Home | Government Services | President Speeches | Stories | Crime Update | Documents & Reports | E-Governance | Booklets | Monthly Papers

Guyana has concluded successful debt negotiations with representatives from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund for International Development to finalize the terms for delivering debt relief to Guyana under the Enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (E-HIPC).

Commenting on the negotiations held in Vienna, Austria on June 27 and 28 last, Minister of Finance, Saisnarine Kowlessar yesterday said, “I want to report that the negotiations went very well. We were able to get some concessions from the OPEC organisations.”

Under the agreement, OPEC Fund will deliver its full share of the E-HIPC debt relief to Guyana (US$5.4M in Net Present Value (NPV) terms) by providing a new concessional loan in the amount of US$7.5M and rescheduling the existing debt outstanding.

Further, the Government of Guyana would sign the proposed new loan agreement on the terms offered in 2002 on the condition that the new loan will be immediately rescheduled, after it has become effective.

The terms agreed for the rescheduling of loans were reduction of the interest rate from one percent to zero percent and for the maturity date of loans to be 25 years after the date of rescheduling.

“We now have to sign a formal agreement with individual organisations to endure that we get the debt relief.” Minister Kowlessar said.

He said the OPEC countries had made some proposals before the meeting in which the Government of Guyana was not in full agreement. He said “we did not believe that those met the share of debt relief they were supposed to give to us under the E-HIPC initiative.”

The Minister said, “even though the discussions were a bit tough, eventually they agreed to grant us the concessions which will provide the debt relief.”

There are some areas where agreements are still forthcoming such as the date of the agreement, treatment of arrears of loan and the implementation time-frame which will affect the length of the repayment period.

This agreement will mean savings of much needed revenue for Guyana since it will not have to service its debt on the current loan to the OPEC Fund on the existing terms of the Original HIPC initiative which carried higher interest rates and shorter repayment periods.

Recently, Guyana benefited from debt write off from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worth some US$336M which will reduce the stock of international debt further. At the end of 2004 the external debt stood at US$1B, having decreased from US$2.1B in 1992.

TOP

GINA, Havana, Cuba, July 29, 2005

Over 30 Guyanese have had their vision restored through the surgical removal of cataract and terigium at the Hermanos Ameireijas Hospital, Central Havana, Cuba.

Cataract and terigium are two of the major eye diseases that cause thousands of persons to go blind.

Neil Cory, one of the first in Cuba to undergo surgery for the removal of cataract recalled his experience during the surgery. “The surgery was not painful and the surgeon was very patient with me. I would like to express my gratitude to the Government and people of Cuba and the Government of Guyana for the good job they are doing. I am now looking forward for the results.”

Those who have completed surgery were kept at the hospital for observation, before being released. They are now staying at the Maria Hemmingway hotel for a one-week post-surgery care before returning to Guyana.

On June 21, three Cuban ophthalmologists began screening persons at the Low Vision Centre at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC). This followed Cuban President Fidel Castro’s message to President Bharrat Jagdeo that Guyanese could access eye-care treatment and surgery in Cuba at the expense of the Cuban Government.

President Castro initiated the Milagro mission, a special humanitarian venture established in July 2004 to assist the visually impaired in several countries. Over 39,000 people have since had their vision restored.

President Jagdeo referred to this humanitarian venture as a “God-send’, adding, “I am amazed at the speed at which the programme is being implemented.

‘We always believed that sight is very important because it improves persons’ quality of life: they can read, see their families, watch television, get more information, they can improve their lives and that is why we are putting so much emphasis on this programme,” President Jagdeo said.

On July 26, a Cuban aircraft left the Cheddi Jagan International Airport with more than 117 Guyanese patients, including five children.

Head of the Milagro Mission at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital, Dr. Garcia said, “It gives me great pleasure to help people,” adding that, “it’s such a simple thing that can be done so people do not go blind.”

