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- Objections will be taken into account - Dr. Frimpong

Georgetown , GINA, August 10, 2005

Members of Parliament yesterday held a special sitting in Parliament Chambers, chaired by Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, to consult on the Draft 2005 Poverty Reduction Report, for which a public review was held on August 3.

Head of the Policy Coordination and Programme Management Unit (PCPMU), Dr. Coby Frimpong, indicated that many of the issues and recommendations provided during the consultations were already included in the Draft Report. Education, access to treated water, sanitation, health, and private sector development were some of main issues emanating from consultations held countrywide.

Community consultations were held in eight of the ten administrative regions and were attended by a total of approximately 1,026 persons. Seven hundred and thirty two feedback forms were directly submitted during the consultations, with inputs from stakeholders and the donor community

"Some of the recommendations provided point to greater parental involvement and responsibility, along with improved communication among social welfare officers, parents, and schools. This is in reference to the issue of school attendance," Dr. Frimpong said.

The consultation intensified as members of the Opposition raised objections to several sections of the report, which they claimed contained inaccuracies. This includes information pertaining to statistics on several sectors, which the Opposition claimed differed from statistics provided by international agencies.

In response, Dr. Frimpong indicated that he has confidence in the locally provided data.

"We have to be careful about data provided by international agencies. In many of their surveys on Guyana, information on specific factors is not reflected, although that information is available right here. The best source of social data is in-country data. I trust numbers in Guyana more than anywhere else."

PNC/R Member of Parliament, Jerome Khan, said that the author(s) of the report failed to incorporate information in the draft, which is available in the National Development Strategy. This, he said, conveys the impression of a complete departure from previous efforts and strategies implemented to reduce poverty.

The Opposition also claimed that due to the lack of a cheap and reliable electricity supply, investors would be hesitant to conduct business in Guyana. The Consumption Tax on fuel, according to PNC/R Member of Parliament Deryck Bernard, is a burden on consumers.

However, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds highlighted the great improvement in electricity supply since 1992, and explained what are the options Government is examining to further enhance this sector. "Four parties are pursuing development of hydropower. Coal and wind power generation is also being explored."

While fuel costs continue to rise, in addition to lowering the Consumption Tax, Government has also implemented measures relating to the factors of production, according to Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir. The Minister was responding to Bernard's claim that the Consumption Tax on fuel was burdensome. "Land is available to investors at concessional rates. In the area of labour, Government has signed on to several programmes to aid in human resource training. These interventions are tailored to offset the cost of electricity," the Minister said.

The Head of the PCPMU indicated that issues raised by the Opposition will be taken into account. "We will examine the objections highlighted and consult with the relevant Ministries. Wherever inaccuracies are found to exist, we will undertake to have them removed from the final report," Dr. Frimpong said.

The Draft Report states that the poverty reduction programme is not without its risks. Increased concessional financing, especially grant assistance will be needed if Guyana is to meet its poverty reduction targets and the Millennium Development Goals. In addition, national consensus and cohesion will be pivotal especially in 2006, when Guyana holds general elections.

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Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh congratulates Fazil Azeez on his appointment to the Magistracy, as Prime Minister Samuel Hinds looks on. (A GINA/Ameer Khan photo)

Georgetown , GINA August 10, 2005

The local Judicial system has been further strengthened following the entry of two new Magistrates to serve in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and Region Six, ( East Berbice, Corentyne).

Former General Manager of the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Fazil Azeez, and 25 year old Geeta Chandan, were sworn in to the ‘bench’ today. The Oath of Office was taken in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.

Mr. Azeez will be serving in the West Demerara district while Ms. Chandan, daughter of former Magistrate Rohan Chandan, will be serving in New Amsterdam.

Ms. Chandan earned her L.L.B at the University of Guyana, before attending the Hugh Wooding Law School, University of the West Indies, in Trinidad and Tobago. She served for two years in private practice.

Mr. Azeez who has a background in Mass Communication and International Relations, spent 12 years as a teacher and several years in the mass media before pursuing a career in law, at the Hugh Wooding Law School. He practised privately for three years.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Carl Singh, and former Chief Magistrate, Juman Yassin were also at the swearing in ceremony.

