Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the Finance Committee, Mr Robert Williams, who made the presentation at City Hall, said the municipality has budgeted to collect $1.3 billion in current and outstanding revenue with interest this year, an increase of $130M over what was garnered te year before.

“It is expected that this will be achieved by using the same approach adopted in 2001. However, the Treasurer’s Department will be strengthened with facilities to aid the process,” he said.

Williams said the delay in presenting the proposals was to allow for an in depth examination of last year’s, with the revenue collection and the Institutional Strengthening Programme to be discussed and agreed upon.

The Deputy Mayor said, having examined the report of the consultants in detail, Council decided to implement programmes in the areas of Human Resource Development, Internal Audit, Information Technology, Communication Structure, City Constabulary and Legal Amendments.

The corporation also intends to expend $60M on drainage in Cane View Canal (North Ruimveldt Sideline Canal) and on East, West and North Ruimveldt front roads, Irving and Church Streets, North Road, South Road, in Kitty and Bourda wards as well as Laing Avenue.

Williams said Council will continue replacing 35 culverts in need and undertake repairs where drainage rehabilitationn has been completed and, despite its limited revenue base, has earmarked $85M to maintain and rehabilitate roadways, a number of which have already been identified.

Several will be done this year under the Urban Development Programme (UDP), among them Hadfield Street; Cactus Street, West Ruimveldt; John Street, Werk-en-Rust; Third Street, Alexander Village; Palm Street, Newburg; Hibiscus Place, West Ruimveldt; Bent Street, Wortmanville; Lombard Street, Charlestown; Cross Street, Alexander Village and Orange Walk, Bourda.

Bridges will be replaced in Sussex and Hunter Streets, Albouystown; West Ruimveldt Front Road, Lamaha Park, in the vicinity of Festival City exit and Cane View Avenue and Shopping Plaza roads.

Wiliams said Council intends to embark on general maintenance of several buildings in a state of disrepair, including the historical City Hall, on which $20M will be spent.

Others slated for repair include the one identified for offices of the Food and Hygiene Section on Orange Walk and phase one of the administrative complex should start.

The Deputy Mayor said $20M has been set aside for the acquisition of street lamps, following a survey to determine how the installations should be done in an organised manner after consultations with the Police and community groups.

Williams said, in an effort to maximise its operations and increase efficiency and service crucial areas, Council will incur a $21M expenditure to acquire equipment and vehicles.

Citizens can expect an increase in refuse collection which is anticipated to take $176M for disposal, too.

But that is only possible if each household ensures the utilisation of a receptacle to speed up the exercise, he explained.

Williams said $30M has been estimated to ensure increased visitations around the city by environmental inspectors; $8.7M for rodent and vector control and approximately $2M for drugs to be utilised in those operations.

The expense of $17M is for reorganization of the Food Hygiene Department to be located in Orange Walk and the former Chest Clinic.

Money from the UDP will be spent on abattoir to relieve those workers who endure tremendous hardships in the execution of their duties.

Overall, thoug, success of Council’s programme will depend upon the climate in the country, Williams declared.