Gov’t actions in 2010 will aim to consolidate, build on gains already achieved – Head of State

Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009

In his New Year’s address to the nation, President Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that Government actions in 2010 will aim to combine and build on the gains that have already been achieved, and spelt out plans for infrastructural development, education, health, housing and assistance for vulnerable groups.

Infrastructure

The President stated that Government will continue to invest heavily in developing the physical infrastructure of the country, with a significant coastal and hinterland roads programme already in the pipeline.

Further, the electricity sector, which has been a source of dissatisfaction for many persons, the President said, is in for a major upgrade in the transmission and distribution network.

He was referring to the US$38M agreement with the Import-Export Bank of China to modernize Guyana’s electricity transmission system over the next two to three years.

The project will see the stringing of 110km of transmission mains from Skeldon in Berbice to Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara and the construction of seven power sub-stations that will route the power, and is in preparation for when the Amaila Falls hydropower project is activated, ensuring electricity is routed through Demerara and Berbice.

The project will also see a state-of-the-art controlled system to manage and dispatch power efficiently, installed at the Sophia power station.

Another significant infrastructural project that will commence in 2010, the President indicated, will be the construction of the alternative northern discharge for the East Demerara Water Conservancy at Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Further, “concrete steps to increase the availability and reliability and reduce the cost of bandwidth within the telecommunications sector” will be taken.

The President then moved on to focus on the social sector, stating “Emphasis will continue to be placed on improving quality of service, value for money and greater accountability to the public.”

Education

He indicated that in addition to already established priorities in the education sector, such as improving literacy rates, special emphasis in 2010 will be on “science and technology and the expansion of technical and vocational education”.

The President also indicated that a major programme to computerize all secondary schools is in the works, and cognizant that good nutrition plays an important role in improving concentration of students at school, Government will be spending $800M on a countrywide school-feeding programme.

Health

In the health sector, the major emphasis will be on improving the quality of service, President Jagdeo stated.

“Audits, including clinical audits, will be introduced for all public health institutions. Also, all public hospitals will be required to enter into a service contract with the Ministry of Health whereby these institutions will be held accountable for the provision of quantifiable and verifiable standards of health care deliverables. Further, the quality of service provided by all medical service providers, both private and public, will be reviewed to ensure conformity with the Health Facilities Licencing Act,” he stated.

Housing

In housing, an additional 6,000 house-lots will be allocated and attention will be paid to updating and more effectively enforcing the building codes.

Assistance to vulnerable groups

“In 2010, my Government will build on the work that we’ve already done to protect and serve those who are most vulnerable in our society,” the Head of State said.

To this end, Government plans to bring into law the remaining elements of a comprehensive legislative framework to protect children, including in such areas as child care and development services, custody, contact, guardianship and maintenance and sexual offences, to complement the already enacted legislation on child care and the status, adoption and protection of children.

Further, the national foster care programme will be rolled out and the child care protection agency will be strengthened.

“These initiatives, taken together with our policy on domestic violence and our training programmes for single parents and vulnerable youths, which will benefit some 4,000 persons this year, will help to ensure that more Guyanese are empowered to live a more fulfilling life,” President Jagdeo highlighted.

In conclusion, the Head of State noted, “This agenda will continue to create condition propitious to personal advancement of you, the citizens of Guyana. As you therefore set your goals for this year, you can rest assured that your Government will continue to work for greater social, political and economic progress and especially for the provision of productive infrastructure and the ongoing improvement in the delivery of quality social services.”

Reference Source - GINA

Weathering the storm, forging ahead with positive outcomes

- Guyana’s economy continues to record positive growth

A GINA Feature by Rekha Budhna, December 28, 2009

Despite challenges posed by the global financial and economic crisis, Guyana’s economy has for the past year, weathered the storm and has been able to record growth in several areas. Due to prudent management and policies implemented by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Guyanese have been worry free with regards to job security and lasting effects of the crisis on sectors within the economy. Government spending in the sectors increased by leaps and bounds resulting in continued development across the 10 Administrative Regions.

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in a recent comment noted that the Guyanese economy displayed striking resilience this year, despite depressed external demand and lower prices for certain key exports.

“Sustained efforts to diversify our productive and export bases, and prudent management of our external and fiscal balances over the years, combined to enable the economy to withstand the pressure of recent external developments. Larger amounts of resources have also been allocated to investing in critical infrastructure as well as to advancing work on restructuring the economy for greater diversification, in order to lay the foundation for sustained growth,” Minister Singh said.

Commenting on this year’s record $128.9B National Budget, the Finance Minister said, “The presentation of Budget 2009 on February 9th to the National Assembly under the theme Working Together – Reinforcing Resilience was reflective of our Government being ever cognisant of the threats posed by the existing global environment and the need for strong and collective efforts at the national and individual levels to ensure that we are able to weather the global economic storm,” the Minister said.

Budget 2009 projected real growth of the non-sugar gross domestic product at 1.8 percent while overall growth was projected at 4.7 percent influenced strongly by the expected recovery of sugar.


Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh presenting the record $128.9B National Budget in the National Assembly.

Catapulting Investments

The 2009 National Budget represented an 8.1 percent increase over the previous year’s $119.3B budget and provided for the wellbeing of children and vulnerable groups with specific focus on continued efforts to safeguard Guyana’s children and vulnerable groups.

With increasing investment on public infrastructure and improvements in the overall financial climate in the country, investor confidence has been increasingly and glaringly visible with massive investments across the country.

The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) recorded a significant increase in expansive investments which have improved life in outlying areas. Of significance, was that investments were not centered on the capital city, instead several new areas were tapped into providing new avenues of operations in various sectors.

Head of Go-Invest Geoffrey Da Silva stated that investments surpassed expectations for 2009 and noted that many persons are returning to Guyana to invest due to the favourable investment climate.

“It has been a year way beyond our expectations, we knew that there was going to be an increase because the Guyana economy is standing up much better to the international challenges than many others,” he said.

Some areas have seen more investment than others, while some are relatively new to Guyana and it is expected that other areas will be further developed. Investments have been recorded in the areas of agriculture, alternative energy, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), services sector, and tourism among others.

The banking sector, several new developments took place including the commencement of construction on the new head office of the New Building Society Limited (NBS).

The new building located at the corner of North Road and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown is being constructed at a cost of $700M.


The $700M New Building Society’s new office under construction at the corner of North Road and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown.

Strengthening Policy framework

Continued expansion in economic activities resulting from new and emerging sectors have added to the development and the stimulation of economic growth, and in light of the increasing number of money transfer agencies, the need to ensure regulatory mechanisms has resulted in the enactment of the relevant legislation.

The National Assembly approved the Anti-money laundering, countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill 18/2007 which was returned to the House following over one year of deliberations in a Special Select Committee of the National Assembly.

The Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Act, which provides for the licensing of persons carrying on the business of money transfer agencies, makes provision for the registering of money transfer agents and for connected purposes, came into operation on October 1. It also allows the Bank of Guyana to have improved information flows based on a more systematic collection of data to be better able to access the scope and extent of money transfer agencies and their economic impact on the economy. This is as a result of the signing of the commencement order by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on August 21.


The Bank of Guyana which, under the Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Act, will have improved information flows based on a more systematic collection of data to better assess the economic impact of such agencies.

Greater transparency, accountability and good governance relating to the operations of money transfer agencies and money transfers agents’ operations are to be expected as the legislation lays out an effective administrative, operational and legal framework for the conduct of these businesses.

Additionally, the Money Transfer Agencies Licensing Act forms part of Government’s effort to strengthen supervision of money transfer agencies and streamline the efficiency of Guyana’s financial system and will substantially improve the supervision of money transfer agencies and reduce the risks involved in transactions ensuring greater safety for the users of such services.

The Act makes it mandatory that money transfer agencies publish their transaction fees as it seeks to eliminate hidden transaction costs as government moves to further improve transparency and reduce cost as the agencies compete for customers.

Meanwhile, the Credit Reporting Bill 2009 was also presented in the National Assembly and was sent to a Special Select Committee for further consultation.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, stated that the Bill is yet another installment in Government’s systematic and comprehensive efforts to strengthen and modernize the financial system.

“We have recognised as a Government that a strong, stable, sound, financial system, one that is responsibly managed and well regulated is critical if we are as a country to realise sustained economic development. Such a system is indeed a prerequisite to the mobilizing of savings and private investments by the private sector and we have sought over the years to ensure the establishment of a legal and institutional framework that would facilitate the growth and development of such a strong and stable financial system,” Minister Singh said.
The Bill establishes the framework for licensing of a credit bureau, clearly sets out the procedures for application, evaluation, issuance, and revocation of licenses, supervision of bureau, power to issue instructions, annual audit and compliance review.

“The result of all of these legislative interventions is that a very robust framework now exists within which and under which our financial system operates and with the benefit of this framework, we have witnessed, what would by any standard be described as striking growth, but growth without compromising stability and integrity,” the Finance Minister stated.

International Assistance/Bilateral Co-operation

Bilateral engagements in 2009 have resulted in significant financial assistance in various sectors. Government in its thrust to improve and provide affordable housing to all signed a US$27.9M agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the Second Low Income Settlement Programme. This is part of an ongoing collaboration between Government and the IDB to address low-income housing issues that started in 2000 with the first low income settlement programme.

A €55M ($14.575B) of grant financing was secured by Government under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) country support strategy agreement that covers the period 2008 to 2013. It focuses mainly on general budget support and the maintenance and rehabilitation of critical sea defence structures. The sum of €30.2M was allocated to macro-economic support and €14.8M for sea defences/coastal management.

Two technical co-operation agreements were also signed between Government and the IDB totalling US$1,450,000 which provides support for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Guyana’s efforts to improve disaster risk and flood management.

One of the agreements which will provide support to the LCDS caters for the strengthening of national institutional capacities for effectively dealing with climate change; and supporting a nation-wide consultation process on the LCDS.

The second Technical Cooperation Agreement supports Guyana’s efforts to improve disaster risk and flood management and is consistent with the agreed upon country strategy with Guyana (2008-2012), given its focus on disaster risk management and climate change to promote competitiveness. Beneficiaries of this project will include vulnerable communities and national and local governmental agencies such as the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Works and Communication, the National Climate Change Committee and regional and neighbourhood democratic councils.

The IDB has also approved a US $7.3M loan for the expansion and integration of the Basic Nutrition Programme aimed at achieving a viable, effective and comprehensive five-year maternal and child health programme with specific focus on nutrition to be delivered as part of the family health programme.

Another component of the IDB’s assistance was the approval of a US $550,000 loan for financial and institutional strengthening of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

On December 23, the Finance Minister and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Jungao signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement which will see Guyana benefitting from a RMB 40M grant (approximately US$5.9M or $1.2B).

The projects which will benefit from the grant have not yet been earmarked and negotiations will begin immediately, the Finance Minister said, to do so. Government will highlight the areas where it would like to see the funds flow and will discuss these with the Chinese and arrive on an agreement.


Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Jungao, shake hands after the signing of the economic and technical cooperation agreement that will see Guyana benefitting from a $1.2B grant.

International recognition

Government’s prudent management of the local economy was again recognized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The institution, in its Article IV consultation with Guyana, commended the Government for implementing several policy initiatives that saw the economy maintaining macroeconomic stability, achieving real growth rates and containing inflation, in spite of the global turmoil.

In May, the World Economic Outlook, which presents the IMF’s analysis and projections of economic development projected Guyana’s economy would grow by 2.604 percent in 2009 and by 3.448 percent in 2010.

The Article IV report stated that despite external shocks and social pressures, macroeconomic stability was preserved in 2008, which the Fund attributed to the administration for actively implementing prudent fiscal and monetary policies.

Meanwhile, the Executive Directors of the World Bank commended Guyana for its macroeconomic performance over the past decade and recognised the progress made in improving fiscal discipline. The Bank’s Board of Directors also approved the new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Guyana for the period 2009 to 2012 to support its country’s development agenda in the areas of improving education and social safety nets and strengthening its ability to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and climate change.

The World Bank at its third meeting of the Participants’ Committee (PC) of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) in Montreaux, Switzerland in June approved Guyana’s readiness plan (R-Plan).

The R-Plan (or “REDD readiness”) entails developing a reference scenario of the country’s historical and projected deforestation patterns; a strategy to reduce deforestation and conserve standing natural forest (in Guyana’s case, the Low-Carbon Development Strategy – LCDS); and developing a system for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of emission reductions, all of which will need to be in compliance with evolving international standards to make the country eligible for REDD payments.

Guyana’s efforts to augment the process of setting up businesses and trading across borders were cited as positive reforms, enhancing business activities in the country. In its Doing Business 2010 report, the World Bank noted the reforms undertaken in Guyana which were aimed at reducing the administrative burden for firms.

According to the report, a high ranking on the ease of doing business index signals that the regulatory environment is conducive to business operations. The index averages the country’s percentile rankings on 10 topics which are made up of a variety of factors and covers the period June 2008 through May 2009. Economies are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1 – 183, with first place being the best.

In the report Guyana is ranked at 101 this year scoring higher than neighbouring Brazil and Venezuela which scored a rank of 129 and 177 respectively.

Conclusion

Guyana’s economy continues to withstand exogenous shocks recording positive growth due to the unstinting efforts of Government to create and maintain a stable macro economic environment to foster development of all sectors and facilitate a wider spread of projects across the country.

Despite the external conditions and local challenges such as those known to be confronting the sugar industry, the domestic economy is projected to continue to grow. The non-sugar economy recorded positive growth, with expansion in output reflected across a broad base of sectors. This result undoubtedly demonstrated early returns to Government’s efforts at diversification, with the strongest rates of growth achieved in non-traditional agriculture sub-sectors.

“That notwithstanding, difficulties were encountered in some traditional sectors. In particular, the bauxite industry responded to depressed global market conditions and low prices with reduced production while the sugar industry continued the search for solutions to overcome its domestic challenges, foremost amongst these being the productive output of the sector and the financial performance of Guysuco. On balance, the economy achieved positive growth at the end of the year and macroeconomic stability was maintained,” Minister Singh said.

Reference Source - GINA

quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:

Dat IS Guyana under the GREAT Leadership of Bharat and the PPP.

quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:
Gov’t actions in 2010 will aim to consolidate, build on gains already achieved – Head of State

Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009

In his New Year’s address to the nation, President Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that Government actions in 2010 will aim to combine and build on the gains that have already been achieved, and spelt out plans for infrastructural development, education, health, housing and assistance for vulnerable groups.

Infrastructure

The President stated that Government will continue to invest heavily in developing the physical infrastructure of the country, with a significant coastal and hinterland roads programme already in the pipeline.

Further, the electricity sector, which has been a source of dissatisfaction for many persons, the President said, is in for a major upgrade in the transmission and distribution network.

He was referring to the US$38M agreement with the Import-Export Bank of China to modernize Guyana’s electricity transmission system over the next two to three years.

The project will see the stringing of 110km of transmission mains from Skeldon in Berbice to Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara and the construction of seven power sub-stations that will route the power, and is in preparation for when the Amaila Falls hydropower project is activated, ensuring electricity is routed through Demerara and Berbice.

The project will also see a state-of-the-art controlled system to manage and dispatch power efficiently, installed at the Sophia power station.

Another significant infrastructural project that will commence in 2010, the President indicated, will be the construction of the alternative northern discharge for the East Demerara Water Conservancy at Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Further, “concrete steps to increase the availability and reliability and reduce the cost of bandwidth within the telecommunications sector” will be taken.

The President then moved on to focus on the social sector, stating “Emphasis will continue to be placed on improving quality of service, value for money and greater accountability to the public.”

Education

He indicated that in addition to already established priorities in the education sector, such as improving literacy rates, special emphasis in 2010 will be on “science and technology and the expansion of technical and vocational education”.

The President also indicated that a major programme to computerize all secondary schools is in the works, and cognizant that good nutrition plays an important role in improving concentration of students at school, Government will be spending $800M on a countrywide school-feeding programme.

Health

In the health sector, the major emphasis will be on improving the quality of service, President Jagdeo stated.

“Audits, including clinical audits, will be introduced for all public health institutions. Also, all public hospitals will be required to enter into a service contract with the Ministry of Health whereby these institutions will be held accountable for the provision of quantifiable and verifiable standards of health care deliverables. Further, the quality of service provided by all medical service providers, both private and public, will be reviewed to ensure conformity with the Health Facilities Licencing Act,” he stated.

Housing

In housing, an additional 6,000 house-lots will be allocated and attention will be paid to updating and more effectively enforcing the building codes.

Assistance to vulnerable groups

“In 2010, my Government will build on the work that we’ve already done to protect and serve those who are most vulnerable in our society,” the Head of State said.

To this end, Government plans to bring into law the remaining elements of a comprehensive legislative framework to protect children, including in such areas as child care and development services, custody, contact, guardianship and maintenance and sexual offences, to complement the already enacted legislation on child care and the status, adoption and protection of children.

Further, the national foster care programme will be rolled out and the child care protection agency will be strengthened.

“These initiatives, taken together with our policy on domestic violence and our training programmes for single parents and vulnerable youths, which will benefit some 4,000 persons this year, will help to ensure that more Guyanese are empowered to live a more fulfilling life,” President Jagdeo highlighted.

In conclusion, the Head of State noted, “This agenda will continue to create condition propitious to personal advancement of you, the citizens of Guyana. As you therefore set your goals for this year, you can rest assured that your Government will continue to work for greater social, political and economic progress and especially for the provision of productive infrastructure and the ongoing improvement in the delivery of quality social services.”

Reference Source - GINA

This agreement will see the infrastructural development of the electricity sector including the development of the former Lamaha squatting embankment. The Chinese were here just a few days ago from the Exim Bank to further solidify the arrangement.

Notable progress in levels of Social Services for 2009

GINA - Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Government of Guyana has demonstrated its dedication to improving access to social facilities for all as exhibited through its single-parent programme, assistance to the elderly, provisions for the homeless, as well as its protection of children and other vulnerable groups.

Throughout 2009, the Ministry of Human Services made commendable strides in the area of securing a healthy, productive environment for all, especially the nation’s children.

Foster Care Programme

In February, Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand introduced the Foster Care Programme for children who find themselves without proper parental support.

There are currently 600 children in 23 orphanages of which 65 percent, or more than 400, are eligible for foster care.

The ministry is at a stage where it is waiting for Guyana’s judicial body to sanction several applications in order to legalise the union between child and family.

The Ministry has held interactive sessions with foster parents, has placed over 30 children in foster care and encouraged interested individuals to volunteer to become foster parents.

Shelter for the Homeless

While the needs of children were being met, the ministry in October began construction of a shelter for itinerant individuals to facilitate their reintroduction to society.

The project is being undertaken at a cost of $403M to accommodate 140 persons and is being constructed at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.

The aim is to replicate and improve the programme which was implemented at the Night Shelter at East La Penitence, which offers accommodation, meals and clothing to displaced persons.

The new shelter will provide counselling services, skills training and medical assistance.

Family Court

And to further promote the significance of family welfare, the foundation for the construction of the family court was laid in November.

This project was approved by Cabinet and is being monitored and supervised by the Ministries of Human Services and Public Works.


Family Court under construction

The initiative was prompted by the awareness that family units face internal challenges which result in breakdown.

This recognition has prompted the need to place emphasis on providing an environment where adults and children, seek redress and where family law issues can be discussed in a specialized manner.

The new facility will deal with issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody and is expected to be completed by May 2010.

Adoption Laws

It was in February that the ministry unveiled plans to strengthen its adoption laws which will ensure that the rights of children are protected.

The Adoption of Children Bill 2009 which aims to reform the law on adoption was tabled in the National Assembly.

The legislation aspires to provide the best environment for the child while taking into consideration all aspects of the adoption.

The Child Care Protection Agency and the Adoption Board was selected as the leading agencies in the adoption of children.

Single Parent Assistance


Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand with single parents.

Government’s overall goal is to ensure that Guyanese are not subjected to abject poverty.

It is for this reason that the single parent register was launched to provide assistance in the form of training, micro-credit for income generation, school uniform and daycare expenses.

Daycare

The daycare assistance programme seeks to ensure that children are provided for while their parents are at work. Beneficiaries on the Essequibo Coast were among the first to receive assistance.

Approximately 2,000 parents, who are employed with at least two children and pay daycare fees, are receiving approximately 25 percent of the total cost of daycare monthly.

About 300 single parents are also being trained in cosmetology, garment construction and catering at a cost of $25M.

Small business grants are also available for participants who are intent on becoming self sufficient.


Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand givin a pep talk to nursery students.


Uniform Programme

In keeping with its mandate to ensure equal opportunity to education, the ministry in September embarked on a countrywide uniform distribution programme.

The programme was funded at a cost of $55M in 2009 and benefitted over 36,000 students.
About 10,000 people facing various economic challenges received assistance from the Difficult Circumstances Unit, a critical safety net department of the Ministry.

Old Age Pension


Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand speaking to pensioners during the distribution of pension booklets.

Recipients of old age pension are now thrilled at the fact that they can receive their monthly stipends in a timely manner and are not forced to queue up for long hours, due to a new system set up by the ministry after an assessment of previous years when senior citizens were affected by the tardy distribution of pension booklets.

The government programme, which assists about 42,000 beneficiaries, is run at a monthly cost of $200M.

Child Care Protection Legislation

The Child Care and Protection Agency was established as an implementation body for any legislation regarding the protection and care of children in vulnerable circumstances.
In January, the Child Care and Protection Agency Bill was passed in the National Assembly.

Three of five Children’s Bill namely; the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of Children Bill and the Adoption of the Children Bill have already been passed.



At present the Child Care and Development Bill and the Custody, Access, Maintenance and Contact Bill are before a Special Select Committee. The Sexual Offences Bill is also before a committee pending review.

Sexual Offences Legislation 2009

In July, the Sexual Offences Legislation was tabled in the National Assembly.

This all encompassing Bill is designed to protect citizens from a wide range of sexual violence and to revamp Guyana’s existing archaic laws.

The draft legislation was formed after countrywide “Stamp it out” consultations in October 2007 and was later sent to a Parliamentary Select Committee.

Overall, the government has worked tirelessly in ensuring that the lives of its vulnerable groups, including the aged, disabled and underprivileged, were significantly enhanced.

Reference Source - GINA

National Opthalmology Hospital served over 11, 000 people in 2009

GINA - Saturday, January 2, 2010


The Caribbean’s first National Opthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant, Berbice has seen over 11, 000 patients for various eye ailments in 2009.

The hospital which opened its doors on February 9, 2009 conducted approximately 990 surgeries over the past few months with 168 patients seen for cataract, 975 for pterygium and 14 for laser surgeries.

The focus on eye-care in Guyana is part of the Health Ministry’s primary health care initiative to provide eye-care services.


A patient having his eyes checked by Cuban optometrist

Specialized staff from Cuba are manning the facility until Guyanese medical students currently undergoing training in Cuba return to serve their country.

Prior to the construction of the facility thousands of Guyanese benefited from eye surgeries conducted in Cuba under the Guyana/Cuba ‘Mission Miracle’ programme.

The programme since its inception in 2006 has touched all population points in the country as persons were able to have corrective eye surgeries.


National Opthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant Berbice

The construction of the facility is part of an expanded cooperation in the area of health between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba.

President Bharrat Jagdeo had visited the Spanish speaking island in February 2006 when the cooperation agreement was sealed. The construction of the Diamond East Bank Regional Hospital and the Suddie, Leonora and Mahaicony diagnostic and treatment centers were also part of the agreement.

The hospital is expected to conduct 10,000 eye surgeries per year and will cater for persons from neighbouring countries.

Reference Source - GINA

2009 – Milestone year for completion of major infrastructural projects

…as President’s proper stewardship of Guyanese economy reaps benefits

GINA - Saturday, January 2, 2010

The Takutu River Bridge! The new, state-of-the-art Skeldon sugar mill – the largest single investment in Guyana’s history at US$185M! The National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant, Berbice! These are just three of the many major infrastructural projects that were completed in 2009 as President Bharrat Jagdeo’s proper stewardship of the Guyanese economy continued to bear fruit.

Berbice River Bridge

It’s pertinent to reflect a few days before 2009 commenced, when the US$40M Berbice River Bridge was commissioned.

The Bridge, for the first time, presented a connecting link between Regions Five and Six, and reduced the delay in transporting goods and people from the Ancient County of Berbice to the centre of commerce in Demerara, and bypassing the transportation bottleneck of the Rosignol-New Amsterdam ferry service.

This structure has proven to be a project that has had a significant impact on the country’s overall development.

National Ophthalmology Hospital – a first for the Caribbean

The National Ophthalmology Hospital, a collaborative effort between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba, was commissioned by the President on July 25. The facility, located at Port Mourant, Berbice, has the capacity to conduct 10,000 eye surgeries each year, and is expected to serve not only Guyanese, but nationals from the rest of the Caribbean and Suriname.