Justice Carl Singh urged the Magistrates to take their new profession seriously since they have entered the Judicial system at a time when it is under severe criticisms.

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Georgetown , GINA, August 10, 2005

The Guyana Police Force has adequate systems in place to receive reports of crimes, and the Public Relations Officer (PRO) John Sauers is urging members of the public to report these incidents promptly.

“For us to operate to the best of our abilities, persons have to give us prompt and accurate information so that operations can get into gear to deal with the situation(s),” Sauers stressed.

Commenting on the latest criticisms of inadequate Police presence in the business community, the PRO said mobile patrols continue to ply strategic areas on a daily basis and this is coupled with plain-clothes police on the ground. Sauers noted that businesses also have to protect themselves as well, so that they are not caught in a ‘vulnerable situation.’

On August 8, members of the business community in Georgetown met with the Commissioner of Police, Winston Felix and other senior police officers at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

According to Sauers, several matters were discussed which included the establishment of police presence in certain sections of Georgetown; police response to reports of serious crime; congestion around the Stabroek Market; strategic deployment of patrols and sharing of information among members of the business community.

At the conclusion of the meeting it was recognized that there is need for a closer working relationship between the police and the business community in order to make the city more secure.

On July 21 last, Government launched a comprehensive five-year Drug Strategy Master Plan where President Bharrat Jagdeo, advised that waiver of duty and taxes on the importation of surveillance technology for legitimate businesses, is under consideration.

Over the years, Government has introduced a number of initiatives to curb the incidence of crime.

Police Officers have been involved in training, both locally and internationally, to upgrade the Force’s capacity for intelligence gathering, which is a key element in crime fighting. Government has also invested huge sums to improve water and land transport and communication equipment for the Police Force.

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• Project to commence next month says Tourism Minister

GINA, Georgetown, August 10, 2005

Guyana’s tourism industry will receive a significant boost with the implementation of a five-year plan supported by a recent report produced by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Guyana: Travel and Tourism Sowing the Seeds of Growth, the 2005 Travel and Tourism Economic Research.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir in addressing key stakeholders of the tourism sector today at the Le Meridien Hotel revealed that, “the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) has approved for Guyana to work on a five- year tourism development plan.”

The project, which is to commence next month, will be premised on the report produced by the WTTC.

Minister Nadir said, “This is not intended to be another tourism study it is intended to be the blue print for tourism development.”

Commenting on the WTTC report he explained that in 2003 he first saw a report by the Council and thought it was an assessment that would serve Guyana well.

Minister Nadir said, Guyana is a small place and has a fledgling tourism industry, but Government is working unremittingly towards its development to make it a vibrant sector. “Government stands ready to make tough decisions to achieve this.”

Minister Nadir reflected on the recent major investments in the infrastructure of Guyana such as the US $16M four-lane road project, US $25M Cricket Stadium, and the improvement of access roads to the airports, which add to the capital investment by Government to promote the tourism industry.

In a presentation on how Guyana can benefit from implementing and embracing Tourism Accounting Satellite System, Richard Miller, Executive Vice President of the (WTTC) said, “the WTTC is the largest travel company across the world dedicated to helping Governments understand the importance of tourism as one of the largest generators of wealth and jobs and doing what is necessary to address the barriers.”

Miller added that there is a great deal of consistency with all reports produced by the WTTC and as a result, comparisons can be made with other countries to assess overall growth and development of the sector.

The report revealed that there is healthy investment in capital works in the sector,

but it revealed that the forecast for the next 10 years would be dim if the current trends in investment and development of the sector is not sustained for the period.

Guyana has been ranked favourably in terms of Government’s capital investment in the industry.

The Tourism Minister, in light of the report said, “It is a fair assessment of the sector,” adding that, “the presentation sets a good perspective of the challenges ahead for us.”