Dr. Garcia said the health programme in Cuba started to develop since the beginning of the revolution and has been growing tremendously. The capacity and technologically advanced equipment allow them to share with other countries of the world, so that they too can benefit.

He added that the patients are not only benefiting from ophthalmologic services, but each patient will undergo a general check-up. Dr. Garcia assured that the most modern technology is being used to perform the surgeries.

Guyana like Cuba, offers free health care to its citizens. There is a $50M eye care programme that provides free spectacles for the elderly. Additionally, there is also a surgery programme, implemented from the Low Vision Centre at the GPHC.

Guyanese have expressed their appreciation to the Cuban Government for the great hospitality shown to them. The patients have incurred no expenses.

Patients from Grenada, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and Venezuela are also undergoing surgery at the hospital as part of the Cuban Special Eye-Care Programme.

TOP

Georgetown, GINA, July 29, 2005

Consultations on Government’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) has been deemed a success, as Government moves to examine recommendations made by approximately 800 persons throughout the Administrative Regions.

Head of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) Secretariat, Dr. Coby Frimpong, indicated that, “The consultations we had were very successful. Participants expressed their concerns which include school drop out rates, absenteeism, student teacher ratios, the quality and delivery of medical care, employment and investment.”

Questionnaires were utilized to acquire information. They were designed in such a way that they provided for valuable input from the various Ministries.

Dr. Frimpong said that valid recommendations were received which have been included in the Progress Report. On August 3, the report will be reviewed at which time consideration will be given to any objections regarding the accurate reflection of residents’ concerns.

The PRS Head stressed the need for the private sector’s involvement in the thrust to reduce poverty, and highlighted Government’s role in facilitating this.

“The Government’s way of involving the private sector is to create the environment through development of infrastructure, improving the regulatory framework, and maintaining sound macro-economic fundamentals…The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) continues to work towards facilitating the growth and development of businesses…this will help create more jobs, which ultimately leads to poverty reduction,” Dr. Frimpong stated.

Officials at the PRS Secretariat will be monitoring all the commitments that were made to participants, in the various sectors. Wherever a gap exists, the relevant Ministry will be advised accordingly.

“I am pleased to say that in 2004 more than 80 percent of what we planned to do have been completed,” the PRS Head said.

The PRSP consultations concluded on July 1 in the riverain community of Bartica Region Seven, (Cyuni/Mazaruni).

In November 2001, Government committed itself to fundamental reforms to re-orient its economic and social policies towards poverty reduction and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The PRSP consultations addressed various issues and specified the stage of progress in these areas and methods that could be implemented to improve the situation.

Despite constraints in securing monetary aid from donors, Government continues to focus on regional development and poverty reduction.

TOP

Commissioner of GGMC, Robeson Benn

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) today celebrated its 26 th anniversary of service and support to the mining and mineral exploration sector.

Formerly known as the British Guiana Geological Surveys, the GGMC was established on August 1, 1979 with a mandate to advise on economical exploitation, utilisation and marketing of Guyana’s mineral resources.

Also encompassed in the Commission’s mandate is research and development to facilitate optimized methods for exploration, exploitation and utilization of minerals and mineral products.

GGMC also serves as the repository for information relating to mineral resources in order to facilitate an understanding of the resource base of the country.

The Commission provides services under the Geological Surveys Division, Petroleum Division and the Environmental Division.

The Geological Surveys Division, deals with geology, geochemistry, geophysics and other remote sensing methods in addition to facilitation of geological and mineral resource information, maps and information for investors, miners, policy and decision makers, researchers and the public.

The Petroleum Division is responsible for the issuing and enforcement of license agreements. This division advises the commissioner on the undertaking of responsibilities and represents the interest of the GGMC on matters relating to petroleum development. This includes the negotiation of petroleum agreements and effecting development of petroleum resources.

