More than $73 M in sea defence works for Sister’s village
Georgetown, GINA, 04 April 2005.
A resident of Sister's Village raising her concerns with Information Liasion to the President, Robert Persaud and PPP Member of Parliament, Zulficar Mustapha, at Friends Primary School.
Residents of Sister’s village, East Bank Berbice will benefit from more than $73M sea defence project.
Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud made this disclosure during a Government outreach to Region Six (East Berbice\Corentyne), over the weekend.
Mr. Persaud led a team of Government officials and held community meetings at the Friends Primary School, Sister’s Village and another at the Belvedere squatting area, East Berbice Corentyne.
Residents of Sister’s Village and surrounding communities were eager to learn of the sea defence works scheduled for their area since, this is one of their main concerns.
Another issue raised by the residents is the lack of electricity.
In response, Mr. Persaud told residents that Sister’s village is earmarked as one of the areas to benefit from the Unserved Areas Electricity Programme (UAEP), which has already commenced.
He further stated “Sister’s village is a priority area to benefit from the UAEP this year,” adding “Government has been subsidizing 60 to 70% of the cost for providing electricity in each home.”
He also noted that “the Government has been working aggressively to electrify all unserved areas and so far no area has been left out.”
Many persons said they are anxiously awaiting the commencement of the projects and expressed their willingness to work collectively with the Government to ensure that the projects are successful.
According to Shelly De Cunha, a housewife of Sister’s village, “the Government is capable of executing the various projects and we are looking forward to it.”
Meanwhile, many persons who attended the meeting at Belvedere squatting area said that they are very impressed with the utilities in their area. The residents pointed out that they have electricity, telephone and potable water services.
The only concern raised by the residents is the road. However, they are of the view that progress takes time and they are optimistic that the road will be constructed when the necessary recourses are made available.
According to housewife, Betty Oltram “much has been undertaken so far. Life is much better now and we are patient with the Government.”
TOP Drop in Centre extends its services
Georgetown, GINA, April 04, 2005
In an effort to deal with the increasing number of children on the streets, the Drop-in Centre for street children was established by Government on June 1, 1999.
This is one of the sub-agencies of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security.
In a recent interview with the Deputy Chief Probation and Family Welfare Officer, Patricia Gray, she said sleeping accommodation is now being provided by the Drop-in-Centre and most of the children at the Centre attend school.
Among the objectives of the Centre are to ‘recreate a generation of responsible children in a harmonious family unit', to keep children off the street and to re-integrate the child into a family system and possibly the school system, to re-educate and provide family counselling for children and families.
The programme offered at the Centre provides these children opportunities to develop their self-esteem and learn skills that will enhance their future performance.
As part of the entry requirement, each child is exposed to counselling and a personal goal plan created for him/her.
Each child is also tutored in basic literacy and given the opportunity to learn life skills that would enable him/her to be gainfully employed or enter the regular school system.
Since the 1980’s Guyana has been trying to cope with the growing phenomenon of urban street children.
Today, Government has implemented successful measures to help street children. Several other centres and shelters operated by the Government for street children have been established and are presently meeting the needs of the street children.
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Government continues to respond to Opposition questions in Parliament
Georgetown, GINA, April 4, 2005
Government continues to provide responses to questions posed by Opposition parties in the National Assembly – a process that is mandatory to allow accountability and transparency.
Minister of Home Affairs (ag) Gail Teixeira responded to three questions directed by PNCR Parliamentarian Raphael Trotman on Government’s plans to reduce the number of illegal firearms and equipment for the Police Force.
In response the Minister said:
Measures to reduce the number of firearms
- Efforts to reduce the number of illegal firearms in circulation are based on intelligence gathering, enhanced scrutiny at the borders and sound police investigations. These efforts have been fruitful.
- The campaign is on-going as countries of the entire hemisphere have signalled their concerns over stopping these weapons from entering their societies and contributing to an increase in more violent criminal activities.
- The Quito Declaration in Ecuador, November 2004, called on those countries which manufacture those weapons to strengthen their control measures regarding sale and export.
Acquisition of patrol boats and aircraft for GPF
- The capital programme annually makes provision for capital items based on available resources and Parliament approves the expenditure.
Establishment of the Police Force Air-wing
- There are on-going discussions on the subject but a timing and budgetary resources have not been identified.
TOP Support local effort - Minister Teixeira
Georgetown, GINA, 04 April 2005.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira with patrons of a hat parade and fair held at the lawns of State House, Berbice.
There was quite an amount of fun and frolic on the lawns of Berbice State House on Saturday April 02, 2005 when the Lions Club of New Amsterdam, Berbice, hosted a hat parade and fair.
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira who was the patron of the event said that she believes in being supportive of such activities, which promote development in the Region.
Minister Teixeira said, “all local efforts should be supported,” pointing out that “the New Amsterdam Lions Club is constituted primarily of women”.