Chairman of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Bryan James pointed out that, “ Guyana is fairly new on the tourism scene, revealing that on the horizon of product development there is the exploration of tourism sporting activities such as sports fishing, bird watching, and yachting.”

Gerry Gouviea, Vice Chairman of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce (GCCI) is certain of tourism’s role in a country’s earnings. “The GCCI is fully on board with tourism development in Guyana,” adding, “that if we all play meaningful roles tourism can become a top revenue earner.”

Travel and tourism is one of the world’s highest priority industries and employers. The Tourism Accounting Satellite System quantifies the wide-ranging economic impact and provides solid, credible and professional statistical information that can assist in informing Government policy and business decision processes.

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A farmer of Cane Grove, ECD expressing his view during a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries Other Crop and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh. (A GINA/Ameer Khan photo)

Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh, on August 9 met members of two cattle ‘farmers associations’ in the Cane Grove Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) area over disputed savannah lands.

This has been the second attempt by Minister Sawh to resolve the issue of privatisation of part of the ‘Georgee Savannah’ aback of Cane Grove which is state owned to ‘Sundar Bhan Cattle Farming Association’, which represents 12 cattle farmers.

The Cane Grove Cattle Farmers’ Association which was granted permission to have its cattle graze on the lands, first met Minister Sawh at his office, and the association voted and agreed to the proposal to have part of the savannah privatised.

At that meeting 60 legitimate members of the association voted with 50 against and 10 for privatising the land.

Only three persons out of the 50 that voted against the proposal were present at yesterday’s meeting, which prevented the Minister from making a decision.

Minister Sawh also asked a representative of Sundar Bhan Cattle Farming Association of the benefits to be derived for the Cane Grove Cattle Farming Association, if part of the savannah is privatised. The response was that provision would be made for farmers to cut grass on their lands, provide feed, medical treatment, erect bridges and irrigate the savannah which is submerged under three feet of water.

Minister Sawh asked that all that was spoken of be put in writing, but the representative was reluctant. Nevertheless, the cattle farmers said that they are not in favour of what the Sundar Bhan Cattle Farming Association has offered as the savannah is better off the way it is, open to everyone.

The Sundar Bhan Cattle Farming Association plans to rare beef, dairy cattle and conduct aquaculture farming on the savannah lands. They also indicated that they have the necessary machinery and finance to construct infrastructure to drain the savannah.

Minister Sawh informed them that a decision cannot be made at the meeting but as soon as he meets both parties individually, he will decide.

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• Massive sea defence, Linden hospital design on cards

Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

Cabinet at its August 09 meeting offered its no-objection to contracts that will see massive sea defence works in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), as well as progress on the construction of a new hospital at Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

One of the contracts addresses the architectural design and consultancy fees for the modern hospital.

These contracts were announced by Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing. Below is a list of the contracts.

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• Stabroek news misrepresents issue

Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

The World Bank did not drop the secondary township project; rather, the Government of Guyana opted out of the project, contrary to the front-page report of the August 7 edition of the Stabroek News.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today cleared the air on the misrepresentation peddled by the Stabroek News.

The newspaper report states that the World Bank dropped a US$25M secondary township project, and that a scaled down version is likely to be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), but the financing is still some way off.

The reason cited is that there is not enough room in the lending portfolio for this project.  The World Bank had commenced preparatory work on the project but later realised that it was beyond the local portfolio.

However, Dr. Luncheon rebutted this statement, noting that this is a project abandoned years ago and an alternate has already begun.

“As far our engagements with the World Bank go, after spending close to US$1.5M in the latter half of the 1990s, that project was abandoned. Actually, Guyana withdrew that project. I can’t fathom, why in 2005, credible organisations would want to address a late 1990 abandonment as though it is something that happened only a year ago,” he said

Government’s success in achieving the CDB’s approval for the US$15.1M Secondary Township project should have been the basis for concerns, if it were true that the US$25M project with the World Bank was still on stream.

“Many people some innocently some, but I suspect maliciously, others would want to believe that there was a nexus, if one was approved, then it means that the other was rejected, as though there were two projects and the World Bank pulled out and the CDB came on board,” Dr. Luncheon said.

