GECOM outlines plans for Elections 2006, achievements of 2004
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally today outlined the Commission’s plans for General and Regional elections in 2006 as well as its achievements in 2004 during a press briefing in GECOM’s Boardroom.
Surujbally said that the Commission has established a list of 180 activities for Elections 2006 and has performed major repairs to its information technology system and this should dispel concerns by several political parties contesting the elections about flaws in the database.
Repairs were made to its Multiple Identification Issuing (MIDI) System File Server. According to the Commission, following failures in the production of national identification cards, the services of a De La Rue expert on MIDI systems, was procured between January 7-14, 2004 to repair one of the RAID drives of the MIDI system file server. Subsequently, the server, which stores the ID Card production data, was repaired by the consultant and GECOM was able to make corrections and replace national ID cards.
Operational hardware and software deficiencies recently encountered with the MIDIS in the process of producing national ID’s, were also addressed to upgrade the system. Technicians from De La Rue and the Research Triangle Institute (RTI), an executing arm of USAID, assisted in this aspect and GECOM has received the reports.
GECOM has procured more hardware and software equipment for its IT division to the value of just over $16M and a new generator was acquired at a cost of US $29, 100. Cost of the generator was paid by the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), another implementing arm of USAID and the generator will assist the commission so that it would no longer encounter problems with the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).
The Commission is building its staff’s intelligence capacity by allowing its voter education officers to take part in training, including observing the elections process in other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbados. Others have been involved in a Microsoft Project Management training course at the University of Guyana.
The Commission will be implementing continuous registration and has developed a proposed set of rules to govern the effective and efficient conduct of the process. The proposed rules for this process is currently before the Commission and the Parliamentary political parties for scrutiny.
There will be legislative changes made. According to the current laws pertaining to the registration of persons as catered for, the National Registration Act Cap.19:08 provides for national registration to be conducted periodically and in order to facilitate the institutionalization and implementation of continuous registration, the Commission has developed a proposal for relevant legislative amendments.
It was pointed out by Surujbally that the Commission has prepared a first draft of activities in Microsoft Project Management format with concomitant timelines for the national and general elections process. This was done to ensure that GECOM is in a state of readiness for the Elections.
Security will be improved at GECOM and an analysis is being conducted so that recommendations can be made for the improvements to the current security system.
The commission has also prepared itself, in the event that there are Local Government Elections prior to General and Regional elections and a plan of activities pertaining to the holding of such elections has been set up.
TOP Several Mash competitions postponed
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
Several Mashramani activities were postponed because of the flood disaster.
The Central Mash Committee postponed the Mash 2005 Costume and Float Parade.
As a result Mashramani will be held on May 26, Independence Day, instead of February 23. However, February 23 will still be a holiday.
Tonight 26 calypsonians will be competing at the Mash Calypso Finals which will be held in Bartica Region 7.
The Mash Jamboree and the Junior Calypso competition are postponed as well as the Masquerade competition.
The committee recommended to the Ministry of Education that all children’s activities at the regional and national levels be cancelled.
There will be no Steelpan Competition. Instead on February 21 there will be an evening of music.
The flag-raising ceremony will convene at Parliament Building as normal.
Minister Teixeira said the decision was made to postpone Mash because it would be insensitive to be celebrating Mash while thousands of persons are experiencing difficult circumstances, especially on the East Coast of Demerara.
According to Minister Teixeira the shift in the dates will give people time to recover from the flood disaster.
TOP More focus on health care- official opening of New Amsterdam Hospital
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
The New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice will be officially opened on the Sunday, February 20, 2005 by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The Hospital was constructed at a cost of US$6M a grant from the Japanese Government and was completed before the scheduled date.
The institution is now equipped with state of the art laboratory, a modern technology, qualified staff among other. The institution’s main objective will be to provide quality health care service to the Guyanese people particularly those living in Berbice, (Region 6 East Berbice Corentyne).
Since the present administration assumed office in 1992 significant interest has been placed on the health sector. The Government since 1992, has been taking special interest in the Guyanese people making every effort to provide them with the best health care facilities.
Prior to 1992, budgetary allocation for Health was merely $725 M; today the allocation has increased to $6.7 Billion.
The opening ceremony will commence at 10:30hrs.
TOP House debates flood Motion for 20 hours
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
In the early hours of this morning, the National Assembly approved a Motion addressing unprecedented flooding of the coastal areas. The Motion moved by Minster of Public Works and Hydraulics Anthony Xavier, saw what would go down in the records of the Assembly as one of the lengthiest debates.
