Plans are afoot for Independence celebration
-Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport
Georgetown, GINA, April 5, 2005.
Mashramani celebration for 2005 was cancelled due to the unprecedented flood, which occurred January last. However, Phyllis Jackson of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport said that there are plans to launch the celebration for Mash 2006 in September of this year.
She said that the Ministry has plans for Independence Day on May 26, 2005. Among some of the activities planned are float parade and costume band competitions, flag raising ceremony at the National Park, Cultural presentations, and steel pan competition. The masquerade competition will be held in Leguan, Region 3 (Essequibo Island/West Demerara).
She said that application forms for the various competitions are available at the Ministry’s Headquarters on Main Street. The closing date for applications is 16 of April 2005.
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Guyana Elections Commission receives new Generator
-U.S Government committed to supporting GECOM - U.S Ambassador
Georgetown , GINA, April 5, 2005
GECOM's Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally (right) shakes hand with US Ambassador Roland Bullen as the new generating set is switched on.
Today, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was given a boost to its operations when the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Roland Bullen presented Dr. Steve Surujbally, GECOM's Chairman, with a brand new 225KVA generator.
Mr. Roland Bullen noted, "The United States Government through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is pleased to support the efforts of the Government of Guyana as it strives to improve democratic processes and institutions in Guyana."
Dr. Steve Surujbally expressed his appreciation, and indicated the importance of having an efficient and reliable power supply, especially to the Information Technology Division. "…Any compromise in the electricity supply…could have catastrophic repercussions…" Dr. Surujbally said.
With National Elections scheduled for 2006, it has become more important for the Elections Commission to be fully operational and prepared. In acknowledging this, Mr. Bullen said, "… GECOM is responsible for holding elections that can be declared free and fair by internationally accepted standards…however, no system in the world is 100 per cent accurate and margin of errors within the acceptable standards have never invalidated elections."
The generator, which cost US$29,100, was bought by USAID and the Government of Guyana paid for the installation, which was executed by Minelli Engineering Ltd at the cost of G $3.1 million. The procurement and installation of this Generating set became necessary, due to the need for increased power supply. This was required in several departments, including the Commission/Secretariat, and more specifically, to ensure the efficient and uninterrupted functioning of the Information System Division.
The U.S ambassador, in his closing remarks, made an appeal to all political Parties to cooperate with GECOM so that Guyana can have a truly peaceful and democratic National Elections in 2006.
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Prime Minister for hinterland safari
Georgetown, GINA Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds receiving bicycles from Golden Bridge Incorporated General Manger Ye Tiesheng for distribution to hinterland communities.(GINA/Royston Telford)
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be leaving Georgetown tomorrow for a seven day trip across Regions 8 and 9.
The trip will cover several communities in the hinterland and will dovetail with the Pakaraima Mountain Safari organised by the Guyana Tourism Authority.
This is the third year that the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Local Government are setting out on an exploration of the road linkages created in Regions 8 and 9. The safari will cover several eco-tourism sites including Orinduik, Annai, Rockview, the Iwokrama Canopy walkway and the North Rupununi Savannahs.
Through the efforts of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, several roadways have been developed in the hinterland making this trip possible.
This is the second year that Prime Minister Hinds will be joining the safari. However, the Prime Minister will be visiting several other communities outside of the safari. He said that his trip is focusing on the development of Amerindian communities.
The Prime Minister said that it is important for linkages to be developed between the communities in the hinterland and noted that the development of road linkages creates avenues for produce to be transported to the coast.
To this end the Prime Minister will be taking several items on his trip to be donated to those communities.
Today, Golden Bridge Incorporated donated six bicycles worth $60,000 to be distributed to several communities. Gaffoors Group of Companies has also donated a quantity of agricultural supplies and equipment to be donated.
In addition, Jialing has donated one motor cycle and the Office of the Prime Minister has purchased one to be donated to two communities. Tractors are being donated through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
BK International has provided a truck to make a test run during the safari to prove that those types of vehicles can now traverse the roads in some remote areas.
The Prime Minister will be in the interior from April 6 to 11.
