Guyana Nite, a clean fun-filled family affair
- Minister Sawh
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
This year's Guyana Nite was successfully staged at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, Camp Road and saw a turnout of an estimated 11,000 people.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh said this year's event was bigger than last year's. Many overseas-based Guyanese and visitors were seen having a good time at the exhibition.
He noted that the huge turnout by persons of all backgrounds, ethnicity and ages shows the love and patriotism of Guyanese as they supported the event which showcased local products.
Guyana Nite is a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC).
This year, the organizers paid much attention to keeping the venue clean. Throughout the night persons could be seen picking up bottles and wrappers and other bits and pieces. This, Minister Sawh said, is something that will be a feature at other events, since it was found that people enjoyed the event more when the place was kept clean. For next year's Guyana Nite, which will be held on the last Saturday before the new school term reopens, persons who rent booths will be asked to assist. Minister Sawh noted that the event showcased many high quality local products.
Acting President Samuel Hinds attended the display and expressed satisfaction with the many displays. He toured the booths and met and greeted persons in attendance.
Several local products were launched at the show, including Namilco's new pholourie mix, Banks DIH's mini malta , Crabwood oil products, and new fruit juices, and the yet to be launched Caribbean Twist from the Demerara Distillers limited.
Local manufactures there included Banks DIH, DDL, Alesie, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), the Institute for Private Enterprise Development (IPED), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Sterling Products, the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society, the New Line Aquaculture Farm, and many other local jewellery and craft establishments.
Also at the event were Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Dale Bisnauth; Minister of Finance Sasenarine Kowlessar; Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Dindiyal Permaul; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ganga Persaud.
TOP Minister Rodrigues to hand over equipment to Region Nine villages
- on follow up to promise by President Jagdeo
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
As a follow up to President Bharrat Jagdeo's visit to Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) on May 16-20 this year, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues will be visiting the Region on September 3 to 4 to hand over equipment and other items to Amerindian villages.
During the President's visit to the Region, he held meetings with several communities, including Karasabai, Aishalton, Annai and St. Ignatius and had promised to provide a number of items and equipment. Minister Rodrigues will be presenting the promised equipment and articles to the communities during her two-day visit.
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Government steps up outreaches
- Cabinet to meet people later in the year
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
Government's recent outreaches to communities across the country, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo, will be intensified as the year continues, since it is reflective of the Administration's method of governing - involving the people.
This is according to the Head of State during a televised interview Friday at the National Communications Network (NCN) TV studio.
The President has visited Lodge Housing Scheme, West, North and South Ruimveldt, Alexander Village and Riverview in Region Four, Walton Hall and Reliance in Region Two, Uitvlugt in Region Three and Linden , Region Ten. During these visits several concerns were raised and the President allocated various sums of money for street repairs and clean-up campaigns.
The South Georgetown visits form part of the programme to implement the Greater Georgetown Development Plan, which is at an advanced stage of adoption. During the visits, the Administration fostered community-based responses to the many problems they are facing, including funding for community-based rehabilitation, environmental restoration and correction of infrastructural defects.
“There have been requests from several other communities for me to visit them. I can't visit everyone, but I have asked my Ministers that they also visit some of these communities to see whether we can work together to solve their problems. And I intend some time later this year, to take the Cabinet back out to hold meetings in different parts of the country so we can stay on a couple of days in each of these areas to interface with people and also to work with them to find solutions,” he said.
The interactions, President Jagdeo said, have proven useful to Government in planning its programmes to help all Guyanese.
The recent outreaches by the President have also been welcomed by residents of communities visited, as key interventions were made to improve their standard of living and opportunities were given for the airing of concerns.
Interventions have been made to the satisfaction of the residents of the communities, and monitoring mechanisms put in place to ensure follow-up and implementation.
“When you can go out and residents talk directly to you about their problems, this breaks down the barrier between the top leadership of the country and the residents in their communities. I think it's very important. It's a style of management that many people don't like because sometimes their egos are so big that they don't like people criticizing them publicly. But it's a style of management that has been tested in the PPP, from Dr. Cheddi Jagan [PPP's founder], and I think its good, because our people understand that we may not be able to solve all their problems but at least we are concerned enough to provide them the access first of all to talk to us about these problems and work with us at solving them,” he said.
