Stakeholders’ input will make the difference in crime fighting – Minister Teixeira
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2005
Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira believes that active involvement of the Police Force and key stakeholders will make the difference in crime fighting.
 “I think that the Ministry of Home Affairs, our budget for this year, working along with the Police, and some of the interventions we have announced to get broader participation, will indeed be effective in crime prevention,” said Minister Teixeira.
The e stablishment of a National Commission on Law and Order; c reation of Community Policing Ministerial Unit; tougher action against racial incitement and violence and greater Non Governmental Organization (NGO) involvement in crime prevention are some of the interventions Minister Teixeira alluded to, which are addressed in the recently launched National Drug Strategy and Crime Master Plan.
Minister Teixeira added that trust is an important factor, and noted that more persons are exhibiting confidence in the Police. This has resulted in information being relayed to the law enforcement officers. Minister Teixeira added that two years ago, that (confidence) was not even conceivable.
Commenting on the ongoing meetings with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Home Affairs Minister said that those sessions have set the tone for increased relationship with the Private Sector.
“I think we are on the right track and it would take some time,” Minister Teixeira said. She stressed that crime fighting is everyone's business,
Recently, the Minister and Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix had interactive sessions with the GCCI to further strengthen their relationship in the fight against crime. She urged that all involved become aware of the interventions dealt with in the Plan.
She made reference to President Bharrat Jagdeo’s address at the launching of the Plan, when he referred to concessions for businessmen to assist them to become better equipped with high technology surveillance equipment.
According to the Head of State, he is aware of the exposure of the business community to criminal onslaughts, and he is considering the provision of duty and tax concessions on the importation of electronic surveillance technology to assist in crime prevention.
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President hosts interactive session with Bartica business community
Georgetown , GINA, July 25, 2005
Members of the business community in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) were allowed to speak freely as the Head of State met them on July 21 last, to collectively address issues affecting the community.
The President hosted an interactive session with the business community at the Regional Democratic Council’s Boardroom.
The Bartica Chamber of Commerce called for repairs to the existing airstrip and its access roads. In addition, they are requesting that the road from Parika to Makouria be built to facilitate easier transport of goods, vehicles and passengers to and from Bartica.
The chamber recognized that Bartica and its environs is poised for a major leap into the tourism sector, and its economy depends on activities or industries such as logging, mining, quarrying and providing boats for transportation. It was pointed out that these are high-risk industries and major accidents can occur at any time, hence the need for a proper airstrip.
President Jagdeo agreed that the airstrip should be upgraded, but noted that Government is unable to do so at present due to lack of resources.
“That airstrip would have to be done at some point in time. I agree with you, but it can’t be in the budget for this year… most likely in next year’s budget we can put in the repairs of the airstrip and the roads.”
In the interim, residents can continue accessing flights from the Baganara Island Resort, which is located opposite Bartica.
The Head of State said efforts were made to attach it(airstrip) to the Bartica Secondary town project, but was found to be too expensive. He explained that it will cost Government US$16M to install the necessary facilities in Bartica, Supenaam, Charity and Parika to convert these areas into secondary towns, but the single road from Parika to Makouria will cost US$23M.
“This is very costly. We cannot do it now. We would have to start using our own resources to start cutting may be an elementary track before we come back and do the paved road…Let me be honest and frank, it is not on our horizon for the next three years… but we will think of some other plans…maybe we can get funding in another cycle,” President Jagdeo said.
Several businesspersons requested that a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Officer visit Bartica monthly to fast-track related revenue business. The President was also told of difficulties in registering businesses and in obtaining death and birth certificates. At present, Barticians have to journey to the Essequibo Coast to do so.
It was expected that officers from the multi-purpose centre at Anna Regina who provide such services to Essequibo, would visit Bartica and do the same
The President said that the Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix, has announced that the new Bartica police Station will facilitate an immigration office, since Bartica is a now officially a port of entry. This space was originally earmarked to host the Post Office. However, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) has another building, that if repaired could house the Post Office. The President requested that Chairman of the GPOC, Juan Edghill bring the issue to the Board’s attention. The immigration section is expected to be set up as soon as space is identified. The Post Office is currently housed at the Regional Democratic Office.
“Once we have immigration here, maybe in the same office, we can do the processing of the other things too such as birth, death and passport applications, so we have to work swiftly on this,” the President said.
It was also requested that Bartica acquire a Magistrate’s Council so that business licenses could be processed, as well as an officer or office for consumers to pay or query bills from the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).
Access to duty free concessions is a sore issue in the area, as many businessmen have long applied, but have not been granted any. They also complained about the “royal-run-around” to obtain information of the applications.
The President noted that duty free concessions are available to business people, but they have to follow guidelines. The Bartica businessmen said the guidelines were met, but difficulties continue to persist.
