Rambachan warns of stagnating construction sector

Rambachan said $2.69 billion was allocated to the Infrastructure Development Fund, but during the mid-year budget review, $1.257 billion had been transferred to the country’s recur- rent account. “So they have already transferred 47.8 percent of the Infrastructure Development Fund into recurrent,” he said, adding that while work warrants issued to date amounted to $589.3 million, or 22.4 per cent of the original allocation, the actual expenditure was $471.7 million, or 17.9 per cent as of April 30.

“So obviously the government will not be able to carry out any major development work,” Rambachan said. “This means that one should not expect any significant improvement in the construction sector, which is the sector that has the ability to kickstart the economy.” Rambachan also took issue with recent statements by Highway Reroute Movement (HRM) leader Dr Wayne Kublalsingh that government would not proceed with any work on the Debe to Mon Desir highway segment unless the HRM was first consulted.

Kublalsingh, at a media conference last Sunday at the OWTU Circular road, San Fernando headquarters, said Works and Transport Minister Rohan Sinanan had “advised the group that whilst the Debe to Mon Desir segment is currently not a priority for the ministry due to financial restraints, no decisions will be made on works in that area without further consultations with the HRM.” Rambachan, said the PNM administration should “make clear whether Dr Kublalsingh is speaking for them or whether he has authorisation to speak for them.

“The government should not discriminate against the people of Debe and Penal, and going to Fyzabad by not completing that part of the highway – substantial money has been invested in the development works and a number of the parts of the infrastructure have been completed. It would be an act of political discrimination if the government were to not continue that part of the highway and if what Kublalsingh is purporting to say on behalf of the government is true,” he said, adding that the bridge at Suchit Trace, Penal, was “virtually completed,” and all the surveying works had been done. “The highway should continue on both ends,” he said.