However, the Guyanese Leader said that he has encountered problems of negligence regarding the delivery of Government services in many communities. He pointed to Angoy's Avenue as an example of a community that has been neglected by the Local Government authorities, which received $10M from the President in May last. Some sections of the political Opposition have criticized the President's visits, terming his interventions “executive lawlessness.”
“They are all my people, whether they are in West Ruimveldt, or Angoy's Avenue, or in Alexander Village or in Port Mourant, and I don't have any apology as the President of this country to make to anyone in visiting these communities and working to help to resolve their problems. I think that some people would prefer these communities remain in the current state they are in, so they can then easily say the Government is neglecting them. But I think the outreach programme is good and it will be an ongoing feature of our Government,” he said.
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Drivers urged to look out for school children
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
The Ministry of Home Affairs is urging drivers to be careful on the roadways - especially now that schools have re-opened.
The five C's should be adhered to at all times - caution, common sense, consideration, courtesy and care, says a release from the Home Affairs Ministry.
Children are the future and must be protected at all cost, the release added.
Parents and guardians also have a role to play in children using the roadways wisely. They must be told to, "look right, look left, look right again and when the road is cleared then cross the road."
Children must also be informed about the importance of pedestrian crossings and must use the crossings wherever available.
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Save the Sight Initiative to be begin shortly
Georgetown, GINA, August 30, 2004
Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in the 2004 Budget debate, had said that $50M has been allocated for a special programme, 'Save the Sight Initiative.'
Next month, the Health Ministry will embark on a massive eye examination programme to create Guyana's 'first register' of persons who need glasses and other low vision tools, and those who need surgery to correct poor sight.
In an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Ramsammy said that there are several activities that have been earmarked to have the programme up and ready.
There are more than 60,000 persons with impaired vision (blindness, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors and low vision) in Guyana. The Health Minister pointed out that the number of blind persons in Guyana is approximately 7,000 and that non-operable cataract and glaucoma is the largest contributor to blindness here.
A specialist neurosurgeon will be recruited by the Health Ministry to perform various neuro-surgical interventions.
Statistics show that that more than 10,000 Guyanese start using spectacles each year, because of the uncorrected refractive errors. It is also estimated that approximately 800 new cases of operable cataract occur each year.
In October, another programme will commence to facilitate the provision of spectacles either free or at low cost to persons in need.
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Partnerships and alliances urged as Bartica hosts ‘Porknockers' Day'
Georgetown , GINA, Monday, August 30, 2004
It is appropriate that ‘Porknockers Day' this year is being held in Bartica since that community is considered the gateway to the interior, where the dreams of many miners started and materialized.
This is the sentiment shared by acting President, Samuel Hinds at the opening of the event, Saturday last. The Prime Minister noted that the gold and diamond fields are important to Guyana . He added that Government is looking to diversify the national economy in many sectors. He referred to eco-tourism and mining as two of these.
The Prime Minister said the stalwarts of the industry and the people of Bartica have a rich tradition, both in folklore and in mining. He referred to the changes and advances that have been made in the industry. Mr. Hinds referred to the travel time of one month to Kurupung from Parika some years ago, as against 8 hours by jet boat today. Essential services are also being flown in by aircraft nowadays.
Prime Minister Hinds said that Guyana is growing and developing, and urged those present to make a positive contribution to the process, whilst repeating calls for increased collaboration and partnerships between different industries. He observed that there is great potential for partnerships among various industries.
The Prime Minister said there are some things that adversely affect mining operations. These are malaria, STDs, and HIV/AIDS, the latter of which, the Prime Minister said, “We must conquer”.
He said, the key to success in these areas is observing a more responsible lifestyle and paying attention to environmental guidelines.
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Heritage month exhibition
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology will be hosting a one-month exhibition to mark Amerindian Heritage Month.
The exhibition begins September 1, and concludes September 30.
The exhibition will showcase Amerindian craft and artifacts, including basketry, featherwork, necklaces, seed work, wood work and stone tools.
The Ministry will also host a series of lectures for the month. Jennifer Wishart will lecture on “Prehistoric Amerindian Settlement” ,Jean La Rose on “The fate of Amerindian Groups” and Desryn Ceasar Fox on “Linguistics: Variations and ways of speaking Akawaio.”
