GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

Acting President signs book of condolence

Regions to receive assistance in completing works programmes
- training begins for Regional Development Officers

Minister Xavier satisfied with progress of Caricom Headquarters, Liliendaal

Ministry of Finance favourably considering request for emergency funding
- Minister Sawh

Delivery of services the major focus for 2004
- Education Strategic Plan

GWI clarifies position on fire hydrants

Visiting Trinidadian MP calls on acting President

Guyana pushes for resolution of Suriname border dispute

Guyana/Brazil route promises Caribbean/Latin American trade linkage

Regions to receive assistance in completing works programmes
- training begins for Regional Development Officers

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

The 10 Administrative Regions will shortly receive assistance in completing their works programmes and ensuring compliance with legal, administrative and financial requirements.
Eight Regional Development Officers (RDOs) are undergoing a six-week training course at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to assist the senior regional development officer in monitoring the operations of the local democratic organs.
The officers are: Louis Dodson, Charles Clarke, Jagnarine Somwar, Ramnarine Singh, David Madramootoo, Jamesina Rebeiro, and two employees of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Seewchan and Mohamed Khan.
After the training is completed the officers will be sent to the various Regions, based on the needs of the Region, to serve. As part of the training the RDOs will be sent on site visits in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Four (Demerara/Mahaica).
The functions of the officers include: assisting in monitoring the operations of the Local Democratic Organs to ensure compliance and adherence to policy; assisting in the coordination and integration of the existing Local Government operations into the regional systems; assisting in planning and co-ordinating the orientation and other training courses, and seminars to enable officers to function more effectively; assisting in examining and processing requests for approval of draft by-laws and other matters emanating from the Local Democratic Organs which require the approval of the Minister or the Cabinet.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Harripersaud Nokta stated that the Ministry is gearing to meet the challenges in 2004. He noted that over the years, in monitoring the work of the Regions, a few weaknesses were identified which the Ministry is working to strenghten.
Minister Nokta pointed out that the task would be challenging for the officers but noted that it will enhance the work of the Ministry.
In the Regions the need to ‘beef up’ the administrations was identified. Inadequate staffing is one of the problems. The Minister said it is hoped that refresher courses will be held for other staff. The work of the officers will be directed and monitored by the Ministry.
Facilitators at the course are officers within the Ministry, including Roshan Ally, Joan Elvis, Loretta Statia, and Juanita Johnson.
The training includes a historical review of the Local Government system, the Laws of Guyana, financial accountability, community development and public participation, management of personnel issues, committee systems in the various regions, conducting meetings, and the operation of Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Municipalities.
The Regions identified as problem areas include Regions One (Barima/Waini), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
Meanwhile, Minister Nokta would be visiting Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) from January 12 through 15, when he will commission the newly completed Kamarang Hospital.
Additionally, the Minister will be in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) from January 23 through 29, when he will visit several villages, including Annai, Fairview, Woweta, Rupertee, Kwatamang, Rewa, Apoteri and Aranaputa.
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Minister Xavier satisfied with progress of Caricom Headquarters, Liliendaal

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Anthony Xavier is pleased with the progress of construction work at the new Caribbean Community Headquarters at Liliendaal on the East Coast of Demerara.
Speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA) after his visit to the site last week, Minister Xavier said that from what he has observed, he is quite satisfied with the work.
Accompanying the Minister on his inspection of the building was Chairman of the City Council Works Committee Llewlyn John and Deputy Mayor Robert Williams.
The new Caricom Secretariat Headquarters is a gift from Guyana to the Community. It will cost approximately $ 1B.
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Ministry of Finance favourably considering request for emergency funding
- Minister Sawh

