THE Regional Democratic Council Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) will be spending over $100.7M under its capital programme for 2008 to develop infrastructure and further enhance the way of life of its people.
This is according to Chairman Mr. Senor Bell, at the recently held Council meeting in the Chambers of the RDC at Mahdia.

The sitting saw the use of the spanking new building by the council for the first time since its commissioning by Local Government and Regional Development Minister – Mr. Kellawan Lall in October 2007.

Fourteen and a half million will be expended for the construction of two heavy duty bridges at Anundabaru and Imuku.

The bridges will form and complete a thoroughfare that was started in 2007, linking the communities of Maikwak and Itabac to Kato in the North Pakaraimas.

The access road will also allow easier vehicular movement between the communities.

A 30 ft. by 40ft building will be constructed to accommodate the Sub Regional Office at Kato, North Pakaraimas, at a cost of $5M.

Some $34M will be spent on the following projects:

*the Department of Education office will be relocated in the administrative compound – Mahdia

*a new school building will replace the old one at Micobie

*a primary school will be constructed at Muruwa

*a dormitory will be constructed at Paramakatoi to alleviate the congestion at the Paramakatoi Secondary School

*teachers’ quarters will be constructed at Maikwak in the North Pakaraimas

*and the pupils and teachers of Mahdia Nursery will once again be secure from the elements on the outside with the construction of a new perimeter fence.

In the health sector, $9.5M will be spent on the extension of a Health Hut at Micobie, the rehabilitation of the X-Ray facility at Mahdia District Hospital, and the construction of a store room in the hospital compound.

The Regional Administration will receive a further boost in its efforts to link communities in the North Pakaraimas in more tangible ways, with the acquisition of a new $6.5M tractor under the capital programme. The programme also provides $12M for the construction of roadways between Paramakatoi (PK) and Chenapau, and Tusenen and Monkey Mountain, and the construction of concrete drains at Mahdia.

As for land and water transportation, $7.1M is allocated for the purchase of a 4X4 Off Road open back pick-up and an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV). These vehicles will enhance accessibility to communities by officers, especially in the delivery of education in the sub-regions.

Eleven million will also be spent under three different programmes–Education, Health and Administration.

These will include furniture and equipment to secure and install solar panels and accessories, along with lighting fixtures to schools, health facilities, and administrative complexes, especially in the North Pakaraimas. Desks, benches, chairs, radio sets and solar refrigerators will complete the items under these heads.