The Minister also encourages residents to provide assistance and support to make the club recognized in New Amsterdam and particularly Berbice.
The grand parade included dancers from New Amsterdam and other areas. The participants paraded from Philadelphia Street to the State House compound where the fair was held.
TOP Guyanese thankful for reduction in C-tax
Georgetown, GINA Monday, April 04, 2005
The Government’s decision to once again lower the consumption tax for gasoline has been welcomed by all sectors of the society.
After the commodity shot up to almost $700 per gallon at local filling stations, which was due to an international price hike, the Government announced that the C-tax will be lowered by 20 percent.
This reduction in the tax comes at a significant cost to the country’s revenues. However, the decision was made to ease the burden on the consumer and prevent any increases in public transportation fares.
One minibus driver, in an invited comment, said that the minibuses are the cheapest means of transport and commuters will not be able to bear further fare increases. He said that the Government’s decision shows that they care about ordinary citizens.
One housewife said that fuel price increases have a ‘domino effect’ that causes price increases in other commodities. She commended the Government for considering this.
A taxi driver said there is no need to increase fares now that the C-tax has been reduced and gasoline prices have been stabilised.
The reduction of the C-tax follows a similar reduction in May 2004. This reduction was re-adjusted after world fuel prices fell in December.
The Guyana Oil Company continues to stabilise local fuel prices by selling at the lowest possible price to safeguard the consumer.
TOP Rehabilitation works on regional health centres near completion
Georgetown, GINA, April 4, 2005
Works being completed at the Luisgnan Health Centre, as part of a massive rehabilitation effort undertaken by the Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO.
Sixteen health centres severely affected by the disastrous flood, earmarked to benefit from rehabilitation works will be completed shortly.
The works were undertaken jointly by the Ministry of Health and the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).
The rehabilitation of the health centers is a positive intervention by the Government to ensure the speedy return of normalcy to the various medical services offered.
The centres’ concrete floors were cleaned, existing grill work, masonry and wooden walls were repainted and internal damaged structures replaced.
The wooden furniture in the health facilities were also refurbished and strengthened and there was improvement of the environment.
Mr. Dorset Small, a contractor, said that the works on the Industry centre were comprehensive and that today the health centre would be completed. He also indicated that he was the contractor undertaking the rehabilitation works on the No. 2 Canal Health centre and works should be completed by Wednesday.
The Dispensary Pharmacist at the Industry health centre said she was satisfied with the quality of the rehabilitation works and the centre is now conducive for work.
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that there are other areas of concern such as replacement of damaged records which will take some time. He assured that in time it would be completed.
The health centres that benefited from these post-flood recovery rehabilitation works include: Plaisance, Industry, Beterverwagting, Lusignan, Buxton, Enterprise, Melanie Damishana, Enmore, Nabaclis, Victoria, Clonbrook, Meten-Meer-Zorg, Canal Numbers 1 and 2, Campbellville and Albouystown.
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There was no evidence pointing to Minister Gajraj’s involvement
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Presidential Commission of Inquiry submits report to President
Georgetown, GINA, April 4, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo receives a copy of the report from Chairman of the Commission, Justice of Appeal, Ian Chang. Looking on is Norman Mc Lean, a member of the Commission.
The Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed by President Bharrat Jagdeo to investigate allegations against the Home Affairs Minister on leave Ronald Gajraj has found no credible evidence linking the Minister.
This is according to Chairman of the Commission, Justice of Appeal, Ian Chang, SC, minutes after he presented the findings of the Inquiry into Allegations of the Minister’s involvement in Extra-Judicial Killings to President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President, today.
The President appointed the Commission on May 14, 2004. According to the terms of reference, the Commission will determine whether and to what extent there is evidence of a credible nature to support the allegations that the Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Ronald Gajraj, has been involved in promoting, directing or otherwise engaging in activities which involved the extra-judicial killing of persons.
“The basic finding is that there was no evidence of a credible nature. No we found there was none” was the Chairman’s reply to journalists after the presentation ceremony, regarding the queries of Minister Gajraj’s involvement.
President Jagdeo noted that he will now study the report, after which it will be up for discussions at Cabinet and made public early next week, as he had promised at the appointment of the Commission.
“The report will be given to the media and made public,” the President assured.
The President had announced that in accordance with Chapter 19: 03 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, under the laws of Guyana which empowers the President to appoint a Commission, he had appointed a Presidential Commission chaired by Justice Chang. The other members of the Commission are former Major General and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Norman McLean and retired Minister of Legal Affairs under the PNC regime Keith Messiah.
The appointment of the Commission follows Minister Gajraj’s public announcement on May 7 that he had requested from President Jagdeo, permission to proceed on leave to allow for an impartial investigation into allegations of his knowledge of the operations of an alleged death squad.
Chang noted that the Commissioners are in agreement as it relates to the TOR, h owever, there was a subsidiary issue on which there was disagreement among the three Commissioners and Messiah has prepared a subsidiary report on this matter. This subsidiary report was also presented to President Jagdeo, at the ceremony at which Messiah was absent.