Debate of the Motion started on February 16, when the Motion was moved and continued through that Sitting which was adjourned at 21:45 hours after presentations from six members – PNCR Leader Robert Corbin, Minister of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh, Dr. Dalgleish Joseph of the PNCR, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran of the Government side of the House and Miss Myrna Peterkin and Mr. James McAllister both of the PNCR.
The debate continued on Thursday and went until 03:30 hours on Friday with arguments from Public Service Minister Jennifer Westford, GAP/ WPA Sheila Holder, PNCR Stanley Ming, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Gail Teixeira, Amna Ally of the PNCR, Mrs. Melville of GAP/ WPA, Dr. Carl Max Hanoman, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta, Mrs. Volda Lawrence of PNRC, Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Miss. Genevieve Allen of PNCR, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Mr. Basil Williams of PNCR, Mr. Donald Ramotar General secretary of the PPP, Abdul Kadir of the PNCR, Mr. Odinga Lumumba Adviser to the President on Empowerment, Mr. Ivor Allen of the PNCR, Education Minister Henry Jeffrey, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir.
Though amendments were put forward by the opposition, the Motion was passed as proposed with 12 – ‘Whereas’ clauses and five ‘Resolve’.
Among the Resolve clauses were that the National assembly express its deeply felt sadness and sympathy to the victims of the disaster, gratitude to the people and organisations in Guyana and out of Guyana for the assistance they have given and continue to give, thanks to those Governments and international organisations which have contributed to the relief effort, urge all Guyanese and friends of Guyana to continue their efforts on behalf of the victims, supports the efforts of the Government of Guyana, the Opposition and all other political organisations which have contributed to the relief efforts and urges all the people fo Guyana, including the victims of the flood, to continue their valiant and courageous struggle against the disaster.
Throughout the debate both Government and Opposition recognized the support and efforts of the many individuals and organisations that rallied to bring support to those in need. Though there were many disagreements about the way the response was handled, both sides of the House commended each other for their efforts.
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Report of Inquiry into City Engineer’s Department Out
-several discrepancies found in City’s operations
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
The report of the findings of the Inquiry into the operations of the City Engineer’s Department of City Hall is now out and according to the report, a number of flaws have been discovered.
According to the report, it was found that a less than cordial working relationship between the Mayor, the Town Clerk and the City Engineer exists and there is a general perception by citizens that there is discrimination in the enforcement of the City by-laws.
Other findings included illegal constructions, allegations of corrupt practices and conflicts of interests which have adversely affected the work of the Department, delinquency in the carrying out of decisions of the Georgetown City Council, the non attendance of Senior Officers at important meetings, tardiness in dealing with complaints by members of the public, tardiness in dealing with the processing of building applications and poor management of the City’s drainage systems.
There was also the absence of standard operational procedures, poor supervision of work, inadequate monitoring of works and programmes, the unavailability of senior officers at short notice, the lack of timely responses by the administration to queries from the Mayor and the City Council, unsatisfactory financial controls and poor quality of work, the report said.
In light of the findings, the Commission submitted a number of recommendations which if implemented, should see marked improvement in the functioning of the Engineer’s Department.
Considering the absence of the Local Government Service Commission to instill disciplinary control over officers of the Department, the report recommended that urgent steps be taken to establish this Commission. In the absence of the Commission, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development exercises disciplinary control over Senior Officers while the Town Clerk does this over Junior Officers, and the Commission feels that the existing system of disciplinary control needs strengthening if it is to serve its purpose.
The Commission suggested that a clear line of communication and authority between the Mayor and the City Engineer’s Department should be agreed. It noted that if the Mayor is to have a day to day say in the administration of the City, then this must be communicated and accepted by all.
The development of an Operations Manual to assist in the documentation of procedures that must be adhered to by the Department was another suggestion since there is no such manual there.
Other recommendations included the Council setting up a sub-committee to review the Liburd’s Report, the Council considering very seriously the possibility of outsourcing a much higher percentage of the work of the Department, strengthening the human resources capacity of the Department, having more community involvement in the Department’s work and dealing expeditiously with and taking action on allegations of corrupt practices.
The Inquiry into the operations of the City Engineer’s Department began in June, 2004 and a total of ten persons appeared before the Commissioner, Bernard Carter.
Carter was appointed the Commissioner of Inquiry by Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore on June 4 after several complaints were received about corrupt practices taking place in the Department.
The Inquiry was conducted under the provisions of the Municipal and District Councils Act Chapter 28:01.
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IICA donates feed and veterinary supplies for animals affected by the flood
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Guyana has presented a supply of veterinary products to be utilized in the Ministry’s on-going programme of treating livestock in flood stricken-areas.