A Gaffoors official, Lionel Kandasammy handing over agricultural equipment to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to be donated to hinterland communities during the Pakaraima safari. (GINA/Ameer Khan)
A Gaffoors official, Lionel Kandasammy displaying some agricultural equipment to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to be donated to hinterland communities during the Pakaraima safari. (GINA/Ameer Khan)
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Recovery assistance data moving apace
Georgetown, GINA, April 5, 2005
The recovery assistance data collection at the Recovery, Planning and Implementation Secretariat has picked up with more than 40 staff working around the clock.
“This is to ensure that the Centre is manned around the clock to allow data collection verification and rapid processing of payments cheques,” said Head of the Secretariat, Robeson Benn.
Benn spoke to the Government Information Agency (GINA) to update the public on the Secretariat’s operations.
Household Data Collection
Collection of the household support information continues from Sophia to Supply, Mahaica.
Benn said, “this work is going well, but a few areas, which are lagging, will get additional recorders in order to complete the exercise.”
He is calling on the lead of households to have their details readily available - name, address, National Identification card, and telephone numbers.
In the event a National ID card number is unavailable a Guyana Passport, National Insurance Scheme card, or Birth Certificate number would be accepted.
Small Business and Agricultural Support
Data for small business and agricultural claims have been completed in Regions 3, 4 and 5.
For the public verification, assessment teams, centres, and schedules are now being finalized for assessment to begin on Friday, April 8, 2005.
Assessors will include representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, small business advisors and area residents among others.
Help Centre
The hotlines are up and have been active. Hotline numbers are 227-4161, 225-2732 and 225-2739
Staff at the Data Centre begin inputting information from the ongoing flood loss assessment exercise. This process is being done on a shift basis. (A GINA/Ameer Khan Photo)
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President Jagdeo takes his Cabinet to Berbice
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Government launches outreach programme for 2005
Georgetown, GINA, April 5, 2005
As the PPP/C Administration continues it trend of maintaining grassroot contact, President Bharrat Jagdeo will lead his Cabinet to Regions Five and Six this weekend.
The Cabinet will launch another Outreach Programme this weekend in Berbice. Cabinet members led by President Bharrat Jagdeo will fan out to Region Six communities on April 8-9 and Region Five on April 10.
Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon today announced that the Cabinet Outreach will focus on ways in which Government can enhance the provision of goods and services to the communities. It is in this context that the accountability framework recently adopted by Cabinet to ensure enhanced communication between the local authorities and central Government will be discussed.
To ensure effective management of information flowing from Local Authorities to Central Government, Cabinet has adopted an “accountability framework.”
Ministers have increasingly observed, during their visits to the ten Administrative Regions, that there is a weakness on managing information flow at the community level to ensure effective and efficient implementation of Government’s programmes.
Under this new framework, Local Authorities will have to submit monthly reports through the Local Government and Sectoral Ministers to Cabinet.
“We would have an opportunity to explain to the Regional Administration and Members of the Regional Council, the way in which Cabinet see the accountability framework operating and to be certain our insistence that this accountability framework be given the greatest attention and can be able to work and to provide the acceptable level of information flows,” Dr. Luncheon added.
The Cabinet Outreach will kick off with a Cabinet meeting on Friday April 8, in East Berbice followed by several other activities in the Ancient County.
“There they would be holding either meetings with various community groups or addressing sectoral issues with stakeholders in the important sectors in Berbice – rice, sugar, fisheries, crops, livestock and of course the social sectors,’ he said.
Similar exercises will be conducted on Saturday April 9.
“The President himself would be at the local markets and also meeting special interest groups. Other Ministers would continue their programmes of community meetings and engagements with the various economic sectors personnel in Berbice,” he said.
While in Region Six, the teams will also have discussions with residents on development projects and how these fit into the macro-economic framework. Among these are the Berbice River Bridge, the Skeldon Modernisation Project and the road from Skeldon to Moleson Creek.
“The best time and place to have these matters reviewed and to have the emphasis and focus sharpened, is the Cabinet meeting in Region Six itself,” the Cabinet Secretary added.