T he work of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of Ministerial Involvement in Extra-Judicial Killings came to an end on March 31, 2005 and a comprehensive report was prepared. This was signed by all three Commissioners. The work of the Commission is now over, Chang said.
“I am grateful for the work they have done. I know it is a very difficult environment. The issue was politically charged and I want to thank them for the openness of the process,” the President said.
The Commission has published notices inviting the public to make submissions on the matter, which were treated with confidence.
Today, Justice Chang said that while they received some submissions, it was expected that more persons would have come forward.
While the TOR was designed by the Office of the President, how the Commissioners executed their task was left to their discretion.
“I hope at this stage, people do not say they never had a chance to present whatever evidence they may have had,” President Jagdeo said, noting that there was even an extension of the Commission’s life to ensure the process was properly completed.
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Benn gives update on Secretariat’s work
Georgetown, GINA, April 4, 2005
Coordinator of the Recovery and Planning Implementation Secretariat, Robeson Benn has given the Government Information Agency (GINA) an update of the operations of the Secretariat over the week-end April 2 and 3, 2005.
House Hold Data Collection
Collection of data for household support started from Sophia to Supply Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.
Recorders from the three religious denominational groups were hard at work collecting the householder information. The exercise is proceeding satisfactory with information already being supplied to the Secretariat.
Areas which have not been covered as yet will be progressively addressed in next two days. Households are reminded; if any issues arise they can call the Secretariat hot lines: 227-4161, 227-4162, 225-2732 or 225-2739.
The computer center has been established and has networked over the weekend. Basic data are being effectively recorded with a view to getting the relief package working.
Support to Small Business and Agriculture
All small business and agricultural data in Regions 3, 4 and 5 have been acquired in the field. Assessments centres, teams and schedules are being finalized. This will permit a start up of the public review process by assessment panels by weekend.
A seminar was held with officials representing the small business and agricultural sectors, on Sunday April 3 2005, to detail the assessment process. Assessors will include officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Regional and Neighborhood Democratic Council, Small Business advisors and representatives from the area, and others.
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South Georgetown community enhancement kicks off
Georgetown, GINA, April 4, 2005
H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo at Albouystown for the launching of the South Georgetown Development Programme.
Residents of South Georgetown were in high spirits this afternoon as the community enhancement project was launched at a ceremony attended by President Bharrat Jagdeo, Ministers of Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, including PAHO representatives and the City Mayor.
The ceremony held at Independence Boulevard commenced with representatives of the three major religions offering prayers.
The project is geared at sensitizing residents about the importance of a clean and healthy environment and several steps have been taken to assist them in achieving this objective.
Five hundred 45-gallon drums were handed over to residents as part of the project and a Public Relations campaign aimed at educating the members of the community was launched. The campaign includes two advertisements depicting residence of the community emphasizing the importance of a tidy environment, and a full-coloured pamphlet containing similar information. Broadcast of the advertisements begun today.
Delivering the main address, President Jagdeo stressed the need for all communities to strive for a better environment which, the President said, will assist in improving the quality of life Guyanese enjoy.
“If we all work together we can make a difference in our lives and our country”, the President said.
The most effective method of dealing with such matters, the President said, is inclusiveness, as this is the key to any successful community project.
“I always believe in explaining to the people how the limited resources are used and this gives them a better appreciation and understanding that we are doing the best we can although we have the desire to do much more.”
Also addressing the large gathering at Albouystown this evening were, Minister of Tourism, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, Member of Parliament, Ms. Philomena Sahoye-Shury, Resident Representative of PAHO, Dr Thoedore-Ghandi and Mayor Hamilton Greene.
In September 2004, President Jagdeo appointed a team to look at a programme to enhance three South Georgetown communities - Charlestown, Albouystown and La Penitence. The team comprises, Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford, Local Government Minister Harripersaud Nokta and Tourism Minister Manzoor Nadir, along with Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva of Go-Invest and Member of Parliament Philomena Sahoye-Shury.
In November 2004 H.E. President Jagdeo launched the Programme with a commitment of $40M, for road repairs, alleyways and drainage, as well as the desilting of the Sussex Street koker and a solid waste and environmental programme.
This is Central Government’s fourth intervention in the areas within the last seven years. Twice the President provided financial resources to clean the communities, and in 2003 more than $12M was spent for a major desilting of the Sussex Street Canal. Additionally, in 2004, work was done to clean up garbage.
Several components of the programme have been completed and today, the awareness and solid waste disposal programme was launched to ensure that residents are sentsitized of how to maintain a healthy environment.
The partners of this South Georgetown Development Programme are the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Public Works and Communication_, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce, the Mayor and City Council; the Pan American Health Organization; the private sector and community groups.
Two private companies - Sterling Products and DIDCO Trading, which are assisting with the provision of garbage disposal and maintenance of the environment.
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