The hospital has screened over 11,000 patients since February 9 for various eye ailments including cataract and pterygium, and close to 1,000 surgeries has been completed in 2009. All services provided by the hospital are offered free of cost.


National Ophthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant, Berbice.

The eye care centre is one of several projects under the Guyana/Cuba collaboration programme which was an outcome of President Jagdeo three-day working visit to Cuba in 2006, and also includes the construction of four diagnostic and treatment centres at Diamond, Suddie, Mahaicony and Leonora.

All of these centres have been completed, and are operational and serving the country.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, noted that since the construction of the four diagnostic and treatment centers they have been providing the necessary services just as the President has envisioned, with the Diamond Diagnostic and Treatment Centre seeing approximately 300 patients per day.

At the National Ophthalmology Hospital, specialized staff from Cuba, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators and bio-medical technicians will operate the facility until Guyanese medical students currently undergoing training in Cuba return to relieve them.

Skeldon Sugar Mill

One of the sweetest achievements in the development of physical infrastructure was the completion and construction, and the commissioning, of the state-of-the-art, US$185M Skeldon sugar factory on August 22, a testament to the foresight of the President and his Administration.

Conceived in 1998 as part of GuySuCo’s strategic review, the commissioning of the factory marks the culmination of 10 years of planning and execution.

With the implementation of the 36% cut in price for sugar from the European Union on October 1, the commissioning of the sugar mill came at a time of great uncertainty in the world of sugar, especially for the 18 sugar-producing countries in the ACP (African-Caribbean-Pacific) Union of which Guyana is a member.


President Bharrat Jagdeo and Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud unveil plaque to commission modern Skeldon sugar factory.

The price cut threatened the viability of the sugar industry in several of these countries, including Guyana, and has resulted in some countries deciding to stop producing sugar altogether.

However, recognizing that sugar is Guyana’s most significant foreign exchange earner ($35B) and one of the largest employers in the country (20,000 workers), Government has stepped up, investing heavily in the sugar sector to reduce production costs and increase value-added production. The Skeldon factory is an integral part of this plan.

Delivering the feature address, President Bharrat Jagdeo said that very early his administration recognized that it had to modernize sugar, bauxite and rice to make them globally competitive.

“This is the largest investment in financial terms in the history of this country; there has been an even larger investment, it is the blood, sweat and tears that our people have invested in this industry from slavery to indenturedship.”

The factory incorporates some of the best technologies from the world of sugar manufacturing. These technologies are applied to provide a high efficiency manufacturing process that makes the best recovery of the sucrose and the energy in the raw sugar cane.

This energy is harnessed to power the factory in converting the sucrose to sugar crystals and the surplus energy is used in the national grid.

The new factory features a fully automated continuous process, rather than the traditional intermittent batch process. The use of high steam pressures and temperatures (54 bar and 485 degrees Celsius) allows a high thermal efficiency to be achieved which makes it possible to consistently produce a high quality product and is essential in the cogeneration context.

Also, the use of diffusion technology, in place of traditional milling extraction, improves sucrose recovery and reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.

Other advanced technologies that characterize the factory include an improved, automated punt dumper for offloading cane; a cane shredder to increase extraction; air supported belt conveyors throughout the factory; all-electric drives to reduce energy consumption; and independent power station with automatic load following capability.


State-of-the-art Skeldon sugar factory

The factory with a capacity to produce about 120,000 tonnes of raw sugar, will require about 1.2 million tonnes of cane annually, about three times the requirement of the old sugar mill. The additional canes will be produced from about 4,700 hectares of new estate lands in Manarabisi (for a total of over 9,600 hectares) and about 4,200 hectares of new farmers’ lands being developed at locations near the estate and at Moleson Creek.

Also, the sugar factory has a co-generation facility that has the capacity to supply 10MW of electricity daily from one 5.0MW set and two 2.5MW sets.

Power is dispatched to the grid at 13.8kV for the first phase of export and a 69kV transmission link is being installed to take the full output from Skeldon.

Takutu River Bridge

The Takutu River Bridge, which connects Lethem and the south east of Guyana, to the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, was officially commissioned on September 14 with great fanfare by the Heads of State of the two respective countries, Bharrat Jagdeo and Luis Inacio ‘Lula’ da Silva.

At the commissioning, the President, who noted that the opening of the Bridge marks the fulfillment of a dream long held by the people of Guyana, expressed sincere gratitude to his counterpart, the President of Brazil, whose support was pivotal in ensuring the bridge’s completion.

The Bridge, which was constructed by the Brazilian Army Corp of Engineers, and costs US$5M and was paid for by the Government of Brazil.


Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo and the entourage minutes before the ribbon cutting ceremony on the Takutu Bridge.

Guyana is well-placed to benefit from the Takutu River Bridge because it will allow Brazilian businessmen from Roraima to truck commodities through Guyana to a port on Guyana’s Atlantic coast and then to markets in North America and Europe at a cheaper cost.

Also, the Bridge makes its easier for Guyanese businesses that wish to expand their activities by exporting to Brazil to access their markets and reduce transportation costs.

It is reported to be one of 335 projects identified by the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America, an initiative by South American Governments to construct a new infrastructural network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports, and energy and communications interconnections.

20.7MW Kingston Power Plant

The new 20.7MW Kingston power plant, consisting of three 6.9MW Wartsila turbines, was commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo on December 4.

The plant, which adds 30% to the generating capacity of the Demerara network, will significantly reduce the incidences of power outages and, according to the President, is part of Government’s plan to catapult Guyana to the next level of growth and development, given that power is an important requisite for economic activity.

He indicated that over the past several years, Government has invested US$125M into the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), the local electricity utility, as a result, with an additional US$15M invested in fuel subsidies in 2007 and 2008 when the world price for fuel had risen significantly. This ensured that electricity rates remained relatively stable.

The Head of State further reiterated his Administration’s commitment to continue investing in this key sector, highlighting the US$38M agreement with the Import-Export Bank of China to modernize the electricity transmission system over the next two to three years.

The project will see the stringing of 110km of transmission mains from Skeldon in Berbice to Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara and the construction of seven power sub-stations that will route the power, and is in preparation for when the Amaila Falls hydropower project is activated, ensuring electricity is routed through Demerara and Berbice, as well as a state-of-the-art controlled system to manage and dispatch power efficiently. This management system is to be installed at the Sophia power station.

Several other infrastructure projects were also completed during 2009 including the Lethem and Mabaruma Regional Hospitals, the $2B Linden Hospital Complex, and numerous roads and water facilities. Also, major infrastructure work was completed in several housing schemes.


President Bharrat Jagdeo interacts with staff of the Linden Hospital.


Linden Hospital

However, this is not the end as many larger projects are expected to get underway in 2010, which along with those already completed, will see Guyana being propelled to the next stage of economic and social development.

In his New Year’s message to the nation, the President stated that Government will continue to invest heavily in developing the physical infrastructure of the country, with a significant coastal and hinterland roads programme already in the pipeline. He indicated that the US$38M transmission and distribution project for the electricity will start early in the New Year.

Another significant infrastructural project that will commence in 2010, the President indicated, will be the construction of the alternative northern discharge for the East Demerara Water Conservancy at Hope, East Coast Demerara.

Further, “concrete steps to increase the availability and reliability and reduce the cost of bandwidth within the telecommunications sector”


External view of the new Kingston Power Plant.

The importance of the President and his Administration’s prudent management of the economy over the years cannot be understated in the achievement of these significant infrastructural developments.

Inheriting an external debt of over US$2B in 1992 and reducing that to around US$800M in 2009, while finding the money to invest not only in upgrading the infrastructure of the country but also in improving and expanding social services, is a delicate balancing act that very few can handle. However, the President has shown that his ability in guiding Guyana through the straits of difficulty into the calm waters of a prosperous future is unparalleled.

Reference Source - GINA

2009 - A record breaking year for mining, a landmark for electricity

Georgetown, GINA, January 4, 2010

Mining during the year improved as a reputable sector, bringing employment to many and contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However the rules and regulations governing the sector were solidified in keeping with Guyana’s pathway to development with the forest being at the centre.

The year marked a turning point for the electricity sector with the Guyana Power and Light’s old image fading into the dark, making way for a new one.

Mining

A record breaking 300,000 ounces of gold was declared for 2009 owing to the efforts of small and medium scale gold miners who continued to be the driving force behind this important revenue generator to the economy.

The year 2009 began on a good note for the gold mining sector. Whereas production targets for gold in 2008 reached 260,000 ounces, at the end of the first quarter gold declarations reached over 78,000 ounces, and 130,220 ounces by the first half of 2009.

Additionally, the royalty contributions were estimated at $497M at the end of the first quarter of the year. Such an amount exceeded projections by 12 percent.

The leaps which the gold mining sector witnessed at such an early part of the year can best be attributed to the high gold prices and influx of miners.


A miner demonstrating the art of batelling for gold.

In 2008 an estimated 25 per cent of export earnings came from gold mining alone. Over the past 10 years, the gold and diamond sector contributed more to the GDP than sugar.

Mining, one of the largest contributors to the country’s GDP occurs in six regions of Guyana, classified as mining districts. These are the North West, Berbice, Cuyuni/Mazaruni, Potaro, Rupununi, and Linden.

Only recently however Guyana Goldfields, a Canadian-based mining exploration company disclosed that a new area located at Aurora along the Cuyuni River in Region Seven holds enough potential to become Guyana’s seventh mining district. The company submitted a preliminary environmental assessment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) outlining its plans for the development of the mine.


A gold miner using the hydraulic technique.

The project site is sub-divided into three locations; Mad Kiss, Aleck Hill and Rory’s Knoll. The latter is the considered the core of the project site and is where the bulk of the mineralised contents are, pyrite (a common mineral, found in a wide variety of geological formulation from sedimentary deposits) and gold.

Guyana Goldfields recently undertook a CDN$2M investment project that involves sediment sampling, trenching, and drilling.

Omai Gold Mines Limited mine site closed

The year 2009 marked the final chapter in the life of OMAI Gold Mines Limited mine site. The industry which made a 16-year contribution to the gold mining sector was officially handed over to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in March.

The termination of the mineral agreement and the voluntary relinquishing of the mining licence were sealed following the joint agreement by the Office of the Prime Minister, the GGMC and the EPA in April 2008.

Under the closure accord the company is required to restore the area under a “back to nature” plan however, government requested that this plan be changed to an “after use” approach which would see the retention and further development of internal roads, land, airport, power plant, camp site facilities, and possible invitation of other mining companies to re-evaluate its underground mining possibilities.

From its operations in 2005, the company succeeded in the production of approximately 3.8 million ounces of gold and also spearheaded the first large scale cyanide extraction in 1993.

Improving mining practices

The campaign by the GGMC for miners to be more lawful in their practices has been intensifying as Guyana seeks to maintain its status as a country that respects its natural resources.

More importantly the low carbon course which Guyana has taken requires stricter monitoring and regulation of the sector.

Several stakeholders of the GGMC and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the mining community held meetings to review the sector for alignment with the revolutionary Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).


Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and officials of GGMC and GGDMA at a discussion forum.

Following a meeting with President Bharrat Jagdeo and 20 leading gold and diamond miners a welcoming proposal was made for miners to comply with the following: coordination with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) before any indiscriminate cutting of trees, prospecting before mining and restoration of mined out areas at the medium-scale level.

It was also agreed that a joint committee would be established to review and elaborate on the proposals, comprising representatives of GGMC, GGDMA and four from the mining sector

Electricity

Introducing prepaid meters

The year began with a promise by the government to reduce technical and commercial losses with the replacement of standard meters with the installation of prepaid meters.

By May the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) company embarked on a prepaid meter installation pilot project targeting sections of Kitty, North Ruimveldt, and Bourda Market and Black Bush Polder in Region Six as the initial beneficiaries.

The company had set out to install about 2,000 meters during the pilot phase which followed a number of community engagements on the new technology. GPL had discussed at many levels, including at press conferences, consultations with residents and in Parliament, its intention to commence the pilot project.

The technology also has a wide range of features such as a built in alarm mechanism, an electricity duration indicator and other services that would update the customer on a timely basis.


A prepaid meter.

The new technology is the latest in prepaid service, and allows customers to carefully manage their electricity, particularly in cases where persons find it difficult to pay an entire month’s bill at one time.

The process was running smoothly until August, when some residents of Festival City took protest action to express their concerns about the integrity of the installation process.

The method of implementation was reviewed and the decision taken to install the new meters on the residences of all directors, executive managers and employees of the GPL board.

By September, GPL reported that some customers had been responding favourably to the installation process which was being offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Customer Information System (CIS)

In August the power company began putting systems in place to improve the quality of service to customers and responsiveness to their request with the introduction of a state of the art Customer Information System (CIS) to replace the twenty-year-old billing system.

The new technology which costs US$2.8M is scheduled to come into effect in April 2010 and will ensure data accuracy and integrity and integration of cash receipting.

The project was funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP) as part of the company’s loss reduction investment programme.

In addition, the new system will allow the commercial staff at all eight locations countrywide to have up-to-date information on all GPL’s customers and allow new payments to be immediately credited to customers’ accounts.

New Power Plant

December 4 was a landmark day for the electricity sector and the Demerara County with the commissioning of the 20.7 megawatt Wartsila power plant at Kingston.

The US$27.5M plant, which adds 30% to the generating capacity of the Demerara network, will significantly reduce the incidences of power outages and, according to President Bharrat Jagdeo is part of Government’s plan to catapult Guyana to the next level of growth and development, given that power is an important requisite for economic activity.

The new facility was built with three 6.9MW Wartsila turbine generators, a control room, radiators and a fuel treatment house.

Fuelled with Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) the new plant increased its generation capacity and at the same is time significantly reducing operational costs.


The new Kingston Power plant.

Over the past several years, Government invested US$125M into the power company, as a result, with an additional US$15M invested in fuel subsidies in 2007 and 2008 when the world price for fuel had risen significantly. This ensured that electricity rates remained relatively stable.

The interconnection drive also catered for the power link from Skeldon to the Number 53 substation to the Onverwagt station on the West Coast Berbice.

Moreover, the Kingston plant was interconnected to the Sophia substation via transmission lines that were strung along the Lamaha railway embankment. The initiative was part of a major project to integrate all operating systems.

This process however came at the cost of prolonged period of power outages.

Government was given a US$39.6M boost from the Chinese Exim Bank that will be invested by GPL in the interconnection drive.


President Bharrat Jagdeo, CEO, GPL Bharrat Dindyal and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds tour the new Kingston Power plant.

The grant was made a reality, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Government and the Governor of the China Exim-Bank in September 2008 during President Jagdeo’s visit to China.


The three Wartsila generators inside the new Kingston Power plant.

Upon approval of this proposed project, GPL will develop and expand its transmission and distribution system with the construction of 110 km of single circuit 69 kilovolt sub-stations, the expansion and upgrading of two existing 69/13.8 kilovolt substations and installation of a fiber optic network and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for tele-marketing and protection.

Rural Electrification

Under the rural electrification programme a pilot project which was done in Wowetta, Region Nine equipped the community with solar power lighting, a community shop, a water pump and a joinery shop.


Wowetta residents with their solar panels.

Lighting was provided for 49 homes, each of which consisted of a solar panels, deep cycle battery, charge controller and a solar powered freezer. The community shop was given freezer, a solar panel with a water pump, and a cassava chopper/grinder

The 49 households were required to repay the cost of the component within 48 months.

Oil exploration continues

CGX Energy Incorporated, the Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company that is in search of petroleum offshore Guyana made a commitment to commence drilling for oil as early as 2010.

The company was given the green light to commence operations uninterrupted, after the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) granted the Maritime Arbitration Award to Guyana in 2007 following the long unsettled border issue with neighbouring Suriname in 2000.

Since then the CGX Energy Incorporated has done a significant degree of work and has gone ahead in its plans to commence drilling.


A CGX Energy Inc oil rig.

In January the company completed shooting of the 1,839 square kilometre, 3D seismic survey on CGX’s 25% Georgetown Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL).

A study in June 2000 concluded that Guyana is the second most attractive under-explored basin in the world with a potential of 15.2 billion barrels of oil. Were an oil discovery to be made in the Guyana Basin, production targets would be estimated at 50 million barrels per year which would be equivalent to 140,000 barrels per day.

Reference Source - GINA

2009- A year of key legislations

GINA - Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The duly elected members of the PPP/C Government, committed to their responsibilities of ensuring that the legislative framework of governance remained relevant or were amended where necessary to suit the demands of the rapidly developing country last year.

The sittings of the Ninth Parliament saw several new and comprehensive pieces of legislation being introduced, with the aim of improving the lives of Guyanese. One of the most revolutionary; the motion on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), was debated and adopted in the National Assembly.

Prioritising Human Rights

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s legislative agenda saw groundbreaking Bills being tabled in the House to ensure protection and well-being of the vulnerable population particularly children, who are deemed as the most vulnerable.

In early January, the Child Care and Protection Agency Bill was passed and subsequent to its passage, the Child Care and Protection Agency was established. The Bill empowers the Agency to implement the policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children: the monitoring of childcare facilities; to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and to protect vulnerable children.

The agency was officially launched in July, testimony to a commitment made in the PPP/C’s 2006 manifesto.

Additionally, three of five Children’s Bill; the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of the Children Bill and the Adoption of the Children Bill were passed. The Child Care and Development Bill and the Custody, Access, Maintenance and Contact Bill were sent to a Special Select Committee for review.

Child Protection Legislation focuses on cases in which protective intervention will be applied when addressing children who were or are at risk of being exploited.

Enhancing the Legal Sector

The Legal Sector, which has the responsibility of drafting legislation to be taken to the National Assembly for debate, has also seen several Bills being passed in an effort to improve the efficiency of the sector as well as other aspects of the legal fraternity.

These include the Summary Jurisdiction (Lay Magistrates) Bill, which provide for the constitution of Lay Magistrates’ Courts; the appointments of such magistrates and for the regulation of their jurisdiction, practice and procedure. It forms the basis for Government to move forward in reforming the justice sector to allow for a less formal system of justice administration at the lowest level of litigation.

The Administration of Justice Bill (No.1) seeks to reverse the limitation that was placed on the Magistrates’ Courts in the past in relation to civil matters and increases the limit for litigation from $50,000, to $100,000.


A sitting of the Ninth Parliament.

The Administration of Justice Bill (No.2), sought to deter the uncontrollable and wanton waste of public property by offering amendment of two pieces of legislation already in existence.

These are Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) Act and the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, so that any damage incurred to roads, bridges, walkway, rails, traffic lights installation, or drainage structures by a motor vehicle, the road authority can recover the estimated or actual cost from the owner or driver of the vehicle.

Recently, the Legal Practitioners (Amendment) Bill 2009, which seeks to enhance the regulations of the legal profession and to strengthen the powers of the Legal Practitioners Committee in relation to the discipline of attorneys-at-law, was sent to a Special Select Committee after extensive debate in Parliament.

Strengthening National Financial Framework

In 2009, the Financial Sector’s legislative agenda focused primarily on the promotion of greater transparency, accountability and good governance and to ensure that the State’s resources are expended to fully benefit Guyanese. The Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Bill is one such legislation that is in keeping with government’s commitment of maintaining a sound macro-economic environment and to protect the interest of people.

Attempts at governmental transparency and accountability were further exemplified with the passage of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill, which is a response to the changes and innovations of the modern financial sector while addressing the various United Nations and other conventions that Guyana is signatory to.

Employees’ rights were protected with the passage of the National Insurance and Social Security (Amendment) Bill, which sought to ensure that employers pay full contribution to the Scheme. The Bill also imposes fines on delinquent employers, who may attempt to evade the same.

Preserving National Security

The administration’s efforts to security sector reform in 2009 were complemented with the establishment of a strong legislative framework that seeks to further consolidate the ongoing modernization process.

Noteworthy was the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, a comprehensive piece of legislation, which gives effect to the scheme relating to mutual assistance in criminal matters with Commonwealth Member States and seeks to provide for assistance in criminal matters between Guyana and countries that have a treaty Guyana concerning such assistance.

Three Bills were passed to improve the capacity of the Guyana Fire Service (GFS). These are: The Fire Service (Amendment) Bill, Fires and Casualties Inquiry (Amendment) Bill and the Fire Prevention (Amendment) Bill.

Additionally, the Private Security Services (Regulation) Bill was passed to regulate the operations of Security Services.

This Bill comes in light of the growing demand for streamlining and regulating the business of private security agencies for a better organized and disciplined quality of these services.

Following the massacres at Lusignan and Bartica in 2008, the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill which gives effect to an agreement reached at the multi-stakeholder consultation hosted by President Bharrat Jagdeo, was passed in the National Assembly.

The Bill sought to amend the constitution to provide for the establishment of a Parliamentary Oversight Committee on the Security Sector having responsibility for the policies and administration of the disciplined forces of Guyana.

The passage of these Bills, places Law Enforcement Agencies in a much better position to combat crime and violence more effectively in Guyana.

Local Governance

In anticipation of the long awaited local government elections, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development put forth five essential pieces of legislation.

These include the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, the Local Government Commissions Bill, and Local Authorities (Elections) (Amendment) Bill, the Fiscal Transfers Bill, and the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill, which were identified to be amended by the reconstituted Local Government Task Force before the holding of the elections. Three of these five Bill have been passed thus far.

In recognizing the inevitability of a deferral of the elections, an amendment to the Local Authorities Bill was passed to extend the date by which Local Government elections may be held, with a deadline of December 01, 2010.

Protecting Workers’ Rights

The Labour Ministry in 2009 heightened its role to ensure that Guyana’s labour force is provided with safe and conducive working environments, as well as the necessary benefits in order to maintain stability in the employment sector.

To complement this objective, the Occupational Safety and Health (amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly. The Bill enabled the technically competent individual in the Ministry the power to prosecute defaulters in an effort to ensure the rights of workers are always protected.

It also empowers the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, the Chief Occupational Safety and Health Officer to prosecute defaulters of the Act.

The Holidays with Pay (Amendment) Bill was debated and passed. This Bill has an adjustment to cater for cases where employers violate the rights of employees. It instructs Magistrates to not only fine offending employers for a breach but also pay employees for holidays that they were denied.

Additionally, the Sector saw the passage of the Public Utility Undertakings and Public Health Services Arbitration (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to protect citizens by ensuring that workers involved in essential services are not allowed to strike, the Shops (consolidation) (amendment) Bill, which allow Businesses to operate for longer hours and the Trade Union Recognition (Amendment) Bill.

Agriculture sector -growth and development
Government’s efforts at sustainable forestry management were exemplified very early in 2009 with the passage of the forest Bill, which came in the wake of the United Nations conference on development which had its final summit in Brazil.

The Bill, which seeks to provide for sustainable management while at the same time ensuring preservation of Guyana’s forests, was passed after 10 years of consultation with various stakeholders.

The Rice Factories (Amendment) Bill was also passed to ensure that the manufacturers (millers) do not owe any individual farmer a debt amounting to over five percent of the value of paddy supplied unless approved by the Board.

Further, it amends the Principal Act by providing a specific time within which the manufacturer has to pay the farmer for the paddy sold. Millers are now given a period of two weeks within which to pay 50 percent of total sale to individual farmers as opposed to just 50 percent of total paddy sale. They are also given an additional 42 days to pay the remaining 50 percent. If there is failure to comply with this given time frame, millers will risk having their licence revoked.

Several other Bills, Motions and Supplementary Provisions were taken to the National Assembly; some were passed while those that require further critical analysis were referred to Special Select committees. These include:

1.The Allied Health Professional Bill
2.The Leader of the Opposition (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill
3.Former President (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill
4.Office of the Spouse of the President Bill
5.President Hoyte’s Pension Bill
6.Election Laws (Amendment) Bill
7.Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Bill
8.Time Limit for Judicial Decisions Bill
9.The Sexual Offences Bill
10.Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill
11.Maritime Zones Bill
12.Credit Reporting Bill

Refernce Source - GINA

When and where did all this happen? .........certainly not in TK's nor BLACKBEARD's nor Ireton's Guyana.

quote:

Originally posted by SJ4321:
When and where did all this happen? .........certainly not in TK's nor BLACKBEARD's nor Ireton's Guyana.

They were busy prophesising doom and failed to see the reality.

MURDERED GRANNY, 80, FOUND NUDE, TIED TO BED

August 29, 2009 | By knews | Filed Under News



The nude, bound and gagged body of an 80-year-old woman was found shortly after 19:00 hrs last night in the Lot 66 Independence Street, La Grange, West Bank Demerara home in which she had lived alone.

Relatives said that Kharpattie Shivnauth was found with her hands and left foot tied to her bed with pieces of cloth. A piece of cloth was tied around her mouth.
According to her son, Gopaul Nauth, detectives who visited the scene suspect that she was also sexually assaulted.