The Cabinet will then fan-out to communities in West Berbice Region Five, meeting residents and soliciting their views with the aim of arriving at solutions to problems which may be affecting their communities.
“Here a series of activities similar to those which took place on April 8 and 9 in East Berbice,” he said.
Among the communities to be visited are Skeldon, Rose Hall, Eversham, West Canjie, Chesney, Port Mourant, Nos. 8, 19, 47, 48 53 and 63 villages, Fyrish, New Amsterdam, Little India, Little Africa, Belvedere, Belladrum, Bush Lot, Sister’s Village, Black Bush Polder, Adelphi New Scheme, Abary, Fort Wellington, Fairfield, Little Biaboo, Ithaca, Calcutta and Novar Mahaicony.
Dr. Luncheon explained that Government will soon be taking the Outreach to other parts of the country.
President Jagdeo in 1999 expanded the PPP/C policy of taking government to the people, by hosting several Cabinet Outreaches in Essequibo, Berbice and Linden.
Attch: Programmes for Cabinet Outreach
PROGRAMME FOR H.E. BHARRAT JAGDEO’S MEDIA COVERAGE CABINET OUTREACH IN REGION 5 & 6
APRIL 8-10, 2005
Saturday, April 9 th, 2005
09:00h Walk-about, Port Mourant Market by President Jagdeo
10:30h Walk-about Rose Hall Town by President Jagdeo
13:00h Community Meeting at Skeldon Primary by President Jagdeo
14:00h Walk-about at No. 47/48 Village by President Jagdeo
14:30h Community Meeting at Eversham NDC Office by President Jagdeo
16:00h Community Meeting at Whim Community Centre by President Jagdeo
17:30h Walk-about Smythfield, New Amsterdam by President Jagdeo
Sunday, April 10, 2005 09:00h Community meeting at Rosignol Secondary School – HE & Min.
Baksh & Shadick
11:00h Community meeting at Bath Primary School – HE & Min. Baksh
13:00h Community Meeting Bush Lot Secondary School – HE & Min. Baksh,
Min. Shadick
15:00h Community meeting at Belladrum Primary School - HE & Min.
Baksh & Xavier
17:00h Community meeting at Old Railway Station- Central Mahaicony –
HE, Min. Xavier & Rodrigues
PROGRAMME FOR MINISTERIAL MEDIA COVERAGE CABINET OUTREACH IN REGION 5 & 6
APRIL 8-10, 2005
Friday, 8 th April, 2005
14:00h Walk-about at Seawell - Ministers Xavier, Baksh & Collymore
14:00h Walk-about at West Canjie - Ministers Rohee, Westford & Shadick
16:00h Community walk-about at Chesney- Min. Ramsammy, Rodrigues & Bisnauth
16:00h Community walk-about at Bangladesh Port Mourant – Min. Xavier, Baksh & Collymore
Saturday, April 9 th, 2005
09:00h Ministers Ramsammy & Westford to visit Hospitals & Health Centers
13:30h Meeting Kildonan Community Centre-Ministers Collymore & Bisnauth
11:00h Meeting at No. 53 Sports Complex- Ministers Kowlessar & Jeffrey
15:00h Walk-about at Fyrish – Ministers Collymore & Bisnauth
09:00h Walk-about in New Amsterdam Market-Dr. Luncheon and Teixeira
13:00h Meeting at #19 Community Centre Ground- Ministers Baksh & Kowlessar
14:00h Community meeting at Plegtancker Primary School- Ministers Shadick, Sawh & Xavier
15:00h Walk-about at Good Banana Land & Betsy Ground-Minister Baksh, Rodrigues
09:00h Meeting at Little India-Ministers Baksh, Xavier & Rohee
11:00h Meeting at Little Africa- Ministers Baksh, Xavier & Rohee
12:00h Walk-about in Nigg/Belvedere-Minister Baksh, Xavier & Rohee
14:00h Community meeting at the Bush Lot Secondary School – Min. Jeffrey & Kowlessar
15:30h Visit to Sea Defence Structure and discuss water issues with residence at sisters – Village with Ministers Rohee, Xavier and Baksh
09:00h Meetings in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder- Min. Sawh, Shadick & Collymore
10:00h Meeting at Mibikuri Black Bush Polder Ministers Sawh, Shadick & Collymore
11:00h Meeting at Johanna, Black Bush Polder Ministers Sawh, Shadick & Collymore
12:00h Meeting at Yakausari Ministers Sawh, Shadick & Collymore
13:00h Meeting at #63 Tagore School- Ministers Sawh, Shadick & Collymore
17:00h Walk-about Adelphi New Scheme-Ministers Baksh, Rohee & Rodrigues
Sunday, April 10, 2005
09:30h Community Meeting at Abary Primary School – Min. Sash, Westford
13:00h Community meeting at Karamat Primary School – Min. Sash Sawh, Westford
10:00h Community meeting at No.8 Primary School – Min. Collymoore,
Ramsammy
10:00h Community meeting at Fort Wellington Secondary School – Min. Jeffrey
& Rohee
13:00h Community meeting at Fairfield Community Centre - HPS & Min.
