The approval gives the Government the `green light' for disbursement of funds allocated to the respective ministries and agencies for projects and planned works.

Both the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 2003 and the Appropriation Bill were approved on Wednesday, at a session of Parliament held at the temporary venue, the Convention Centre of the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara because of continuing repairs at Parliament Buildings.

The main Opposition People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), as it had done for the presentation of the budget and during the debate sessions last year, continued its boycott of the National Assembly.

For Wednesday's sitting, only the Guyana Action Party/Working People's Alliance (GAP/WPA) Member of Parliament, Ms. Shirley Melville was present for the Opposition benches.

She queried under capital expenditure in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), the land development slated for Culvert City, one of the housing schemes being developed.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Harripersaud Nokta, who responded, explained that developmental projects planned for the area for this year, include the installation of potable water and electricity supply and the extension of road programmes.

Melville queried too the request for funds for fuel by the region in its budget, for this year, pointing out there is no vehicle to use the fuel.