These will all be presented with the theme “Amerindians: A people moving forward.”
Beginning September 1, Amerindian Heritage month will be celebrated in all Amerindian communities.
Mabaruma, Region One (Barima/Waini) was this year declared the Heritage Village , taking over from St. Ignatius, Region Nine (Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo), the Heritage Village for 2003.
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Government steps up outreaches
- Cabinet to meet people later in the year
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
Government's recent outreaches to communities across the country, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo, will be intensified as the year continues, since it is reflective of the Administration's method of governing - involving the people.
This is according to the Head of State during a televised interview Friday at the National Communications Network (NCN) TV studio.
The President has visited Lodge Housing Scheme, West, North and South Ruimveldt, Alexander Village and Riverview in Region Four, Walton Hall and Reliance in Region Two, Uitvlugt in Region Three and Linden , Region Ten. During these visits several concerns were raised and the President allocated various sums of money for street repairs and clean-up campaigns.
The South Georgetown visits form part of the programme to implement the Greater Georgetown Development Plan, which is at an advanced stage of adoption. During the visits, the Administration fostered community-based responses to the many problems they are facing, including funding for community-based rehabilitation, environmental restoration and correction of infrastructural defects.
“There have been requests from several other communities for me to visit them. I can't visit everyone, but I have asked my Ministers that they also visit some of these communities to see whether we can work together to solve their problems. And I intend some time later this year, to take the Cabinet back out to hold meetings in different parts of the country so we can stay on a couple of days in each of these areas to interface with people and also to work with them to find solutions,” he said.
The interactions, President Jagdeo said, have proven useful to Government in planning its programmes to help all Guyanese.
The recent outreaches by the President have also been welcomed by residents of communities visited, as key interventions were made to improve their standard of living and opportunities were given for the airing of concerns.
Interventions have been made to the satisfaction of the residents of the communities, and monitoring mechanisms put in place to ensure follow-up and implementation.
“When you can go out and residents talk directly to you about their problems, this breaks down the barrier between the top leadership of the country and the residents in their communities. I think it's very important. It's a style of management that many people don't like because sometimes their egos are so big that they don't like people criticizing them publicly. But it's a style of management that has been tested in the PPP, from Dr. Cheddi Jagan [PPP's founder], and I think its good, because our people understand that we may not be able to solve all their problems but at least we are concerned enough to provide them the access first of all to talk to us about these problems and work with us at solving them,” he said.
However, the Guyanese Leader said that he has encountered problems of negligence regarding the delivery of Government services in many communities. He pointed to Angoy's Avenue as an example of a community that has been neglected by the Local Government authorities, which received $10M from the President in May last. Some sections of the political Opposition have criticized the President's visits, terming his interventions “executive lawlessness.”
“They are all my people, whether they are in West Ruimveldt, or Angoy's Avenue, or in Alexander Village or in Port Mourant, and I don't have any apology as the President of this country to make to anyone in visiting these communities and working to help to resolve their problems. I think that some people would prefer these communities remain in the current state they are in, so they can then easily say the Government is neglecting them. But I think the outreach programme is good and it will be an ongoing feature of our Government,” he said.
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Political parties' access to State media is distinct from Government
– President Jagdeo clears air on speculations of Govt. domination
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2004
The Government is separate from political parties and it is with this understanding that a decision was reached about access to the state media in the May 6, 2003 Communiqué between President Bharrat Jagdeo and opposition Leader Robert Corbin.
Recently, the main Opposition PNCR criticized Government claiming that it has been denied equal access to state –owned media entities, especially the National Communications Network (NCN) Television.
The President explained that at the time when the communiqué was signed, it was agreed that a further assessment of access to State Media would be made.
"In the May 6 Communiqué that we signed, we said equitable access to the State Media as distinct from Government will be given to parliamentary parties based on representation in the National Assembly. If I come on the Television, Corbin wants also to get or the PNC wants to get the same time," he said. According to the President, the PNCR has interpreted this to mean that they are entitled to time whenever Government gets time.
"If Members of my Cabinet use the State Media, we speak on behalf of the Cabinet we speak on behalf of the country, we are doing the nation's business. So some people may not be members of the PPP, the PPP may not be their party, but the PPP Government is their Government and when I speak, I speak on behalf of the people of this country and I am responsible to all of them," he said.