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Mr. Satyadeow Sawh announced that the Ministry of Finance is favourably considering a request made for funding for emergency works in flood affected areas.
Regions were called on, at a meeting yesterday, to submit requests for funding. To date Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) have submitted their requests. The Ministry is awaiting requests from Regions Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Dindiyal Permaul stated that the application was made to the Ministry of Finance and certain tender board procedures will be waived to award the contracts speedily.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (ND&IB) Mr. Ravi Narine provided an update on the situation. At Clonbrook, engineers inspected the sluice gate that is out of order and some excavation work needs to be done.
He said engineers are in the process of providing an estimate and the contract would be awarded when approved. At Cane Grove, the second pump that is out of order will be operational by tomorrow afternoon.
Mr. Narine stated that the water has receded in these areas, since the Guyana Sugar Corporation has pumps working around the clock.
Parts are being acquired for the pump at Buxton. This will be operational by next Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman of Region Four Alan Munroe has rented a pump.
Additionally, the Ministry will establish two committees to monitor health problems and loss of livestock and produce.
The committee to assess the situation in regard to health and will comprise the Regional Chairman of the particular Region or a representative, one representative from the Ministry of Health and another from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
The other Committee to assess crop and livestock losses in each Region will comprise the Regional Chairman or a representative, one representative from the Ministry of Agriculture and another from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.
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Acting President signs book of condolence

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

Acting President Samuel Hinds today signed the book of condolence for the late Prime Minister of Dominica Pierre Charles at the CARICOM Headquarters.
He died Tuesday evening at the St. Margaret's Hospital, Roseau.
Charles, 49, was born June 30, 1954 in the village of Grand Bay in Southern Dominica.
He became the Prime Minister following the death of Prime Minister Roosevelt Douglas in October 2000.
Prior to that, Douglas performed the duties of the Minister of Communications and Works.

Prime Minister Sam Hinds signs book of condolence for the late Prime Minister of Dominica Pierre Charles

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Delivery of services the major focus for 2004
- Education Strategic Plan

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

The drafting of School Improvement Plans (SIPs) will be the major focus for the Ministry of Education this year.
On Monday, thousands of children countrywide returned to school after the Christmas holidays, with close to one thousand schools opening its doors to take up the 2004 challenge.
The 2003 – 2007 Education Strategy Plan specified that the education focus for 2004 will be on “improvement in the delivery of services.”
Emphasis is to be placed on implementing plans from improvements identified last year.
Regional Offices will be required to play a vital role by providing leadership to the process. It is anticipated that at the end of this year, better learning would be achieved in schools.
All schools will be required to design School Improvement Plans (SIPs). Approximately 30 percent of schools in remote areas are already working on their plans.
The Ministry is aware that the level of performance of students is linked to opportunities for learning and teaching available in schools.
This system was developed by the Secondary School Reform Project (SSRP) for its pilot schools, but the Ministry thinks it is an ideal programme to be implemented in all schools.
These plans will create better relations between teachers, parents, communities and Regional Education departments. They will influence school management, improve accountability and force schools to undertake their own evaluation.
The SIPs provide a systematic and sustained approach to raising the level of achievement in schools.
The first phases will analyze matters regarding the present status of school, where it wants to be in a given period, the needs to accomplish its aims, what it needs to get there and criteria for success.
Books and other resource material to support literacy and numeracy in schools will be made available this year.
The overall objective of the Strategic Plan is to eliminate illiteracy, modernize education and strengthen tolerance.
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GWI clarifies position on fire hydrants

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

The Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI) in a recent media briefing told reporters that the maintenance and installation of fire hydrants is not the responsibility of the water utility.
"There is no requirement for GWI to maintain or install fire hydrants," asserted Andrew Barker, acting Managing Director and Operations Director.
He disclosed that historically the responsibility for hydrants falls in the hands of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
However, the responsibility is not clear-cut at the moment, he said.
Barker noted that at a press conference, hosted by Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh said that measures are being put in place to have a steering committee review the situation.
Any other initiative taken has to be led by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) the Managing Director further stated.
Recently, Fire chief Carlyle Washington in his presentation to the Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC), said that the accessibility of water is one of the biggest challenges to firemen. He noted that fire hydrants are vandalized, vehicles knock them down, and they are not being replaced.
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Visiting Trinidadian MP calls on acting President