Pointing to robbery as a motive, relatives said that a pair of gold earrings, a gold ring and two gold bands that the victim always wore were missing.

Shivnauth’s two-bedroom house was ransacked, and her son believes that the killers also made off with cash that his mother had in her home.

Relatives believe that the killers gained entry by climbing through an open window at the eastern end of the building, which had no panes.

Kaieteur News understands that Mrs. Shivnauth was last seen alive on Thursday night, when she had attended a mandir in the community. A hire car driver had then dropped her home.

A female relative, who lived a short distance away, reportedly suspected that something was amiss late yesterday evening after realizing that she had not seen the elderly woman for the day. She then contacted Shivnauth’s son and others, who went to the house and made the horrific discovery.

Gopaul Nauth, the son, said that despite her age, his mother was healthy and did all of her own chores.

“My mother was strong…is not only one person strangle her.”

Mrs. Shivnauth’s body was taken to the West Demerara Hospital Mortuary at around 22:30 hrs.

Millions stolen from police HQ

By Stabroek staff | January 6, 2010 in Local News

-three cops arrested

Three police ranks are now in custody after $3.4 million was discovered missing from a locked canister in the Finance Office at the Police Headquarters at Eve Leary yesterday morning.

The canister was secured in a locked cashier cage. Police said the three ranks arrested were responsible for the monies and keys.

Police in a release issued last evening said that “investigations are being conducted into the larceny of $3.4 million from the Police Finance Office, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, which was discovered at about 0900h today (yesterday)”. According to the release, “there were no signs of any breakage to the Office”. They said three ranks have been arrested and they were in custody assisting with the investigations.

Police spokesman Ivelaw Whittaker told Stabroek News last evening that the missing money had been enveloped and placed in a locked canister in the Finance Office. The money, he said, was discovered missing when a check was made yesterday morning. Subsequently, three ranks were taken into custody to assist with investigations.

Asked if any charges would be laid against any of the ranks shortly, Whittaker said he was not in a position to say since investigations are still ongoing.

Meanwhile, this newspaper learnt from a reliable police source last night that a senior police officer, in addition to the three junior ranks, was also hauled in for questioning.

Cash held at the Finance Office comes mainly from bail collected at the various Police Stations, the source said. The money on hand is used, among other things, to pay travel and meal allowances for senior officers.

Sometime during last November, according to the source, an instruction, reinforcing an earlier order, was received that more than $25,000 worth of bail money could not be kept at a Police Station at any given time.

“I cannot tell you whether this instruction was sent to all the police station(s),” the source said, “but I can tell you that all the stations in Georgetown and central Georgetown received one.”

This instruction would’ve increased the amount of cash normally on hand at the Finance Office, the source said.

The Finance Office larceny, the source explained, “is most definitely not the first time the Guyana Police Force has suffered loss as a result of the wicked work of its own ranks”.

About five years ago, the source said, a Sergeant from a Police ‘C’ Division Police Station had made off with over $2M.

While the matter was never made public an all station bulletin, according to the source, was sent out. The Sergeant subsequently turned in himself along with a lawyer and an arrangement was made for the money to be repaid.

“The particular Sergeant is still in the employ of the force,” the source stated.

It was as a result of this incident that the initial instruction limiting the amount of cash which could be kept at any given station was disseminated.

Further, the source opined that the $3.4M “job” had to be “done on the inside” since the Finance Office is one of the most secure areas in the Eve Leary compound.
The Finance Office is located on the northern side of the compound (Rabbit Walk) and is a stone’s throw from Commissioner Henry Greene’s office.

Several efforts made to contact senior police officials for a comment last night were futile.

This incident is the latest in a series of crimes that have ensnared the police force.

quote:

SJ: When and where did all this happen? .........certainly not in TK's nor BLACKBEARD's nor Ireton's Guyana.

When you elites start to use the public hospital let me know. When you guys are willing to die there like Forbes Burnham and Minister Fox return and come let's talk.

quote:

Originally posted by SJ4321:
When and where did all this happen? .........certainly not in TK's nor BLACKBEARD's nor Ireton's Guyana.

Freedom of Information Bill? Was it enacted in Senior Jackass's Guyana?

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:

quote:

Originally posted by SJ4321:
When and where did all this happen? .........certainly not in TK's nor BLACKBEARD's nor Ireton's Guyana.

Freedom of Information Bill? Was it enacted in Senior Jackass's Guyana?

Rant, I dint know that SJ is an aged member of our society.. Much respect Senior Jack..

Health sector reaped huge successes in 2009

-numerous goals and objectives achieved

Year-in-review, GINA, January 6, 2010

The year 2009 saw government's continued commitment to invest heavily in the health sector, through an allocation of $12.8B to train health care personnel, construct, expand, rehabilitate and maintain numerous health buildings across the regions.

These planned investments included the completion of the National Ophthalmology Hospital, operationalising of the Linden Hospital Complex and the construction of the new Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) In-patient facility.


First phase of construction ongoing at GPHC’s in-patient facility

In addition, $32.3M was allocated for the completion of the National Psychiatric hospital at Canje, $18M for the rehabilitation of the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre, $15M the construction of a new building to house the health centre at Belle West, $5M the refurbishing of De Kinderen health centre and repairs to several doctors' quarters.

The achievement of strategies has reaped major successes for the sector as numerous goals and objectives were achieved. This has in turn improved the delivery of quality health care to Guyanese with a wider range of services available.


Consolidation of human resource skills

During the year, training efforts were focused on further expansion and consolidation of human resource skills to complement health institutions being constructed across the country.

Continued training was done at various levels, including for doctors, medex, professional nurses, community health workers, pharmacy and dental assistants, community dental therapists, dentex and rehabilitation practitioners.

New training programmes were also introduced to increase the staff complement and strengthen the healthcare system.


Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran flanked by medex after completing a medex training programme

Health workers' emergency response capabilities were boosted. More than 20 persons including doctors, nurses, medical examiners and attendants sought to regulate approaches to emergency responses and effectively improve the chances of a patient's survival since many casualties that should not have occurred, have often been reported because of poor emergency administration.

This course was implemented in October 2006 and to date, 76 persons have been trained including doctors, nurses, medical examiners and attendants.

The Trauma Team Training course was established by the Ministry of Health's Regional Health Services in partnership with GPHC.

Scholarship awardees

A batch of 30 medical students completed their studies in Cuba and returned on July 30 to serve their country. The sixth year medical students were placed at local health institutions to pursue their internship following which they will practice medicine in the country.

The programme has borne fruit through the signing of a cooperation agreement between Guyana and Cuba that entailed enormous benefits, one aspect of which was the provision of 965 scholarships; 715 in the medical field.

Since its implementation it has been receiving overwhelming response, with students from the various regions including Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten receiving the scholarships.

National Ophthalmology hospital-a boon for eye patients

With the conclusion of the Cuba/Guyana 'Mission Miracle' programme, Guyana's state-of-the-art National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant Berbice opened its doors conducting the first eye surgeries on July 28 for eye ailments including cataract and pterygium.

The hospital has served over 11, 000 patients for various eye ailments since it became operational in February 9, 2009. Approximately 1000 surgeries were conducted for 2009. Over 160 patients underwent surgeries for cataract, 975 for pterygium and 14 for laser surgeries.

The institution is expected to conduct approximately 10,000 major eye surgeries per year.

New in-patient facility

Work commenced on the upgrade of the $1.2B GPHC in-patient facility located between Lamaha and Thomas Streets, part of the hospital's master plan and the national development strategy.

Upon completion it will accommodate approximately 300 in-patients.

The first phase of construction work is expected to be completed within 18-months.

The GPHC is also seeking to integrate and consolidate in-patient services which are currently dispersed at the institution.

Lethem Hospital –serving 20,000 people

The year also saw Region Nine taking up its role as a major frontier town with the opening of the Takutu River Bridge and the completion of the Lethem Hospital Complex that is outfitted with modern equipment and facilities including theatres, in-patient and out-patient facilities, pharmacy and laboratory and will be offering a wide range of services.


The spanking new Lethem Hospital, Region Nine.

It is manned by staff from the old hospital and the Ministry of Health periodically sends in "roaming visiting teams" to complement its work.

Linden Hospital Complex

To rebuild and rehabilitate degraded physical infrastructure of the health sector, government refurbished the Linden Hospital complex to offer a wider range of services to the public.

The new hospital located near the old McKenzie Hospital Complex in Watooka provides health care services to Lindeners and people travelling from the riverain communities.


Linden Hospital

It was constructed at a cost of $2B and offers rehabilitation services including physiotherapy, occupational, and speech therapy and audiology; laboratory services for several types of testing including blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney and liver function, malaria, dengue fever and others; emergency services; outpatient services; pharmacy; radiology; and optometry.

Diagnostic Centres-providing valuable services

The Diamond East Bank Regional Hospital and the Suddie, Leonora and Mahaicony diagnostic and treatment centres were also part of the agreement that was signed in 2006 between Guyana and Cuban to improve health care services in the country.


A doctor stationed at the Mahaicony Diagnostic and Treatment Centre assisting a patient

Since their establishment they have been serving their purpose of taking the burden off the main hospital, the GPHC. Overall they have seen over 555,400 people; Patients seen by these four centres were Diamond 103, 663 patients, Leonora Diagnostic Centre, 67,059 patients; Suddie Diagnostic Centre, 63,431 patients and Mahaicony Diagnostic Centre, 58, 322 patients. The centres offered services including:-Lab tests, Ultra Sounds, Endoscopy, X-ray, ECG, surgeries, deliveries, dental treatment.

Mabaruma Hospital


Mabaruma Hospital, Region One

Located in Region One, the Mabaruma Hospital commenced clinical work during 2009 benefiting residents of that area and surrounding communities.

The hospital boasts four expanded wards, 36 beds for in-patients, an X-ray department, operating theatre, delivery room and other supporting departments. It was constructed at a cost of approximately $120M.

Basic Nutrition Programme (BNP)-preserving children's growth


Sprinkles Nutritional Supplement

Approximately $190M was allocated in 2009 towards the continuation of the "Sprinkles" programme to ensure that children's growth and development is preserved.

About 20,000 beneficiaries were targeted through the distribution of nutritional supplements and food voucher coupons.


A mother receives sprinkle and food voucher coupon for her child.

Mothers during registration also benefit from a free monthly food coupon valued $1000, which is used at designated shops to purchase food items such as full-cream milk, barley, cornmeal and plantain flour for porridge.

Through the programme there has been evidence of behaviour change in mothers, in relation to their feeding practices.


Expanded range of health services

During the year two new medical centres; eye and laparoscopy were added to the GPHC. Through collaborative efforts between Guyana and the People's Republic of China equipment were donated to the centres at a cost of over US$60,000 with the aim of upgrading and expanding the services offered locally.

Kidney Transplants


Surgery being performed on a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

More Kidney transplants were conducted at the GPHC during the year following the successful operation done for the first time in 2008.

The surgeries were spearheaded by an overseas medical team, assisted by local doctors and nurses.


HIV/AIDS prevention

The Ministry remained committed in 2009 in its fight against HIV/AIDS through the implementation of programmes to eradicate stigma and discrimination in work environments.

Through the Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) programme which was introduced in the early 1990s it has promote behaviour change by improving the quality of life of individuals and their families.

In November, 2009 over 9,000 persons were tested during the Ministry's National Week of Testing.


Eradicating malaria

Realizing that malaria poses a major threat to global health and disadvantaged economic development, the Ministry of Health continued its efforts in 2009 to raise awareness of the pandemic and the importance of fighting the spread of the disease.

Through partnership formed with various groups including churches, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and private entities in both the mining and forestry sectors, in the last year the incidence of the disease has reduced. There has been a recorded 92 percent reduction in affected and diagnosed patients.

Cases of malaria are expected to be reduced to less than 8000 by 2010 and totally eliminated as a public health problem in the country by 2015.

Reference Source - GINA

Amerindian Affairs Ministry distributes food hampers to Region Nine residents

- to help mitigate El Nino effects

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

In its effort to help mitigate the effects of El Nino and provide relief to residents of Region Nine, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs donated over 1500 food hampers to residents of South Central and Deep South Rupununi.


Hampers for distribution at Parikwarinau

Thirteen communities were provided with food hampers worth over $3.8M during the period December 29, 2009 to January 4, 2010 by Projects’ Officers of the Ministry.

The communities were selected based on a previous Ministerial outreach by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and team from the Ministry and Hinterland Coordinator Harry Persuad Nokta.

The hampers comprised items such as red beans, rice, sugar, farine and cooking oil. The table below shows the communities that received food hampers and the quantity distributed.

Communities == Hampers distributed

Achawib == 120

Awarewauna == 104

Katoonarib == 220

Maruranau == 123

Nappi == 200

Parabara == 50

Parikwarinau == 64

Potarinau == 110

Rupunau == 80

Sand Creek == 130

Sawariwau == 130

Shea == 70

Shulinab == 100


During the Minister’s visit to the Region, residents had complained of inadequate food supplies due to the loss of crops as a result of the prevailing harsh weather conditions. They lauded government for providing assistance in their time of need.


Potarinau Toshao, Sigfred Albert distributes hampers to villagers

The initiative was a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Agriculture.

The Region is also benefiting from other El Nino relief which was approved by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Reference Source - GINA

Gov’t is firmly committed to continuing reforms

- Minister Singh tells participants at evaluation workshop

GINA - Thursday, January 7, 2010

Government’s commitment to continuing reforms which have been undertaken over these past few years, was reiterated by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh earlier today during a close out workshop of the Guyana Threshold Country Plan/Implementation Project (GTCP/IP) held at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

“Government is firmly committed to continuing this work and to realizing and exceeding the objectives that are set by the programme. We will continue this work. We look forward to continuing close collaboration with all of our development partners and I am optimistic that we will realise the objectives that we have set ourselves,” Minister Singh told participants.


Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh delivers brief remarks at a two-day close out workshop of the Guyana Threshold Country Plan-Implementation Project at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Kingston.

The GTCP/IP which is a joint programme between the Governments of Guyana and the United States of America costs US $6.66 M of which US $6.28M or 94.4 percent would have been utilized by the end of December 2009. The programme is being effected by the Government of Guyana and the United States Agency for International Development and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

The final report is currently being prepared and the two-day review of the GTCP/IP will provide feedback on how the programme was implemented and identify accomplishments and shortcomings of the programme.

Referring to the comprehensive design of the programme, the Finance Minister expressed gratitude to the parties involved in the design and implementation noting that there are important lessons to be learnt from good programmes. The lessons he noted can be replicated as other programmes are designed and he urged that persons be realistic in setting goals and objectives.


From right, Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Charge d’ Affaires of the US Embassy Carol Horning, Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jennifer Webster and Chief of Party Dr. Coby Frimpong in discussion at the close out workshop of the Guyana Threshold Country Plan/Implementation Project.

“I also believe that it is important to be realistic in setting your objectives and its good to be ambitious but we must also be realistic in what is achievable. We must know our capacities, know the level of resources that we have available, know the timelines involved and be realistic in setting our objectives and I think on this occasion I believe putting our heads together we got it relatively right,” Minister Singh said.

Outlining several reforms undertaken by Government in the past with assistance from various donor parties, the Minister expressed appreciation to the donor community for its assistance including the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Bank and the European Union.

“The activities that were designed within the threshold programme really represented the logical next step on a reform that had already been articulated and the programme was very well designed,” the Minister said.


Participants at the close out workshop of the Guyana Threshold Country Plan/Implementation Project at the Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown

The objectives of the GTCP/IP were driven by Government’s commitment to achieving and maintaining fiscal sustainability through an efficient and effective tax regime, efficient public expenditure management, and improved fiduciary oversight. The main objective of the GTCP/IP was to provide targeted technical assistance and training to support ongoing fiscal policy strategy aimed at bringing the fiscal deficit down to a sustainable level. A secondary objective of the programme was to improve the business investment climate.

The six reform areas addressed by the GTCP/IP are tax and customs administration; Value Added Tax (VAT) implementation; tax policy; expenditure planning; parliamentary oversight; and business registration.

Mission Director of USAID and Charge d Affaires of the US Embassy Carol Horning stated that in development, everything is a continuum and expressed thanks to the Finance Minister for his vision, leadership and commitment to economic reform.

“Government already had the vision before this project started and with help from other donors had put in place different reforms and had an idea of where they wanted to go from there. So that’s what made it possible, its still a remarkable achievement compared to other countries so you can all feel proud of that,” she said.

Ms. Horning pointed out that the input and views of participants at the workshop will have an impact on the country since the reforms will promote further development of Guyana.

“The Guyana Threshold Programme is highly unusual, its very comprehensive…very ambitious, it was even expanded beyond its original scope during the two years and its main focus, and this is key, is on the hardest work of all whether its inside or outside of development, that is institutional change, there is nothing harder in the world than to change an institution from the inside.”

Chief of Party Dr. Coby Frimpong in presenting the draft of the final report noted that the goals included a reduction of the fiscal deficit; the number of days to start a business and the number of days to clear imports at customs.

The agencies benefitting from the programme were the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Deeds Registry, the Ministry of Finance, the National Procurement and Tender Administration, Parliament and the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest).

Main accomplishments of the programme include the transformation of the GRA to deliver increased revenues; the improvement of business facilitation at the Deeds Registry; the improvement of capacity for analysis and forecasting at the Ministry of Finance; the improvement of transparency in the procurement system at the National Procurement and Tender Administration; the improvement of business facilitation at Go-Invest; and equipping parliamentarians better for oversight duties.

In June 2007, the Millennium Challenge Corporation approved a Threshold Programme grant from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) to the Government of Guyana to support its efforts to overcome the country’s serious fiscal challenges, while also streamlining the business registration process.

The project was managed and administered by the USAID Mission in Guyana and the Regional Contracting Office in the Dominican Republic under a Task Order with Nathan Associates Inc. as the prime contractor. The GTCP/IP began operations in January 14, 2008 and will be completed on February 23, 2010.

Reference Source - GINA

Foreign Ministry records fair year in 2009

Georgetown, GINA, January 6, 2009.

It was a year in which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was determined to manifest the fact that a small developing nation can stand tall, proud and strong among the giants of the international arena by helping to promote the cardinal principles of respect for international law, the peaceful settlement of disagreements among and between States, international cooperation to combat common threats and equal rights for all mankind.

With an experienced and committed staff at the foreign ministry, Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett’s focus on issues pertinent to those principles and the promotion of Guyana’s interests abroad, remained paramount throughout the year.

As the minister reflected on the work of her ministry for 2009, there was a clear indication of satisfaction with the progress made: from the all important safeguarding of Guyana’s territorial integrity to the consolidation of linkages with existing trading partners and the fostering of new ones, promoting regional cooperation and facilitating the development agenda of sector ministries through international cooperation initiatives and mechanisms a lot has been achieved.

For the ministry, a key highlight was the tabling in the National Assembly of the Maritime Zones Bill which has been sent to a Special Select Committee. The tabling of the Bill marks a key step in ensuring that Guyana can fully benefit from the provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) – especially as it relates to the protection of Guyana’s rights to the exploitation of the living and non-living resources in the waters offshore Guyana – that is in the territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and the potential extended continental shelf. The efforts at safeguarding Guyana’s rights under UNCLOS resulted in Guyana formally providing information to the United Nations Secretary General aimed at securing Guyana’s right to extend its maritime boundary up to 150 nautical miles beyond the 200 nautical miles exclusive economic zone.


Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

Heads of Missions Meeting

Heads of Guyana’s Diplomatic Missions abroad had much to discuss as they gathered on home-turf for the first time in nine years to reflect on challenges and strides and to prepare for forthcoming developments.

Convened at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, the initiative brought together all the heads of Guyana’s overseas embassies, high commissions and consulates and was themed “Repositioning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to effectively promote the national interest”. The main objective was to ensure that all the missions are familiar with Guyana’s policies, are more prepared to advance the country’s foreign policy, support development programmes and to generally promote the image of Guyana as a stable, developing State ready for foreign investment and tourists.

At the conference, Rodrigues-Birkett, indicated, “We will certainly be looking at new alliances that we need to make and strengthening the traditional ones that we’ve had. Traditionally, we’ve been dealing with the ABC countries of (United States of) America, (Great) Britain and Canada but we’re also looking at our relations with other countries like Brazil, and also what we want to do in the Middle East, Asia and so on.”

Further, she had indicated that administrative issues would have also been reviewed to ensure that the missions’ work is enhanced through timely and effective administrative support mechanisms.

Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo delivered the feature address at the opening session, and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and the other members of the Cabinet were on hand to interact with the leaders of Guyana’s Foreign Service.


President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, with distinguished leaders and heads of Guyana's overseas missions and consular offices.

Relations with United States & Canada

It is noteworthy that US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, lauded Guyana’s Climate Change leadership and the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Canada’s presence in Guyana was reinforced with the installation of a new High Commissioner, His Excellency François Montour, in the latter part of 2009, indicative of continued confidence to work with the government and the private sector in mutually beneficial ways.

South-South Cooperation

Guyana ratified the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR Treaty), part of a move to strengthen existing alliances and creating new ones on the South American continent. Guyana will chair UNASUR in 2010, which will entail hosting a Summit of Heads of State of UNASUR; as well as meetings leading up to the Summit.


UNASUR member states.

UNASUR is an intergovernmental union integrating two existing customs unions: Mercosur and the Andean Community of Nations, as part of a continuing process of South American integration. Modeled on the European Union, the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty was signed on May 23, 2008, at the Third Summit of Heads of State, held in Brasília, Brazil.


Presidents of UNASUR member states, third from right is President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Brazil

Guyana’s ongoing friendly and cooperative relations with Brazil were further enhanced with the Official Inauguration of the Takutu River Bridge on September 14, 2009 by Their Excellencies the Presidents of Brazil and Guyana. The two Presidents also took the opportunity to engage in discussions aimed at enhancing the Guyana/Brazil Cooperation Programme and signed eight Agreements, Memoranda of Understanding and Executive Programme, which addresses areas such as promotion of trade and investment, a special border regime for Lethem and Bon Fim and the abolition of visas for business purposes.

The Government of Guyana is currently considering establishing a Consulate General in Boa Vista to be headed by a career diplomat and appropriate staff.

Venezuela

Relations between Guyana and its western neighbour have not been better in recent memory. Guyana and Venezuela reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Secretary General’s Good Offices Process which is aimed at assisting the two countries in their search for a practical solution to the controversy, which arose from the Venezuelan contention that the Arbitral Award that definitively settled the boundary between them, is null and void. In October 2009, the two countries jointly proposed a candidate to the UN Secretary General to be his Special Representative to the Process.

Meanwhile, there has been a plethora of tangible cooperation activities in the areas of social development (construction of a Centre for Rehabilitation and Reintegration of the Homeless in Guyana) trade (export of rice to the tune of some US$18M), initiatives aimed at coordinating efforts to combat the trade in illicit drugs (meeting of national officials from both States took place in November 2009 to work on this) and advancement in discussions to conclude and MOU for the treatment of vessels and crews from either State for alleged illegal fishing.

Guyana is also looking at the possibility of enhancing the assistance it provides to its nationals in Venezuela through the establishment of Consular representation in Puerto Ordaz since there are over 30,000 Guyanese living in that location.

Cuba

Guyana and Cuba have continued to build upon the spirit of cooperation that has characterized their diplomatic relations and which has contributed to the development of Guyana’s human resource base especially in the areas of education and health.

During a visit to Cuba, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett held official meetings with the Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, and the Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, where the discussions centred on issues pertinent to the Guyana/Cuba bilateral relationship; as well as matters of interest to both countries within the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

While in Cuba, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett visited and held talks with Guyanese scholarship students studying at the Latin American School of Medical Sciences.

Having provided financing for Guyana’s National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant, Berbice, the Government of Cuba also seconded specialized staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators and bio-medical technicians, who will operate the facility until Guyanese medical students currently undergoing training in Cuba return to serve their country.

In recognition of the strong ties that exist between Guyana and Cuba and to express gratitude to Cuba for their consistent support to Guyana, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett moved a Motion in the National Assembly to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Revolution on August 6th, 2009.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

In July, Guyana hosted the 30th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, a session that was highly successful in the strengthening of regionalism in the Caribbean Basin. On the issue of climate change, the Liliendaal Declaration on Climate Change was endorsed by the Heads of Government. With respect to the free movement of CARICOM Nationals, the Heads of Government agreed to a new category, that of household domestics, to which the CARICOM Free Movement of Skills Certificates would be issued to as of January 1, 2010.

Significantly, President Jagdeo, the chief architect of Guyana’s foreign policy, assumed the Chairmanship of the regional body at a time when the Caribbean was grappling with the implications of the global financial crisis on developing and vulnerable economies and the realities of the climate change on low-lying and island territories.


Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett seated behind President Bharrat Jagdeo and CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Edwin Carrington.

Guyana’s presence and contributions within CARICOM cannot be under-stated, especially in the context of the stabilization of the Common External Tariff (CET) and cement, to follow procedures approved by COTED, and the call for a rationalization of the region’s Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (CRNM). In 2009, the CRNM was brought under the auspices of the Secretariat, renamed the Office of Trade Negotiation (OTN), now based in Barbados and headed by Ambassador Gail Mathurin, who holds the position of Director-General.

New Partnerships with Middle East

Presidential visits to the Middle East were influenced by the conviction that Guyana needs to broaden its economic diplomacy, which currently is mostly restricted to North America, Europe, Brazil and China. The Middle East is viewed as area from which investments flows can be secured.

Libya

Libya has agreed to open the Libyan People's Bureau in Guyana, and has sent a team of investors to explore investment possibilities here. Libya has also assured that Guyana’s indebtedness to that country will not affect its future involvement in economic ventures in Guyana.

[img]http://www.gina.gov.gy/dailyphoto/100108/Jordan's%20King%20Abdullah%2011%20receives%20Guyana's%20President%20Bharrat%20Jagdeo%20.%20In%20centre%20is%20Foreign%20Affairs%20Minister%20Carolyn%20Rodrigues-Birkett%20(Photo%20courtesy%20Jordan%20News%20Agency).jpg[/img]
President Bharrat Jagdeo and King Abdullah 11, of Jordan . In centre is Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Photo courtesy Jordan News Agency).

Jordan

In pursuance of extended economic diplomacy, talks were held with King Abdullah II on issues relating to trade and investment (with emphasis on exploiting opportunities in agriculture, exporting natural products and processed goods), culture and diplomatic relations between the two nations, with. Collaboration in the areas of technology, education, health, tourism and energy and climate change was also discussed during the meeting. President Jagdeo reiterated the need for small countries to coordinate their efforts to ensure that the developed world make decisions that would benefit all stakeholders.

Protecting Guyanese

Guyana’s foreign policy was also brought to the defence of Guyanese nationals living abroad, particularly those who are living in sister CARICOM States and who were perceived as being targeted by the immigration authorities/policies of those States. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs took action to defend the rights of those Guyanese nationals while, President Jagdeo, at an interactive media session held at the CARICOM Secretariat, on June 12, added his voice in support and emphasized that he would not permit Guyanese to be unfairly treated anywhere, particularly referring to the manner in which Guyanese were alleged to be treated in Barbados.

Lodging a protest and providing evidence to the Antiguan Government that their Immigration authorities were withholding the passports of Guyanese children contrary to international norms, resulted in the Government of Antigua immediately addressing the situation.

For decades, there have been reports of mistreatment of Guyanese by immigration authorities of some CARICOM Member States. The reports of mistreatment escalated in the middle of the year.

Re-migrant Program

Approvals for persons applying for re-migrant status continued, with 254 applications being approved in 2009; including 135 from the US and 32 from Barbados. In 2010, the Foreign Ministry will be collaborating with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Revenue Authority to ensure that all who have acquired duty free concessions under this Program are adhering to Government’s requirements in this regard and that there are no breaches of the stipulated agreements. Since 2005, 926 persons have applied to the Ministry and qualified under the program.

Guyana at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), convened in Trinidad and Tobago, was described as a success. The issue of Climate Change took center stage at the Meeting and Guyana played an important role in ensuring a strong Declaration that reflects the interests of Guyana and the region as a whole. Guyana’s high-level delegation was led by His Excellency President Jagdeo and included the Honourable Minister Rodrigues-Birkett. Guyana achieved prominence during the Meeting and related events through the participation of His Excellency President Jagdeo who is recognized as a leader in the area of Climate Change. In addition, the President held several bilateral meetings including with the Prime Ministers of Australia and the United Kingdom and the President of South Africa.


Leaders of Guyana's Foreign Ministry, from left to right, Director-General, Elisabeth Harper, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett, President Jagdeo and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

International Organizations in Guyana

The work of international organizations in Guyana continues to be an important ingredient in Guyana’s development. Added to the list of international organizations in 2009 were the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Office for Migration (IOM).

Foreign Presence

Mexico established an embassy in Guyana in February 2009, becoming the first Central American country to establish a diplomatic mission in Guyana. As part of its efforts to establish further linkages with the countries of CARICOM, Mexico has offered fifty (50) scholarships to CARICOM Member States to allow their nationals to pursue studies in Mexico in the areas of health, agriculture, communications and technology.

In addition to Mexico, new Ambassadors were accredited to Guyana from Canada, Cuba and Brazil in 2009.

Reference Source - GINA

Lots of good things are happening

Mocha Arcadia farmers encouraged to diversify agricultural activities

Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2010

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Crops and Livestock today held an informative and interactive meeting with farmers of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara on issues relating to crop cultivation, animal rearing and drainage and irrigation.


Seeds and herbicides distributed to farmers

This was done in keeping with Government’s initiative to diversify and expand agriculture on a commercial basis, in addition to ensuring that necessary conditions such as drainage and irrigation, appropriate technology and knowledge are present for high levels of production.


Farmer uplifting seed from an Agriculture Ministry Official

The meeting which was held in the community was attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and managerial and technical staff of the Ministry.

Crops and Livestock

In light of the farmers in Mocha Arcadia producing crops on a small scale the Ministry has indicated that it will provide investment support to foster expansion so that crops can be produced in bulk for commercial sale.

However, this will be done on the merit of the creation of groups to promote better collaboration, create competitive advantage and transparency.


Section of the farmers gathered for the meeting at Mocha Arcadia, EBD

A Needs Assessment Workshop will be conducted in the area on January 23 to ascertain the crops, livestock and technical support required by the community, Minister Robert Persaud noted. He indicated that the Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development Project Officers will meet with the groups to discuss specific needs which will lead to the development of a strategic plan to outline how those needs will be addressed.

The Minister noted that the agricultural sector is aiming to gain a large market in the Caribbean for local produce. The Caribbean’s food import bill was approximately US$4 billion in 2009. If local production increases the possibility of Guyana being a large supplier exists.


Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud addressing farmers at Mocha Arcadia

Paramount to that vision will be farmers taking on greater responsibilities related to providing ideas and contributing to the growth and development of the sector. The Minister emphasized that it should be a bottom-up approach since farmers have first hand advantage on many issues surrounding agriculture. Minister Persaud also recommended that the farmers’ group be more proactive and explained that the Ministry has an open-door policy.

Recently plantains and bananas were affected by a fungus like disease, and since then the Ministry has embarked upon sensitizing farmers on certain measures to adopt so as to contain and manage the disease. However, samples of the fungus have been sent to Trinidad for testing so that the Ministry can determine what the disease is, its origin and its cure, Minister Persaud noted, while responding to a concern shared by a resident.

The proper management of cattle was discussed to address the issue of wandering animals on the roadways. Dr. Dwight Waldron, Director of the National Dairy Development Programme indicated that the pasture available for the cattle cannot accommodate the approximately 300 cattle in the area as such the Ministry will implement a zero grazing system, whereby farmers will cut grass from the pasture and feed it to their cattle.

Minister Persaud noted that farmers interested in accessing new breed of sheep and goats can do so, however, this is only possible if they qualify the criteria for ownership since they are expensive.

To boost the management and development of livestock Persaud noted that the Guyana Livestock Development Authority Bill 2009 has been passed and this will allow the centralized provision of services to farmers.

Drainage and Irrigation

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has been very vibrant in the Mocha Arcadia area to strengthen drainage systems and maintain the cleanliness of the drains and canals.

Approximately $7.2M was expended on the maintenance programme for 2008/2009 period. These works were conducted by the farmers’ group and have prevented large scale floods. The Ministry currently has an excavator operating in the area clearing and cleaning overcrowded lands and drain.


The two drainage pipe

In light of the El Nino like situation the country has been experiencing the Ministry has prioritized irrigation of lands or making water available to farmers for their farm lands. This however, has to be done cautiously since the area is prone to flooding.

After discussions with the residents the Ministry has decided that there is a need to modify the layout of the drainage system. The Minister noted that the opportune time will be when GUYSUCO retires the land for a one-year period, during which a pilot project can be conducted to identify areas that need regulation to prevent floods while irrigating certain areas.

At the end of the meeting with the Minister, officials from the Ministry met with farmers and discussed varying issues. They also distributed seeds and herbicides to farmers who were present at the gathering. Two drainage pipes were also given to the community to be installed at strategic locations to aid the flow of water.

Reference Source - GINA

Over $4 billion for old age pensions, public assistance in 2010 – Finance Minister

Georgetown, GINA, January 10, 2009

Government plans to spend over $4 billion on old age pensions and public assistance payments in 2010. With effect from February 2010, old age pensions will be paid at a rate of $6,600 per month, while public assistance will be paid at a rate of $4,900 per month, Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh disclosed today.

He emphasised the importance of the old age pensions and public assistance programme as amongst the most important interventions by Government aimed at providing assistance to, and improving the lives of, the most vulnerable members of society.

The Minister indicated that under these programmes, over 50,000 elderly and otherwise vulnerable beneficiaries are expected to receive direct income support on a monthly basis. This support, he indicated, is intended to ensure that the State provides a contribution to assist those individuals in meeting expenditure on their basic necessities.

Minister Singh also drew attention to the fact that this programme generates significant economic activity since, given the income and expenditure profile of the beneficiaries, almost all of the amounts disbursed are transmitted immediately into the domestic economy through consumption of goods and services.

The Minister added that this support is in addition to other initiatives such as the water rates assistance programme, under which Government provides financial support to meet water charges on behalf of old age pensioners, the staggered electricity tariff structure which sees household consumers of small amounts of electricity below a specified monthly threshold being billed at a concessional rate, Government’s residential programme for the elderly such as at the Palms, along with the several public health care programmes aimed at enhancing and improving the scope and quality of services offered by the public health care system thereby contributing to improved quality of life.

Recent years have witnessed a rapid increase in the amounts paid by Government under the old age pension and public assistance programme. The new monthly rates announced by the Minister are 80 percent higher than 2007 levels in the case of old age pensions and 98 percent higher than 2007 levels in the case of public assistance.

Minister Singh also drew attention to and commended highly the successful steps taken by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in improving the timeliness with which old age pension books are distributed. This has contributed in a very significant measure to minimising, and in most cases eliminating, the delay with which beneficiaries can access their entitlements.

Reference Source - GINA

quote:

Originally posted by Alexander:

Lots of good things are happening

Indeed Alexander ... indeed so,

Yet there are those who continue to state state that no progress is taking place in Guyana.

I will find as much resources as I can to transform Guyana

– President tells Mahaicony, Mahaica farmers

Georgetown, GINA, January 10, 2010

Responding to the dry weather conditions spawned by the El Nino weather phenomenon, President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, today met with farmers of Mahaicony and Mahaica to discuss issues of irrigation, governmental assistance and ongoing drainage and irrigation works being carried out by the Ministry of Public Works, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA-ADA).


HEADTABLE.
A GINA Photo by Chattergoon Jadopatt

At the meetings the Head of State promised that, “I will find as much resources as I can to transform Guyana.”

Mahaicony farmers told of series of upcoming developments

The meeting with farmers in Mahaicony was held at the Mortice Primary School, located several miles away from the Georgetown-Rosignol main road artery along the Mahaicony Branch Road, which has been upgraded by Government at a cost of over $200M, and completed last week, fulfilling a promise made by President Jagdeo at an earlier meeting with residents.


President Bharrat Jagdeo responding to concerns raised by farmers, at community meeting, Mortice Primary School, Mahaicony, E.C.D.
A GINA Photo by Chattergoon Jadopatt

Chaired by Harrinarine Baldeo, Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) for Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) the meeting addressed the several initiatives that the RDC is involved in to improve the lives of residents of the region in the areas of health, education and infrastructural development.

Also addressing the large gathering of farmers and residents before opening the floor to questions were Rudolph Gajraj, Chairman of the MMA-ADA, Minister Persaud, General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Dharamkumar Seeraj, and President Jagdeo.

Gajraj explained that the most pressing assignment that the MMA-ADA had during the current inclement dry conditions is getting fresh water from the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks to farmers to irrigate their fields, and preventing the water in the existing series of canals from flowing back into the creeks.

As a result, he stated that only half of the area available for cultivation has been planted. He assured farmers that water will be available to maintain those fields.

He also stated that preparations are ongoing for the rainfall in May-June which is expected to be intense.


One of the farmers expressing a point of concern.
A GINA Photo by Chattergoon Jadopatt

The Agriculture Minister, during his presentation, sought to assure farmers present that Government remains firmly committed to the development and diversification of agriculture across the country.

This, he said, resulted in one of the best years for agriculture during 2009 when production increased across all sectors including rice, which recorded 359,000 tonnes of output, a marginal increase in sugar, despite the ongoing problems facing the industry, and in the livestock and non-traditional commodities.

Minister Persaud explained that today’s meetings were called by the President who has been monitoring the dry weather conditions and their effect on the country since August 2009. He further stated that it is expected that the El Nino condition is expected to continue into March and Government is concerned that 40% less land is being cultivated for rice.

As a result, a $400M assistance package for rice farmers was launched by the President in September 2009 and Seeraj explained that after consultations, two initiatives were identified, approved by President Jagdeo and implemented.

The first initiative is input vouchers, primarily for fertilizers, to be used during the production process, whereby rice farmers across the five rice growing regions can offset input costs by approaching the GRDB for these vouchers which can be redeemed at approved suppliers.

The other initiative is the construction of drying facilities which can be used by farmers to dry their paddy. Construction of the first such facility commenced today at Crane, West Coast Demerara. A much larger facility is expected to be constructed at Bath, West Coast Berbice.

President Jagdeo, during his presentation, took the opportunity to outline, on a national scale what his Administration is doing to better the lives of its citizens.

He referred to the proposed outflow channel from the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), in the vicinity of Hope on which work will start shortly and estimated to cost $3.8B. This will bring significant relief to farmers in the MMA basins as the authorities will no longer need to relieve pressure on the conservancy dam by letting out water into the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers during times of excessive rainfall.


President Jagdeo meeting with farmers, Mahaicony, E.C.D.
A GINA Photo by Chattergoon Jadopatt

The President also spoke of the more than 600 community roads that will be under construction by the end of the year, the upgrade of the Black Bush Polder roadway at a cost of US$7M, the $800M nationwide school feeding programme that will be implemented this year and ensuring that every child has at least one school uniform provided by Government as some of the initiatives being implemented by his Administration.

This, he said, is possible because Government has improved the finances of the country over the past 17 years to a point where foreign currency reserves at the Bank of Guyana is at its highest level ever, at US$650M (or US$750M if the Petro Caribe fund provided by Venezuela is included).

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country has risen from $300M in 1992 to much more than the estimated $1.2B today, according to recent surveys by international organizations.

“We are not a fair weather Government, or fair weather party,” the President stated, explaining that his Administration is ready to face the people of the country in good times and bad, noting that tough decisions have to be made, as Government cannot satisfy everyone’s needs – both at the national and community levels – at the same time.


President Jagdeo leaving famers meeting.
A GINA Photo by Chattergoon Jadopatt

Afterwards, the President listened to the issues raised by those gathered and sorted out land issues relating to the construction of a new irrigation canal. He promised to purchase an acre of land where a well is located for use by residents of Hyde Park, and discussed the development of a community centre and sports club for the area, among others matters.

Projects worth $330M ongoing in MMA - Mahaica meeting told

At Little Baiboo Primary School in Mahaica, the meeting followed a similar format to the earlier meeting where the President, Minister Persaud and the other officials made presentations to the residents and farmers gathered before they were afforded the opportunity to raise their concerns.

Minister Persaud revealed that an effort by his Ministry to afford farmers in the area the use of excavators saw 528 farmers on the left bank of the Mahaica Creek benefitting with another 68 on the right bank getting access as well.

Each farmer was afforded two days’ use of the machinery, and the Minister stated that once everyone has benefitted, his Ministry will afford all the farmers an additional day’s access.

He also indicated that about $330M worth of projects are ongoing in the MMA area. A total of 24 irrigation tubes will be installed shortly in the Mahaica area.


Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud addressing farmers at meeting, Mortice Primary School, Mahaicony, E.C.D.
A GINA Photo by Chattergoon Jadopatt

The President, in response to complaints by residents about the lack of drinking water, promised to have the Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, along with officials from the water utility, visit both Mahaicony and Mahaica areas before the end of the month.

He also promised that the Mahaica Branch Road, along which the Little Baiboo Primary School is situated, and which was constructed at a cost of over $400M will be extended.

Minister Persaud and officials of his ministry since the advent of the El Nino conditions have been visiting various communities, meeting with farmers and making interventions to alleviate the difficulties faced as a result of the dry conditions.

Reference Source - GINA - January 10, 2010

US$700,000 avoided deforestation agreement signed

Georgetown, GINA, January 11, 2010

Climate change is certainly becoming one of the defining issues of the 21st century and as such, more and more countries are becoming aware of its devastating effects, the importance of standing forests and the role tropical forests can play in its mitigation.

The issue of mitigation was brought to the fore today at the signing ceremony for a collaborative project between the Government of Guyana and Conservation International (CI) with financial support from the Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) Bank. The signing ceremony was held at Duke Lodge, Kingston.

KfW is a German Government owned development Bank based in Frankfurt, Germany. The financing is related to the role Guyana has been playing through President Bharrat Jagdeo in highlighting Climate change mitigation through its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).


Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud addressing attendees at signing ceremony of the agreement on avoided deforestation at Duke Lodge, Kingston

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud noted that the project which is timely is in recognition of the work Guyana has been doing in climate change mitigation and how the country utilizes its rain forest.

He posited that the project is very significant and valuable in terms of furthering the initiatives that Guyana has already undertaken in many areas in relation to its readiness proposals under the framework of the World Bank.

“We were one of the first countries to have our proposal accepted under the World Bank’s Carbon Facility, the memorandum of understanding we have with the Kingdom of Norway and also the wider framework within the Low Carbon Development Strategy.”

The Minister added that society should recognize the advocacy and leadership role the country has been playing in terms of recognizing the values of standing forest and the need for binding incentives in the post -Kyoto framework.

“Standing forest must be recognized and I think that is one of the positive and enduring features coming out of the Copenhagen talks as it relates to Guyana and that gives us a sense of reward because of the hard work we have been doing over the last two years in terms of getting the international community to recognize the importance of standing forest and the role tropical forest can play.” Minister Persaud said.

He added that the project represents the growing international collaboration and support Guyana has been able to develop.


Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, Commissioner of Forests, James Singh and Conservation International’s Vice President, Lisa Famolare sign contract for financial support for Avoided Deforestation project

CI’s Vice President, Lisa Famolare who is responsible for conservation policy and strategy said that the project is linked to the Guyana Government’s initiative on Climate change and READ and the way the country has taken a lead on the promotion of low deforestation.

“I laud the leaders of Guyana on the role they are playing, they are definitely in the position of leadership globally on climate change and I want to congratulate the Government on the Low Carbon Development Strategy,” Famolare said.

She added that the collaborative programme between CI and the Government of Guyana through the Guyana Forestry Commission is a great initiative and the beginning of a long partnership on climate change mitigation and protected areas development and carbon reserves.

The agreement for the US$700,000 project titled “Avoided Deforestation through Consolidation and Creation of Protected Areas and Carbon Financing Mechanism in the Guianan Region” was signed by Famolare and Singh on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

Reference Source - GINA - Monday, january 11, 2010

President discloses plan for second fibre optic cable from Brazil

Georgetown, GINA, January 11, 2010

Government is in the process of procuring the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the introduction of a second fibre optic cable from neighbouring Brazil which is anticipated to arrive in Georgetown by the second quarter of this year.

President Bharrat Jagdeo who made this disclosure at Saturday’s shore end fibre optic cable landing said such a move is part of the bold initiative by the Government to advance the sectors and applications that are vital to the modernisation of Guyana.

With the new communication system in place the President expressed the hope that all social institutions including schools, hospitals and police stations will be connected. Included on the list would be those who are unable to afford Internet access.

“This cable would be dedicated purely to E-Governance… and we hope that we can work with GT&T (Guyana Telephone and Telegraph) to swap capacity on these cables so that we’ll have greater reliability, greater redundancy,” President Jagdeo said.

The absence of redundancy in the system resulting from frequent breakdowns in the Americas II Cable was cited by the President as the main reason for the many outages experienced in the past.

The Head of State reiterated however, that this new plan is in no way intended to infringe on GT&T’s ability to earn money but part of the commitment of the government to ensure that Guyana benefits from as many fibre optic cables as possible.

“It would greatly enhance our ability; Guyana as a destination for ICT (Information Communication Technology) investments… We hope that with this cable coming here with other cables maybe passing through Guyana that we will be able to correct that single factor that has acted as a deterrent to a rapid expansion of employment opportunities and services in the ICT sector,” President Jagdeo said.

Study done years ago by one of the largest consultancy firms in the world on the ICT industry in Guyana had revealed that the country is competitively on-par with India for outsourcing in almost every single area except the cost of bandwidth.

On January 9, the long awaited shore-end landing work of the Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS) was ceremonially welcomed. The new cable will have 3,000 times the current bandwidth capacity and will facilitate enormous development opportunities including, call centres, regional hosting opportunities, the provision of data for disaster recovery facilities, subscriber bandwidth services, telemedicine and distance learning,

The 1,240 kilometre submarine fibre optic cable system will connect Guyana and Suriname to Trinidad and Tobago and hence to the rest of the world.

Reference Source - Monday, January 11, 2010

Every child to benefit from Uniform Assistance in 2010

Georgetown, GINA, January 11, 2010

President Bharrat Jagdeo has disclosed that the Uniform Assistance Programme will be extended to facilitate child in Guyana, this year. The President was at the time speaking to residents of Mahaica/Mahaicony in a discussion of issues such as irrigation, governmental assistance and ongoing infrastructural drainage and irrigation works.

The programme was launched in 2001 by the President, subsequent to an outreach through which it was realized that some children were not attending school simply because their parents could not have afforded it.

It was given its first budgetary allocation of $31M in 2002, which saw over 10, 000 children benefitting. Since then, the sum has been rapidly increasing in an effort to facilitate thousands of vulnerable children. In 2009 it received an allocation of $55M, which benefited over 36, 000 children.

This year’s allocation will go beyond vulnerable children to ensure that each child attending school in Guyana receives at least one uniform, as opposed to previous years, which targeted 10 percent of schools along the coast. However, all of the children from schools in riverain and hinterland areas were catered for.
In 2009 and preceding years, the assistance was given in the form of vouchers, worth $1500 each that were redeemable for either school uniform or other school-related

This voucher programme is a 2006 manifesto promise made by the PPP/C administration.

Reference Source - Monday, January 11, 2010

Dr. Luncheon chides “counterproductive” reaction to new mining proposal

Georgetown, GINA, January 11, 2010

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said the campaign for miners to conduct their operations in a lawful, environmentally friendly manner has been ongoing since the evolution of mining in Guyana.

Dr. Luncheon was at the time speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, at the Office of the President, addressing the recent negative reactions by miners to the proposal, which among other things,is seeking to make it mandatory for them to give six months notice before commencing any operations.

In a recent meeting organised by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGMDA) several miners voiced their concerns and disagreement with the proposal which they feel is an attempt to stymie the industry.

Dr Luncheon described their reaction as a regrettable unwillingness to address the new policy which emanated from the Guyana/Norway Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The HPS however, reiterated the many concerns that were raised about that impact of mining on the environment which he said were promulgated long before the evolution of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

“It is clear that in the evolution of mining practices within the sector those considerations were actively pursued for new approaches,” Dr Luncheon noted.

From the inception of the strategy government had made clear its policies which it noted is in no way intended to regulate mining out of existence but rather to have a balanced sustainable exploitation of natural resources; mining and forestry.

“The sentiment in the administration is that the mining sector is too big to fail and the view consequently is that the negative reaction of the sector is counterproductive as it discourages the development of the necessary new mindset that would bring inter existence sustainable mining activity in Guyana,” Dr Luncheon said.

The new proposals were announced in December last year after President Bharrat Jagdeo met a group of 20 leading gold and diamond miners at State House to discuss ways of improving the sector.

The proposals call for better coordination with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) before any tree felling, prospecting before mining and restoration of mined-out areas.

During that meeting the miners had welcomed the idea of a joint committee comprising representatives of the Government, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) to review and elaborate on several of the proposals.

The Head of State had suggested that the committee comprise a Chairman whom he nominated as Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn followed by representatives of the GGMC the GFC and four representatives from the mining sector.

Refernce Source - GINA - Monday, january 11, 2010

The People and their President

- giving hope, building lives with a message of progress for all Guyanese

Cabinet outreach in Berbice…


By Parvatie Persaud-Edwards
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

TRAVELLING along the East Coast and Corentyne Highways in the fresh crispness of a beautiful Guyanese morning, one can only be struck anew at the fulfillment of a promise heralded on the 5th October, 1992 with the ‘Dawn of a New Era’.