Today Dr. Chelston Brathwaite, Director-General of IICA visited the Ministry of Agriculture to make a symbolic presentation of veterinary supplies.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Dindial Permaul said the Ministry of Agriculture has been focusing on providing feed and medical attention to the animals, especially those in flood- affected areas.
Nearly $1M donated by IICA was spent to purchase veterinary supplies.
Dr. Chelston Brathwaite was accompanied by Mr. Cromwell Crawford, acting representative of IICA office in Guyana and Dr. Arlington Chesney, Director of Operation in Caribbean Regions.
He said IICA has been involved in the effort to help Caribbean countries with difficulties resulting from hurricanes, which were experienced in Grenada, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Haiti and at present Guyana, which was hit by its most devastating flood.
Dr. Braithwaite said IICA is interested in helping countries that are affected by disasters.
He said IICA’s efforts are usually to see how they can help in the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector and not only crops, but livestock as well.
He said IICA was very pleased to expeditiously answer the call of the Ministry and was able to help in whatever way they could towards the recovery from the effects of the floods.
He said their veterinary teams have also been very active in helping the Ministry.
One thousand molasses blocks each weighing 18 lbs, formed part of the supplies donated by IICA. This will provide the animals with nutrients and protein. Also included in the supplies are iron tonics, gloves and syringes.
Permaul said approximately 13,000 animals died during the flood and more than 10,000 animals were treated since the flood started.
Additionally, the Government contributed $6M towards feed and veterinary care for the animals. The Ministry is continuing its programme to assist farmers.
Permaul said the medication and molasses blocks will be distributed to farmers from next week.
He added that the Guyana Red Cross has also offered to help the Ministry in taking care of the animals.
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President Lagos is here…
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State visit begins
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
The State visit of Chilean President Ricardo Lagos Escobar kicked off this afternoon with the arrival of the Fuerza Aerea De Chile ( First Airforce of Chile) at 16:37 hrs.
President Lagos stepped off the plane to a grand Guyanese welcome from President Bharrat Jagdeo and his Cabinet, the Joint Service Heads and the diplomatic community among others at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, 26 miles south of the Capital- Georgetown.
He was received by President Jagdeo in a friendly hug and the 21-gun salute began. President Jagdeo was introduced to President Lagos’ delegation.
Chile and Guyana’s flags were unfurled and the National Anthems were played by the Guyana Defence Force’s band, after which President Lagos took the Guard of Honour salute and inspected the Guard.
The visiting Head of State was then garlanded by 11-year-old Beverley Mounter of the Timehri Primary School. The garland depicted the rich culture of Guyana’s indigenous people – the Amerindians.
The Guyanese Head of State returned the courtesy and introduced his visiting counterpart to the Cabinet, Government officials, and the diplomatic community.
Also present were the Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Edward Collins and other top-ranking officials of the GDF and Commissioner of Police Winston Felix.
While here, the Chilean President is expected to have bilateral talks with President Jagdeo and be his special guest at a dinner.
One of the issues President Lagos is expected to raise with President Jagdeo and other CARICOM Leaders is support for Chile’s Interior Minister Jose Miguel Insulza’s candidacy for the post of Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States.
The other candidates for this post are the Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Derbez and former El Salvador President Francisco Flores. Recently, the former El Salvador President was in Guyana and met President Jagdeo.
The Chilean President will also have lunch with the CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Edwin Carrington and attend the opening of the CARICOM headquarters tomorrow.
Chile was one of the countries that responded to Guyana’s natural disaster by supplying foodstuff. Chile also assisted Ecuador in bringing relief items to Guyana.
The Chilean President leaves Guyana on Sunday.
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Guyana , Japan ink technical agreement
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Guyana to benefit from training, machinery and Japanese expertise
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
Guyana and Japan today took their bilateral relations a step further with the signing of an agreement that will see cooperation between the two countries formalised.
Guyana ’s Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee and Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Yasuo Matsui today affixed their signatures to the Technical Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Guyana and Japan. The ceremony was witnessed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Guyana’s Honorary Consul to Japan Hans Barrow at the Office of the President.
“In view of this long history of cooperation, it is the desire of the Government of Guyana to enter into a formal agreement on technical cooperation with Japan in order to assist in the facilitation of the existing and future cooperation programmes. This agreement is therefore very timely as it seeks to provide for the setting up of an office for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which will carry out cooperation programmes here in Guyana in collaboration with the Government of Guyana,’ Minister Rohee said.