The HPS assured that Guyana withdrew the Secondary Towns project with the World Bank and it is the same project with the CDB that is on stream and will see development at Charity, Bartica, Supenaam and Parika.

“The secondary Towns project funded by the Government of Guyana and the Caribbean Development Bank has been approved and implementation, particularly of the US$11-12M component of infrastructure work in those four areas would soon be started,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

The township programme is to support Government’s modernisation drive for Guyana. It is being undertaken even though the present Administration inherited more than US$2B in foreign debt burden of which it has managed to repay more than US$1B. This modernization thrust is being funded even at the time when Guyana is faced with US$200M fuel bill.

Other modernization projects, which are taking place across the country include the Ogle Airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the East Coast Demerara road, hotels, Convention Centre, the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway and the Skeldon Modernisation plan.

Charity, Supenaam, Bartica and Parika are earmarked for Secondary Township in the first phase while Mahaica/Mahaicony, Rosignol, Grove/Diamond and areas in Berbice are listed in the second phase.

It was pointed out that this decision was taken in 1997 and it is strange that eight years later the Stabroek News was flagging it as anew development. “It seems as if the Stabroek News is digging up old stuff for negative reports even if it is inaccurate” commented another government official.

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Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with Labour Market System Committee will be hosting a seminar for users and producers of labour market information on August 18 in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

“An Effective Labour Market Information System is a prerequisite for National Development” is the theme of the seminar, which will be held in the Boardroom of the Regional office.

The objectives of the seminar are to create awareness in participants of the importance of the Labour Market Information System in promoting National Development and the work of the Labour Department of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in facilitating progress in these regards.

Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Dr Dale Bisnauth will deliver the opening address at the seminar.

A number of resource persons will be drawn from the Ministry of Labour. They include: Chief Labour Officer, Mohamed Akeel, Executive Secretary, Board of Industrial Training Roderick Nurse, Statistical Officer, Ivelaw Henry and Senior Statistician, Bureau of Statistics, Ian Manifold. Senior Planner, Ministry of Finance, Eileen Quamina will also address participants.

Other resource persons will be drawn from Occupational Safety and Health and Recruitment and Placement Units and the National Insurance Scheme.

Managers in the Public and Private Sectors and representatives from a number of business organisations and Trade Unions as well as youths/employers/employees residing or operating in Region Seven have been invited to attend the seminar.

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Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

The free eye-screening exercise offered by the Cuban government to identify persons for eye surgery in Cuba has been extended to other regions of the country.

The Special Cuban Eye Care team will be at the Suddie Hospital in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) from Thursday, August 11 to 17 and screening will be done daily from 8:00 to 16:00 hours. The team will then move to the Linden Hospital Complex, in Region 10 from August 18 to 23.

During the period August 11 to 22, the team will not be undertaking screening at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where the exercise first started.

The Cuban doctors are currently in Guyana for the next three months, screening patients in need of surgical interventions to correct vision impairments. They will be deployed to other parts of Guyana and dates and locations will be announced later.

Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that doctors have examined several of the patients who returned after eye surgery in Cuba for post-surgery care and evaluation.

“The Cuban doctors have been working feverishly and another plane is expected in the country soon to take a third group of patients to Cuba.”

The special eye programme addresses persons with cataract and glaucoma, as well as several other eye-related illnesses and caters for children and the elderly who will be allowed to travel with a relative to undergo surgical intervention in Cuba. The first group of patients left Guyana on a Cubana Flight on July 26 where they underwent surgery at the Hermanos Ameijeiras Hospital in Havana.

This mission complements the initiative taken by Government in 2004 when $50M was allocated for a special eye care programme. This year Government has allocated an additional $50M, which provides for surgical intervention for cataract. It also offers free spectacles.

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Government should be commended for efforts to reduce poverty - Ramotar

Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

Massive development in the bauxite industry, increased expenditure in the health and education sectors, and investment in human capital all play an integral role in poverty reduction.

