‘Our borders should not divide our people'
- President to further cooperation talks with Suriname next March
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
The historical border issue between Guyana and Suriname is no reason for the countries to cease cooperation and in this context Guyana's Head of State will further cooperation discussions with his Surinamese counterpart in March next year.
President Bharrat Jagdeo is expected to further talks on initiatives already on stream, but on which much progress has not been made, when he meets Surinamese President Ronaldo Venetiaan at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meeting in March 2005 in Suriname .
The President made this disclosure when he addressed participants and spectators, including Surinamese golfers, at the Banks DIH Golf Tournament last weekend at the Lusignan Golf Course.
The President told the Surinamese that the media in both countries have often portrayed a picture that suggests the citizens do not get along.
“We in Guyana have never had a negative image of Suriname …sometimes you feel that people from the countries are just out to get each other. That is not so,” he said.
The President acknowledged that the two countries do not see eye to eye on an historical border issue, but that is no reason for them not to pursue other bilateral engagements.
“Here we believe that we are two poor countries and we have historical difficulties that need to be resolved. The only way, the only solution is a peaceful solution. And that is why we have initiated some action sometime ago and hopefully, through that action, this historical difficulty would be resolved in a peaceful and amicable manner to both parties,” he said.
Guyana and Suriname have an existing dispute on its maritime borders and despite Guyana 's and CARICOM's diplomatic efforts and bilateral engagements to resolve this amicably, no positive results were yielded.
No agreement was even reached when efforts were made to delimit the maritime zone based on the principles of international law contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as efforts to establish a Special Zone for Sustainable Development in order to allow for joint exploration and exploitation pending settlement of the maritime boundary.
Consequently, Guyana invoked the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and presented a claim on the disputed territory on February 24 last, making arbitration compulsory.
“We will present our case and let the Tribunal make a decision, which we would both have to live with, but I think that we need to cooperate because borders should not divide our people,” President Jagdeo said.
He noted that since 1994, Guyana has had discussions with Surinamese' Minister of Finance and Planning on a road from Nickerie. The President said, earlier this year he met President Venetiaan in Trinidad and Tobago and his counterpart gave the assurance that “the road will be built.”
He explained that even if Guyana builds the road up to its border and the one from Nickerie is not constructed, then travel will still be hampered.
According to President Jagdeo, travel from Suriname to Guyana would improve shortly though, with the local Administration resurfacing the road from New Amsterdam to the border crossing. Suriname is Guyana 's eastern neighbour and Guyana and Suriname are the only two CARICOM countries with a contiguous land border.
“I look forward to a smooth integrated drive from Paramaribo to Georgetown , shortly,” the Guyanese Leader said.
According to President Jagdeo, he has also raised the idea of removing some of the restrictions on travel between the two countries to enhance CARICOM free movement.
President Jagdeo will take up both the road and the issue of free movement, with his counterpart, when the Guyanese Leader visits Suriname in March.
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Guyanese teen golfer urges more young people to join the sport
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
Fifteen-year-old Christine Sukhram is calling on other young people to join the sport of golfing, as it is a very relaxing pursuit.
Christine is Guyana 's sole junior women's golfer and plays at the country's only course, the Lusignan Golf Course, almost every week either for fun or competition.
At the Banks DIH Golf Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Course last weekend, Christine displayed her talent, which won her several prizes.
Among the prizes were Champion Golfer in the women's category and the Best Net and Longest Drive as well.
In an interview with the Government Information Agency, Christine recalled that she has been playing golf since she was six. At that time her family lived in Grenada , close to a golf course.
At eight, they returned to Guyana and now live at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. Her home, she said, is near the Lusignan Golf Course and there she resumed her hobby with her family being very supportive.
The golfer said the sport in Guyana has not received that much attention and is perceived as a “boring game” because of the time it takes. However, she said one try at it would dispel this myth.
“It (golf) is a good thing. You get a chance to play for your country and I would encourage you people to join the Club. It is a very nice sport. Once you try it, you wills see it is not slow,” she said.
Christine sees golf playing an integral part of her life.
