GINA | GOVERNMENT INFORMATION AGENCY

Hinterland students to benefit from media workshop- President fulfilling another promise

Hinterland students from the North Rupununi area in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) today met Head of the Government Information Agency (GINA) and Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud, as part of the orientation exercise for the fourth media workshop under the Government of Guyana and UNESCO's “Culture of Peace” training programme.

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Suddie market soon to be expanded

Development of the Suddie Market Region 2(Pomeroon/Supernaam) will soon be finished according to the Regional Chairman Ali Baksh.

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$68 M allocated for road repairs at Wakenaam

Surveys have been done on the roads of Wakenaam and the Public Works Ministry will open bids for tenders from August 24. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics Anthony Xavier in an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA).

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Laboratory technicians trained to operate CD-4 machines

Five laboratory technicians have been trained to operate the two CD-4 machines at the Central laboratory, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

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'Government will assist' drainage, deplorable street conditions
- President visits southern Georgetown communities

Residents of Tucville, North and South Ruimveldt have the assurance of President Bharrat Jagdeo that their streets will be repaired and their drainage systems cleaned.

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Hinterland students to benefit from media workshop- President fulfilling another promise

Georgetown , GINA, August 16, 2004

Persaud explained that the programme is in keeping with President Bharrat Jagdeo's promise to residents of Region Nine a few months ago that Government, through GINA, would ensure that training opportunities in journalism will be provided for hinterland youths.

The students would be stationed at various media entities, including the National Communications Network (NCN) television, NCN Radio, GINA and the Guyana Chronicle during a two-week period.

Previous workshops were held in Georgetown , Anna Regina (Region Two) and Annai (Region Nine). More than fifty students benefited.

Students' exposure, in addition to lectures, will include assignments to the National Media.

During their orientation exercise at GINA, the students thanked Government for giving them the training opportunity and promised to make full use of the exercise.

They said that the exercise will allow them to perform more efficiently at the Radio Station in Region Nine, Radio Paiwomak, where they have been previously exposed to training.

They will also contribute articles on Amerindian development to the National Media and Hinterland Highlights, a GINA publication targeting Amerindian development.

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Suddie market soon to be expanded

Georgetown , GINA, August 16, 2004

Development of the Suddie Market Region 2(Pomeroon/Supernaam) will soon be finished according to the Regional Chairman Ali Baksh.

President Bharat Jagdeo who was on a two-day visit to the Essequibo Coast told residents that the plan of the Chairman will see the opening of more stalls, more business, parking space and employment opportunities.

The President said that employment is a big problem especially in Region Two and he is currently trying to find investors. He said that investors prefer to be in the Capital, rather than country areas. The President said that he is looking more into Information Technology which is currently active in Berbice. He said that this will create numerous jobs.

Many residents said that they would like to have more entrances to the market.

President Jagdeo said that more entrances to the market will make stallholders at the back suffer because customers will only buy from stalls in front.

Residents were satisfied with the plan, which involves expansion.

The President was also satisfied with the wide range of products being sold at suddie.

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$68 M allocated for road repairs at Wakenaam

Georgetown , GINA, August 16, 2004

On May 15, Minister Xavier and President Bharrat Jagdeo visited Wakenaam, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) to look at the road situation.

Minister Xavier noted that the President decided to look at the Ministry's budget. Subsequently, $68M has been allocated.

“This money will be used on the roads prioritized by the Region and the people of Wakenaam,” said Minister Xavier.

After that, the tenders will be evaluated, the contractor chosen and within three weeks after the process, works will commence on the roads, the Public Works Minister assured.

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Laboratory technicians trained to operate CD-4 machines

Georgetown , GINA, August 16, 2004

Five laboratory technicians have been trained to operate the two CD-4 machines at the Central laboratory, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

CD-4 test results assist in starting and managing antiretroviral therapy for opportunistic infections.

The services of two professors and a computer expert to train the technicians were provided by the Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Centre – University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA . According to Dr. Pheona Mohamed, Head of the Central laboratory said she is pleased with the quality of training received.

Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Centre (FXBC) donated the two CD-4 machines. The mission of FXBC is to expand health and supportive services that improve the quality of life for children and families with chronic illnesses including HIV infection.

CD-4 testing is expected to begin shortly. On June 9 last, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy commissioned the two machines.

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'Government will assist' drainage, deplorable street conditions
- President visits southern Georgetown communities

Georgetown , GINA, August 16, 2004

Residents of Tucville, North and South Ruimveldt have the assurance of President Bharrat Jagdeo that their streets will be repaired and their drainage systems cleaned.

The Head of State made this pledge this afternoon to residents when he visited North Ruimveldt and Tucville, Georgetown .

The President toured the area starting from Kaikan Street, North Ruimvelt and ending at the Crithlow Circle , Tucville.

Several residents and members of the Mayor and City Council accompanied the President, including the Deputy Mayor Robert Williams and City Engineer (ag) Beverly Johnson. Accompanying the President were Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Anthony Xavier, Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh, Permanent Secretary in the Works Ministry Kenneth Jordon and Roads Engineer within the Ministry Lloyd Rollins. The President's visit stems from an invitation by residents in the community.

He later described it as a "good visit."

Residents guided the President throughout the tour and pointed out the deplorable state of the streets and drainage in the area.

At North Ruimveldt , the problem was mainly drainage, which leads to excessive flooding of the area.

President Jagdeo committed himself to helping the community, but was unable to specifically state the assistance in monetary terms at the site.

It will cost $14M according to the M&CC to do the drainage works in both North and South Ruimveldt .

The President said Government will issue the tax mechanism to assist the residents, that is, pay some of its taxes to the M&CC to ensure money is available to effect the works.

The Deputy Mayor said that the Council is ready and will start work as soon as the money is available. According to President Jagdeo, this should be by Friday and the work should start next Monday.

The community will also volunteer their labour of about 30 residents to execute the massive clean-up campaign.

At Tucville, the Head of State was taken through impassable streets.

He explained that Government cannot fix all the streets, but the Critchlow Circle would be prioritised.

"This is probably the worst road in the City. It is atrocious. It's like a trench. So the Ministry of Public Works will be helping here. From the estimates I am getting, it would start around October 1. I'm not sure at this time how much money, but the residents will be assisted," he said.

The President noted that this money will not be adequate to fund permanent works or to rebuild the streets. However, it will provide for "crush and run" on the road and "maybe in next year's budget we can look at paving, as the year is far gone and we have to cater for these things in the budget."

It was agreed that the community, the Ministry and the City Council will work collaboratively on getting the streets fixed.

The President pointed out that it is the responsibility of the City Council to fix streets and drains in Georgetown and not Central Government. Central Government, through the Ministry will be spending $60M on roads in the City this year. This includes repairs to roads in West Ruimveldt and Duncan Street , which is completed. He noted that as soon as Government would have fixed the road and the drainage, it will be handed over to the City Council for maintenance. He called on the M&CC to visit the community regularly and ensure that the area is kept tidy. He also implored residents to do their part and avoid actions that is to the detriment of the community.

The Head of State said he is hoping that all these initiatives would be completed before the end of the year.

Residents also raised several issues about the newly-built Tucville Secondary School . The President told parents to arrange an early PTA meeting and inform his office so that the Education Minister Dr. Henry Jeffrey can attend and address the problems.

Responding to clamours for recreational facilities, the President said this will be looked into after the cleanup campaign.

The President scheduled a meeting with residents, the M&CC and residents tomorrow at 21:00hrs at M&CC to further discuss the issues.

Residents expressed gratitude for the assistance the President promised and pledged to work at making the initiatives successful.

Last week the President visited West Ruimveldt where he allocated $7M for drainage and street repairs. In May, he allocated $2M to Lodge Housing Scheme for the same purpose.

On Friday, he will be visiting Riverview and Alexander Village .

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