Copies of COI report distributed to the media
Georgetown, GINA, April 10, 2005
In an effort to ensure transparency, accountability and promote freedom of speech, the Office of the President has distributed copies of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry report to all media houses.
Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the reason for the distribution of the report is to guarantee accurate reporting.
Additionally, the minority report handed over by Keith Massiah, a member of the COI, was also sent out to media houses.
In May 14, 2004, the Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced establishment of a COI to investigate Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj who, it was alleged, was involved in extra-judicial killings. The Commission determined its own procedures which were comprehensive, transparent, and consistent with international standards.
The work of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the allegations came to an end on March 31, 2005, and the Report was handed to President Jagdeo on April 04, 2005 signed by all three Commissioners.
The Report found no `credible evidence’ of Minister Ronald Gajraj’s involvement in extra-judicial killings.
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Successful Cabinet outreach concludes today
Berbice, GINA, April 10 2005
As Ministers of Cabinet visited Regions Five and Six in a Ministerial Outreach programme to interact with residents, many issues were discussed which were pertinent to the development of the communities.
The areas visited were Little India, Corriverton, Little Africa and Numbers 75,77 and 19 Villages in East Berbice.
Minster of Housing and Water Shiek Baksh announced that major infrastructural works, which include the construction of roads, the provision of electricity, water, and land titles will commence during the year.
Minster Baksh said that Government has already paid the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) $30 M to install pipelines and to ensure that each household has access to potable water.
He said grading and leveling of roads would commence within three months in Little India.
Twenty five million dollars was allocated for the construction of roads within the housing scheme. The community is also scheduled to receive electricity by December said the Minister of Housing and Water.
Minister Baksh said four thousand homes would receive electricity in Region Six and land titles are expected to be distributed within three to four months.
The major concerns of the residents of Little India were based on the limited supply of water, electricity and the need for proper roads.
In the meantime, Government has identified a 30,000-acre plot of land at the Skeldon Estate, No. 75 village to be converted into another housing scheme with one thousand lots.
The Outreach programme has proven to be a tremendous success. Ministers of Cabinet have noted the concerns of residents and many of the solutions to the issues are already underway as Government seeks to provide the basic infrastructural works for the communities.
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Ministerial outreach ends in Region Five
Georgetown , GINA, April 10, 2005.
The Ministerial Outreach in the county of Berbice Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) moved to Region Five Mahaica/Berbice, where it was concluded. Various team of Ministers visited several areas in the region to interact with residents and discuss development plans for the communities.
At Calcutta Primary School, Mahaicony villagers gathered to meet Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford to raise their concerns and discuss measures for resolving these problems.
During an interactive session, Minister Westford told residents that the Ministerial Outreach is to allow "various Ministers to go out and listen to residents concerns in the different communities and find solutions to these issues."
Given the opportunity to interact with the Government official, villagers said that the drainage system along the school needs attention, since it is blocked with weeds. They also noted that there is a need for a fence to be constructed surrounding the school. The issue of water provision to the school was another concern. The residents said the pipe line attached to the school facilities has been broken.
In response, Minister Westford informed residents that she would meet with the Minister responsible for drainage and irrigation, so that representation could be made to Central Government to address the problem shortly.
With regard to the fence for the school, the Minister told villagers that the project proposal to SIMAP, which is a Government programme, could see the possibility of the construction, quite soon. She further informed them that she will make proposals to SIMAP to undertake the school-fence project.
On the water supply issue, Minister Westford informed residents that she would discus the issue with the Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh along with the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). She advised villagers to undertake the attachment of the lines in the meantime to ensure that they receive water.
Residents expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Government to undertake community projects.
Meanwhile, Minister Westford joined Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh to convey another community outreach programme at Karamat Primary School which is located in the Mahaicony Creek.
There was a large turnout of residents who expressed their satisfaction over the development in their community.
In delivering the opening remarks, Minister Westford told the gathering "we want to hear what you have to say. We want to hear of the issues affecting you, so that we can work collaboratively to find solutions."
Additionally, Minister Sawh explained that “Government is in various communities to meet the people to discuss projects for further development of their areas.”
Residents said they are very satisfied with what the Government has done in their areas and will continue to lend support to the administration, as it seeks more progress.
The Ministerial outreach has successfully concluded today.
