A sum of $657 million has been allocated to the Bogue Road Rehabilitation Project in the Ministry of Transport and Works, to carry out its activities for the 2009/2010 fiscal year.

As outlined in the Estimates of Expenditure, the allocation will go towards enhancing productivity. This will be done by reducing the economic loss to the country caused by traffic jams, the high fuel consumption due to congestion, and also vehicle operating costs due to poor ride quality.

contract signed

Targets achieved by the project up to March 2009 include: designs for the works completed; civil works contract signed; supervision consultancy procured; and contractor mobilised.

It is expected that, for this fiscal year, land acquisitions will be completed; boundary fences will be constructed; and 30 per cent of civil works will be concluded.

The project, which commenced in March 2008, is being funded by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries Fund for International Development, and is set for completion in July 2010.

AGRICULTURE

Cockpit Country programme gets help

Some $4.617 million has been set aside in the 2009/2010 Budget to assist with the implementation of biodiversity conservation programmes in select Cockpit Country forest reserve sites, that are being affected by expanding agricultural activities.

As set out in the Estimates of Expenditure, the biodiversity conservation programmes in the Cockpit Country Forest Reserve Project, will conduct a number of activities.

Targets include the rehabilitation of degraded lands in the Cockpit Country to replant approximately 10 to 15 hectares of disintegrated lands at Barbeque/Burnt Hill forests of the reserved area; the incorporation of the agro forestry activities on forest reserve lands, which are currently under threat from squatters; and, the propagation of native high nectar producing species of trees.

The project, scheduled for implementation this month with completion set for September 2009, is funded by the United States Agency for International Development.

HEALTH

CDA receives $1.3b

Approximately $1.3 billion has been allocated to the Child Development Agency (CDA) in the 2009-2010 Estimates of Expenditure now before the House of Representatives.

The CDA represents an amalgamation of the functions and operations of the Children Services Division, the Adoption Board, and the Child Support Unit.

It will continue to implement the mandates of legislation, such as the Child Care and Protection Act, and the (Adoption of) Children Act, which relate to the administration of programmes for children who are in need of care and protection.

The mission of the agency is to develop, implement, coordinate and regulate national policies and programmes that promote the welfare of all children, meet Government's obligation to international standards for children, and assist in making children capable of maximising their potential.

The CDA was commissioned as an executive agency on June 1, 2004.

SOCIAL SECURITY

Emergency disaster relief secure in Budget

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has assured members of Parliament that provisions are in the Budget to buy emergency food supplies in the event of a natural disaster.

He was answering questions of the Standing Finance Committee of the House on Tuesday.

Noting that food could only be ordered just ahead of an impending hurricane, Golding said the regular agencies would secure supplies as needed.

The prime minister also defended the decision to continue with plans to relocate the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management.

He noted that the present accommodations were not in good condition and that the property up for sale had 20,000 square feet of storage space.

Golding said that the opportunity to purchase the USAID property might not be available next year.