Indeed it was!

Pre-1992, the decay in the country was overwhelmingly manifest in the devastated infrastructures and the apathetic disoriented peoples, as well as homes. Some of their luxurious ‘mahals’, abandoned to termites and thieves as a despairing, hopeless Guyanese people ran away en bloc from a tyrannical, destructive, murderous dictatorship. Guyanese were living corpses preyed upon by despotic vultures who bled the people and country dry of hopes, resources and happiness. They killed dreams and destroyed lives – literally and figuratively.

Today, everywhere there is evidence of hope, homes and communities reborn. The beauty of homes nestling amid luxuriant blooms, foliage, massively branching trees and lush vegetation of various species of flora bordering the roadways aerates of our country a land of incomparable abundance.

At the various venues where the President met with his people during a Cabinet outreach he led to Berbice yesterday, the major problems in the land seem to have already been resolved by this caring administration, so much so that many of the issues raised by residents were minor, easily-resolvable, petty matters, while the major ones were already being addressed.

However, one of the major issues that every community complained about is the quality of service delivered by contractors and heads of institutions, but the President assured the intention of Government to address this peculiar cultural habit by putting penalties to those who do not deliver, or deliver inadequately on their mandate.

He explained that, despite massive expenditure by government on capital works in every sector, delivery of service is often found severely wanting, leading to derailment of the Government’s development programmes, because often times the people are deprived of the full benefit of government’s initiatives for people wellness and development because of the lax administration and ineffective, inefficient implementation.

President Jagdeo challenged residents to take responsibility for their communities, citing the need for volunteers to contribute, in organised ways, by ensuring the systems and facilities provided by government function to optimum capacity.

Alluding to his administration’s message of progress for all Guyanese people – across every divide, the President related that his and other governmental functionaries international agenda had fructified in expanded opportunities and markets for Guyana and products of Guyana, especially in the area of agriculture.

He addressed the concerns of residents of Black Bush Polder, who expressed some level of dissatisfaction at the pace at which their community was being developed, by explaining that the imperatives for enhanced national development were being addressed in a holistic fashion because every community has needs, all of which have to be prioritised on a scale of urgency and a ratio of ‘greater’ need as a consequence of financial and other constraints.

He, however, enumerated some of the developmental initiatives that have impacted beneficially to Guyanese communities nationwide and gave his assurance that every need of the Guyanese people would be eventually addressed.

The President told the residents of Black Bush Polder that the access road to their community has been earmarked for a $1.4 billion all-weather upgrade.

On the issue of the prevalence of suicides in the region, President Jagdeo expressed impatience when this was ascribed to lack of options for productive occupation by one person.

He made reference to people living in Konashen and other hinterland areas, where there is lack of electricity and other amenities and where even little babies have to paddle a distance of approximately 14 miles a day to acquire an education.

Guyana’s President explained the vagaries detrimentally impacting the sugar industry but outlined the several initiatives that have been invested, including infusion of massive amounts to restore this vital sector to its former glory days.

He told farmers that agriculture encompasses several areas and that, because of constrained resources, there has to be equity in resource distribution including vital water.

By and large, residents seemed very satisfied with the on-the-spot, spontaneous decisions taken by the President to offer some degree of immediate relief to their problems, with the promise of long term solutions to be addressed subsequently, with many persons expressing the wish that the President’s term in office be extended indefinitely.

Reference Source - Chronicle, Wednesday, January 13, 2010

President promises improved service delivery and greater accountability

-at village meetings during Cabinet outreach in Region 6

Berbice, GINA, January 12, 2009

At village meetings held today at the community centres in Crabwood Creek and Mibicuri and at the village square at Port Mourant, in Region Six, President Bharrat Jagdeo promised to improve the delivery of services and value or money, as well as greater accountability from Government in 2010.


President Bharrat Jagdeo surrounded by Port Mourant residents during Cabinet Outreach, January 12, 2010

He explained that government since assuming office in 1992 has tried to reverse the parlous state of affairs of the country, paying US$1.5B worth of debt, equivalent to about G$300B.

As a result, Guyana is now using four percent of its revenue to service external debts compared to 94 percent in 1992. This, the President said, has helped Government to invest heavily in expanding social services such as education and health and in upgrading the physical infrastructure of the country.


President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with a Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder resident during Cabinet Outreach in Region 6

However, he noted that the results that have been achieved from this focus have not been satisfactory. To illustrate this point, President Jagdeo pointed to doctors who are working in the public health sector but are also operating private practices that limit the amount of time they spend with patients in the numerous newly constructed public hospitals across the country.


School girl garlanding President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Mibicuri Community Centre where he held a meeting, January 12, 2010

Another example that he used to illustrate his assertion is the absence of teachers from schools which is affecting students.

The President stressed that this is unacceptable and vowed that in 2010 Government will work to reverse the trend.
He indicated that such action will be taken from the Cabinet to the community level. He stated that there must be a cultural shift.


Port Mourant resident raises an issue with President Bharrat Jagdeo during Cabinet Outreach in Region Six

President Jagdeo stated that the delivery of service has to increase to better service Guyanese and Government must ensure that it gets greater value for the money it spends. This also must be backed-up by greater accountability at all levels to accomplish this objective.

The President also highlighted the needs to institute penalties for failures. “Unless we put penalties people will not change,” the President said.

Ten teams of Cabinet members today fanned out to various communities where they engaged in discussions with residents of about 30 communities in Region Six, focusing their engagements on garnering inputs for the 2010 budget which is due and is being finalised.


President Bharrat Jagdeo makes a point during a meeting at Crabwood Creek

On Monday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon had indicated that particular attention would be paid on three cross-cutting matters which address government’s effectiveness during the Cabinet outreach. These are improving accountability, gathering and obtaining value for money in public procurement and improving the delivery of public goods and services within the communities.

Reference Source - GINA, Tusday, January 12, 2010

National Relief Committee garner funds for earthquake devastated Haiti

-hosts telethon

Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010

Officials of Government, religious organizations, political parties, the private sector, and civil society this evening alternated in varying panels on the National Communications Network discussing the devastating earthquake in Haiti as the National Relief Committee for Haiti sought to raise funds for the island where tens of thousands of people are suspected to have died.

Among those on the panels were Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, who is heading the National Relief Committee, Ministers of Transport and Hydraulics and Amerindian Affairs Robeson Benn and Pauline Sukhai respectively, Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin, Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira, GAP/ROAR member Everall Franklin, PNCR members Dr. Faith Harding and Basil Williams and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerald Gouveia.


Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand interacts with volunteers during the pledging exercise at the National Communications Network (NCN)

Minister Manickchand urged society to contribute to the worthy cause, since this tragedy can apply to anyone. She noted that individuals and organisations have already donated supplies to the country through monetary donations, food items, fuel and water.

“This gesture is not surprising because Guyana is known for its generosity to give to others and so Guyanese are coming out in their numbers to contribute to Haiti,” the Minister said.

The Human Services Minister stressed that Government will accept whatever little people can give to the country which will benefit the survivors.

“On Government’s side we will ensure that we (country) are fully transparent and accountable and every two to three days the nation will be informed of the amount of money have been acquired to assist in the country’s recovery,” Minister Manickchand said.


A section of the volunteers during the fund raising effort for Haiti

Opposition Leader Corbin while urging Guyanese to support the effort noted that his party is part of the relief effort to the devastated victims because of the priority and the urgency.

“The PNC is very happy to be part of this National Committee and to participate in this event,” he said.

Meanwhile, Imaam Mohammad Haniff expressed his appreciation to the Government of Guyana for its generosity to Haiti in its time of need.

“We should all join in the fight and support the Government of Guyana; the people of Haiti needs us and the children especially need us,” Imaam Haniff noted.

Chairman of the Private Sector Commission Gerald Gouveia said the private sector is looking at how it can contribute to the relief effort. He said that BK International has already put one of its ships on standby to transport stuff to Haiti and the private sector is looking at sourcing fuel for the ship. Edward Beharry, he said has earmarked a container of food stuff to be sent.

As a response to the devastating effects of Tuesday’s earthquake on Haiti, the Government of Guyana committed US$1M towards assistance for the island territory and established the multi-stakeholder committee, to oversee the effort following the meeting of various stakeholders, which included the opposition political parties, religious organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), at the Office of the President on Wednesday.

President Bharrat Jagdeo said, “I was deeply shocked and saddened at the extent of the destruction caused by the catastrophic earthquake which devastated our sister nation of Haiti yesterday. The haunting images of bodies, injured persons and ruined buildings struck a chord of compassion throughout our nation for the people of Haiti.”

“Haiti as the poorest country in the western hemisphere is now severely challenged to cope with this tragedy. Haiti needs all countries, including the small developing countries to come to its aid urgently.”

The earthquake, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale, was centered approximately 15 kilometres from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, and struck at around 17:00 h local time on Tuesday.

Minister Manickchand noted that the relief efforts will be two-pronged: immediate assistance will focus on relieving the ongoing human suffering while the long-term effort will seek to rebuild the country.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, earlier today, presented the $205M cheque to Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief, Minister Manickchand.

“It has been a long time since our region has faced a tragedy such as this and I think it is important that we demonstrate as a Guyanese people our resolve to respond in an appropriate manner and that we demonstrate the generosity for which we are known as a country and as a people,” Minister Singh said.

The cheque represents the fulfillment of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pledge of support to Haiti and also the first deposit in the relief fund set up for Haiti.

An account has been set up at Republic Bank as the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti, Account number 119-900-9.

Reference Source - GINA, 14 january, 2010

Finance Minister launches Haiti Relief Fund

- Presents $205M cheque to committee

Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010

A concerted effort to assist Haiti, recently devastated by an earthquake has resulted in Government pledging $205M to the national relief effort. Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, earlier today, presented the cheque to Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand.

“It has been a long time since our region has faced a tragedy such as this and I think it is important that we demonstrate as a Guyanese people our resolve to respond in an appropriate manner and that we demonstrate the generosity for which we are known as a country and as a people,” Minister Singh said.

The cheque represents the fulfillment of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pledge of support to Haiti and also the first deposit in the relief fund set up for Haiti. Minister Singh urged that persons contribute generously to the fund for which the account has been set up at Republic Bank as the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti, Account number 119-900-9.

Following a meeting yesterday with stakeholders convened by President Bharrat Jagdeo, a Committee was established to spearhead the effort which saw support from all stakeholders including the parliamentary parties, representatives of religious and faith based organisations, and non-governmental organisations.


Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh hands over the cheque for $200M to Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand who chairs the National Committee for Haiti Relief

“The President announced his intention, after of course having received feedback and support from those gathered, the President announced his intention to lead through Government a national effort so that we can be coordinated in our response so that we can optimize and be as efficient as possible in our response and most importantly so that we can present a strong, and positive and immediate and timely and effective Guyanese response to the tragedy,” Minister Singh said.

Recalling a visit to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) sister country after being appointed to his current post, Minister Singh stated that he remembered “the beauty of the country, the hospitality of the people, their courage and optimism, even as they faced difficulties economic and otherwise even at that time, their great courage and optimism and their huge talent in every respect”.

Noting that Haiti is a very highly valued bilateral partner and an important member of CARICOM, Minister Singh pointed out that the response across the Region has been one of unanimous support.

“Haiti is a sister member of Caricom, a very important member of the Caribbean region, a very highly valued bilateral partner to Guyana,” Minister Singh said.

The Finance Minister pointed out that during the initial stages, having heard about the earthquake, it was hoped that the occurrence would have had minimal impact but that hope was quickly replaced with the discovery that the devastation was widespread.

“I believe all Guyanese, indeed people across the world would have been transfixed by the images of devastation, crumbled infrastructure, people struggling for their lives, the rush in fact to save lives and the very clear reality that the impact of this natural disaster was of a magnitude that for a very long time will remain with the people of Haiti,” Minister Singh said.

Noting the unanimity with which the President’s initiative received support Minister Singh noted that this augurs well for the support.

The unanimity, with which this support was expressed, can only augur well for the quality of response that we offer as a country to our brothers and sisters in Haiti and in making this first contribution I would want to urge the widest possible support for this national effort”, the Finance Minister noted.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand who chairs the committee noted that the Committee is committed to ensuring that Guyana’s response is reflective of the way the Guyanese people feel about the tragedy.

The Committee will be embarking on a series of activities to assist the nation of Haiti including the hosting of a telethon on the National Communications Network (NCN) Inc. Channel 11 at 19:00 h (7 pm) this evening to allow Guyanese to make their contributions to the national effort.

The Committee will also be making appeals through the newspapers and a website which will be established shortly. Members of the Committee include representatives of each parliamentary political party, a representative of the three main religious groups, three representatives of the NGOs, and two representatives of the Government.

“The intention was, as it was expressed by persons yesterday who called for this, to have all efforts, every collection effort channelled to this one fund, the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti sent from the nation of Guyana to the Nation of Haiti, sent from the people of Guyana to the people of Haiti so all efforts even if they are individual efforts in the sense of persons may very well be wanting to contribute or to make their donations to the church, the local church or the local organisations, that those organisations would all be accountable to the National Committee for Haiti Relief,” Minister Manickchand said.

Haiti was struck by an earthquake at around 17:00 h on Tuesday, January 12, a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 on the Richter scale centered approximately 15 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital damaging most of the city.

Refernce Source - GINA, 14 January, 2010

PM, Human Services Minister assure of Gov’t commitment to more education sector development

-during visit to Kildonan Primary school, Region Six

Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010

In an effort to ensure schools countrywide are fully equipped with the basic necessities to ensure all Guyana’s children receive quality education from nursery to university, Government continues to invest huge allocations to maintain the sector.


Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand inspect computer lab during visit to Kildonan Primary school, Region Six

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand during Government’s Cabinet meeting on January 12, visited the Kildonan Primary School, Region Six, (EastBerbice/Courentyne).

The visit was highly appreciated by the students who expressed gratitude for Government’s contribution to the school over the year, enabling it to be better equipped with a computer lab with high speed internet access, a modern library and proper canteen facility.


Prime Minister Hinds greets teacher during visit to the Kildonan Primary School

Prime Minister Hinds while addressing the students and teachers said that it is Government’s policy to ensure that all Guyana’s children receive quality education despite race, colour or creed.

“It is in this vein the huge allocations are invested and continue to be invested to the sector in each budgetary allocation. Our children are the future and their future will shape the economy,” the Prime Minister said.
He said that this is to ensure that the future generations are well taken care of.

The Human Services Minister said that she is pleased to see that children are attending school regularly and told them of Government’s plan to secure.

“There are huge allocations set aside for your future and I assure you that this year’s budgetary allocation to the education sector will be brighter.”


Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand being greeted by a student of the Kildonan Primary School

However, requests were made by students to have a photocopying machine which will facilitate them with access to their test papers and a play field. The officials gave Government’s commitment of ensuring that their requests would be addressed.

Minister Manickchand warned the school’s administration that students must not be prohibited from writing examination if they are unable to pay for test papers.

She noted that the students are Guyana’s future generation and their education and knowledge will help structure a better nation. Prime Minister Hinds assured that they will get a play field.

Reference Source - GINA, January 14, 2010

Number 63 Beach gets new facilities

Georgetown, GINA, Jan 13, 2010

As a benchmark of government and private sector cooperation and another outstanding development in tourism in Berbice, three pavilions, three benabs, lavatory facilities, changing rooms and water tanks have been installed at the popular No. 63 Beach, Corentyne.


Minister Manniram Prashad and students of Tagore Memorial Secondary School, at commissioning of recreational facilties at 63 Beach

The facilities were commissioned on Tuesday, during the Cabinet Outreach to Region Six. President Bharrat Jagdeo applauded the effort, which is as a result of collaboration among several entities including the Berbice Chamber of Commerce, Nand Persaud and Cortours.

Present to perform the official handing over of the facilities to the Beach Committee was Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad. On the suggestion that a fee be charged to access the beach, he stressed that the Jagdeo Administration will not allow that to happen.

The development of tourism in Berbice continues to grow, with recent strides made at Cow Falls, Orealla and Zambisi Island, with new and enhanced facilities, for locals, regional and international tourists and overseas based Guyanese, in general and Berbicians, in particular.

Minister Prashad highlighted the fact that he recently witnessed several Dutch tourists enjoying Guyanese cuisine on the Corentyne coast, an indication that Guyana has the potential to tap into an even larger market, in Suriname, and Holland by extension.


New changing room and toilet structures on 63 Beach

Viewing the facilities as just a start in the process of modernization and improved standards on the beach, which hosts approximately 2000 persons every weekend, indications suggest bigger and better things to come for the county.

The minister stressed the importance of entrepreneurism, creativity and innovation for the development of more facilities on the beach, many of them sophisticated, in the form of showers and restaurants. He encouraged investors not to be afraid to take risks, to prepare groundwork, since this is the nature of private sector growth.

This is the largest beach in the Caribbean, 10 miles long and is the only beach that cars can safely drive on, all the way to the water front. With a nine-hour drive to Brazil, Guyana has the ability to attract tourists to these locations and be an excellent transition point for persons traveling through the South American continent.


63 Beach, Region 6

The Minister also noted that in Guyana, 98% of tourism activities, locations and services are owned and operated by Guyanese, a significant dimension to the overall growth and prosperity of Guyana’s gradually diverse economy.

Referenced Source - GINA, 13 January, 2010

National Relief Committee for Haiti gets donation from miners association

Georgetown, GINA, January 15, 2010

The Guyana National Committee for Relief for Haiti, which was established following a meeting held with President Bharrat Jagdeo and a wide-cross section of interest groups, today received $500,000 from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA).

The cheque was presented to chairperson of the committee, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand by President of the Association, Norman McLean.

Executive Director of the Association, Edward Shields also made a personal contribution of $50,000. BK International has promised to use one of its ships to ferry supplies to the devastated country.

Minister Manickchand said the committee is pleased to receive the contribution and was especially heartened by the very small donations from some persons.

“I’m convinced that these people are giving all they can afford but I also believe that persons can be much swifter in their reaction,” Manickchand stated.


President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, (GGDMA) Norman McLean hands over the cheque to Chairperson of the Guyana Committee for Relief for Haiti.
Also in photo is Pastor Raphael Massiah (extreme right) Executive Director of GGDMA, Edward Shields. Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn is third from left.

She added that Guyana’s initial response of US$1M is now being matched by countries such as Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations with limited resources.

Manickchand noted that the destruction in Haiti is on a massive scale and so warrants a wide range of assistance.

A team from Guyana is also expected to be deployed to Haiti once the type of support required is made clear.

The telethon held at the National Communications Network (NCN) has since netted $8.7M and another will be held tonight.

“We are encouraging all those who want to contribute to call us regardless of how small the donation is. The Little Rock TV station in Berbice will also have a telethon so you can come in to the CDC which opens all day.”
The chairperson reiterated the committee’s commitment to transparency and stressed that funds are not being spent on management expenses.

The committee is also in the process of establishing a website and will announce the address very soon. The website will provide vital updates on the amount of cash garnered and details of its distribution.

McLean stated that the Association attempted to make the contribution during the telethon last evening but could not connect to the telephone lines.

He noted that this is a positive sign of the overwhelming response of Guyanese to the plight of Haitians.

The GGDMA said other pledges include $500,000 worth of oil from the Pomeroon Oil Mill and $500,000 worth in pharmaceuticals from the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC).
Past President of the GGDMA, Alphro Alphonso is also among those who made similar pledges as well as Omai and Terry Singh from Japarts.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake tore through the capital of the already impoverished nation of Haiti, killing thousands and leaving irreparable damage in its wak

Reference Source - GINA, 15 January, 2010

Mahaicony Branch Road completed

Georgetown, GINA, January 14, 2010

The Ministry of Public Works and Communication has successfully completed the construction of the Mahaicony Branch Road at a cost of $175M. This completion adds to the numerous roads constructed, reconstructed and rehabilitated by the Administration to improve the transportation network.

The construction of the 6.2 miles road commenced in April 2009 and was completed on January 10, 2010. The road which was previously constructed using chip sealing now benefits from three layers of white sand, as its base, loam, crusher-run and asphalt concrete on the surface.

Design Engineer of the Ministry, Keeraj Bisesar, noted that this type of construction will lengthen the life span of the road. He noted that the asphalt concrete will prevent water penetration adding to the durability of the structure.

Mahaicony is a largely rice farming area and as such the new road will aid in the hazard free transport of combines, tractors and other large machinery. In addition the approximately 500 residents will benefit from the road.

It was revealed at a farmers’ meeting held last Sunday that 230 roads to be constructed this year. In addition 600 community roads on the coast are under construction.

On the East Bank Demerara the four-lane road will be expanded from Providence to Great Diamond. This will be done to facilitate the growing housing scheme at Diamond.

Major rehabilitation will take place on the East and West Canje roads and US$7M will be expended on the Black Bush Polder Road.

Reference Source - GINA, January 14, 2010

A deserved award for Sydney Allicock

Georgetown, GINA, January 16, 2009

Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud performing the duties of Prime Minister and on behalf of the Government of Guyana has expressed sincerest congratulations to Mr. Sydney Allicock, on his selection as one of the recipients of the Anthony N. Sabga Caribbean Awards for Excellence 2010 Laureates.

Minister Persaud commends Mr. Allicock for his continued commitment towards sustainable community development aimed at improving the livelihood of hinterland communities. He has also proven his dedication as a member of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee of the Guyana Low Carbon Development Strategy. A major component of this strategy is focused on the positive transformation of Indigenous communities.

In addition, he has brought firsthand knowledge though his experiences living in the hinterland and to ably represent the LCDS at numerous consultations across Guyana. Minister Persaud observed that Mr. Allicock’s achievements are indeed commendable; he led the Surama community in conceptualizing and implementing a sustainable tourism project that has been adopted as a model for development of similar projects in Guyana's hinterland.

Further, he has also been integrally involved in helping to promote nationally, a vision of indigenous rural community development based on communal effort, wise use of natural resources, traditional knowledge and social systems, and equitable partnership with outside agencies.

Mr. Allicock has certainly met all of the criteria for the award in a most resounding manner and the Government of Guyana hopes that this excellent son of the soil will continue to use his abundant talents to further contribute
to the development of Guyana.

Reference Source - GINA, January 16, 2010

National Committee for Haiti Relief gets more donations

GINA, Georgetown, January 18, 2010

Several organisations including M&M Snackette, a local body of churches and Toolsie Persaud Limited handed over monetary contributions to the Guyana National Committee for Haiti Relief at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) today.

The donation on behalf of the churches, totalling more than $193,000, was made by Bishop Juan Edghill representing a number of congregations from across Guyana.

Toolsie Persaud Limited presented its contribution of $500,000 while M&M Snackette handed over $200,000.


Bishop Juan Edghill hands over one of the cheques to Chairperson of the National Relief Committee Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand. January 19, 2010.

A private citizen also made his presentation in cash and supplies to the Committee.

Representative of Toolsie Persaud, Mohan Harnana, said that he hoped the company’s contribution would help to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.

Supervisor of M&M Snackette, Maxine McPherson, expressed sincere sympathy for the Haitians stating that it is heartrending to witness their pain and suffering.

“We hope that the donation will go a far way in overcoming their grief and we want them to know that we are praying for them sincerely.”

Bishop Edghill disclosed that a number of churches came together and agreed to have him deliver the cheques on his behalf.


Supervisor of M&M Snackette Maxine McPherson hands over the contribution to Committee Chairperson Minister Priya Manickchand. January 19, 2010.

He said a prayer service was also held by one such congregation which donated the proceeds towards the Haitian cause.

Committee Chairperson, Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand encouraged more Guyanese to come forward with their contributions.

She noted that too often people tend to believe that they are not in a position to give.

However, Minister Manickchand expressed satisfaction at the fact that citizens were responding in such an overwhelming manner.

She stressed that cash received from pledges so far amounts to $214,881,110 adding that bank statements are given to the Minister of Finance on a daily basis with accounts of the proceeds from the previous day.


TUF representative on the National Relief Committee for Haiti Valerie Lowe receives the donation from representative of Toolsie Persaud Mohan Harnana. January 19, 2010.

The Minister said too that the committee’s website is expected to be launched tomorrow so persons can receive regular updates.

Guyana Times has also offered a full page towards publishing the names of donors.

Commenting on the country’s need, Minister Manickchand said the CARICOM team has not been in a position to assess the situation since they could not land in the country.

She reiterated that the government is willing to accommodate any Guyanese with relatives in Haiti requiring assistance to return home.

Reference Source - GINA, 18 January, 2010

Panel discussion addresses Haiti disaster and future of country

Georgetown, GINA, January 18, 2010

The Guyana National Committee for Haiti Relief this evening hosted a panel discussion on the National Communications Network (NCN) with specific focus on the history of Haiti, the recent earthquake disaster and the future of the country.