At present she is a student of the Bladen Hall High School , East Coast Demerara and lives with her nuclear family. Her only sibling is a brother.
She is expected to play in an Inter-Guianas Golf Tournament planned for Suriname in March 2005.
15 year old Christine Sukhram of Lusiguan
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Region One moving forward
- as Regional works almost completed for the year
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
This year has been quite a successful one for Region One ( Barima/Waini) as most of the region's capital works projects have been completed and funds for more projects were allocated as a result of the visit made to the Region by President Bharrat Jagdeo and a team during Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations in September last.
According to Regional Executive Officer (REO), Ishwar Dass, 90 % of the works for 2004 to be carried out through the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have been completed and in September, several villages that took part in Village Day celebrations and met with the President were allotted $1 M each for various projects .However, the larger Village of Santa Rosa was allotted $5M. So far, Santa Rosa has agreed to use the money to begin a poultry project among other smaller projects.
The REO noted that the village of Arukamai requested funds to purchase 3 chain saws, Sebai Village had agreed upon an outboard engine and two chainsaws while Kwebanna opted to get into farming with the purchase of a fogging machine among other useful items. Like Santa Rosa , the village of Bumbury stated its need for a poultry project as well.
Dass disclosed that the region also received an additional $60 M for the provision of electricity to Mabaruma Township and Settlement, Hosororo, and Kumaka. He pointed out that this project should be completed by year-end.
Projects to build dormitories at Mabaruma should start within a week, according to the REO, and this week the Region will begin work to extend the Mabaruma Primary School . “This should start tomorrow, “he said.
Additionally, the region was given approval by the President to construct a new Primary school at Kamwatta, a nursery school at Koko, as well as $15M to rehabilitate roads in the Mabaruma sub-region.
Presently, officials of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) are in the region meeting with the Regional Chairman and other stakeholders regarding the improvement of the education sector and an environmental and forestry programme is to begin next week.
Meanwhile, this weekend, a team of Regional Officers and representatives from Georgetown will visit the Baramita area. The team will include medical personnel including a doctor, a dentist and a medex.
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New school for Aurora
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
Students of Aurora Secondary School on the Essequibo Coast , Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) will be attending a new school next year.
Today the Ministry of Education, the Inter-American Development Bank and the contractor signed the contract for the $239M school, at the Ministry of Education, Brickdam, Georgetown .
Seven hundred students will benefit from improved accommodation at the new school. It will be equipped with dormitory facilities to accommodate 112 students from riverain communities, including Supenaam Creek and Bethany , Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Pulander Kandhi said.
He said dormitory facilities are presently being offered at the Anna Regina Multilateral school, but as the Ministry of Education moves to achieve its goal of ensuring Education for All, additional facilities are necessary.
In addition, the school will be equipped with laboratories for Science, Technical Drawing, Home Economics and information technology.
These are essential, the PS noted, for offering students technical and vocational subjects in addition to the academic subjects.
The school is being constructed under the Basic Education Access Management Support Programme (BEAMS) that is funded by the Government of Guyana and the IDB.
BEAMS is a US $55M programme created to enhance and reform the education sector, through improved school performance, organizational and human resource capacity development and civil works.
Aurora Secondary School is among the first batch of schools being built under the civil works component of the project.
Other schools benefiting under BEAMS include Bladen Hall, North Ruimveldt, Lodge, Charlestown Secondary and Tutorial High School .
The contractor has a two-week mobilization period and 12-month contract duration.
The PS challenged the contractor to complete the construction before the deadline so that there is minimal disruption of classes.
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President meets veteran Guyanese cricketer Clive Lloyd
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
President Bharrat Jagdeo met veteran Guyanese cricketer Clive Lloyd at the Office of the President on Monday when the former West Indian Captain paid him a courtesy call.
Mr. Lloyd is in Guyana , along with his wife Waveney, for the official launching of the St. Francis Community Empowerment Complex and Development Village – a community project in Berbice.
This project covers a five-year period from 2005 and is sponsored by St. Francis Complex and Food for the Poor Guyana. It will be a housing project with several office buildings.
