Kaieteur National Park wants to attract overnight tourists
Georgetown, GINA, March 19, 2005
Tourists visiting the Kaieteur National Park will have more to look forward to in 2005. As one of Guyana’s premier tourist destinations, the Kaieteur Falls will be complemented by several initiatives of the Kaieteur National Park Board.
The National Parks Commission will ensure that seven key targets identified by the Chairman of the Kaieteur National Park Board, Mr. Shyam Nokta, be instituted.
It is estimated that the Park attracts 2400 visitors annually. With improved facilities and the development of other key areas, Mr. Nokta is expecting 3000 visitors for 2005.
A visit was made on Wednesday, March 16, 2005 to the Kaieteur National Park by a team which included Mr. Nokta and Ms. Inge Nathoo, General Manager of the National Parks Commission.
Ms. Nathoo said the Commission has plans to significantly improve the physical infrastructural works of the Park to attract more overnight visits. She said much investment is being channelled into the Park.
Additional works were done on the guest house to comfortably accommodate visitors interested in overnight visits to the Park. There is currently a trained caretaker at the guesthouse.
Mr. Nokta said such overnight and extended visits will allow visitors to explore more of the beautiful landscape and biodiversity of the Park.
He explained that the plans for the Park include a souvenir shop which will be established where local residents of Chenapau and Menzies Landing can offer craft items for sale.
Improvements of the facilities to accommodate extended visits will be heavily emphasized as a key target for the Park in 2005. Mr. Nokta added that possibilities are being explored to have eco-lodges to facilitate such visits.
The team identified potential sites within the park for the construction of a multi-purpose building and improvements will be made to the signs and maintenance of the trails. There will also be a monitoring station constructed at Tukeit Landing and a multi purpose building at the Park.
The Park Commission is presently working with the Guyana Police Force to have a permanent police presence at the Park to deter illegal activities. There are also proposals to have another warden employed to facilitate large groupings of visitors.
Mr. Nokta is confident that with these improvements there will be increased visitors to the Park. Kaieteur’s integrity will in no way be undermined by the activities intended to enhance the Park. Mr. Nokta said that all construction will be distanced from the Fall so as not to cause an imbalance in the fragile eco-system.
The team included Mr. Lakeram Roopnarine, Secretary/ Accountant of the Commission, Ms. Jonghyon Shin, a United Nations volunteer attached to the National Parks Commission and Mr. Linton Butters, a senior officer of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
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Sophia residents contribute to electrification programme
Georgetown, GINA Saturday, March 19, 2005
Residents of Sophia today made their first contributions to the Government of Guyana/Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP).
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds visited the Sophia Health Centre where the exercise is being undertaken.
Approximately 6000 households in the Sophia Housing Scheme, Cummings Lodge and Cummings Park are to benefit from the UAEP. At least 50 percent of the households in each community have up to May 20 to make their $10,000 contribution to the programme for work to begin.
Once work begins, residents, who do not join the programme now, will be able to make their contribution during the next three years to be added to the network.
The Prime Minister toured the area to encourage residents to come out and support the exercise. Representatives from GPL are also collecting payments and installments at its Main and Middle Streets offices.
The UAEP will benefit over 30,000 households in low-income areas at a cost of US$23.5M.
In addition, Government has allocated $300M to help Guyana Power and Light (GPL) supply electricity to households that fall outside the UAEP.
The company’s generating capacity will also be increased, improving the quality and reliability of electricity supply, with the installation of 60-65 megawatts of new electricity generating units.
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Ogle Aerodrome developing to meet international standards
- Runway extension begins
Georgetown , GINA, March 19, 2005.
The Ogle Airport Development Project has proceeded in full stream as construction works on the extension of the runway is currently in progress.
According to project coordinator, Mr. Anthony Mekdeci "the existing runway is too narrow, too short and it does not meet civil aviation standards." He added that works had recommenced on the runway after being obstructed by the flood.
Mr. Mekdeci explained that "the project is being undertaken by the Ogle Airport Incorporated."
The Ogle Airport Incorporated is a private company while the Ogle Airport was leased by the Government.
Meanwhile, chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Brian James said "it is the Government that sets the perimeter and the private sector should take the advantage of the opportunity and operate within those borders."