The Environmental Division of the GGMC is responsible for the promotion of awareness of environment management and sustainability issues in the mining sector and hinterland communities. It deals also with occupational health and safety in the mining sector as well as planning of and executing of water and soil quality and surveys as an integral part of environmental impact assessments.

TOP

A pre-nursing training programme launched by the Regional Democratic Council of Region One (Barima/ Waini) is slated for completion in early August, according to the Region’s Information Officer, Jude Hernandez.

Hernandez said more than 30 young women and men drawn from the Mabaruma, Moruca and Matarkai sub-regions of Region One are participating in the programme, which began earlier this month at the North West Secondary School. At the end of the programme, participants will write an examination.

The participants were addressed by Regional Chairman, Norman Whittaker, at the launching. He said that ‘nothing positive could be achieved by merely bemoaning the exodus of our professional nurses to the developed world’.

“We must keep training our own while we seek to improve emoluments and other conditions of work for our nurses in Guyana,” Whittaker contended.

The Regional Chairman challenged participants to view nursing as a profession and not merely a job, and to apply themselves so that they could be successful at their final examination. They could then advance to become trained nursing assistants, mid-wives and professional nurses serving the hospitals and health centres in the Region.

The Regional Chairman expressed gratitude to Director of Regional Health Services, Dr.Bheri Ramsarran, Acting Regional Health Officer, Paulette Johnson, Regional Development Officer, David Madramootoo and one of the tutors, Jin Parker of the Peace Corps for support rendered to make the programme possible.

TOP

Chairman of GGMC’s Board of Director, Ronald Webster presents an award to an outstanding employee. (Anil Ramlall photo)

Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Robeson Benn said the Commission would be focusing more attention on the social impact of mining in outlying communities.

He made the remarks today during his presentation at the commemoration of the 26 th Anniversary of the GGMC.

Benn said the Commission has noted the upsurge in the spread of diseases such as malaria and HIV/AIDS in some mining districts, which can result from social habits of some persons employed in the mining sector.

He added that the Commission would also be giving attention to staff development in an effort to optimize the level of client service offered by the Agency, especially in the areas of timeliness and efficiency. He noted that the Commission has facilitated the upgrading of 12 students yearly through the University of Guyana. The areas of study being pursued are Geology and Environmental Studies.

The Commission has also recently reopened its Mines Station in Lethem and is working towards establishing another station in Bartica in order to better monitor mining activities in those districts.

The GGMC has also recently launched a ‘tailing’ management programme as part of its environmental sustainability drive. This programme will focus on assessing the volume of chemicals in fluids emitting from mining sites.

Chairman of the GGMC Board of Directors, Ronald Webster noted that as the steward of the mining sector the GGMC has a mammoth responsibility of efficient information gathering and dissemination to facilitate development and investment in the sector. He added also that a plethora of opportunities are available in the mining sector and urged persons to make maximum use of these.

The GGMC, which was formerly known as the British Guiana Geological Surveys, was established on August 1, 1979 with a mandate to advise on economical exploitation, utilisation and marketing of Guyana’s mineral resources.

TOP

The $18.1M landrover that has been added to the Guyana Fire Service’s fleet.

Georgetown, GINA, July 29, 2005

The Ministry of Home Affairs has purchased an $18.1M Landrover to increase the Guyana Fire Services’ fleet of vehicles.

According to the Chief Fire Officer, Lawrence David the vehicle is suitable for areas where the larger fire tenders cannot access.

“Being a 4-wheel drive vehicle it will be able to go into streets that are sometimes small and narrow,” David explained.

He said that this is all part of the GFS’s focus to increase its capability to combat fires.

In March, 32 complete protective suits (helmets, jackets, trousers and rubber boots) and six self-contained breathing apparatus sets were also purchased from Marvelsairs Caribbean, Bahamas.

The breathing apparatus will allow fire-fighters to work in areas not normally suited to human existence and to protect them from toxic gases.