The panelists were Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, GAP/ROAR member Everall Franklin and Women’s activist Andaiye.

Since the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, several efforts have been made through two days of telethon at NCN to support the people who have been displaced and affected in that country. The telethons have garnered huge response with about $214M while a number of agencies have begun relief efforts as well.

Minister Ramsaran said that over the past few days there have been disturbing images being broadcast over television in the aftermath of the earthquake.

He said Haiti should be precious since it started the move for freedom in the new order and was the first to liberate itself from the shackles of colonialism after which its history became very disturbed as a result of the burdens imposed upon the country by the French colonists. Dr. Ramsaran said persons should use Haiti’s experience as a lesson.

“The 100 years that was imposed on Haiti to repay an unjust debt to France is part of the problem…this brings about the power structure that we are still grappling with, the power that are built in certain parts of the world were generated and provided for by the wealth extracted from places like Haiti,” he stated.

Minister Ramsaran noted that the media has not made mention of Cuban doctors who were offering their services in poor conditions in Haiti before the earthquake and those who have gone to the island since.

Despite, these challenges, the Minister said Third World countries have been giving selflessly which are lessons CARICOM should take note of.

Franklin noted that Haiti was the first country that slaves tried to model a society from which many other nations in the Western Hemisphere got their courage and impetus to do likewise.

He stated that the media are portraying Haiti as a country of ‘zombies’ and ‘voodooism’. Voodooism is part of the Haitian society and there is much more than the perception of the country’s culture, he stated.

As a result of the disaster, he said persons have an opportunity to revisit the true identity of the Haitian people and the experience which persons should be proud of.

“In CARICOM we tend not to give Haiti its true position; it took a long time for them to be included in the first place when we look at that is a slap in the face of the people who first shed their blood to show us the way,” he stated.

Franklin believes that it is important for the region to want to understand its history and the media need to take control of the messages they are sending.

Meanwhile, Women’s activist Andaiye said that the amount of reparations France (Colonizer of Haiti) demanded in order to give Haiti recognition was $150M gold francs which calculated to the equivalent of $21B today.

She said that France should not mention giving aid to Haiti but should be repaying the money that it took since the country paid France from 1825 until 1922. Haiti, she said, paid all the years which amounted to 100.

She expressed the view that countries owe much to Haiti since it (Haiti) opened the doors of freedom to the Americas.

Following the devastating effects of the earthquake on Haiti, Government has committed US$1M towards assistance for the island territory and established a multi-stakeholder committee, to oversee the effort following the meeting of various stakeholders, which included the opposition political parties, religious organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), at the Office of the President.

In addition, the private sector has made significant contributions towards this worthy cause.

On January 12 Haiti’s island capital, Port-au-Prince was hit by 7.0 magnitude earthquake which destroyed several structures, killing tens of thousands of people and leaving many homeless and crippling the city.

Reference Source - GINA, January 18, 2010

Agri Ministry strengthens diversification campaign

– Officials meet with small scale farmers

Georgetown, GINA, January 18, 2010

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud who is performing the duties of Prime Minster and staff from the Ministry, today engaged small scale farmers in discussions at the Timehri Research and Demonstration Facilities about the possible expansion of crops on a large scale commercial basis.


Farmers at the agriculture expansion and diversification meeting held at Timehri Research and Demonstration Facilities.

This effort is in keeping with Government’s aim to diversify agricultural products and increase the level of production to meet the growing demands at home and abroad. In addition, Government intends to convert the Soesdyke Highway into an export zone, owing to its close proximity to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the main port of entry and exit.


Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud addresses farmers of the Soesdyke Highway district at the meeting at the Timehri Research and Demonstration Facilities.

Minister Persaud encouraged farmers to utilize this advantage and venture into large scale farming. He noted that while it may be difficult to expand individually there are other alternatives. These include collaborating with other small scale farmers to boost capacity and or becoming satellite farmers for large enterprises which will be facilitated through the Ministry.


Minister of Agriculture and Public Service, Robert Persaud and Jennifer Westford respectively, Officials of the Agriculture Ministry and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) inspect a bed of cabbages, at the GDF Farm, Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara.

The Ministry has been collaborating with the private sector and international agencies to expand the variety of crops cultivated, livestock, and the technologies employed to produce quality goods.

Currently there are model farms featuring shade house and greenhouse facilities with rich healthy high value crops including broccoli and honey-dew melon, and modern technologies at several locations in the district including at the Guyana Defence Force and Bounty Farms.


Minister of Agriculture and Public Service, Robert Persaud and Jennifer Westford respectively, Officials of the Agriculture Ministry and the Bounty Farm examine pepper plants in one of the greenhouses, at Bounty Farm, Timehri.

Farmers were encouraged to visit the facilities and learn about the new techniques involved in crop cultivation and animal rearing. In addition the Minster noted that every Wednesday technical staff of the Ministry will be at the Timehri Research and Demonstration Facilities to guide farmers who wish to undertake expansion.

Minister Persaud noted that if farmers grasp the application of the new technologies to produce these new high value crops it can boost Guyana’s exportation of vegetables to the global market. In addition it can reduce the quantity of imported vegetables since they will be locally available at a more affordable price.

Reference Source - GINA, January 18, 2010

Minister Baksh calls for Headteacher advocacy on literacy promotion

Georgetown, GINA, January 21, 2010

Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh today called for Headteachers to be more proactive in the implementation of programmes designed by the Ministry to promote literacy. The Minister was at the time speaking at a meeting with headteachers from the various regions at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Kingston.

The purpose of the meeting was to consult with headteachers on the implementation of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP).


Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh addressing headteachers at the meeting at NCERD to discuss the implementation of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme.

The Minister said that the six-year programme was invented due to the weaknesses of the primary level of education. He said that a lot of interventions have been put in place to strengthen the primary school system in the area of literacy and numeracy in particular.

“Many initiatives are in place to the extent that we have also established a National Literacy Unit, staffed with specialists in this area,” he said.

Minister Baksh disclosed that already interventions are made to have literacy specialists visit schools to ensure that programmes are being rigidly implemented as the Ministry is expecting nothing less that success in the literacy programmes in the Primary schools.

He said that even with all the progress made by the Ministry to promote literacy, there is still a lot of work be done. Many teachers are not onboard to the programme because they do not understand the methodology or are not committed to their programme.

There needs to be more effective supervision through the Monitoring Evaluation Research and Dissemination (MERD) Unit, in ensuring that the Regional Education Departments supervise the school systems.

“We will have clear benchmarks, clear indicators that they must look for; we have to leave some of these assessments for the Heads.

They must be able to manage without intense or close supervision but we will define six areas which the Regional Educational Officers will have to look for and report on that as part of an overall accountability framework,” he said.

The Minister asserted that the Ministry will start to hold headteachers and principals accountable for their stewardship or lack thereof.


Headteachers at the meeting, at NCERD.

“Improvement in the school system commences with the headteachers and they have to become far more proactive, accountable and results-oriented in the system,” Minister Baksh said.

He asserted that those who are not improving, steps will be taken against them by the Teaching Service Commission. He emphasized that some of the heads are “sleeping on the job” while they should be effectively supervising and mentoring teachers.

A certificate will be introduced at the end of the Grade Four level, which will be issued for those students who meet the standards that must be achieved. He said that will motivate parents and students, since those who do not meet the standards in Grade Four will have another chance to do so in the fifth grade.

Minister Baksh said that failure of the SCCP is not on the Ministry’s agenda.

At the end of the Minister’s presentation, headteachers were given a chance to share their views on the implementation of the programme and other issues that might be preventing them from effectively performing their duties. Many of the heads were in support of the programme as it would go a long way in ensuring that children stay in school and complete their education.

Reference Source - GINA, 21 January, 2010

National Committee for Haiti relief donations top $237M

Georgetown, GINA, January, 21, 2010

The National Committee for Haiti Relief today received more donations as Government entities, religious organizations, political parties, the private sector, and civil society continue to pour-out their generosity towards assisting the devastated island of Haiti.

Eleven donors donated cash and food items to the Committee at the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) office, today as efforts continue to support Haiti which was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12. Estimates are that over 200,000 people have since died.


Chairperson of the National Relief Committee for Haiti, Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand receives donation from a representative of School of the Nations.

Those who contributed to the effort today are: School of the Nations- $724,000, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana- $600,000, the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC)- a total of $8.2M in pharmaceutical and medical supplies, Women’s Political Organisation-300 bed sheets, 600 bags of rice and $100,000, Friends of the Needy -$25,000, the Rice Producers Association (RPA) $100,000 and 500 bags of rice, National Enhancment Committee- $25,000, Cummings Electrical -$200,000, the Alliance for Change- $20,000 and the Guyana Defence Force- $150,000. The Guyana Muslim Mission donated barrels of clothing and other items.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security and Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti relief, Priya Manickchand said that citizens have been contributing food and clothing also. She noted that the committee is determined to continue its work to aid Haiti as long as the island needs it.

“We are very happy at the committee level with the response of Guyanese thus far. This has shown the generosity of our people.”


Minister Manickchand receives cheque from a representative of Cummings Electrical.

The Human Services Minister disclosed that the committee has taken a decision to have the first batch of relief items leave this weekend for Jamaica and then to be transported to Haiti.

Other recent donations were: Fibre Tech Industrial Plastics- 200 kitchen sinks, Beharry Group of Companies- 1 container of food supplies, Howard Bulkan- 1 container of lumber, International Pharmaceutical Agency and Demerara Distillers Limited 1 container of bottled water each, Just Water- 100 cases of bottled water, Pomeroon Oil Millers Incorporated- $500,000 worth of refined oil, and GPC- $6M worth of pharmaceuticals.

Prior to the donations made by corporate citizens the Committee for Haiti relief hosted two telethons on January 14 and 15 on the National Communications Network (NCN).

As a response to the devastating effects of the earthquake on Haiti, the Government of Guyana committed US$1M towards assistance for the island territory and established a multi-stakeholder committee. A cheque representing the fulfillment of President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pledge of support to Haiti and also the first deposit in the relief fund set up for Haiti was also handed over to Minister Manickchand.


A representative of the Guyana Defence Force presents cheque to the Chairperson of the National Relief Committee for Haiti.

Additionally BK International has agreed to the use of one of its vessels to transport aid to Haiti.

The committee which was established following a meeting held with President Bharrat Jagdeo and a wide-cross section of interest groups has received a total of $237,299,255 thus far.
An account has also been set up at Republic Bank as the Guyana Relief Fund for Haiti, Account number 119-900-9.

Reference Source - GINA, January, 21, 2010

ATTENTION TO EVERYONE ON GNI:

Guyana look like paradise. I moving back this year. President Jagdeo is the only president for life, like comrade Forbes.

quote:

Originally posted by marlon:
ATTENTION TO EVERYONE ON GNI:

Guyana look like paradise. I moving back this year. President Jagdeo is the only president for life, like comrade Forbes.

MY BAGS ARE ALREADY PACKED.

I understand this song is being played continously at CJIA's Departure Lounge.

quote:

Originally posted by marlon:
ATTENTION TO EVERYONE ON GNI:

Guyana look like paradise. I moving back this year.

Paradise and not Utopia?

quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBEARD:

MY BAGS ARE ALREADY PACKED.

Send post cards and keep us undated on GNI.

Public Works Ministry- Strengthening infrastructure across the country

Georgetown, GINA, January 21, 2010

The Ministry of Public Works and Communications worked assiduously throughout 2009 to ensure that Guyanese benefit from improved infrastructure and services. The Ministry’s commitment has been exemplified with the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads and bridges across the country regardless of challenges, making for a more modern country and improving the transportation network. The Ministry was able to complete 95% of all works planned for 2009.

Roads

The Ministry embarked upon a road development programme across the country to improve the transportation network and link communities. A total of $2.8 B was spent on the various projects, including the New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek Highway. The 2009 budget provided $1.8 B for the road’s completion. The Ministry expended US$35.5 M on the road. Also in Region 6, the Ministry conducted rehabilitative works on the Black Bush Polder Road.

Construction of the Mahaicony Branch Road commenced in April 2009 and was completed this month at a cost of $175M. This road is benefiting approximately 500 residents and rice farmers.

Under the Miscellaneous Roads Programme, 65 roads were repaired. Over 200 roads have been identified to be rehabilitated in 2010.

In addition, under the Urban Roads and Drainage Programme, several roads, parapets and drains in and around Georgetown were cleaned and maintained by the Guyana Prison Services while roads in New Amsterdam, Georgetown, Linden and Anna Regina were repaired.

Hinterland areas are now more accessible through the construction of roads in Regions 1, 8, 9 and 10.

The Santa Rosa to Kwebanna road in Region One that is being constructed at a cost of $160 M is 35% complete and will conclude early this year. Also in the Region, 14.4 miles of road has been constructed from Mathews Ridge to Baramita. The remaining 5.6 miles up to Mora Swamp is under construction. The 26-mile Karasabai to Meterzero road, Region One is in progress and is expected to be completed by April. This project costs $180M.Madhia, Region 8 is experiencing rehabilitative works.

The access road from Linden to Lethem which spans 416 kilometers has been rehabilitated at a cost of $148 M. The completion of this road was essential since it is the only major land link that will be utilized by the heavier volume of traffic expected with the Takutu Bridge.

Road Safety:

The Ministry conducted an engineering study relating to vehicular accidents and to increase the safety on the roadways. As a result it employed several measures including erecting street lights and guidance structures.

Street Lights

A total of 876 street lights were installed across the country at the cost of approximately $158.5M. The Providence to Timehri district, Region 4 benefited from 768 luminaries while 70 were erected from the Demerara Harbour Bridge to Canal Number 1 Polder, Region 3. In Anna Regina, Region 2, 38 street lights were erected.


A section of the newly installed street lights at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

Three hundred and fifty-eight street lights are being installed along the Vreed-en-Hoop to Parika, Region 3 corridor. The project is approximately 70 percent complete.



Street lights erected on the East Bank Demerara.


Traffic Lights

To curb traffic congestion, the Ministry installed a traffic light system at the Diamond Housing Scheme entrance, East Bank Demerara.

The project was executed at a cost of $15M. The East Bank Public Road at the junction of the scheme has been widened.

Guidance Structures

The Ministry employed a five-man crew tasked with highlighting road markings. This was done continuously throughout the year to guide road users on effectively using the roadways.

Road barriers were constructed at critical turns on the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara. The East Coast project targeted areas including Coldingen, Hope, Unity, Atlantic Ville, Ogle, Plasiance and Bachelor’s Adventure, while barriers were installed at Craig, Timehri and Friendship on the East Bank. The projects cost $36 M and $44 M respectively.

Clearing Government reserves

The Ministry’s demolition campaign continued with significant strides made with the removal of illegal occupants on Government’s reserves along the East Bank, East Coast and West Coast Demerara corridors. The Ministry has pledged to continue the campaign in 2010 until all reserves across the country are clear of encumbrances.

Weight Control for vehicles

Four fixed platform scales were installed at the western end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the Mackenzie Bridge at Linden, the Berbice River Bridge and at the Bridge Crossing at Lethem to monitor the weight of vehicles.

Demerara Harbour Bridge

An average of 6,437 vehicles traversed the bridge daily last year and the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) experienced a 20% increase in revenue. In addition the DHB was contracted by the Ministry to undertake rehabilitative works the bridges along the Railway Embankment and to construct a bridge at Moleson Creek.

Rehabilitative works were expedited on the DHB through a budgetary allocation of $749M. Two major aspects were the successful replacement of a broken transom and the northern lane of the eastern approach deck. Further, 2599 deck plates covering more than quarter of the bridge’s surface were installed.

The fabrication of 100 connecting posts at a cost of $95 M has been completed. In addition, 79 pontoons have been rehabilitated and anchor chains replaced as measures continued to provide an efficient service and enhance the bridge’s life span.

Sea Defence

Cognizant of Guyana’s vulnerability to the rising sea level Government expended approximately $2.6 B on the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of sea and river defences across the country with special emphasis on the coast.

Earthen embankments were raised at Sisters Village, Glasgow, and Springlands, Region 6, Lorenzo, Region 3 and Good Hope, Region 2.

Rip-rap sea defence work began at Belladrum, Region 5 and Line Path, Region 6. The project at Belladrum will see the construction of 900 meters of sea defence, 40% of which has been completed. Sea defence works at Line Path targets 810 meters and 35% is completed. Both projects are scheduled to conclude by mid year.


Rip Rap sea defence at Crane, West Coast Demerara.

In Region 3, 550 meters rip-rap sea defence are being expedited in the Stewartville area. At Enterprise, Leguan, 150 meters of rip-rap work were undertaken.

At La Retraite, Region 3, 300 meters of rip-rap construction were built at a cost of $115 M.

The Ministry also embarked upon the maintenance of sea defence structures. The sluice at Cornelia Ida, Region 3 that underwent remedial works in 2008 saw its completion in 2009. The works entailed 15 meters of construction of concrete slope.

Contracts for the construction of rip-rap sea defence at Zorg, Region 2, Stewartville and Enterprise, Region 3 and Brahn, Region 5 were awarded while river defence works are ongoing at D’Edward Village, Region 5 and Moleson Creek, Region 6.

Maritime Administration Department

The operations of this department have been successful for the year 2009. One of the major achievements of the department was the completion of repairs and maintenance of vessels.

Vessels traversing the Essequibo and Demerara Rivers were requested to use sheds and 93 out of the 205 vessels complied with the Ministry’s request.


Passengers disembark a speed boat with canopy.

Eight hundred and sixty-six ships piloted the waterways. A total of 368,902 metric tons of cargo, 21,591 containers and 3,087 vehicles were imported.

Inspections of various facilities were conducted, replacement of buoys in the Berbice and Demerara channels were expedited, new equipment were achieved for the sector and dredging of the Demerara Channel was expedited.

From an administrative perspective, the department issued 259 licences and certificate to various vessels including those privately owned.

Infrastructural Works

The Ministry launched the Transport Infrastructure Rehabilitative Programme funded by the Inter-American Development Bank. Undeok this programme the Ministry embarked upon the installation of 26 culverts and bridges from Timehri to Rosignol at a cost of US$6.8M.

Currently, resources are being mobilized and the culverts are being fabricated.

Under this project the Abary Bridge experienced rehabilitative works to the structure of the bridge. It will be completed early February 2010. Other infrastructural works done by the Ministry facilitated greater convenience for commuters, in general, and automobile owners, in particular, with the construction of a car park at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

New Asphalt Plant- Garden of Eden

A US$153,900 asphalt plant was installed at Garden at Eden, East Bank Demerara. The plant has begun operations and is producing asphalt concrete for use on the roadways.

Reference Source - GINA, January 21, 2010

Process of building modern economy well underway – Finance Minister

… transformation of economy spurring private sector development

Georgetown, GINA, January 22, 2010

At the launch of the 2009/10 telephone directory today at the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company canteen, Hadfield Street, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Sigh, delivered the feature address where he indicated that Government’s policy seeks to lay the framework for the development of a vibrant private sector.


Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, addresses the launch of the 2009/10 telephone directory at the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company canteen, Hadfield Street on January 22, 2010.

He also stated that the process of building a modern economy is well underway and stressed that this transformation is spurring private sector development.

To illustrate his assertions, the Minister pointed to the significant physical infrastructural developments taking place across the country such as road and bridge projects, including the Berbice and Takutu River Bridges, improved social services, especially in education and health, and the great strides made in the non-traditional (new and emerging sectors) of the economy, especially in services.


Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, Major General (ret'd) Joe Singh, hands over the ceremonial first copy of the 2009/10 telephone directory to Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Minister Singh noted that these developments have come through tangible, demonstrable investments by Government, and its commitment to maintain a strong, stable macroeconomic environment.

He highlighted that the maintenance of a sound macroeconomic framework is much desired by the private sector as it reduces the amount of economic uncertainty that is faced when making business decisions.

This framework, the Minister said, is one of the principal reasons for the rapid growth in the private sector over the years.

He reiterated that Government remains committed to the modernization and transformation of the country, and urged his listeners to avoid taking all these developments for granted as it takes significant work and a deliberate and concerted effort by a number of parties to realize this progress.

Dr. Singh indicated that Government will continue to invest in developing the physical infrastructure of the country, and provide the legislative and macroeconomic framework to spur private sector development, as this has always been a deliberate policy and was not achieved in the past through luck.


The new 2009/10 telephone directory.

He signalled that growth in the telecommunications industry is reflective of the effort of Government to transform the economy, pointing to the growth of land-line subscribers from 13,000 in 1991 to around 150,000 at present.

However, the Finance Minister remained unsatisfied, noting that universal access to service is imperative.

“We will continue working towards a fully liberalized and competitive telecommunications sector,” he stated, noting that it will make Guyana’s economy stronger and more resilient.

The new 2009/2010 directory, a more compact document, recognizes the Suriname-Guyana Submarine Cable System (SG-SCS) which is expected to significantly resolve Guyana’s bandwidth issues. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the telephone utility, Major General (ret'd) Joe Singh, the cable will become operational in June of this year.

Reference Source - GINA, January 22, 2010

Hydroelectricity, modern telecommunications, stronger links with Brazil to spur transformational economic growth

– Head of State

Georgetown, GINA, January 27, 2010

At the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) annual officers’ conference, Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that hydroelectricity, modern telecommunications and stronger links with Brazil have the potential to spur transformational economic growth from which all Guyanese are likely to benefit.

“What we need now is a leapfrogging type of development and there are only a few major strategic projects that could, along with the routine growth in investment and economic expansion, deliver this leap in our gross domestic product, the creation of greater income and wealth here,” the President said.

Hydropower

In relation to the hydropower project at Amaila Falls, President Jagdeo highlighted that work will commence this year, revealing that Government has already received the bid for constructing the access road to the project site.

“In five to six years, what we are using to import fossil fuel to generate electricity, we can repay the cost of the hydro-power (US$600M),” he indicated.


Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the Guyana Defence Force’s annual officers’ conference, January 27, 2010 (OP, Sandra Prince Photo)

Modern telecommunications, including increased bandwidth services

The Head of State told his officers that modern telecommunications can transform Guyana’s economy by providing significant rewards in terms of greater productivity, and also has the potential of “tens of thousands of jobs”.

He explained that this underlines the conflict that Government has had with the local telecoms provider, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, “because we feel that the services have not been adequate to allow national development of a transformative kind to take place”.

However, progress is being made towards improving telecommunications in the country, with emphasis on increased bandwidth services, President Jagdeo said.

He pointed to the new fibre-optic cable that GT&T landed recently, and also related that Government, in collaboration with its counterparts in Brazil, is working to land another cable.

“This (the fibre-optic cable from Brazil) is dedicated to the Government’s needs. It will link our schools, hospitals, police stations and…will allow us to do E- Government, E-Health, E-Education and E-Security in a much, much more effective and hopefully efficient fashion,” the Head of State said.

“When the fibre-optic cable comes in, the cost that you pay now for bandwidth, for internet access, could drop by as much as 85%. You will be paying 15% of what you were paying for access.”


Some of the participants at the Guyana Defence Force’s annual officers’ conference, January 27, 2010 (OP, Sandra Prince Photo)

Stronger ties with Brazil

“I have spoken a lot of times about the need to have a link with Brazil. Brazil is a growing world power in many, many areas. It is already the leader in the world in food and technology production and we are fortunate that we live very close to a world power,” President Jagdeo expressed.

He explained that Guyanese businesses can access large markets in the northern Brazilian states of Amazonia and Roraima, thereby allowing them to obtain critical production masses from which they can obtain increasing economies of scale. This will help lower production costs and increase revenues, which will trickle down to all Guyanese.

“There will be tremendous spin-offs benefits for Guyana,” the Commander-in-Chief told his officers.

Reference Source - GINA, January 27, 2010

Guyanese continue to pour out their generosity towards Haiti

GINA, Thursday, January 28, 2010

The National Committee for Haiti Relief today received over $3M in cash and other forms of donation from several organisations.

At the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Thomas Lands, presentations were made by Republic Bank staffers ($300,000), Gandhi Youth Organisation, ($142,000), Guyana Fire Service staffers, ($140,000) plus 15 boxes of clothing, National Hardware Limited $1M worth of clothing, Ansa Mcal Limited 200 cases of sardines, Gizmos and Gadgets, ($100,000) , St. Stanislaus College, 2 boxes caned food and Neal and Massy, ($750,000).


Neal and Massy representative hands over the company's donation to National Committee for Haiti Relief Chairperson, Priya Manickchand.

Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand who received the donations expressed the Committee’s appreciation and noted that its members are very encouraged by the over whelming response “since persons who don’t make fantastic salaries have combined their donations to bring relief to the people of Haiti.”