The agreement also provides technical assistance to Guyana in the following areas;
- Technical training to Guyanese nationals
- Dispatching of experts and Japanese volunteers with a wide range of technical skills
- Dispatching of Japanese Missions to Guyana
- Provision of equipment, machinery and materials to Guyana and
- Provision of other forms of technical cooperation.
“Under the Agreement, it is envisaged that JICA will implement technical programmes which will include inter alia providing both manpower needs and machinery and equipment to Guyana. The manpower needs will be met through the provision of technical training to Guyanese nationals as well as the dispatching of Japanese experts and volunteers with a wide range of technical skills and abundant experience, to Guyana,” the Minister added.
He noted that the agreement represents an important milestone in the furtherance of Guyana/ Japan relations.
Among the projects on which Guyana and Japan have collaborated are the US$ 20 M New Amsterdam Hospital, built with a grant from the Japanese Government and the construction of the new Caribbean Community Secretariat Headquarters which is due to open tomorrow.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, our gratitude to the Government of Japan for the support rendered to Guyanaover the years in various spheres. It is my hope that this Agreement will give further impetus to our friendly relations and assist in the im plementation of our technical cooperation programmes,” he said.
The Government of Japan has also assisted Guyana with the construction of the electric plant on the East Bank of Demerara.
“Moreover we await with great anticipation, the decision of the Government of Japan with regard to our application for a potable water project at Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice,” Minister Rohee said.
In return Ambassador Matsui said Japan and Guyana “have sustained and expanded a good relationship until now. The Government of Japan has cooperated with the satisfaction of Basic Human Needs and economic and social development for poverty reduction in Guyana, through its Official Development Assistance such as grant aid and technical cooperation. The agreement on technical cooperation between the Government of Japan and Guyana signed today, prepares the environment to facilitate the cooperation for the economic and social development of Guyana , through the provision of technical training to Guyanese nationals, dispatching of experts to Guyana, etc,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador noted that Japan has contributed to the development of Guyana through the dispatch of experts who have carried out technical cooperation in a wide range of fields, such as administration, health, promotion of industries, etc.. As of the end of 2004, the Government of Japan had accepted more than 120 trainees from Guyana, and had dispatched 12 experts to Guyana.
“We expect that, with the conclusion of this agreement, technical cooperation of this kind will be promoted with more smoothness… I hope that today's agreement will operate as a trigger for the acceleration of the economic and social development of both countries as well as the promotion of our friendship,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation John Isaacs also noted the amicable relations between the two countries over the years and expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Japan.
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President Jagdeo meets UNICEF Director
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo this afternoon met the Regional Director of Latin America and the Caribbean of the United National International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Mr. Nils Kastberg.
Kastberg, accompanied by Ms. Maria Ribeiro of UNICEF paid a courtesy call on the President this afternoon at the Office of the President
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“We must speak with a common voice”
-H.E. Ricardo Lagos Escobar
Georgetown , GINA Friday, February 18, 2005
“We must find that common voice and this is why I am here”. Those were the words of Chile’s President Ricardo Lagos Escobar this evening at a Civic Reception in his honour at City Hall.
The Chilean leader’s visit to Guyana comes at a time when Caribbean leaders are in the country to mark the opening of the new CARICOM headquarters, a gift from Guyana.
President Lagos said the inauguration of the new headquarters is a significant step because it is through integration of economies and in the political sphere that the Region will be able to speak with one voice.
He said that he supports the strengthening of multilateral institutions to advance cooperation in the Region and hopes to share a common future with Guyana.
President Lagos received the “Keys to the City”, made of solid gold from the Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green. Accepting the symbolic gift, he said that to him it represents a joint commitment between Guyana and Chile to work together for a better world.
The President said that he comes from a land that understands the difficult moments which comes during natural disasters such as the recent floods in Guyana. He noted that his Government responded promptly with aid.
President Lagos said that Georgetown has witnessed how a multicultural society is built and how multiple traditions and cultures can coexist.
He said that the descendants of diverse peoples have formed an amazing world of the English speaking Caribbean.
Mayor Hamilton Green in his welcome remarks said that he hopes that the Chilean President’s visit will blossom forth and grow into the foundation for a relationship in the future that would be satisfying to both sides.
The Mayor thanked President Lagos for the aid Guyana received from Chile during the flood crisis. He said that Guyana has been through a lot, but with the help of friends will bounce back.
He noted that as an economist in North Carolina in the United States of America President Lagos brought to notice the plight of small countries.
Mayor Green said that he looks forward to a meaningful relationship between Chile’s capital, Santiago and Georgetown.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta also attended the reception.
President Lagos and his delegation were entertained with steel pan music and a Latin American dance.
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