The President said the agreement reached is quite clear.
The PNCR said it is testing Government's will on the issue and has since written to NCN for air time, following the recent visit by former US President Jimmy Carter. Carter had recommended that the two Leaders resume talks on areas in which agreements were already reached, so that these can be implemented.
"What I noticed now is that the PNC has written several letters to us, saying they are testing our goodwill. The PNC can't test my good will because that was never an agreement as to how we would move forward. I think that the Government has made enough steps to involve the PNC to demonstrate its goodwill. I don't have to submit to Corbin testing my goodwill or my Government's goodwill. In fact if anyone's goodwill needs to be tested, it's the PNC's. So they have then a spin on the Carter agreement to say that they are going to write several letters and then we must respond to these letters," President Jagdeo said.
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Temporary, immediate street lighting, the installation of an outpost mooted for Coldingen- Christine Sukhra Street proposed
Georgetown , GINA, Monday, August 30, 2004
Acting Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Texiera told Coldingen residents today, that following discussions with the Guyana Power and Light Company and the Guyana Sugar Corporation, temporary street lights will be installed at Coldingen almost immediately.
The Minister noted this temporary measure would be put in place until early next year, when permanent fixtures will be installed. She noted this will be the first undertaking since lights for the community was the main issue raised by residents when Head of The Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister Texiera, PPP General Secretary, Donald Ramotar and ‘C' Division Commander Krishna Lakeraj met with residents yesterday.
Nine-year-old Christine Sukhra was fatally shot in Coldingen early Saturday, when a group of heavily armed men embarked on a reign of terror that also resulted in Christine's teenaged brother being shot in the left wrist and four other families being terrorized.
Yet another high-level Government team is expected to return to the community tomorrow, when preliminary works relating to the installation of street lights will begin.
She said that it may not be lights on every street, but the authorities will ensure that lights are installed at critical points to ensure maximum visibility, given the resources available.
Minister Texiera stated that inquiries have revealed that permanent lighting, especially to homes, will begin to be installed early 2005. She noted too that the search is on for the acquisition of containers to construct a temporary outpost. The Minister noted that in consultation with the security forces, it was generally felt that the mooted outpost is a good idea and that they would be willing to work with the community policing group.
It would require the advice of the Police on where to place the outpost and the subsequent training of persons in the group to become Rural Constables. The improvement of communication between the groups and the police when there is an emergency will also be pursued.
The acting Home Affairs Minister added that other steps are being taken to ensure the security of the area, but she did not wish to state the measures in public, due to the vulnerability of the area. As regards uninhabited houses in the community, Minister Texiera said that they have not yet made official contact with the property owners. She is aware that the houses pose a treat if occupied by other persons.
She said that she understands from the meeting yesterday that the community has acquired a number of power poles and assured that these would be used.
One resident called on his colleagues to press calls for the streets in which the dead girl lived be named after her as the community thinks of her as a martyr.
As for the installation of permanent lighting, Dr. Luncheon said that priority was given to lighting the community by The Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), and funds have been identified. He noted that there are certain steps that involves GPL entering into a contract with SIMAP so that the funds could be used to procure the equipment to supply electricity to homes. He added that there are some additional considerations. He said the cost exceeds the provision made by SIMAP.
He said should the occupation cost for the house lots be calculated accordingly, the burden would be too much on the applicants.
Dr. Luncheon said GPL would then enter into an arrangement with the community, after which a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) would be signed by the parties.
He said the SIMAP project does not provide for electrification of streets. There has however, been an offer by the Ministry of Housing and Water to put its own financing into lighting streets. This will be separate from the SIMAP arrangement.
The provision of arms to the community policing groups was also discussed. Minister Texiera urged residents to assist the efforts by resisting the temptation of connecting illegal gadgets to the temporary lights to light their homes.
Minister Texiera further urged residents to be on the lookout for strangers among them.
Commander of ‘C' Division, Krishna Lakeraj urged residents to first be more observant when reporting on suspected criminal activity. He said since the most recent incident, the slightest unusual sound is reported to the Police and often turns out to be nothing. He said this results in the critical diversion of essential and limited resources.
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