The complex is housed at Port Mourant, the hometown of Mrs. Lloyd and former President of Guyana, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
The Guyana Lands and Survey Commission earlier this year leased the land for the ‘The Village' to St. Francis.
The Guyanese and West Indian cricket icon lives in England and works as an International Cricket Council Match referee. During his visit he spent an evening with cricketers and fans at his old cricket club, the Demerara Cricket Club.
Lloyd, among the most successful of Guyanese cricketers, is expected to leave Guyana this week.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and veteran Guyanese cricketer Clive Lloyd at the Office of the President.
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Police launch successful anti-crime campaign
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
The Police have stepped up their campaign in providing safety and security, and over the weekend 14 persons have been arrested in the Sophia area.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the Police Force, John Sauers, three of the persons arrested will be charged shortly – two for possession of narcotics and one for having an offensive weapon.
The others are being questioned in relation to several offences, including robbery under arms.
And with effect from November 15, the Police increased their visible presence in and around shopping areas, in the form of foot and mobile patrols.
Additionally, in some areas around Georgetown , Police booths are equipped with telephones and manned by uniformed ranks to whom reports of crime and requests for assistance can be made.
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GRO up to date with birth certificate issuance
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
General Registrar Greta Mc. Donald said that there is no backlog in the issuance of birth certificates. “I can safely say that the General Register Office is up to date with processing of birth certificates.” noted Ms. Mc. Donald.
Her staff is now processing November certificates. Realising that finances and geographic locations hinder the issuance of birth certificates, GRO mounted several campaigns in hinterland communities to facilitate their distribution.
For this year, GRO staff have visited several Regions. They include:
Region One – Moruca and Santa Rosa
Region Three – Caria Caria
Region Eight – Paramakatoi and Kato
Region Nine – Sand Creek, Aishalton and Shea
Region Ten – Berbice River , Aroaima, Sand Hills, Landerbille, Maple, Kimbia and Wiki.
A birth certificate is a legal document which establishes a person's correct name, place and date of birth and his nationality. It is necessary for admission into school, entering for examinations, obtaining examination results, to acquiring a Passport and when applying for a job.
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National Assembly asked to determine Regional seats
Georgetown , GINA, November 23, 2004
People's Progressive Party General Secretary Donald Ramotar has, by way of a motion in the National Assembly, asked the Assembly to determine whether there should be an increase in the number of seats allotted to geographical constituencies and if so, by how many.
The Motion was circulated at the Assembly special sitting yesterday.
The Motion notes that the Representation Act provides that the ten geographical constituencies elect 25 members of the Assembly.
The breakdown for the Regional seats are, two Members for Region 1, two for Region 2, three for Region 3, seven for Region 4, two for Region 5, three for Region 6, two for Region 7, one for Region 8, one for Region 9 and two for Region 10.
The Motion notes that in order to complete the reforms proposed by the Constitution Reform Commission and to consider expanding reforms already made, the Assembly should establishes a Special Select Committee.
The Committee will recommend to the Assembly whether the 25 seats provided by the Representation Act should be increased and if so by how many.
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Sustainable mining and roads to bring growth to Region 7
Georgetown , GINA Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds completed a six day visit to Region 7, at the weekend, when he had a first hand look at the Itaballi-Puruni Road and improved environmentally friendly mining activities in the region.
The Prime Minister said that the mining industry in Guyana must move to a point where no turbid water reaches the rivers. He expressed satisfaction at the improvement of mining operations, observing that the rivers are much less turbid than four years ago.
He noted that the Tacuba Creek is somewhat turbid but by the end of next year enforcement will be strengthened to prevent this.
Chairman of the of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), David Bacchus, who accompanied the Prime Minister on the trip, said that the aim is to eliminate turbid waters by 2008-2009.
Prime Minister Hinds said that the next phase to improve environmental standards in the mining sector will concentrate on the reclamation of affected areas.
He noted that these developments come at an increased cost for miners. Capital investments in the mining sector now range between $35M-$50M. This is a significant rise since the cost of setting up mining operations in the past was only $3M-$5M.