TOP

Georgetown , GINA, July, 2005

New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) today conducted a media a tour of the Sophia Packaging Centre to have an on the spot look at the Facility after it was criticised by Peter Ramsaroop of RoopGroup/CariAir.

Deputy Managing Director of NGMC, Celestine Butters inspecting one of the equipment used at the NGMC packhouse at Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

Deputy Managing Director of NGMC, Celestine Butters said the Facility has been certified by international agencies for export of fresh agricultural products.

She said with the intervention of the NGMC, the Barbados Quarantine Division visited Guyana, to solve the problems of the Facility which might be affecting it. The Guyana Government hosted the members of the Barbados Quarantine Department.

It took numerous visits by the Barbados Quarantine Officers who checked and made recommendations on the modifications that were to be done to the building which is owned by the National Exhibition Centre. NGMC pays a rent to the Committee of the Sophia Exhibition Centre in addition to electricity and water bills. Initially the use of the packhouse was free. Exporters now pay $3000 for its use as a packaging Facility.

She said that in October 2000, the building was commissioned and became operational on February 14, 2001.

In 2003 the Barbados Quarantine Officers visited and lauded the Guyanese officials for having upgraded the conditions as had been agreed upon during previous visits:

1. The roof was raised and sealed.
2. Additional packing tables and drying trays were purchased.
3. All produce were placed on pallets.
4. The doors were widened.
5. Ventilation was improved.
6. General sanitation of the facility was good.

The office was placed on an upper flat of the building. The floor is about to be covered in concrete to cost approximately $1.4M. the facility as awarded $450,000 as flood relief damage by the insurance company. Bridges have been built and the fence has been repaired at the expense of the NGMC

For the year 2004, a total of 64 refrigerated containers containing more than 636,780kg of produce have been processed at the packhouse. A total of 116 air-shipments totalling 282,569kgs. Effective from January to July of this year, 35 refrigerated containers totalling 430,540kg were packaged with 35 air-shipments totalling 58,314kg.

Ramsaroop also wanted the Centre to close down to promote private investment. However, the NGMC is a facilitator in the development of non-traditional agriculture produce and would welcome new owners of packhouses but will not close its facility.

If the NGMC close the packhouse at this time, it would mean:

1. Farmers and their workers would have to find new jobs.
2. Transporters would have to find new jobs.
3. Exporters have to do other jobs.
4. Guyana would lose the Barbados market .

Butters pointed out that the cost for transporting a container has increased with effect from July 31, 2005.

From Tropical shipping to Sophia

20ft container-$13,100

40ft container-$15,000

From Tropical to Land of Canaan

20ft container 18,900

40ft container 24,400

Ramsaroop criticised the Facility for saying it is in a bad state after his Facility at Land of Canaan was found not to meet the requirements to ensure its certification. After several visits from the Plant Quarantine department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, recommendations were made to improve certain access but these were not addressed.

Bryan Sears of the Plant Quarantine Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, said that they have a presence at the Facility to check for any disease before the product is exported. Products found to have disease, are rejected.

He said that they are capable and the only Facility recognised by overseas Quarantine Departments to certify any packhouse in Guyana. Sears pointed out that the Facility is conforming to the basic rules which led to its certification a few years ago.

TOP

Georgetown, GINA, July 29, 2005

The National Events Committee of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development today coordinated an information sharing session along with the sharing of traditional African foods between the Ministry’s staff members.

The event was held in the Ministry’s Boardroom in observance of Emancipation, which will be nationally observed on August 1.

The National Events Committee of the Ministry was established last year and Chairman of the Committee, Aretha Henry said that it has since been holding activities in the Ministry in observance of National holidays as well as international observances such as World Water Day, World Population Day and Phagwah.

“Due to the success we’ve had in the last event, we decided to involve some staff of the media in this event,” Henry pointed out.