“We will track down your application because this is unacceptable…I said to the GRA people from the time you receive an application, you have one week to process it. Sometimes it sits there, they loose it and the process goes on forever. Within a week, I promise you, if you are eligible, you will get your concession…that is the problem I have, these things just hang around the place and people who are eligible for concession take a long time. We took a lot of effort to publish the guidelines,” President Jagdeo said.
At the meeting, calls were made for the authorities to regulate the fare structure for speedboats.
The President said such a request would mean that the Speed Boat Association would have to fall under the Public Utilities Commission and for this to happen, widespread consultations with other Chambers of Commerce and Private Sector bodies would have to be held. However, President Jagdeo noted that if speedboat operators are monopolizing the routes, then Government will give licences to new operators.
The issue of upgrading the Bartica District Hospital was raised and the President informed them of his commitment to do so.
The idea of raising taxes was also mooted, which could be re-spent in the community. However, the President was not favourably inclined as ultimately, it is the consumers who bear the brunt. He explained that taxes are paid into the national Treasury and hence, a community’s taxes cannot be spent in the same area.
Additionally they also asked for the Bartica Resource Centre to be upgraded to a Technical and Vocational School for school leavers and dropouts. This building was constructed under the President’s Youth Choice Initiative (PYCI) and the Head of State registered disappointment that it was not being used.
President Jagdeo informed the Barticians of the many programmes that are available to train young people in various trades, and highlighted the initiative he recently launched, the National Youth Empowerment Programme for school dropouts and out of school youths.
At the end of the meeting, the Bartica business community expressed satisfaction that the issues raised were addressed, even though all of their requests would not be granted given the resource constrains.
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Improved road for Hope West
Road under construction at Hope West, Enmore, East coast Demerara.
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2005.
Government is currently spending approximately $34M to construct a road network at Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara.
The work started a few weeks ago and is expected to be completed within the next two weeks. The project is being executed through the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP).
At present, final overlaying of crusher-run and loam is being done, on approximately 1.8 miles of road.
Recently, SIMAP awarded a number of contracts to the total cost of more than $102M, mostly for road rehabilitation projects in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Four (Demerara/Mahaica).
Main access bridge to Good Hope housing scheme, East Coast Demerara being rehabilitated.
Roads at Triumph, East Coast Demerara, Stanleytown Church Street, West Bank Demerara and at De Willem, West Coast Demerara are contracted for repairs.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Housing and Water is keeping its promise to residents of Good Hope housing scheme, East Coast Demerara by rehabilitating the main access bridge leading into the area.
The $2.1M project, which started last week, is scheduled for completion within a week. It is being undertaken by COLTECH, a local construction company.
Apart from establishing housing areas across the country, Government has been focusing on ensuring that all areas are adequately provided with basic infrastructure.
The construction of roads, bridges, provision of potable water, electricity and improved drainage and irrigation systems have engaged Government’s attention to develop the areas and improve the living standards of the people.
There are more than 100 housing areas across the country.
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Literacy workshop for prison inmates begins
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2005
The Guyana Prison Services (GPS) has commenced a programme to elevate the literacy level of its inmates, as part of overall programmes aimed at rehabilitating the prison population for their return to society.
Today more than 20 Prison Officers and inmates commenced a five-day Literacy ‘Training for Trainers’ workshop at the GPS Headquarters, Brickdam. It is being conducted in collaboration with the (IDCE) and the Rotary Club of Demerara.
“At the end of the workshop, it is expected that these trainers will impart their knowledge to other inmates in prison locations countrywide,” according to Colin Howard, Recruitment and Training Officer of the GPS.
It is hoped that at the end of the sessions, the cadre of trained personnel will deliver literacy training to others, to help in the reduction of the number of persons deemed functionally illiterate, in keeping with the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education’s (IDCE) mandate.
Howard listed other objectives of the programme which are: to assist in the development of a number of personal life skills in individuals in order to make them more employable and create opportunities for self-employment through the delivery of entrepreneurial training.
The GPS, this year embarked on a number of training sessions to elevate the status of its inmates. There are also in-house programmes to promote music and craft among others.
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Sophia Police Station to be completed by year-end
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2005
Sophia is one step closer to housing its independent police station, with the start of the construction of the building at ‘D’ Field, the second phase of the $32M project.
The building is scheduled for completion by year-end and is being executed by Miller Construction Company.
Phase One of the Police Station which was completed entailed the foundation of the building and construction of part of the fence.
 According to the contractor Glendon Miller, the building would be a two-storeyed concrete structure, designed to have a maximum of seven cells. It will also house male and female barracks, and Traffic and Central Intelligence Departments.
Project consultant attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Noel James who visited the site today said that he does not envisage any delays.
‘We have the monies, so there should not be any delays, and even during Phase One we were on target and I think we are on target for Phase Two as well,” said James.
In 2003, a preliminary feasibility study for housing a police station at one of two possible locations in Sophia was done. It was proposed that the station either be housed at location ‘A’ or ‘D’ Field, Sophia.
The logistics of access by residents of the community to the station and accessibility of ranks to other areas were also examined. Concerns have been raised over the many crimes that have been occurring in the area, and in an effort to curb them, police ranks have intensified their mobile patrols.
