Minister Nokta for Region 7 visit
Georgetown, GINA April 29, 2005
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Harripersaud Nokta will make a three day tour through communities in Region 7 (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni), starting May 1.
The visit is geared towards assessing developments in the Region, discussing problems and looking at on-going works for 2005. The Minister is expected to travel over land from Kamarang to Waramadong to have a first hand look at the road that links the two villages.
Government has been allocating funds to maintain the road over the past years and this year an additional $2.9M has set aside to improve the road. Today, Amerindian communities are benefiting from the services of a tractor and trailer that was donated to the Waramadong Council by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
The Minister will also visit the newly constructed health centre at Jawalla Village and will host a meeting with residents of that village on May 2. Funds were provided to the completion of this health centre by Central Government.
A new Amerindian Hostel is under construction at Kamarang. Minister Nokta and team will be visiting the site on May 3. Later in the day the Minister will host a meeting at Kako Village and commission the new primary school building in that village.
During the visit to the Region, Minister Nokta and team will also visit Paruima Village, where Government has allocated $5.5M to construct a reservoir near the Paruima Mountain to channel pure water to the village. Minister Nokta will also visit Warawatta Village.
Warawatta, along with Kambaru Villages will be provided with two boat engines that will be used to transport children to and from school.
TOP Guyana willing to fill St. Kitts sugar quota to EU market
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
Guyana is willing and has the capacity to fill the gap in the European Union (EU) sugar market when St. Kitts/ Nevis can no longer meet its share of the Sugar Protocol Quota.
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee
At a media conference today, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee said he has written his colleagues in other CARICOM sugar exporting countries, requesting that they inform their Ambassadors and High Commissioners accredited to the EU, that it is CARICOM’s policy and firm intention that when St. Kitts can no longer fill its Sugar Protocol quota, that this quota should be filled by other CARICOM quota holders with available sugar.
On March 11, 2005, St. Kitts announced that it will cease to manufacture sugar this year.
It is expected that the CARICOM member state will meet its Sugar Protocol quota for the period July1, 2004 – June 20, 2005, however, in the quota period 2005 – 2006, St. Kitts/ Nevis will no longer meet its share of the Sugar Protocol.
CARICOM Heads at their 16 th Inter-Sessional Meeting in Suriname had agreed that “security of access to the EU market should be pursued through maintaining Sugar Protocol access while pursuing the right of CARICOM exporting countries with available sugar to meet any CARICOM shortfalls which may occur.”
The issue will be discussed when CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meets in Georgetown next month
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Minister Teixeira expresses disappointment at PNCR MP comments
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira has written the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament Jerome Khan over slanderous remarks he made during his 2005 budget debate presentation in the National Assembly.
She was at that time also performing the duties of Home Affairs Minister.
An excerpt from her letter states, “In your rather forceful presentation, you cast very serious aspersion on the Government with reference to narco-activity and money laundering. In fact, you were so bold as to refer to the economy being bolstered by such illicit funds, dramatically reflected in your comments about “voodoo economics. You spoke with a level of assuredness of someone who ‘knew’ of such matters.”
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira
Minister Teixeira in her letter noted, that as a Member of Parliament and citizen, “I am writing to you to strongly urge you to share any information you may have on the references made by you in the debate with the Commissioner of Police, who I, assure will treat with such matters with confidentiality.”
Minister Teixeira believes that Khan has a duty to his country and to not do so, would be a disservice to himself, to Parliament and to the country.
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Government expects EU to respect its commitment to the Sugar Regime
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
Guyana will be following closely the European Union deal with its commitments under the Sugar Regime. This is in light of the decision of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Appellate Body to uphold the 2004 findings of the Dispute Panel.
The Panel had found that the European Commission provided financial resources through cross subsidization of its sugar and it should, therefore, be counted as subsidized exports.
The Panel had also found that the EC sugar export was in excess of its export subsidies reduction commitment to the WTO and that the EC acted inconsistently with its obligations under the Agreement on Agriculture. It had also found that the EC’s violation of the Agreement on Agriculture had nullified and impaired the benefits accruing to Australia, Brazil and Thailand.
At a media conference today, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee said that Government has taken note that the Appellate body has upheld the Panel’s ruling that the EU should honour its commitment to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the ACP-EU Sugar Protocol.
“It is the Government of Guyana’s expectation that in bringing its sugar Regime in conformity with the ruling of the Apellate body, the European Union will continue to respect its international commitments,” Minister Rohee said.
The EU has about 15 months to determine how it will implement the findings of the Body so as to bring the EU Sugar Regime into conformity with the EU obligations under the 1994 Uruguay Round Agreement on Agriculture.