Minister Manickchand noted that as at 15:00 hrs today, donations deposited in the Relief Committee’s bank account amounted to over $254M.


Ansal Mc Al reprsentatives and Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief with the company's donation.


Container being packed with donations for Haiti.


Fire Chief Marlon Gentle presents donation to Priya Manickchand, Chairperson, National Committee for Haiti Relief.


Ghandi Youth Organization representative hands over their donation to Chairperson of the National Committee for Haiti Relief.

She said that while the committee is happy about receiving large amounts, it’s the small amounts that inspire others to contribute “since its shows that Guyanese humane spirit is not lost.”

Minister Manickchand also noted that while other efforts are being made in Guyana to secure more aid for the people of Haiti, President Bharrat Jagdeo will be stepping up his call for more relief for the people of Haiti when he meets with other Caricom heads in Suriname this weekend.


Republic Bank representative presents the bank's staffers' donation.

Heads of Government will be meeting on Friday to determine types of relief needed in Haiti and how each member state can contribute to Haiti’s rebuilding process. The country’s capital Port-au-Prince was devastated by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12 which claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people and left millions homeless.


St Stanislaus College teacher presents students' donation to Priya Manickchand.

Minister Manickchand said that a shipment of at least three containers is expected to leave for Haiti tomorrow and 10 more are expected to leave on January 5, since information coming from Haiti indicated that the ports are being cleared.


Staff of National Hardware presents donation to Chairperson for the National Committee for Haiti Relief.

Director of CDC Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup said that over $ 45,853,000 worth in kind were collected since the establishment of the committee on January 13.

On Tuesday last a vessel shipping four containers packed with flour, refined coconut oil, pharmaceuticals, water and clothes departed the John Fernandes Wharf, Water Street, for Jamaica, where a focal point will be established, from where relief items will then be transported to Haiti.

Reference Source - GINA, Thursday, January 28, 2010

[i]Hundreds attend memorial activity for Lusignan victims]/i]

Georgetown, GINA Thursday, January 28, 2010

Two years after the gruesome slaying of 11 persons when gunmen stormed the community of Lusignan in the early hours of January 26 , Government officials, religious organisations, members of the Diplomatic Corps and civil society on Wednesday, joined hundreds of Guyanese in remembrance of the victims.

The function, which was organised by the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC), was aimed at promoting unity and in memory of the 11 victims which included five children. It was held at the Lusignan Tarmac on Wednesday and attracted approximately five hundred people.


Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission Bishop Juan Edghill while delivering remarks at the memorial service for the Lusignan victims

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud who is performing the duties of Prime Minister while delivering the feature address expressed condolences to the relatives of the deceased on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cabinet Members.

“We sometimes ignore that as a people our ability to overcome challenges is magnified if we come together. We saw strength coming out of the tragedy and as a nation we are able to conquer all challenges; we must forever be vigilant,”

He noted that society should not forget the sorrow the nation endured after the tragedy, because if that is lost the economy loses vigilance and will always be under threat.

He reiterated that there are persons who would want the nation to forget what has happened but urged all in attendance to always keep their guards up.

“Our prayers and comfort are always with you as long as we can remember these tragic incidents,” the Minister posited.


Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud (right), to his right Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali during the service in remembrance of the victims of the Lusignan Massacre

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said Guyanese have a collective responsibility to each other as a nation since everyone makes up a country, not just an individual.

Guyana is still in the making, he told that gathering, and is faced with many challenges but assured that through perseverance Guyana’s objective of ‘One people, One Nation, One Destiny’ can be achieved.

“Even more so then it would signify the sharing of victory, pain and successes which would also help to unite the people as one,” Minister Ali said.

He noted that Government has felt the pain inflicted on the nation which cannot be erased easily since it is now deemed as part of Guyana’s history.

“Although this is part of our past this event should cushion our future so this would not recur. As a nation challenges will continue to face us, but how we deal with it will define us as a country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission Bishop Juan Edghill encouraged the nation to continue to show love without political division and to work with togetherness as Guyanese so that good will always triumph over evil.


Attendees during the memorial service in remembrance of the slain Lusignan victims of the January 26 attack, at the Lusignan Tarmac

“We have an option to remain bitter or to forgive, but as a Leader I am urging the relatives to forgive,” the ERC chairman said.

He noted that after reflecting on the lesson learnt he is happy to see that unity is prevailing throughout Guyana despite persons would want to create mischief and to portray other wise.

The night’s proceedings also saw a heart felt reflection by Bibi Baksh the daughter of the late Saleem Baksh who said that although it has been two years since the tragedy the memory of incident still lingers as if it was yesterday.

She noted that her father will always be remembered for his contribution to society especially the community of Lusignan.

Ashley Persaud a student of the Valmiki Vidyalaya Primary school cited a poem which reflects the tragedy. Representatives of the three main religious groups were also in attendance.

The incident which was seen as the worst in the country’s history evoked the condemnation of political, religious and other leaders.

About 02:00hrs on January 26, 2008, the quiet ‘Tract A’, Lusignan, on the East Coast Demerara was shattered by a 20-minute rapid gunfire spree and rampage of five homes by a large armed gang that left 11 persons dead, including five children.

Those who perished in that fateful day were: Shaleem Baksh, 52, Claren Thomas, 48; Vanessa Thomas 12; Ron Thomas, 11; Shazam Mohammed, 22; Mohandan Goordat, 32; Seegopaul Harilall, 10; Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52; Seecharran Rooplall, 56; Raywattie Ramsingh, 11; and Seegobin Harilall, 4.

Just hours prior to the Lusignan murders, the Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, also came under heavy gunfire.

On February 17, Bartica was rocked by terror as about 15 heavily armed men invaded the community, killing 12 persons, including three police men and injuring several others.

Those who died in the Bartica slaying were: Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, and Constables Shane Fredericks and Ron Osborne, Deonarine Singh, Ronald Gomes, Ashraf Khan, Abdool Yaseen; Errol Thomas and Baldeo Singh, Edwin Gilkes, Dexter Adrian, and Irving Ferreira.

Reference Source - GINA Thursday, January 28, 2010

Agri engineers to read for hydrology Post Grad

GIBA - Thursday, January 28, 2010

In an effort to strengthen its human resource capabilities, the Ministry of Agriculture today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOu) with the University of Guyana (UG) and McGill University which will pave the way for engineers to read for a Post Graduate Certificate in Water Resource Management.

Permanent Secretary within the ministry, Dindyal Permaul inked the agreement with Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Sherwood Lowe, who signed on behalf of the University of Guyana.

A batch of 24 engineers is expected to be trained for the course with 15 persons being drawn from National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/Agri Development Authority.

The evening programme is set for commencement in April and will include all of the ministry’s engineers.

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud said the programme will entail hydrology and water resources management, drainage and irrigation, hydraulic structures and geotechnical investigation courses.

The training is part of the capacity building actions earmarked for the engineers to enhance their proficiency in water management and provide additional skills for the execution of their duties in a more effective manner.

The minister stated that the severe deficiency of specialty in the area of hydrological studies has been recognised, prompting the unique partnership with the universities.

Minister Persaud noted that the ministry is pleased to provide the resources to facilitate studies in these key areas since many persons employed under water and weather management systems have not benefitted from training.

He added that the minimal training received by some has been proven inadequate given Guyana’s expanding cultivated lands and the effects of climate change.

“So we have to bring the technical advances of these institutions up to standards in the most cost effective manner. We also recognised the limitations of the programme offered by the University of Guyana…”

Minister Persaud mentioned that during a visit to McGill University he explored the possibility of having a water management programme undertaken locally.

“It will allow every engineer in water management to be exposed to these areas of training in drainage and irrigation.”

The minister stressed that there must be renewed efforts in equipping the ministry’s human resource with the necessary skills to build capacity.

He added that the investment in the unique partnership will also benefit the University of Guyana since the laboratory will require an upgrade.

“Let’s see if we can deepen this project and extend it to other countries in the region and really make Guyana the centre for excellence in water and land resource management,” the Agriculture Minister stated.

In prepared remarks read by Lowe, UG’s Vice Chancellor, Lawrence Carrington said he was delighted with the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) since it creates the space within national development projects for new ideas.

“I recall that my very first initiative as Vice Chancellor was to open the possibility for a cross-faculty project on drainage, irrigation and coastal zone management. This programme is critical to the development of capacity and competence in an area that Guyana must cultivate in order to mitigate the deleterious effects of climate change and to maximise its natural resources,” Carrington said in his statement.

He further referred to Guyana as a living laboratory for the study of water resource management and its application to agricultural productivity, human health, alternative energy and economic growth.

Carrington said he cherished the tripartite initiative and congratulated Minister Persaud on his foresight in recognising applied scholarship as a catalyst to national development.

Reference Source - GIBA - Thursday, January 28, 2010

Gov’t school feeding programme to be extended

- Ministry signs contracts with suppliers

GINA, Friday, January 29, 2010

Government in its quest to reduce illiteracy in schools has introduced several programmes geared at providing necessary implements to encourage increased attendance and higher levels of excellence.

Under its School Feeding Programme, the Ministry of Education has recorded success in increased punctuality and attendance in the 10 Administrative Regions. In this regard, the School Feeding Programme will be extended to include other communities this year as Government is increasing the spending on these programmes.

Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, this morning, signed contracts with local conglomerates Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and Banks DIH for the provision of Topco fruit juices and biscuits respectively to fuel its programme on the Coastland.

In collaboration with the private sector, the Ministry will be providing biscuits and fortified fruit juices for students at the nursery and primary levels. The programme will commence next week, where schools on the Coast and Riverain areas will receive snacks to distribute to children on a daily basis.

Regions to benefit from this programme include Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).


Hinterland students benefiting from Government’s School Feeding Programme which is being expanded this year.

Minister Baksh explained that this is a targeted programme where 322 Nursery Schools and 327 Primary Schools will benefit. These will cater for over 51,000 students. At the Primary level, students from Grades One and Two are benefiting from this initiative in Coastal and Riverain areas.

The annual cost of this programme to Government is $800M and Minister Baksh stated that the programme provides a nutritious snack for students which has served to improve health and concentration.

The Minister noted that with the supply of locally produced fruit juices for the programme, farmers will be encouraged to ‘Grow More’, since the demand will be higher.

Representing Banks DIH were Marketing Director George McDonald and Company Secretary Terry Bynoe. Assistant General Manager of DDL Tarachand Khelawan said the company will be providing five flavour of juices to the programme including cherry, passion, pineapple, guava and fruit punch. He pointed out that the juices are made from local fruits and this will provide an opportunity for farmers to supply larger quantities, since in the past the company had limited its intake to supply existing markets.

The Ministry has three separate school feeding programmes one of which provides hot meals to students of Hinterland communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

This programme is effected under the Education For All/Fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI) in collaboration with residents of the communities who have constructed the kitchens and who supply the produce.

Minister Baksh explained that at the end of 2009, approximately 83 schools were covered under the programme and 15,000 students at the Primary level have been benefiting.

The annual cost of the programme is over $500 M and there are plans for this to be extended this year, the Minister said. In 2010, the Ministry hopes to have an additional 29 schools benefit from the programme.

Meanwhile, hinterland students have also been benefiting from a peanut snack programme which provides cassava bread, peanut butter and juice as a nutritional snack. There are also plans to extend this in 2010 so that more students can benefit. Last year, 14 schools benefited from the programme and it is expected that an additional 26 schools will be added this year.

This year’s project is expected to cost $30M.

The programme is managed by the Society for Sustainable Operating Systems (SSOS) and member of the Society Jerry La Graw stated that every child in the chosen schools receive the snack on a daily basis. He pointed out that findings from a survey of the programme shows clearly that there has been a marked increase in attendance and concentration among the student population.

Over 500 farmers earn from this project through the supply of raw materials including fruits, peanuts and cassava. The project commenced in 2005 as a pilot project and La Graw stated that since then through the SSOS there have been technical improvements so residents are able to process peanut butter, cassava bread and other products in the Rupununi which are consumed under the programme.

Last year, Government allocated $710M in the National Budget to expand the school feeding programme to be effected at 100 primary schools in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

The school-feeding programme was introduced in the late 1980s as part of a poverty eradication project conducted in Third World countries, aimed at assisting families who were unable to provide sufficient meals for their children while at school. In 1995, the World Bank Programme ceased its supply of goods, and Government decided to take over the responsibility for the entire programme, since many students were benefiting from it.

Reference Source - GINA, Friday, January 29, 2010

With Gov’t support - transportation sector continues to grow

Georgetown, GINA, January 25, 2010

All agencies under the umbrella of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications involved in providing transportation services across the country recorded a successful year gone past.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn and Heads of the various agencies under the Public Works Ministry involved in transportation updated the media on the sector’s performance for 2009, at a press conference held at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC), today.


General Manager, Transport and Harbours Department, Khevin Trim, Chief Executive officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Ramesh Ghir, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn, Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Zulphicar Mohamed and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Balraj Balram at a press conference to access the performance of the transportation sector at CJIA, Executives Lounge


Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC)

Cognizant of the demands of a globalised world, Government has been dedicating resources towards improving the services offered by the country’s main port of entry, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

To commence a successful year, the airport’s Aerodrome Certificate was renewed through an audit conducted by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCCA). This has lead to the continuous flourishing operations of the airport.

In spite of occurrences around the world, the airport was able to secure an income of $600M. However, it witnessed a decline in international aircraft landing due to the 17% reduction seen internationally.

Movement of passengers, cargo and aircraft

Regardless of challenges from the international arena which saw a reduction of 3.1% in passenger movement, the CJIAC had a good year with a 5% increase in passenger movement. Locally there was a 4% decline in imported cargo as against 15% in cargo movement worldwide.

The airport recorded a total of 3,652 international aircraft movements which represent a 17% decline as compared to 2008. However, the decline was owing to airlines reducing capacity and increasing payload. In addition, there was an overall decline of 3.1% in aircraft movement worldwide.


Title: Minster of Transport and Hydraulics speaks to the consultant, Giuseepe Caraubba on the progress of the taxiway at CJIA

Human Resource Capacity

To ensure that the airport staff provides quality service to customers, CJIAC conducted training sessions in Customer Care, First Aid, Aviation Security, Vehicle Operators’ Permit and Team Building.

In addition, security at the airport has been boosted with 10 security guards who supplement the work of the Guyana Police Force. The inclusion of the Security Unit has been receiving positive responses from stakeholders.

Equipment

In order to improve the efficiency of the airport, the administration embarked upon upgrading the facilities with advanced equipment. CJIAC and airlines signed an agreement with SITA for the supply and installation of a new Common User Terminal Equipment (CUTE).

By June 2010 the airport will boast 20 new check-in-systems, 2 passenger self check-in-kiosks and a flight information display system.

To prevent overheating on the 750kva generator, the Corporation purchased a new radiator.

Navigational aids were repaired and serviced by the airport. Flight checks were conducted on the Precision Approach Path Indicator and VHF Omnidirectional Range (VOR) to ensure that they were calibrated. The runway end indicator light was serviced and is operational. Moreover, the Mimic Control Board serviced and continues to monitor and manage the lighting system in the aerodrome.

Rehabilitation and Construction

The airport embarked upon rehabilitating and constructing key facilities to ensure the safety and security of aircrafts and to provide a more comfortable environment for passengers.

Rehabilitation of the international apron and taxiway at a cost of $247M was undertaken by the airport and will be completed by March. To improve the lighting facilities around the runway the lighting protection system was upgraded and the earthing pits were serviced. Currently the runway has more than adequate lights to ensure that the runway is well illuminated. Other repair works were done on the cables and transformers.

Parking facilities at the international port of entry will be upgraded with a new car park booth that will be computerised. Construction of this facility commenced last year and is expected to be completed next month.

Concessions

The airport granted concessions to the Oasis Café and King’s Jewellery to set up business in the departure lounge and Republic Bank ATM facility at the Arrivals area while Roti Hut and Rituals Coffee will be situated in the arrival and departure areas.

Museum

This project which was initiated by the Minister Benn has seen the conversion of an abandoned DC3 aircraft into a museum. The Douglas DC-3 Museum is air conditioned with seating facilities and has a flat screen television that demonstrates virtual flights. It has a fully equipped cockpit and is open to students.


The Douglas DC-3 Museum

Emergency Exercise

Response to emergencies in a timely and orderly manner is pertinent to the effectiveness of an international airport and as such the entity expedited the Airport Emergency Plan in the form of a simulated aircraft crash. The exercise which involved 300 persons from key agencies including the Guyana Defence Force and GCCA was successful with respect to achieving ICAO requirements.

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)

Modernization

One significant achievement of the GCAA was the signing of a contract with INTELCAN for the provision of equipment for the modernisation of Navigational Aids Equipment for the Control Tower at Timehri, with $660M provided by Government.

Ogle Airport Incorporated (OAI) will also be experiencing equipment upgrading at a cost of $30M.

An assessment was conducted to ascertain the requirements of both airports and the proposal is currently with the relevant officials for perusal.

Two VHF transceivers and an HF radio were purchased to supplement the back up communications system. In addition a new 225kva generator has been installed and is operational.


Title: Minister of Trasnport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn inspects the Control Tower where the new equipment will be installed within a few months

Certification of Ogle Airport Incorporated

Another success of the entity is the certification of Ogle Airport Incorporated as an international airport. The runway at the airport has been improved to facilitate large regional planes. This project will be completed this year.

Human Resource capacity

For the GCAA one of the most valuable and scarce resources is skilled personnel and as such the entity has conducted several training programmes to enhance the knowledge base of the entity.

Seven Trainee Air Traffic Control Officers successfully completed classroom and simulator checks and were placed on “On the Job Training” from a batch of 14. Twenty five persons were recruited in May 2009, 11 completed the course and 9 have successfully completed facility checks.

A Safety Management Systems Training was conducted by ICAO and most senior management personnel including persons from the industry successfully completed the course.

Security

Security in necessary for a functional aviation sector and as such the Ogle Airport Incorporated’s Security Programme was approved in February 2009. Security inspections were conducted at the CJIAC, OAI and hinterland airstrips.

An aviation security risk assessment was conducted by the AVSEC Division for the CJIAC. This was done to provide Aviation Security training for stakeholders.

Operating licences

The authority issued licences to three scheduled operators GUM AIR N.V, Trans Guyana Airways and Caribbean Airlines Ltd. Non-scheduled and charter operators were recipients of permits to operate.

Transport and Harbours Department

The advent of the Berbice River Bridge has lead to the Transport and Harbours Department reassigning its vessels that plied the Rosignol to New Amsterdam crossing to the Essequibo River, improving the service in that area.

Owing to the proper management of the entity there was a reduction in back-log of vessels scheduled to be docked for repairs in 2008. These were MV Lady Northcote and the ML Thompson at a cost of $33M each and the MV Makouria at a cost of $74.8M.

Three emergency dockings were executed on the MV Barima, MV Torani and MV Kimbia. These works were done to improve the service of the vessels and to secure the safety of passengers.

In an effort to provide proper facilities for citizens the entity expended $9.5 M and $5.3 for the supply of materials for rehabilitative works on the Goods Wharf and Parika Stelling respectively.

The department acquired Navigational Aids at a cost of $27.3M and was also supplied with spares for the vessels at a cost of $286M.

For the year 2009 the department transported 303,000 passengers, 48,000 vehicles and 102,000 tonnes of cargo.

Reference Source - GINA, January 25, 2010

Ah hope the Air Traffic Controller does not spill his coke drink on the equipment in the Control Tower.

CJIA can be shut down for weeks ....

It is not a good practice to partake with foods/liquids in these situations ...

... even near personal computers.

All stakeholders have a role to play, to secure sugar industry’s future

-Agriculture Minister tells workers’ forum

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2010

The future of the sugar industry remains a top priority of this administration as stringent measures continue to be incorporated in order for it to remain productive, amidst the industry’s diversification to further consolidate and create a larger, more modern and dynamic sugar industry.


Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addressing sugar workers at the Rose Hall
Community Centre

The Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo’s) series of ‘Workers Forum’ to highlight the future of the sugar industry began today with the aim of sharing relevant information on the state of the industry, updating on the implementation of the ‘Turn around Plan’ and outlining the course ahead for the industry and the role of all stakeholders.


From left: Donald Ramoutar, GuySuCo Board Member, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, GuySuCo’s Chairman and CEO, Dr Nanda Gopaul and Errol Hanoman respectively and Region Six Chairman Zulficar Mustapha at the sugar workers’ forum at the Rose Hall Community Centre

The meetings which were convened at Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon Community centers saw the participation of Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo Errol Hanoman, Board Member and People’s Progressive Party General Secretary, Donald Ramoutar, its Chairman Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Region Six Chairman, Zulficar Mustapha, other GuySuCo Board Members and Trade Union Representatives.

The forum which saw discussions being centered on the ‘Turn around Plan’ was held under the theme “Working together as a team to achieve a successful and modern sugar industry”.

Minister Persaud while delivering remarks spoke of the future of GuySuCo, centered on the ‘Turn around Plan’, which will see the industry on a further path to development.

The plan will only bear fruit if there is full support of all members since they are what Government considers a critical grouping in moving the industry forward.

“This can only be achieved with the full cooperation of Board Members, the Union and all workers….so all members have a role to play in these discussions,” the Agriculture Minister said.

He noted that 2009 saw the industry being faced with many challenges, which led Government to take a stern decision to end the management contract with Booker Tate.

“This year is seen as a very crucial year in the history of the sugar industry since it is the first time, in the 300 years that Guyana has been planting sugar, that the industry is on its own,” he said.

He noted that this gives the country a greater degree of responsibility to ensure the industry survives and used the opportunity to give Government’s commitment to ensuring that it remains stable.

Government continues to allocate resources to ensure that the industry remains competitive and in this regard invested in the US$185M modern Skeldon sugar factory and the $1.2B packaging facility at Enmore Sugar Estate which is under construction. As the year progresses there will be more investments, the Minister added.

Meanwhile GuySuCo’s Regional Director Jairam Petam and CEO Hanoman provided updates on the success of the industry during the first, second and third phases of production.

Board Member Ramoutar and Chairman Gopaul spoke of the history and successes of the industry and the way forward.

The forum also gave workers an opportunity to highlight challenges which they are currently facing and to make recommendations.

The forum will be taken to Enmore and La Bonne Intention estates on February 3, Blairmont on February 4, and Wales and Uitvlugt estates on February 5.

Reference Source - GINA, February 2, 2010

Secondary schools’ computerisation pilot launched

By Stabroek staff | January 30, 2010 in Local News

SchoolNet Guyana, a pilot project for the computerisation of secondary schools countrywide, was launched yesterday.


A new breed: Students working in the Diamond Secondary School
computer laboratory, which is part of the pilot project for the
computerisation of secondary schools countrywide.
(Photo by Sarah Bharrat)

The computer based literacy programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Education (MoE), in collaboration with the Canadian non-profit organisation Global Partnership for Literacy (GPL).

Speaking at a new laboratory opened at the Diamond Secondary School to commemorate the project, Minister of Education Sheik Baksh said SchoolNet Guyana complements the ministry’s five year computer literacy plan, which is expected to see all the secondary schools in Guyana equipped with computer labs. The government is keeping computer literacy on its priority list, he said, while noting President Bharrat Jagdeo’s promise in his New Year message. A lot of money, Baksh added, was invested in the computerisation programme last year. When the MoE approached the cabinet for more funds, he explained, President Jagdeo gave his support and urged that the ministry complete the “shells,” which will house the computer labs at the end of this year.

By completing the necessary infrastructure, Baksh stressed, GPL’s computers given to us through the SchoolNet Guyana project will be put to use immediately. The minister urged that everyone involved in the computer literacy project move swiftly. Efficient work will hopefully lead to the project exceeding its target, he said. It is also MoE’s long term aim, Baksh said, to provide computers for households in Guyana. “It is important that we bring technology to the country,” he declared, “We have to condition the human resources for development.”


Diamond Secondary School students working on new computers
provided as part of the SchoolNet Guyana project.
(Photo by Sarah Bharrat)

In two weeks, Baksh revealed, the Success Maker Software (SMS) in the SchoolNet Guyana computer lab at Diamond Secondary will be implemented. This program has improved numeracy and literacy levels in schools. SMS was implemented in 10 schools over the last two years, including the Kwakwani and Sophia primary schools.

It was Baksh who raised the questions of maintaining the computer labs once they are implemented by SchoolNet Guyana; and the training of teachers in time to use these and teach students. If, after a period of time, the networks implemented at the schools stop functioning then it would have cancelled the projects objectives.

Project objectives

GPL has merged SchoolNet with the MoE’s Computerisation of Schools Project to integrate the ministry’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme into schools and communities across Guyana. The project is being funded jointly by MoE and GPL, which is currently seeking funds from donors and partnership groups. There are four ways to help SchoolNet Guyana become a success, GPL Canada Chairman Danny Doobay said at the gathering. Organisations or individuals can partner with GPL in implementing the project; donate to the programme or a specific school; become a SchoolNet volunteer or sponsor IT scholarships at the University of Guyana.