He further stated that the project is expected to be completed within the next year. Mr. James also noted that the project will be an advantage to the upcoming Cricket World Cup which will take place in 2007. "It will take off some of the pressure from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport" he said.
In addition, Mr. James noted that the project will benefit the "Caricom brothers and sisters" since it will make it easier for travel between Guyana and Caricom States.
In 2004, the Environmental Construction Permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for expansion works to the aerodrome was granted. This allowed the first phase of the development plan for the operation of the Regional Municipal Airport at Ogle started by the relocation of squatters who were obstructing the development plan.
The relocation was undertaken by the Central Housing and Planning Authority and the Ministry of Public Works and Communication.
The project is a phased development and is being executed by local contractors.
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Positive response to Government recovery package
Georgetown, GINA, March 19, 2005
Flood victims have welcomed the $2.8B short-term recovery plan that President Bharrat Jagdeo announced yesterday.
The recovery interventions include cleaning and restoration of the physical environment, support for households in restoration activities, improving drainage systems and restoring other infrastructure with mitigation measures included, restoring pre-disaster levels of public services in Education, Health and Water and assistance for the productive sector.
Extensive rainfall in Guyana during the December – February period caused severe flooding on the East Coast Demerara, resulting in the President declaring Regions Three, Four and Five “ national disaster areas,” on January 18.
The focus of this package is on short-term interventions that will span over a three-month period.
According to that package, a $10,000 assistance grant will be given to the estimated 70,000 households that were affected, costing about $700M (US$3.5M). No assessment is required for this.
Another $ 700M was set aside for farmers and small business operators will be in cash or kind - seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and livestock and machinery and equipment for small business. The assistance will be delivered only after a detailed assessment.
Today the Government Information Agency visited some communities that were affected by the flood. While residents acknowledged that this assistance is not compensation, they noted it will help them to restart. Livestock farmers were particularly grateful for the assistance. Here is what they had to say.
Rudolph Mahaica – Paradise, ECD resident
He is trying he best for every flood victim. The $10,000, nobody can’t comment about it because the President is trying he best. Me ain’t know fuh anybody, but I will accept it as something given to us than nothing.
Inua Hart – Paradise, ECD resident
The $10,000 can help by buying foodstuff and so for us, it’s nice that the President is doing something good for his people.
Sid Sancho – Paradise, ECD resident
Well that (the package) is very pleasant when you have lost so much. I have lost a lot. You can’t ask the President to give you back everything. I am just pleased that I can get something
Hurta Adam – Paradise, ECD resident
I feel great that he doing something for us. I use to mind (rear) animals and I lost everything…we just here waiting for help. This is a great relief that we are getting help.
Michelle Williams – Melanie, ECD resident
All the chickens them die out. So I have nothing. The water was high, but I feel great about it (the assistance) I thank he (the President) very much for it. I feel thankful for the great help he gon give we so that I can start my business again.
Dennis Sealey – Paradise, ECD resident
It (the assistance) would help we even though it can’t mesh with the losses. We would try to see what we can do with it, instead of nothing at all. But the part that I love is if he would change up the breed of the stock.
Roopdai Sanichar – Annandale West, ECD resident
I feel proud about it at least he trying to help. Them thing (lost) cost more but it is better than nothing.
Denise Dias– Annandale South, ECD resident
I feel good about it. He is trying to help people get back on their feet.
Ashim Mohamad – Annandale South, ECD resident
The Government’s effort is alright.
Ben Venezuela – Lusignan, ECD resident
He (the President) is helpful and it is not he fault we get flood.
Bibi Bonds – Annandale South, ECD resident
If I get assistance I feel good about that because right now I can’t do anything. I had a lot of loss, especially in my plant nursery
Danmattie Lallram – Lusignan, ECD resident
It is a great something, he is trying he best. I won’t say he not trying
Rudolph Pooran – Lusignan, ECD resident
I think it is a very good idea that Government would help people. We would start to buy back some seeds to plant back.
Meanwhile, the package also provides for $150M will be spent on education, $50M on health care facilities, $320M on water $50M on garbage disposal, $100M for drainage in the City and $800M for the short-term drainage work in the flood-hit areas.
Next week the President will name a Recovery Planning and Implementation Secretariat to oversee the implementation of the plan and the assessments will begin.
The cost to restore Guyana after the flood is estimated in excess of $6B(US$30M).
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