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

Guyana and Trinidad are poised to deepen relations, even as the two countries share different economies but are linked by a geographic setting fostered through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) movement.
Today, acting President, Samuel Hinds, welcomed to his Wights Lane Kingston office, visiting Member of Parliament of the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Fitzgerald Hinds.
Hinds, along with a group of insurance officials from Demerara Mutual Life Insurance Company, met with the acting President and discussed areas of mutual interest and shared commonalities between the two CARICOM States.
The visiting Trinidad MP is a former insurance executive of American Life Insurance Company (ALICO).
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Guyana pushes for resolution of Suriname border dispute

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally, has signalled that Guyana will be forging ahead for renewed talks with Suriname, through the joint border Commission, with the aim of settling the age-old border dispute between the neighbouring territories.
The Minister made this pronouncement during a press briefing today, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he reflected on his Ministry’s activities last year, which he deemed hectic. He also disclosed plans for this year.
Minister Insanally noted that since the breakdown of talks at the level of the border Commission last year, due to Suriname’s disagreement with the content of the communiqué reached at the last meeting, the Guyana Government remains cognisant of the importance of forging ahead with talks with Suriname.
“Guyana will take the initiative to re-engage Suriname,” said Minister Insanally. He assured that the dialogue process between the two countries will not be “abandoned,” as there are mechanisms within Article 33 of the Guyana/Suriname cooperation charter through which the current impasse could be broken.
Despite the breakdown in talks, Minister Insanally conceded that there has been measurable progress between Guyana and Suriname, since cooperation has ensued in the area of fisheries. He envisages that the restart of talks will facilitate further cooperation between the two countries.
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Guyana/Brazil route promises Caribbean/Latin American trade linkage

Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally believes that the commencement of movement through the Guyana/Brazil route augurs well for Guyana and the Caribbean, in terms of trade relations with the Latin American region.
The Minister expressed this conviction at a press conference today, where he opined that the Guyana/Brazil road link could serve as a corridor for trade relations between Caribbean States, and giant economies such as Brazil's.
Minister Insanally views Brazil as important to the forging of closer ties with Guyana, a move that has been engendered in the Brazil visits made by President Bharrat Jagdeo last year.
Noting that the Guyanese and Brazilian leaders share a common interest in the issue of poverty, the Foreign Affairs Minister posited that closer relations between the Caribbean and Latin American region could serve as the platform to address the problems of poverty, hunger and unemployment in the Region.
"We would have to gear up ourselves for increased relations with Brazil," said
Minister Insanally.
Touching on Guyana's relations with its Western neighbour, Venezuela, the Foreign Minister said he anticipates "a sooner than later" visit by President Hugo Chavez, to whom an invitation was extended by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Looking ahead, Minister Insanally said he anticipates matters related to Venezuela's proposal for a road link with Guyana, and the border controversy between the two countries will be addressed.
Noting that both countries share a strong interest in hemispheric cooperation, the Minister said that the agenda for the meeting between Presidents Jagdeo and Chavez is yet to be decided by the two leaders, pending Chavez's visit. A date for his arrival has not been fixed.
On the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) front, Minister Insanally expressed regret at the passing of Dominica's Prime Minister, Piere Charles for whom a Book of Condolences was opened at the CARICOM Secretariat.
Minister Insanally purported that CARlCOM is moving at its optimal pace towards the implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).
He related that the last CARICOM intercessional meeting saw progress, with the advancement of the freedom of movement initiative in the Region, from Guyana's end.
Minister Insanally stated further that while pessimism exists with regard to the Regional machinery's readiness to face 2005, he is confident that a resolution to internal differences is at hand.
He cited the erection of the new CARlCOM Headquarters at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, as a delivery by Guyana to unify the Secretariat. He added that the construction of the International Conference Centre, a Japanese-funded project, bodes well for Guyana in proving a prominent facility for Regional conferences.
Relations between Guyana and Barbados remain amicable, even as the two countries are preparing to clinch a fishing deal. The Foreign Minister pointed out that there has not been recent reports of immigration hiccups experienced by Guyanese seeking entry into the tourism-based country.
However, he affirmed that each CARICOM State is obligated to allow the free movement of its citizens, (equal to the movement of Europeans within the Region), in keeping with the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, despite the need for enhanced security regulations.
The Foreign Minister said Government is preparing for the institution of legislation to govern machine-readable passports, which he expects will be a feature of the CSME.
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