Minister Rohee said his Ministry is still studying the findings of the Appellate Body with a view to understanding the implications, if any, for Guyana and the Region’s sugar industry.
“The Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation will continue to be vigilant and insist that the EC do not allow these findings and conclusions to influence to our detriment the much anticipated reform of the Sugar Regime in the context of WTO compatibility,” he said
The Minister noted that it has always been Guyana’s position that while liberalization of the Sugar Regime is of major interest to several producers, “there is nothing in the WTO 2004 framework agreement that suggests a direct attack on the EU Sugar Regime or that questions the legitimacy of the Sugar Protocol.
Minister Rohee was one of three Ministers from ACP countries who participated in the hearings of the Appeal on March 7 and 8, 2005. The other Ministers were from Mauritius and Swaziland.
Guyana had applied for and received enhanced third party status that allowed the country to participate throughout the legal proceedings.
TOP City Council receives $50 M rates and taxes from Government
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
The Mayor and City Council of Georgetown recently received $50 M in rates and tax as payments due from Government.
The sum represents the first quarterly payment for the year, and according to Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore, Government intends to provide the Council with more of the rates and tax payments throughout the year in order for works to be carried out in the City.
The Minister made this announcement during consultations with citizens of the City on the proposed Interim Management Committee to replace the Georgetown City Council.
Meanwhile, consultations with citizens on the proposed IMC remain ongoing.
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Commonwealth Media Electoral Expert meets Government’s Information official
Georgetown, GINA, 29 April, 2005
Information Liaison to the President, Mr. Robert Persaud in discussion with Commonwealth Electoral Expert, Mr. Tim Neale.
Information Liaison to the President, Mr. Robert Persaud, yesterday met media electoral consultant of the Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr. Tim Neale at the Office of the President.
Mr. Persaud said his discussions with Mr. Neale, a “Media and Democracy Expert” centered on such issues as: The role of the media and how it can create a healthy electoral environment, the status of the draft Broadcast Legislation, the functions of the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) and media coverage before, during and after an election.
Later in the evening Mr. Neale interacted with members of the media at the Sea Breeze Hotel, Kitty. This was aimed at finding out issues the media are concerned about, with respect to elections coverage.
Mr. Neale and Dr. Kwadwo Ari Gyan are here in a Guyana on a fact finding mission as part of continuing efforts by the donor community to ensure that The Guyana Elections Commission(GECOM) is fully prepared for regional and national elections scheduled for 2006.
The two electoral experts are here as a result of GECOM’s request to the Commonwealth Secretariat.
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Claims that Minister Gajraj was forced to resign unfounded
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
Reports in the media by Opposition political activists, that Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj was forced to demit office are totally unfounded.
The Home Affairs Minister had anticipated these false assertions in his statement on April 27 when he said, “….I have decided, after serious consideration, to demit office as Minister of Home Affairs and I have so informed His Excellency, President Bharrat Jagdeo. Further, I have requested of the President to be relieved of the responsibility as Minister of Home Affairs by the end of May, 2005, by which time the necessary mechanisms for a smooth transition will be in place.”
Minister Gajraj clearly pointed out in his statement that he was in no way forced or pressured.
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President repeats pledge of new hospital for Linden
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo today told Lindeners of Government’s development plans for Region 10, (Upper Demerara/Berbice) which include a new hospital similar to the one in New Amsterdam and improved road works in their region.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Region 10 Business Centre, the Head of State said that a team is at present carrying out a survey in the region to find a suitable location for the hospital.
President Jagdeo was also present at the launching of the Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF), and the Business incubator.
These programmes are components of the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP)) and are designed to support the creation of jobs and the development of micro businesses. LEAP/LEAF is expected to create approximately 300 jobs. LEAP is funded by the European Commission (EC).
These activities coincide with the 35 th Anniversary of Linden Town Day to be held on Sunday, an activity that is well-supported every year.
EC’s representative, Per Eklund was among the special guests who were part of the ceremonies.
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Minister Baksh to visit several East Bank housing schemes
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
Tomorrow, Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh will be visiting four housing schemes along the East Bank Demerara to discuss matters relating to regularisation and infrastructural development.
He will visit Hyde Park, Timehri, Farm Squatting area, Mocha and Kaneville Housing schemes.
Residents of Block ‘Y’ Golden Grove, Kaneville who have not commenced processing their certificates of titles are advised to do so, since Housing officers will be undertaking this exercise at Grove Primary School from 12:00 hrs – 15:00 hrs.
Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh
They are required to produce their letter of allocation, agreement of sale, and receipts of payments. If the allocation is in the names of two persons, both have to be present with Identification Card or Passport.
The conveyance fee of $8,000, and one-third of the cost of the land is required.
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Competency and accreditation, important standards for future medical technologists
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
National Coordinator Laboratory Services within the Ministry of Health, Yvette Irving.
As part of the activities planned for National Medical Laboratory Week April 24 – 30, a lecture was held at the University of Guyana, today, for upcoming medical technologists, by the National Coordinator of Medical Laboratory Services, in the Ministry of Health, Yvette Irving on competency and national accreditation standards.
Mrs. Irving said Guyana is part of the European Union laboratory strengthening project and has been a beneficiary where, “two representatives are being trained to implement quality in laboratory services, but both public and private.” She said personnel in the laboratories have been working towards achieving accreditation and certification.
She added that the Ministry would like “national laboratories to be certified by standards just adopted by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) aimed for accreditation by the International Organisation for Standards ISO 15189.”
It is within this framework that the lecture was done to familiarize upcoming medical technologists with international guidelines they need to work with to attain accreditation. Mrs. Irving said “accreditation means that we are competent and can compete internationally,” adding that the “EU project has also as one of its output curriculum development, looking at curriculum at all medical the school across the Caribbean to ensure competence.”
She commented on the importance of laboratory technicians saying “laboratory workers are an integral part of the health care system,” working with doctors to ensure blood samples taken are tested accurately for analysis by the doctors.
Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy commenced the week of activities with a “walk” and during the week there were school tours to medical facilities and free blood glucose testing. The week’s activities will conclude with an award ceremony tomorrow at the Le Meridien Pegasus. The guest speaker will be Dr. Lynette Berkley laboratory manager of the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC).
Accreditation to ISO 15189 requires that laboratories have quality systems, adequate equipment to perform its testing tasks, and adequate laboratory personnel with the competence to perform the testing. The intent of ISO 15189 is to provide confidence in medical laboratories.
The four-year, European Union laboratory strengthening project, was initiated by CAREC under the 8th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP). The overall objective is to improve national and regional medical laboratory information in CARIFORUM countries, resulting in improved patient management, disease prevention and control. A higher level objective is to improve the health status of the Caribbean population.
The project aims to improve management of, and coordination between, public and private laboratories in the region, leading to more accessible, higher quality and less fragmented laboratory information.
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West Watooka road boosting agricultural production in Linden
Georgetown, GINA Friday, April 29, 2005
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds meets residents at the Linden Creole night in Wismar. (An OP/Sandra Prince Photo)
Farmers in the West Watooka, Linden area are benefiting from the rehabilitation and extension of the West Watooka road.
The road was formally handed over to residents and farmers of the area today at a ceremony in Linden. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, addressing residents, challenged them to use the road to generate business that will improve their lives and contribute to the further development of the road.
The 1.3 mile road, which existed before was upgraded to an all-weather road. In addition, the road was extended by 1.8 miles into the upper West Watooka, opening 700 acres of prime agricultural land. The road work was completed at a cost of $38M.
The Government/European Union project was executed through the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP).
The Prime Minister said that as a small country, Guyana needs assistance. However, Guyanese must remember that it is their main task to build and develop Guyana. He said, “We must resolve to work together to improve things in our country.”
Prime Minister Hinds pointed out that the economic foundation of Region 10, the bauxite industry has had new life breathed into it with the investment of CAMBIOR and is performing well due to good prices on the world market.
Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Guyana, Ambassador Per Eklund said, “I am convinced that this road will be important for the development and will further strengthen West Watooka as a key area for agricultural products.”
The Ambassador said that the aim of LEAP is to support the economic diversification and development in Region 10 and contribute to the start-up of new businesses, the creation of jobs and economic opportunities. He said that the West Watooka road project is a good example of this objective.
Vice-Chairman of the Region 10 Administration Joy Walton said the project compliments a three-year programme to develop drainage and irrigation systems in the area, which will be completed this year. She urged farmers to use the road with care so that it would serve the community many years to come.
LEAP civil engineer Sydney Retemyer said roads form an essential part of development programmes by connecting population and economic centres. He said that the West Watooka road is important because it provides easier access to the market centres for agricultural produce.
Farmers, particularly in the Upper West Watooka area expressed satisfaction at the extension of the road into once inaccessible areas.
According to a LEAP release, “LEAP sees that the potential prosperity of the area lies in the cultivation of cherries and passion fruit for supply to the local juice market and pepper for export, where there is a ready market available. It is expected that crop integration will be practiced in the short term with the cultivation of cash crops to sustain the farmers until the passion and cherry plants mature.”