The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction at the expansion of road ways in the region. The Itaballi-Puruni road now provides access to areas in the Middle Mazaruni that were only accessible at considerable cost.
Mr. Bacchus said that roadways have led to investments in the mining sector becoming more attractive, since transportation costs have decreased. He said that the road is to get into the Kurupung and Aricheng areas by next year.
When asked about the increased numbers of Brazilians mining in the interior regions, Mr. Bacchus said that this is a welcome investment in the mining sector. He noted that already there has been an increase in diamond production.
He said that Brazilians mining in the interior does raise some issues such as illegal mining, but the GGMC is equipped to deal with these. He said that the Commission is working to maintain order in the sector.
Prime Minister Hinds also visited start up businesses in the Montgomery Mines Area at Linden . He said that there was a “spirit of buoyancy” despite the decline in economic activity in the area.
While in Linden , the Prime Minister also visited the offices of the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), the Linden Electricity Corporation and a non-governmental HIV/AIDS counselling organisation.
The Prime Minister visited the Demerara Bauxite Company recreation site at Rockstone. He said since this area will eventually belong to the Government of Guyana, opportunities are being looked at to have the area developed for economic activity.
This site, along with Anarika, where the Prime Minister also visited, is a potential tourist site.
Prime Minister Hinds also said that Puruni Landing and other crossing points in the region have the potential to be developed into thriving communities.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds at Correia's Mining Company, Mazaruni
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St. Cuthbert’s Mission making strides at development- with assistance from Government,Food for the Poor, Rural Women’s Network
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2004
The residents of St. Cuthbert’s Mission this year have a lot to be happy about as the village has seen much success this year with assistance from Government, the Food for the Poor organisation and the Rural Women’s Network.
Bibi Andrews, co-ordinator of the Rural Women’s Network (RWN), which is made up of 60 women’s groups from across the country, said that by year-end a new housing scheme which has begun in the area should be ready for residents, complete with water facilities and electricity.
The housing scheme will consist of 40 houses to be constructed at a cost of about $800, 000 each. Each house will be free of cost to residents and preference will be given to young persons in the village who have started families and are still residing with other relatives.
Construction of four wells for villagers to receive potable water has already begun. Two are to be completed in the Mission, one at Long Creek for villagers residing in the Kuru Kuru College area and another at Hill Foot.
One of the wells will feature solar panels and this will be constructed, courtesy of the Ministry of Housing and Water, while $5M was allocated to the community as an initiative by President Jagdeo for the provision of electricity.
Andrews said that the residents wish to especially thank Mr. Ian Davis of ‘Food for the Poor’ as well as RWN for the assistance.
She pointed out that recently a two day agriculture business workshop was held with 60 women from eight different regions in the country to discuss the expansion of their agriculture and community projects. The workshop was sponsored by the Inter- American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) and co-ordinated by the RWN.
The women attending were representatives of various women’s groups including the Vilvorden group in Essequibo. The group expressed its desire to get involved in a shrimp project with the IICA agreeing to assist them in soliciting overseas markets for shrimp.
The Building Capacity Communities Project (BCCP) will fund some of the projects and Andrews disclosed that so far, another group’s crab oil project has been a success.
The RWN representative said that it is seeking markets to assist groups with various products such as crab oil, handicraft and agriculture produce.
With Pauline Sukhai as the President of RWN, Andrews said that men too have become involved in the network as it continues to strive to assist rural groups.
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Upcoming rains
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2004
In anticipation of the December 2004 and May/June 2005 rains, Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow hosted a meeting recently to work out a plan to ensure the coordination of relevant activities in the Regions.
This will involve assistance and preparation by the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (NDIB), according to a release from the Ministry of Agriculture.
The discussion centered on the current preparedness of the Regions to deal with excessive rainfall.
Mr. Dilip Jaigopal of the Hydro Meteorological Office predicted the possibility of dry conditions which will call for conservation of water, but asked stakeholders to prepare for a normal rainy season.
Representatives of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco), Regions and conservancies gave the operational status of their pumps, sluices, outfalls and drainage and irrigation systems and structures.
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