Environmental Impact Assessment done by the Inter-American Development Bank should also be submitted to the National Assembly, he added.
“In the absence of the above and a clear identification of the investment partner, we shall be obliged to withhold our support for the allocation to the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant,” he said.
Harmon believes that funding for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant should be redirected to the construction of ramps for speedboats, since the current structures are deplorable.
Another project that APNU wants more details on, before considering supporting the allocation, is the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion. Harmon emphasized that the full details, including amendments to this project, must be made available to the National Assembly.
“As a pre-condition, the issue of the residents of the Timehri North must be settled,” he said.
Harmon then noted that APNU fully endorses the construction of the new Demerara River Bridge since the current structure has aged. However, the Opposition coalition wants a Harbour Bridge Authority to be established to manage the affairs of the entity. Moreover, APNU is demanding the removal of NICIL and Winston Brassington from the project, Harmon said.
According to the parliamentarian, there should be full disclosure of the contract for the Corentyne River Bridge and construction of roads and bridges should be consolidated under the Ministry of Public Works.
He noted that in 2012, Government said it would have invested $11.8B on roads and bridges, but only $9.4B was spent. In 2013, Government was to invest $12.6B to further improve roads and bridges and only $11.3B of that amount was expended.
“In 2014, we are investing $13.7B to improve roads and bridges and once the pattern holds true, the full sum will not be spent…It seems clear that we have an issue here, of either poor planning, or poor execution of infrastructure works…Or is it that there is a systemic problem in the way Government spends in this sector…I refer to the manner in which responsibility for the construction of roads and bridges are divided up in the Government,” he said.
Harmon related that in Guyana the construction of roads and bridges is not limited to the Ministry of Public Works, but is divided among other entities such as the Ministries of Housing and Natural Resources and the Environment. This, he said, contributes to communities being exposed to different qualities of roads and contractors are allowed to get away with bad practices while citizens’ complaints are not heeded.
“Our demand is that this practice must be put to an end…Make one Minister responsible for roads and bridges in Guyana. If Minister Benn can’t do it, straighten him or his Ministry. In an APNU Government this will be a priority,” he said.
In amplifying his point, Harmon referred to Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh’s budget presentation, where he mentioned that $12.7B of this year’s budget will be spent on roads, among which is the construction of the Parika to Ruby backdam road.
“No sooner than the budget is read, we see a notice in the Newspaper dated 30th March, 2014 calling for expressions of interest for the building of a road from Parika to Goshen by GGMC…Are we building one road over the other? Will this be a fly-over road?” Harmon asked.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
Mar 29, 2024
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