Teixeira
14:00h Community meeting Biaboo Primary School- Mahaica Creek –
Min. Collymore & Kowlessar
10:00h Community Meeting at Ithaca Primary School – HPS & Min. Teixeira
10:00h Community meeting at Calcutta Primary School – Min. Bisnauth,
Kowlessar
13:00h Community meeting at Novar Primary School – Min. Ramsammy &
Min. Rohee
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“Do not encourage domestic violence” – Minister Shadick
Georgetown, GINA, April 5, 2005
“Women should learn to be independent and not to depend solely on men.” Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick said in an interview today.
Minister Shadick said she is very concerned about the rising cases of domestic violence and noted Government is trying its best to assist persons who are victims of such abuses.
The Human Services Minister noted that circumstances under which these incidents occur are unfortunate, adding that these incidents, are going to continue if the women who are victims do not discuss the matter with counsellors.
The Minister noted that women are being abused and still they continue to live under such conditions.
She is calling on affected persons, especially women to report any case of domestic abuse so that an investigation can be launched and help can be offered to those who are victims.
Minister Shadick explained that the Ministry is willing to offer any support other than counselling to anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse.
She explained that if anyone is having domestic problems at home she can seek assistance from the Ministry.
She also noted that the Ministry offers counselling and seminars to educate women on their rights.
In her message on International Women’s Day 2005, Minister Shadick said, “in spite of legislative measures, institutional mechanisms, policies and practical strategies and activities, women and children remain at risk.”
She explained further “We need to strengthen our will, analyze, review and redouble our efforts to combat these scourges of violence and abuse which women and children face daily.”
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President’s Cup Final Football competition kicks off
Georgetown, GINA, April 5, 2005
Amid a huge crowd gathered at the Georgetown Football Club this afternoon, President Bharrat Jagdeo declared open, the 2005 President’s Cup Final Football competition.
This comes just a few days after the President of the Guyana Football League, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, announced the donation of $4M from President Jagdeo, towards the enhancement of the sport.
Referring to the opening of the series, President Jagdeo stated, “…It could set in train, a process that would improve the lives of the young people of this country.”
In keeping with Government’s commitment to the young people of Guyana,
President Jagdeo emphasized the need for more focus to be placed on all sporting activities. “…I hope that we could do this in all sports, not just in football but in every other sport”.
Players and supporters of football who had come out in their numbers to witness the opening ceremony of the 2005 Series, expressed gratitude for the $4M contributed by the President. One player, Steven Tross, representing Black Pearl, said, “I feel good to know that the President donated this money, because in the past years we never received any amount of money, so now that we get it, we’ll make good use of it.”
President Jagdeo also received loud applause when he indicated that the Stadium currently under construction would not only be used for the purpose of cricket, but for football also.
Mayor Hamilton Green acknowledged the sterling contribution of the President towards football and indicated his own commitment to continue supporting the sport.
The President, along with the honorable Mayor, Mr. Hamilton Green, Mr. Odinga Lumumba, General Secretary of the Guyana Football League, Mr Thomas Hurdason, and Mr. Aubrey Henry of the Guyana Football Federation, greeted the teams which had assembled on the field.
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