General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Donald Ramotar, made these remarks at a special sitting of Parliament yesterday to review the 2005 Draft Poverty Reduction Progress Report.

Ramotar indicated that poverty has reduced dramatically since 1992 due to Government's development thrust, which entails private sector development that ultimately leads to more job creation. "There is a correlation between social development and poverty. The Administration has placed significant emphasis on human capital and infrastructure development."

He also spoke of the operations of the Russian Aluminium Company (RUSAL) the second largest aluminium company in the world which is currently conducting bauxite explorations in Region Ten. The possibility exists for the establishment of an aluminium plant locally, Ramotar noted.

Responding to claims by the Main Opposition, People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) that the Draft Report contains politically inflammatory language, Ramotar said that the Opposition's actions over the years have impacted negatively on the economy, and as such, was referred to in the report.

"The language in the document reflects the reality of the Opposition's disruptive tactics which have deterred investment and stymied the economy's progression," Ramotar said.

The General Secretary said that adjustments in income tax and the increase in wages from $3,000 in 1990 to $23,000 in 2005, is a clear indication of the progress made in the quest to improve the standard of living for Guyanese.

Head of the Policy Coordination and Programme Management Unit (PCPMU), Dr. Coby Frimpong, said that objections raised by the Opposition would be evaluated, and discussions will be held with officials from the various Ministries.

"We will examine the objections highlighted and consult with the relevant Ministries. Wherever inaccuracies are found to exist, we will undertake to have them removed from the final report," Dr. Frimpong indicated.

The Draft Report states that the poverty reduction programme is not without its risks. Increased concessional financing, especially grant assistance will be needed if Guyana is to meet its poverty reduction targets and the Millennium Development Goals.

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• President pleased with projects

Office of the President photo by Latchman Singh

President Bharrat Jagdeo, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manzoor Nadir and Presidential Adviser on Investment Manniram Prashad and proprietor Kemraj Brijlall at Technical Services Incorporated, Eccles Industrial Site.

Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

The Eccles Industrial Site is achieving its intended purpose of boosting economic activity and creating employment, despite a slow initial take off.

The Head of State was there today for a first-hand look the operations of the various projects.

“I am pleased with what I have seen. Many things are happening here and very important things. I have seen a lot of value-added activities, which are important. We need to encourage these people through policy changes and greater incentives, but they on their own are doing a wonderful job…I have seen some world class facilities and I think this estate has the possibility of performing what was originally intended that is to generate revenue employment and generally expand economic activities in the country,” he said.

He was accompanied by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir and Presidential Advisor on Investment Maniram Prashad.

The President first stopped at the Ready Mix Concrete Factory, where Tony Amarez, the proprietor gave him an update on the operations. Ready Mix Concrete is one of the largest projects at the Eccles Industrial Site and occupied six plots of land.

Managing Director of Technical Services Incorporated told President Jagdeo that he is willing to take about 20 young people to train them under the National Youth Empowerment Training Programme, which begins next month. At the end of the training he can guarantee them jobs.

Very impressive the President thought was Shakoor’s Trading, a fish processing plant, which export to the Hong Kong market. President Jagdeo, who took a tour of the internal operations of the seafood processing facility, commended the Chief Executive Officer Bibi Shakoor on the standards of the plant.

Farrahlia Arakhan of Cage Commercial Spares, an importer and exporter of spare parts, which are also refurbished at Eccles, said that the building is not yet completed, but they would like to have another plot of land. The company is also dealers in heavy-duty parts.

Jainarine Singh of Rainforest Lumber Dealers indicated to the President that he was planning an expansion, as most of the other businesses at the Industrial Site. The President’s visit, his Advisor on Investment said, was prompted by investors call for land to expand. There are 84 plots of land in the Estate Prashad indicated, 40 of which are being utilized. However, many of the plots although leased to investors are not occupied. Twenty businesses are functional at the Industrial Estate.

“I have asked Minister Manzoor Nadir to ensure that people start early or we are going to take back these plots. Because there are many others who want to expand or alternatively, they want to invest or they can’t find suitable spots. So those people who have plots be forewarned, you have a limited period and if you can’t utilize them, these the plots will be taken back,” President Jagdeo said.