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Cabinet Outreach in Berbice was very much welcome
- Berbicians
Georgetown, GINA, April 10, 2005
While Cabinet Outreach continues in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) Yesterday, Minister of Agriculture, Satyadeow Sawh, Minister of Human Service and Social Security, Bibi Shadick and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore met with residents of several communities to discuss problems affecting their daily lives.
Many residents expressed their appreciation with the Outreach programme noting Ministers will offer solutions to solve their problems.
While there were solutions to many issues on the spot, others will be addressed to the subject Ministers for their decision.
During the meetings residents express their dissatisfaction at poor drainage, wet paddy not being accepted by rice millers, roads in poor condition and lack of electricity.
They explained that the koker is not opened on schedule causing the their farm lands to be flooded.
However, residents were caught off guard when they attempted to blame the Neighbourhood Democratic Council for the floodings that they have caused themselves.
Water coming from the savannah were blocked by the region, but were opened by farmers of the area.
The Vice Chairman, of Region 6, (East Berbice/Corentyne), Kadim Bacchus said that when the area is in its dry season, farmers also complain that the main drainage canal is not adequately providing water for their farm lands.
Residents also pointed out that a rice miller in the area is not buying their paddy when it is wet.
However, the market is a free market and the rice miller can choose to buy paddy to satisfy their demands.
When the paddy is wet, the farmers revert to sell the paddy to Alesie. Residents also explained that the main road is in bad condition.
Minister Shadick explained that the Region would have the roads repaired. Electricity supply will also be made available to the community.
The issue of pensioners having to pay water rates was also discussed.
To this end, Minister Shadick said that the government has a solution to the problem, noting that all old age pensioners who are registered at the Guyana Water Incorporated will not have to pay for the service.
During the meeting at No 63-Tagore Primary school Ministers provided on the spot solution to farmers whose rice are being destroyed by cattle.
A Magistrate who is also a rice farmer in the area, who was also present at the meeting, said that he would have a meeting with the cattle farmers and provide a solution to the problem, which everyone agreed to.
Another resident explained that a certain rice miller in the area is expanding his business and he expressed concerned over the dust that will affect them.
However, the Ministers explained that they could not stop a person from expanding his business.
They also explained that a business have to expand to keep running.
Also, the rice mill was there before they started constructing their homes.
The Region has not declared the area a housing scheme.
The residents explained that it is private lands.
The Ministers said that the Environmental Protection Agency would look into the matter.
Residents of Lesbeholden, BlackBush Polder, raised issues with regards to house lots not being offered to them. One family said that they would surrender their 2-½ acres of lands for house lots.
To this then, Minister Shadick explained that they would have the house lots providing that they hand over the 2-½ acres of land to the Region.
A cash crop farmer of Mibikuri expressed his frustration over his crops being damage by another farmer who rears pigs.
The farmer explained that the farmer pigs are a nuisance to everyone. He pointed that while they have made reports to the police station, the police were unable to take action because of the state of the impounding facilities.
Minister Collymore explained that the region would assist them in this regard.
Minister Collymore says that the matter is engaging Government’s attention. He noted that the problem is one that he is aware of.
The farmer also explained that the pig farmer has threatened his life. He explained that the farmer is always denying ownership of the pigs.
Minister Collymore explained that while he is denying ownership of the pigs, the members of the police force have the authority to impound the pigs. After two weeks, the police will place the pigs on auction where it would be sold.
The Minister also promised the residents that he would follow up the matter.
Residents also expressed satisfactions with the “on the spot solution” that they could not have done independently.
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President Jagdeo visits Greenfield - A team returns tomorrow for remedial work
Georgetown, GINA, April 10, 2005
A team from the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (ND&IB) will return to Greenfield tomorrow to commence remedial works on the koker, which has been non-functional for weeks.
This follows President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit to the village while on his return to the City, from an extensive Cabinet outreach to Regions Five and Six.
Residents told the Head-of-State that mud has clogged the koker and recent rainfall has compounded the situation.
According to Narine Ramprashad, the koker operator; the koker has not been functioning for more than six weeks.
Several reports were made to the Region Four, Regional Democratic Council (RDC), but nothing was done, this was confirmed by Chief Executive Officer of ND&IB, Ravi Narine.
President Jagdeo expressed his disappointment over the neglect of the koker by the RDC. He was surprised that no reports were made that the koker has been non-functional for six weeks.
He has instructed that a drainage and irrigation team visit Greenfield with a view to solving the matter. Greenfield koker is one that will be rehabilitated under the Government’s recovery programme.
President Jagdeo is scheduled to revisit the area tomorrow.
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