SchoolNet Guyana has five key elements. System-wide ICT infrastructure is the first component. Its objective is to equip every school with a computer lab consisting of a small LAN (Local Area Network), 30 computers, internet connection and video projection for easy learning.

Professional development, training and capacity building as it relates to Information Technology is the programme’s second element. SchoolNet will provide training for teachers in computers and computer aided instruction; and will equip them for capacity building with Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) across the country.

The third component of the programme will assist MoE in creating digital content. Guyanese, at the end of the programme, will have access to educational information online.

In addition to making resources available online SchoolNet Guyana will aid the ministry in securing software (computer programs) which improves the delivery of education and its management system. Distance learning will be facilitated in this section of the project.

Finally, SchoolNet Guyana aims to facilitate ICT dissemination. It will cooperate with relevant organisations to develop programmes that extend the use of ICT beyond the classroom via multimedia community booths across the country.

Swift minds

The programme, according to Doobay, requires open minds and willingness to accept change and change the way in which things are done. The big question is: Will it work? Only if change is accepted, Doobay said, and there are swift minds which can absorb what is being taught. Anything less will result in the failure, he said, citing a similar case in Trinidad and Tobago, which borrowed $100M from the International Development Bank for a programme that ultimately failed. More than 50 percent of computer systems put in place under the project were not working, while teachers trained during that project either didn’t have access to computers or had access to training but had no computers. By using the Trinidadian case as a learning experience, Doobay stated, the mistakes they made can be avoided and in so doing ensure SchoolNet Guyana is successful. The Trinidadian case highlights the importance for the balance in training and the provision of computers as well as the importance of maintenance.

A call centre located opposite the Diamond Secondary, he said, has full time technical persons on staff. This company, according to Doobay, has offered its technical skills free of cost to the school’s computer lab.

During the last several months SchoolNet Guyana has been developing three pilot programmes, inclusive of the Diamond lab. They will complete the other two laboratories within a few weeks, Doobay said, and observations will commence to determine whether other specifications, aside from those employed by SchoolNet’s engineers, will be needed for the standardised labs.

After the observations are completed a report will be submitted to the Ministry of Education for its approval, which would see SchoolNet Guyana move on to other schools.

Computer literacy is now an essential component in our education. Outside of manual labour there are few areas on the job market which don’t require computer experience. In the near future, Doobay stressed, there may be no positions which don’t require some amount of computer know how. It is in this framework GPL set out to develop the SchoolNet Guyana programme: a five year geo-literacy programme targeting, in the initial stages, the secondary schools. The local branch of GPL is headed by Geoff Da Silva.

Reference Source - Stabroek, January 30, 2010

D_G, good thread!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Mitwah:

D_G, good thread!!!

Developments and activities are taking place, Mitwah.

Granted ... Perhaps, not at the pace some might expect.

Bartica miners, residents raise concerns with Gov’t officials

- at cordial meeting

Georgetown, GINA, January 30, 2010

In the midst of a fruitful discussion with residents and miners of Bartica, Acting Prime Minister Robert Persaud reiterated government’s position that mining will continue.

Today’s meeting allowed miners of Bartica to raise their concerns with the Acting Prime Minister, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Adviser to the President on Community Development Odinga Lumumba, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) William Woolford and Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) James Singh.

“It has always been made clear that mining will continue. There has never been any discussion whether we should cease or reduce mining activities,” Minister Persaud clarified.


Acting Prime Minister Robert Persaud speaking with residents and miners of Bartica on mining. Also at head table are Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Adviser to the President on Community Development Odinga Lumumba, Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) William Woolford and Commissioner of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) James Singh

Speaking to a packed gathering at the St John the Baptist Primary School, Minister Persaud said the land use Committee set up by President Bharrat Jagdeo is one which will ensure that operations in the mining sector are sustainable and efficient.

He emphasised however that no decision has yet been made about many of the proposals dealing with mining issues such as the six-months notice period. He dispelled rumours that the notice will prohibit small miners from operating.


Representative of the Committee of Concerned Barticians Fredericks McWilfred raising his concerns during the meeting on mining

“The proposals are so being crafted that in fact… for a certain defined period, they (small miners) might be exempted, if that is agreed upon, from the six months notification,” Minister Persaud said.

All of the residents who raised concerns were given a fair chance to express themselves. Miner Simone Bruce said her concerns about the difficulties miners face were addressed to the Government on several occasions.

She lamented the state of the Cassandra Bridge which leads to Mahdia, noting that miners going that route have to divert to a more costly option. She also had concerns about continuous mining which Minister Benn assured will not be affected if the right procedures are followed.


Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn speaking with Bartica resident and miners on mining

“If you have a medium-scale mining permit and you identify where you want to mine, you can go and start mining and continue mining. There is nothing that will stop you from mining. What is required and what is already inherent in the laws is that you have to give notification so that under all the various stakeholders using our forest resources, we are able to ensure that the practices are sustainable,” Minister Benn said.

The Minister said he is familiar with the issues surrounding the Cassandra crossing and noted that considerations for repairs to the location are being made for this year.

He added that a significant amount of funds were identified for roads in several of the country’s mining districts and for this year money is being spent for roads in Bartica going all the way to Paruni landing and beyond. Similar works he said are earmarked for Region Ten from Linden to Kwakwani.

The most boisterous group at the meeting was the Committee of Concerned Barticians who lamented the absence of opposition support to their plight. Member Frederick Mc Wilfred made it clear that protest they plan on Monday is in no way meant to be confrontational but opposition party members will not be welcomed since “not a single opposition voice has been raised since the issue started.”

Minister Persaud noted however that the government has no intention to dissuade the residents from taking actions that will reflect a true expression of their concerns, but he advised that it be done in a lawful manner.


A section of the gathering at the meeting in Bartica with Acting President Robert Persaud on mining

He said even though the community did not invite the governmental team, the need to respond to the concerns of the community was an absolute necessity.

“Whatever policies and whatever programmes and projects that we undertake, we try to do this through a process of discussion with all stakeholders, it is the hallmark and an enduring feature of the PPP/C administration,” Minister Persaud said.

McWilfred presented his argument, about mining being shut down. However this was quelled by Minister Benn who reiterated that mining will continue.

McWilfred also said the only proposal which the miners find workable is the one which calls for a setting aside of a portion of forests specifically for mining.

The outstanding contributions of the mining sector in 2009 were highlighted by Minister Persaud who noted that despite global challenges mining held its reputation as one of the more resilient sectors. The same could not be said for rice, sugar, bauxite and tourism.

“Why would anyone attempt to hurt that? Why would any sensible government or administration want to proceed in a direction to affect a sector that is one of the more resilient sectors?” Minister Persaud said.

Government’s support to mining, the Acting Prime Minister said is reflected, among other ways in the form of duty free concessions which has amounted to about $10B.

Without such a forum, the Acting Prime Minister said a vacuum will be created where misinformation will lead to certain negative reactions that affect the wellbeing of persons in the community.

Regional Chairman Holbert Knights said the Bartica community is appreciative of the government’s acknowledgement of their concerns about mining and its importance to all the residents.

He alluded to a meeting on January 27, at which housewives attended and expressed their concerns noting that it signals the impact of the mining on all groups in the community.

Rference Source - GINA, January 30, 2010

More roads and bridges to be built in 2010

Georgetown, GINA, February 10, 2010

To foster economic development Government has been expending resources towards the enhancement of transportation infrastructure across the country. The advancement of this sector has seen the construction, restoration and rehabilitation of many roads and bridges.Through a budgetary allocation of $10.8B, the Ministry of Public Works and Communications will commence works to improve transport infrastructure this year.

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn is pleased that the expenditure for 2010 is close to that of the 2009 amount of $11B.

Minister Benn further noted that the “Ministry had anticipated some works for 2010 in 2009 because some funding became available and secondly we had the good fortune to have gotten good weather over the past six or more months, so we had taken advantage of those and our projects have proceeded very well last year.”

Government has made a budgetary allocation of $7.6B for the development of roads and bridges since they provide important access to agricultural and other productive areas. They link these with major market centres, provide connectivity between and within residential areas, reduce cost and travel time, increase convenience to businesses and residents, reduce congestion, improve safety and market efficiency, and provide new economic opportunities.

The Minister noted that the construction of roads in the rice cultivating areas of Black Bush Polder and West Canje, Berbice are of priority. When completed, these roads will assist farmers to have easier access to market facilities. The 2010 budget has provided $1B for the construction of the all weather road in Black Bush Polder.

The Ministry will continue works under the urban and miscellaneous road project throughout urban centres particularly around Georgetown and Linden. It was indicated that miscellaneous road works will be done on the Coast.

“An intensive programme encompassing the construction of over 200 roads are being built throughout the Coast and the urban and miscellaneous roads will add to them,” Minister Benn stated.

Additionally, Government will be continuing its Hinterland roads programme which saw a number of roads being constructed last year particularly in Region 9. Roads from Linden to Lethem and Linden to Kwakwani/Ituni were completed.

“Roads are being done in the North-West district and it is anticipated this year for the improvements of the roads going to Garraway Stream along to the Road going to the Paruni River and beyond,” Minister Benn said.

Government will be continuing its bridge rehabilitation programme on the East Bank and East Coast Demerara. The Minister noted that Jackson Creek Bridge which failed last year will undergo repairs and works will be done on bridges in the Essequibo district.

The 2010 budget has also provided the sum of $700.5M to continue financing the upgrading of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. It will allow the procurement of deck units, servicing of pontoons, replacement of the hydraulic ramp, and fabrication of distribution and transom beams and buoys.

Reference Source - February 10, 2010

Sacrifice makes people stronger-PM

-tells devotees at Shiv Raatri observance

Georgetown, GINA, February 12, 2010

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds today joined scores of Hindu devotees to observe Maha Shiv Raatri, one of the most important Hindus festivals worldwide at the Cove and John Ashram, East Coast Demerara.

Mr. Hinds extended ‘Shiva Raatri’ greetings to the entire Hindu community on the celebration of Maha Shiv Raatri.


Students of the Hindu College recite a verse out of the Bhagwad Gita

He said that the period of fasting which is compulsory should give assurance to devotees that one can endure and come out of any sacrifice better than before. It also teaches an individual how to live a good life.

“For people in our country to advance there must be sacrifice. All people in all parts of the world have challenges in making sacrifice. Pleasures may deprive them of things they cannot do but sacrifices only make you stronger,”Mr. Hinds said.

He told the devotees that it is important that people do not get consumed by the daily life of vanities but rather should think about what they can do and achieve in the shortest period of time to make this country a better place.


Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses devotees during the Shiva Raatri celebration at the Cove and John Ashram, East Coast Demerara.

“I’m am pleased to be part of Government for the past 20 years and I must say that we (Cabinet members) are satisfied with our achievements thus far, contributing to the wellbeing of society.”

Mr. Hinds also used the opportunity to commend the members of the Cove and John Ashram for their contributions to society over the years especially in providing schooling for children.

He stressed that Guyana although small, can play a significant role in bringing about harmony and togetherness among is people.


Devotees during the Shiva Raatri observance, Cove and John Ashram

The celebration which commenced with prayers and the chanting of bajans to Lord Shiva for strength and forgiveness, concluded with feasting.

Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Minister of Legal Affairs Charles Ramson were among the participants at the celebration.

Shiva Raatri is observed every year on the 13th day of the dark half of the month of Phalgun. Hindus believe that it is on this auspicious night that Lord Shiva rewards his devotee who throughout the year performs prayers, poojas, meditation and chanting.

Reference Source - GINA, February 12, 2010

Region Four to experience ongoing development…

AG says at Flag Raising Ceremony

Georgetown, GINA, February 22, 2010

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Charles Ramson said government has been spending billions of dollars and continues to do so to promote major developmental works in Region Four.

Ramson, who is also Minister of Legal Affairs, rebuffed suggestions that Region Four has been neglected and pointed out various projects in the National Budget to be undertaken there.


Attorney General Charles Ramson speaks to the audience at the Flag Raising Ceremony held in Region Four. February 22, 2010.

The Attorney General, who was speaking at the Flag Raising Ceremony in the region, stated that government has been providing the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) with a substantial amount of cash in the form of subventions.

He pointed out that nearly $300M has been earmarked this year for road rehabilitation works and another $30M towards agriculture in the Cane-Grove and Enmore communities.

Ramson noted that a number of bridges in several areas including Bachelor’s Adventure, Enterprise, Ann’s Grove, Earle’s Court, Success, Bladen Hall and Melanie Damishana are to cost millions.


Attorney General Charles Ramson stands with Regional Chairman Clement Corlette and other regional officials as the Golden Arrow Head is being hoisted. February 22, 2010.

He added that $1B has been provided for in the budget to make the sanitary landfill in the region operational to curb illegal activities at the Mandela site and relieve the city of litter.

“We have gone a far way in developing this country not because we’re celebrating 40 years as a republic.”

Ramson stressed that Guyana is the only country that has not been affected by fiscal deficit or that seeks to cut cost by reducing the public service.

He revealed that some Caribbean countries have been rationing water and shutting down major industries.


A section of the audience listens as Attorney General Charles Ramson delivers his address at the Flag Raising Ceremony in Region Four. February 22, 2010.

“That is the kind of thing happening just next door and nobody is comparing it. Had it not been for the tight fiscal control of the Finance Minister and the President we would not have been able to do that.”

The Attorney General chided the media for harping on the negatives and remarked that Guyana has been adjudged the “most generous countries in the world”.

“Guyana has agreed to take 100 babies with 10 chaperones with the permission of the Haitian government…If we didn’t have we couldn’t give,” Ramson said.

Reference Source - GINA, February 22, 2010

Construction of Vergenoegen water treatment plant progressing

-over 30,000 people to benefit

Georgetown, GINA, February 22, 2010

The construction of the new water treatment plant located at the site surrounding the existing pump station at Region Three is about 75 percent complete.

This is according to Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI), Divisional Manager, Aubrey Roberts during an interview with media personnel at the construction site recently.

He highlighted that the storage tank for the facility is almost completed.

“There were few major hiccups with the installation of filters which resulted in delays but those hurdles are over and works are progressing favourably,” Roberts noted.

He pointed out that major works on the mechanical and technical aspects of the facility have not started as yet but GWI is pushing to have the project completed by April month-end.

However, Roberts is urging persons to conserve water since it would be more precious and expensive when it is being treated.

The construction of the treatment plant started in 2009 and is part of the GWI’s capital investment programme for the region. It is being constructed at a cost of US$3M ($600M) and is expected to serve residents from De Kinderen to St. Lawrence inclusive of both villages. Over 30,000 customers will benefit from this project.

Upon completion it would have the capacity to produce up to 5,000 mega litres of purified water per day.

The project is being done by Universal Earth Movers (UEM) Incorporated a company from Trinidad and Tobago and is being built in close proximity to the existing pump station at Vergenoegen.

This treatment facility along with others being constructed in Regions Two and Five is being built under the Water Sector Consolidation Project (WASCP) funded by a grant from the World Bank at a cost of US$11.3M with US$1.1M complementary funding from the Government of Guyana.

This year, approximately $2.7M was allocated to the water sector to facilitate the completion of the treatment plants in Lima, Region Two, Vergenoegen, Region Three and Cotton Tree, Region Five as well as the Central Ruimveldt and Sophia iron removal water treatment plants in Georgetown to benefit over 128,000 people.

It is also expected that phase two of the Corriverton water treatment plant will be completed at a total cost of $1.6B benefiting over 12,000 residents from No. 74 Village to Moleson Creek which will realise the expanded use of the slow sand filtration system and will result in lower energy consumption and with no mechanical processes lead to lower maintenance costs.

In addition, service connection upgrades and metering will be done in Bartica, Leguan, Patentia, Soesdyke, Herstelling, Nabaclis, Craig, Prospect and Covent Garden.

Distribution networks at Half Mile and One Mile and transmission mains from Mackenzie to Richmond Hill will be also rehabilitated.

Reference Source - GINA, February 22, 2010

President mingles with Guyanese, visitors out “Mashin”

Georgetown, February 24, 2010

President Bharrat Jagdeo continued his customary exercise of mingling with the celebratory masses on the streets of Georgetown at the February 23 Republic Day, Mashramani celebration.

Although this exercise has been the norm for the President, this year’s Mashramani celebration was a special occasion for the country as it marked 40 years since becoming a Republic.


Lucky sisters meet President Bharrat Jagdeo for the first time during his walk about on Mash day

Words alone are not enough to describe the support which Guyanese, home and abroad and visitors showed to this year’s celebration held under the theme Embracing Our Diversity, Celebrating Our Heritage.”


President Bharrat Jagdeo meeting Guyanese out on the street for Mashramani 2010

Accompanied by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad and Presidential Adviser Odinga Lumumba, the Head of State began his journey late in the afternoon at the head of Vlissengen Road walking in the southerly before diverting into Irving Street.

Scores of vehicles were lined up on Vlissengen road occupying every possible space and along the way the President greeted many with handshakes, hugs and waves for those who were not close by.


A section of the huge crowd out on Mash day as President Bharrat Jagdeo was taking his tour

Reference Source - February 24, 2010

Mash 2010, a huge success - thousands line city streets to view floats, costumes

Georgetown, GINA, February 24, 2010

The streets of Guyana’s capital, Georgetown came alive today as hundreds of resplendent, colourfully bedecked revellers took to the streets in their eye catching costumes and floats as they participated in the main event to mark Guyana’s 40th anniversary as a Republic.



More than 33 bands took to the roads showcasing various topical themes and aspects of development much to the admiration of the thousands who came out to be part of the day’s happenings. There were too, many visitors enjoying themselves, gyrating to popular sounds.



The parade started off from Camp and Church Streets and weaved its way along Church Street, into Vlissengen Road before making its way into the National Park, Thomas Lands.

Several Government Ministries including Culture, Youth and Sport, Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Health, Amerindian Affairs, Public Service, and Banks DIH, Digicel, Carib, Body of Christ Church, and Guyana Power and Light participated in the event.

The Culture Ministry fielded a 300-strong contingent, led by Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony depicting a theme based on the Low Carbon Development Strategy.

Minister Anthony said that Mashramnai 2010 was a huge success, since the event attracted thousands more than previous years.



Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Indranauth Haralsingh praised the Mash Committee for a well planned event. He said February allows foreigners the opportunity to experience a range of entertainment options such as Mash, Youman Nabi and Phagwah.

It was evident hat the revellers were having a wonderful time as were the thousands, lining the parade route inclusive of many children. For many it was a grand picnic.



This year, the Mash Secretariat of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport organized several events which kicked off as early as January to commemorate the 40th Republic anniversary. This includes calypso, chutney, soca, steelband and costume competitions that saw the participation of Guyanese from all across the country.

Reference Source - GINA, February 24, 2010

Minister Manickchand commits to furthering drive for full equality for women

- As Guyana joins in celebrating International Women’s Day

A GINA Feature

Georgetown, GINA, March 8, 2010

A woman is a mother who sacrifices and holds the family together, teaches good values and ensures her children are provided for, a sister who can be counted on to lend an ear and offer advice, a wife who merges two families.

It is in recognition of the important role women play in Guyana’s society that guides Government’s policies and programmes which aim to ensure that the enabling environment exists for women to develop and excel in all spheres.

This year, as the world celebrates International Women’s Day under United Nations’ theme “2010 Equal rights, equal opportunity: Progress for all”.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, on this occasion, urged that all Guyanese strive to make efforts to further advance the achievement of full equality for women.

“As Guyana joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day we should, as a people, applaud the advances our country has made in achieving equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all in our country. I salute all those men and women who have worked tirelessly towards this end. While we could be justly proud of the achievements we have made in this regard, because women have been downtrodden across the world for centuries, challenges to fully achieving true equality hover over us and threaten to stagnate the advances we have made,” the Minister said.

The Minister pointed out that Guyana must guard against any kind of behaviour that promotes division in the quest to attain full equality for women.

“As women we must be even more vigilant. I am firmly of the view that present-day women leaders are best placed in our country, perhaps in our history, to work across partisan lines to further advance the effort at attaining equality. I am committed to this and will continue to make effort at promoting an atmosphere of working together on common causes,” Minister Manickchand said.

The Minister further stated, “I urge that as we celebrate our many achievements today and henceforth all Guyanese commit to making efforts to attaining real equality for women. I implore that the efforts of women in particular be redoubled.”


Minister Manickchand addresses single parents outlining Government’s single parent assistance programme

While in the past, some domains were dominated by men, today that has changed and Guyanese women have taken their places in all areas of work and have made their mark in the academic, technical and other areas. Women have equal rights like men and these rights enable them similar opportunities.

Government has through its programmes ensured that women retain their rights to acquire an education so that they can develop and sustain themselves while at the same time adding to the progress of all in society.

Guyana has made significant strides towards ensuring an environment which allows the co-existence of men and women in the workforce and today women hold important offices such as Ministers of Government, Parliamentarians, and Permanent Secretaries and they work along with men in developing policies for further development of Guyana.

The Single Parent Programme conducted by the Ministry offers certain skills which include barbering, electrical courses and plumbing. A pilot project was conducted focusing on technical skills with approximately 15 young women and they are now working alongside their male counterparts.

Protection and representation


More than two decades ago, brutalised women were forced to endure severe beatings at the hands of their partners since financial constraints prevented them from seeking justice. This has changed significantly and today, persons can seek assistance from the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic at little or no cost.
The clinic was formed to provide legal aid to persons who cannot afford to employ the services of a private attorney and to improve access to justice for the underprivileged. It has a mandate to provide free or subsidised legal advice/representation to those who, due to a lack of means, are in danger of having their rights infringed upon or would otherwise have their need for representation unmet due to poverty.

The agency also has a duty to refer persons requiring non-legal help to the appropriate agencies. However, the Legal Aid Clinic, which was initially opened in 1973 by a group of lawyers, and was shut down 10 years later due to a lack of government funding. In 1994, it was resuscitated and provided with attorneys on secondment, rent-free office space, and an annual subvention from the Government, along with assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).


Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand outlines Government’s programmes for residents of Region Five.

Following its resuscitation, the clinic has been instrumental in assisting over 10,000 people in finding a sense of justice and vindication. True to its commitment to improve access to justice for the poor and disadvantaged, in early 2008, the Government provided $32M to ensure the expansion of legal aid services.

With the funding, the clinic was recently able to expand into several regions and has now incorporated juvenile justice into the list of available services. The clinic is a non profit-making organisation which operates at a monthly cost of $2.6m in Regions 2, 4, 5, 6, as well as a separate office in Region 10.

Legislations

Several steps have been taken to aid and protect women in the fight against Domestic Violence and other forms of abuse including the passage of the Domestic Violence Act of 1996; the National Policy on Domestic Violence; and the Domestic Violence Policy Unit to enforce the Act.

The Domestic Violence Act of 1996 provides for protection, occupation and tenancy orders and further allows for custody and maintenance orders to be made while the National Policy on Domestic Violence helps to provide direction to women’s affairs committees at the regional and local government level. Persons who cannot afford legal assistance have been provided with legal aid service in several regions free or heavily subsidised.


Minister Manickchand meets persons engaged in the foster care programme.

Meanwhile, the landmark Sexual Offences Bill was sent for review by a Special Select Committee of Parliament last year. The Ministry will also be working to implement the country’s National Policy on Domestic Violence which was passed in 2007.

Empowerment for women

In 2009, Government allocated $58M to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security for the single parent fund to assist single parent households which were being adversely affected by the increasing cost of food on the world market. This programme focuses on persons who are employed and have at least two children with a daycare expense and their income, inclusive of remittances and other contributing factors not exceeding $30,000.


Female footballers of Waramadong, Region Seven, in action.

Other aspects of the single parent assistance programme include training of over 250 persons in various areas under the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) which has received $25M for this project.

The BIT programme is an initiative being carried out by the Ministry and provides small business grants to single parents, most of them women, to use to make themselves self-sufficient and improve their quality of life.

This year, the Ministry will be placing major emphasis on the empowerment of women and will be hosting a trade fair where women will display their materials and preceding this fair, the Ministry will seek to provide assistance in marketing for the products.

Additionally, the ministry will be continuing to push empowerment programmes for women and will continue to devote resources towards training single parents, which also included men.

Meanwhile, through Government’s Basic Nutrition Programme (BNP), pregnant mothers benefit from the ‘Sprinkles’ programme which was implemented to prevent malnutrition and anaemia in pregnant mothers and infants aged six to 24 months.


Women at a workshop

The programme was initiated to encourage the use of micro-nutrients which is manufactured, by the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (NGPC) to boost blood.

With support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) the programme sees the provision of the micro-nutrient during the transition period for babies from breast milk to real food.

Reference Source - GINA, March 8, 2010

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