The Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) administration has expended $234.7 M representing 97. 6% of its works programme for the current year.

Regional Chairman Zulfikar Mustapha in his year-end review told media operatives that he was satisfied with the execution of the capital and current projects in 2007.

The evaluation took place at the Regional boardroom on Thursday afternoon last during which the Chairman said $243 M was budgeted for the current year and of that amount $80 M was expended for drainage and irrigation.

Mustapha stated that because of the improved drainage there was no reported incident of flooding in the region. In addition, he said, officers are constantly in the fields monitoring the increased level of rainfall, but remarkably there was no report of excessive flooding despite a report of 4 1/2 inches last week. The Chairman told the gathering that he was concerned over such areas as East Canefield, Whim, Lancaster and Black Bush Polder which are prone for overflow. Meanwhile works executed included rehabilitation of sluices at Kilmanack , Paykoo, Borlam, and Nigg excavation of drainage canals at Whim/ Auchlyne, Lightown to Kitty , along with the empoldering of Maratraite , on the East Bank of Berbice, among other projects.

The Regional Head reported that a sum of $45,638,438 was spent on the ongoing community road projects along the Region, and among those completed were Kilcoy /Fyrish , Babu John , Middle Street at John’s Port Mourant , Number 63 Old Road, Cross Street at Number 64 Village , Kala Street at Ankerville, Mibicuri and Johanna, in the Black Bush Polder. He said the East Bank project which commenced months ago has been stalled because of the increment weather.

The Education sector received a total of $40.970 M to enhance its buildings, furniture and equipment. According to Mustapha works were completed on the extension of the Skeldon Primary School with similar works being conducted at Port Mourant Community High School and a dormitory at Orealla, on the Corentyne River.

In addition, he said, the health division in the region received an injection of $27,265M from which the rehabilitative and Audiology Centre and Canteen at the New Amsterdam Hospital, in addition to the construction of burn boxes (used to discard needles) at Skeldon Hospital were completed. In addition the department was fitted with additional furniture and equipment.

Mustapha who was appointed regional head a year ago, added that all bridges under the capital profile were completed, which included nine footpath ones on the Corentyne, a community bridge each at Topo/Guava Bush , Fyrish and Moleson Creek.

In concluding the Chairman said the year was a satisfactory one, and is open to work with any organisation that is interested in development.