Over the last two years, residents of Sophia have repeated that calls for the erection of a police outpost there, in the wake of a number of reported incidents of criminal activity in the community.
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Contracts awarded for several projects in Region Six
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2005
A number of contracts in various sectors have been awarded to contractors in Region Six ( East Berbice/ Corentyne).
Under road works to be executed by the Ministry of Public Works, a contract was signed this month for the construction of 5.1 miles of road at Mara, East Bank Berbice at a cost of $109 M as well as rehabilitation of major sections of Black Bush Polder bridges at a cost of $ 190 M.
Total Regional Capital Works contracts awarded amounted to $154M and included drainage and irrigation works at Essex Façade, Alness irrigation canal, Manchester West irrigation canal and Germania drainage canal, East Bank Berbice.
Other road contracts were awarded for 25 community roads at Fyrish, Crabwood Creek, Black Bush Polder, Numbers 52 to 74 Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Alness, Adventure and Joppa to the tune of $41M.
Under the education sector, contracts awarded include those for the Berbice Educational Institute and the Number.68 Primary School. These contracts total $26M.
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Guyana Rastafari Council receives over $2.5M from Government
Principal Assistant Secretary of Finance in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Rahoni Lochan handing over the cheque to the Treasurer of the Guyana Rastafari Council, Tessa Hughes.
Georgetown, GINA, July 25, 2004
The Guyana Rastafari Council and the Caribbean Rastafari Organisation today received $2,589,400M from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to host their upcoming conference.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira said that the government is always committed to the development of all ethnic groups and cultures in society. She said that the Rastafari movement in Guyana has been progressing and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
Minister Teixeira said the expense incurred during the conference will be paid through invoices which are to be submitted.
President Bharrat Jagdeo last month promised $3M towards the Rastafari council. The remainder will be handed over at a later date.
Principal Assistant Secretary of Finance in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Rahoni Lochan handed over the cheque on behalf of the ministry to the Treasurer of the Guyana Rastafari Council, Tessa Hughes.
Chairman of the Council, Ras Abdalla said that they are grateful for the assistance, noting that it will assist greatly in delivering their message across the Region.
Ras Abdalla pointed out that there are many negative criticisms of the people of the Rastafarian faith. However, he said his organisation is working to erase the bad image that is perceived by some sections of society. He said conferences like these will help to educate the public on their beliefs
Chairman of the Caribbean Rastafari Organisation, Ras Franki said they have travelled the Caribbean and have received many Governments' assistance but the Government of Guyana has been very generous to them.
The conference, scheduled for July 31 to August 8 will take place at President's College, Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara and will be held under the theme "Historical Awareness, Spiritual upliftment and Economic Development for the Guyana Rastafari Council."
Workshops, presentations, plenary discussion and arts and crafts will be on the Conference's agenda.
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Government dedicated to development of all communities
-Minister Jeffrey
GINA, Georgetown, July 25, 2005
Government’s intention is to enhance the development of all communities across the country in its continued efforts aimed at improving residents’ living standard, according to Minister of Education, Dr. Henry Jeffrey.
"The intention is to use the resources available as equitably as possible across Guyana to enhance development of all Guyanese.”
On July 23, Minister Jeffrey and Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Robeson Benn visited Ituni, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) and listened to residents’ concerns.
"We come to these outreaches not to give long speeches but, to find out community concerns as part of a strategic plan by Government, not a conceptual thing to just talk about what Government is doing,” according to Minister Jeffrey.
He said there is evidence all over the country of what government has been doing to further enhance their development of all communities.
Minister Jeffrey told residents of Ituni that it is a practical thing that Government has undertaken, to visit communities through outreach programmes with an aim to facilitate solutions to problems in the communities.
Residents were urged by Benn to be proactive in seeking employment opportunities beyond their present source of employment, timber logging.
"I know Ituni is heavily engaged in wood (timber logging) but, even while you are out there in the forest, make use of opportunities to take up claims, and identify resources that we (government) can work with you to try to develop," Benn said.
He told residents those issues regarding large areas being occupied by medium scale owners who are not proactive in developing those resources, is a situation being assessed and an arrangement is being made with new mining regulations that will make lands more available to smaller scale people.
The main concern of the Ituni residents is the duration period for the electricity service they are availed. The service comes on at 6:00 in the afternoon and lasts for 12 hours. They made a request for two additional hours of electricity and more fuel for the community but Benn explained to the residents the current situation with the hike in oil prices, but would nevertheless consider the request.
Minister Jeffrey told the residents of the objectives of the recently launched $350M National Training Programme for Youth empowerment for persons age 16-25 which will equip them with skills and education necessary to access post secondary institutions or to become gainfully employed.
Residents were reassured that their concerns will be looked at with an aim to provide solutions.
In the past, Government outreach programmes have borne fruit and the feedback mechanisms have been utilised by Government to assess the needs of particular communities.
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