In observing the Emancipation of African slaves from slavery in 1834, Margo Boyce, Special Projects Officer of the Ministry gave a brief history of Emancipation and its meaning. She also gave reviews of the writings of Colin Moore, Walter Rodney, Basdeo Mangru, Nigel Westmaas, the late President of Guyana Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, Marcus Garvey and Mr. Martin Carter. Excerpts were read from the paper titled “Race, Class and Nationhood: The Afro-Guyanese Experience by Dr. Jagan and Nagamootoo and written in 1988.

Principal Regional Development Officer in the Planning and Training Division of the Ministry, Alertha Glasgow recited “Anansi” children’s stories of African tradition and staff members danced and sang African songs.

As part of the event as well, staff members cooked and shared African foods, including shine-rice, fried fish, ginger-beer and conkie.

TOP

Georgetown GINA, July 29, 2005

The Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport continues to give its fullest support to activities commemorating Emancipation from Slavery. Every year the Ministry works with Commemorative and Emancipation Committees in the Regions and Villages and lends support when requested both tangible and intangible.

• Monies totaling $3.M has been provided to the Guyana Rastafarian Council which will be hosting their Regional Conference scheduled here in Guyana during Emancipation. The opening ceremony will take place at the National Cultural Centre on July 31, 2005. These funds will provide resources for the conduct of this conference.
• $30,000.00 to the Mystical Apostolic Cultural Commemorative Committee, Region 10 to offset expenses incurred in the programme at Linden.
• The Bagotville Culture Circle, Region 3, traditionally receives assistance from the Ministry for their programme which allows for feeding of the elderly, community activities and the Emancipation ceremony. Again this year some $30,000 worth of food stuff have been made available to the organisers to help in their food preparations.
• At the Georgetown programme which is organised by ACDA in the National Park, the Museum of African Heritage traditionally has a booth where persons can enjoy a beautiful exhibition of African artifacts in paintings and photographs. In addition, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will provide a masquerade band and dancers from the National School of Dance and the National Dance Company to entertain the patrons.
• The African Mystical Council in Georgetown has also received $20,000 to assist them in their celebration activities.
• The Den Amstel Emancipation Committee, Region Three, will be having a four-day festival which will include a motorcade and candle light parade, sports and games, dancing and drumming and other festivities. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has also provided $30,000 to help that committee offset its expenses.
• The National School of Dance with dancers and drummers will be in Essequibo to participate in activities organised by their Emancipation Committee, which includes a candle light procession and attendant activities which commences from Damon’s Cross on July 31, 2005. it is expected that the Minister of Culture, Hon. Gail Teixeira will attend this activity in Essequibo.
• The Museum of African Heritage will be holding its Emancipation Lecture Series at the museum every Wednesday commencing at 18:00 hrs (6:00p.m).

1. Africa before slave trading- Hazel Woolford - August 3

2. Rastafarian movement- Ras Franki - August 10

3. West Indians and African Migration to Guyana - Mr. Tota Mangar - August 17

4. Arrival and Influence of African tradition in Guyanese Culture - Mr. Ali Creighton - August 24

5. The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade- Dr. Winston McGowan - August 31

The public is invited to these lectures

• Residents of Bartica, Region 7, can prepare to see the Museum of African Heritage Emancipation Exhibition which will be held on August 8, 2005.

• As part of its Emancipation Celebrations, the Ministry of culture, Youth and Sport is hosting the Nightingale Sports Club of Trinidad who will be engaged in a series of cricket matches and visit a number of communities in Guyana. This is the reciprocal visit of the team. It is now agreed that this will be an annual activity of the Ministry and the Trinidadian Nightingale Sports Club.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, extends warm greetings to all Afro Guyanese and descendants of the first Africans who came enslaved to our shores on this historic anniversary. Over this period let us stop and give thanks to them for their courageous spirit and their outstanding efforts to create a new form of local Government in their villages after Emancipation. Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport encourages everyone to keep our culture and ethnic traditions and practices alive and with dignity.

TOP