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Guyana troops return home from Grenada
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005 
Chairman of the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Grenadian Prime Minister of National Security Senator Einstein Louison and Chief of Staff of the GDF (partly hidden) Brigadier Edward Collins at the welcoming ceremony at CJIA for the troops.
Chairman of the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon chats with one of the soldiers who served in Grenanda during a parade held in their honour at the Air Corps Tarmac, CJIA, Timehri.
The Guyana Defense Force (GDF) soldiers who left these shores to render assistance in the efforts to rebuild Grenada, returned home today.
Accompanying, the troops back home was Grenadian Minister of National Security Senator, Einstein Louison. The soldiers were welcomed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) by Chairman of the Defence Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon at a parade held in their honour at the Air Corps Tarmac, Timehri.
In an address to the troops, Dr. Luncheon stated that charity begins at home and he considers the Caribbean to be home since “we have one origin.” He said that the Government of Guyana had no idea when they deployed troops to Grenada that Guyana would also face a natural disaster.
“We had no idea that were going to be faced with our own debacle, but we also received support internationally,” added Dr. Luncheon.
The troops who served in Grenada for six months, pioneered works in six major sectors, saving the Grenadian Government more than EC$1.2M in labour. The areas included security, electricity, housing and education.
According to Senator Louison, the island was under national threat since the roof of the prisons had been destroyed. He added that the two main pillars of the economy – tourism and agriculture were battered.
“Over 80 percent of our buildings were damaged or destroyed, including schools, home, Government facilities, all our Police stations and our newly constructed National Stadium,” said Senator Louison.
He added that Guyana has defined the term ‘ Caribbean unity and oneness.’
Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Lovell of the GDF who headed the contingent in Grenada, said that it is the first time that the GDF has projected its force beyond Guyana with that magnitude of personnel and material assets.
“This disaster relief operation was unique from similar ones undertaken by the GDF on two fronts, first its duration and size, and second its scope. Lasting just over six months, and with the strength of 100 men, Operation Phoenix is indeed the longest and largest disaster relief operation executed by the GDF,” Lieutenant Colonel Lovell said.
Even though the event was slightly marred by heavy rains, the showers failed to dampen the feeling of pride and accomplishment felt by he soldiers who have served Guyana with great distinction.
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Linden receives economic boost
- President pledges more support
Georgetown, GINA, April 29, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the audience at the official opening of the Business Incubator Centre, in Region 10. (An OP/Sandra Prince Photo)
President Bharrat Jagdeo pledged more support for Lindeners today at the official opening of the Region 10 Business Centre, and the launching of the Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF) and Business Incubator. This coincides with the activities to celebrate the 35 th Anniversary of Linden Town.
These programmes, components of the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), are designed to support the creation and development of small and medium businesses, to bring about sustainable jobs for the community of Region 10. This will form the catalyst for the mining town to improve its economic viability, and reduce unemployment significantly.
President Jagdeo, in delivering the feature address, stressed that only the people of Linden can ensure the success of these programs, along with the continued support from Government, in this and other projects.
“ I want to pledge to you that Government’s support will continue, because we see Linden as an important part of our plans to modernize and move this country forward,” said President Jagdeo.
The Business Incubator (BI) is the first of its kind in Guyana, and consists of ten incubation units, two light manufacturing areas and six retail kiosks. The incubator tenants will accrue numerous benefits from a carefully managed programme of support, which will contribute to their business success.
The activities under the programme are designed to assist the private sector in creating or expanding business, and generate an investment friendly environment to compensate for the reduction in the mining sector. The programme is also designed to assist public authorities, through certain infrastructure investments in new economic sectors.
Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to Guyana, Per Eklund, indicated that through the cooperation of the Government of Guyana and the European Commission, this momentous occasion was made possible. “…I would like to state that we would not have reached this far without the true partnership between the Government of Guyana, and the European Commission… or without the commitment of the people of Linden.”
President Jagdeo laid out Government’s plans for Linden’s economic development, some of which have already been realized. These include a new hospital, rehabilitation of roads, a multi million dollar-housing programme in Amelias Ward, and a Call Center.
The Call Center is already in operation and will provide in excess of 100 jobs for residents of Linden by the end of this year. The funding for the construction of the state-of-the-art hospital has already been secured, and the tendering process for the design is underway.
“All of these things are necessary, they are essential components of a Town, and they are slated for support from the Central Government”, the Head of State said.
The LEAP project began operations in Linden in 2001, and is financed by a European Commission grant of US$16.2M. LEAF has already disbursed 85 loans and 69 micro loans.
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