The Presidential Advisor on Investment explained that land at the Industrial Estate is leased to investors on a 99-year ‘bankable’ lease.

Lakhram Singh of the potential Amvi Industries, a branch of Mike’s Pharmacy sought Government’s assistance for technical expertise when the President visited the complex.

He noted, “Government can only facilitate such assistance, but the Private Sector has to create the links. We don’t want to run people’s business etc. you get the help and we provide the incentives.”

Minister Nadir will work with the investors to secure such assistance through several initiatives, including the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. Singh said the company will be importing pharmaceutical supplies and repackage for importation, as well as manufacture certain medical drugs.

Meanwhile at the International Pharmaceutical Agency, Lloyd Sigh told the President of plans to produce bottled water for importation and requested duty free concession for importation of generating sets, since the cost of electricity from the Guyana Power and Light Company is too high.

A similar concern was raised by Suedatt Singh, a manufacturer of plastic bags, who ceased his operations since GPL continues to bill him exorbitant charges.

“We would be working with the investors on this. I have asked my staff to set up a meeting with Go Invest. Hopefully we would be able to alleviate some of their problems. Some need duty free generators. They are eligible for it as manufacturers we just have to track the system to see where the bottle neck is,” he said.

At Comfort sleep, the mattress manufacturer, President Jagdeo was guided on a tour by Supervisor Caludette Austin, while Frank De Abreu of De Sinco Trading conducted a similar tour of his potential food-processing centre, which was built in compliance with international standards.

President Jagdeo advised Prem Roop of Samuel’s Wicker Furniture to ensure that workers wear safety gear, as the dust could affect them. Roop produces furniture also for export.

Office of the President photo by Latchman Singh

President Bharrat Jagdeo, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manzoor Nadir, Presidential Adviser on Investment Manniram Prashad and Sheik Hassan and Hassan’s printery, Eccles Industrial Site.

The Head of State’s final stop was at Sheik Hassan Printery, where Hassan gave him a briefing on the operations of the business. The President commended the quality of the work and took particular interest in the post cards and puzzles printed displaying local features. Among the masterpieces printed by Sheik Hassan Printery are My Guyana El Dorado and Kaieteur Trail.

Wrapping up his visit, President Jagdeo disclosed that Government will be building an access road from Georgetown to Diamond in the first phase and it will pass about 400 acres east of the Industrial site. Additionally, the new dumpsite will be located east of the road.

The President disclosed that plans are in the pipeline to utilize the extra space for smaller business desirous of utilizing plots of land, but not suitable for the Industrial Estate.

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Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005.

Government’s housing drive has intensified and this is evident in Region Three, (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), as massive infrastructural projects are ongoing.

During a recent visit to six squatter settlements in the region, Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh said he was satisfied that the works are rapidly progressing.

At Meten-Meer-Zorg Railway View, Government is spending approximately $25M to construct a road network. The works are being executed by the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP) while there are two remaining roads to be built.

Another settlement in Meeten-Meer-Zorg, Ocean Garden is currently benefiting from more than $20M, allocated by Government to undertake road and drainage projects. These works, being undertaken by the Housing Ministry are far advanced and are expected to be completed shortly.

The Ministry is also undertaking road construction and drainage works at De Kinderen at a cost of $15M.

Meanwhile, at Tuschen North, there is a project funded by the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (GOG/IDB) that costs $133M. It includes the construction of roads and improvement of the drainage systems that is 60 percent completed.

In addition, electrification of the area has started. The planting of electricity poles in the area is ongoing under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP), which targets approximately 50 000 households.

Zeelugt North is another area benefiting under the GOG/IDB, where a $194 project entailing the construction of a road network and improvement of the drainage systems is 20 percent into implementation.

Minister Baksh said electrification of this area is scheduled to start shortly under UAEP.

He also pointed out that regularisation of the Best Foreshore Squatter Settlement is progressing. It is expected that the sub-division plan would be completed before the end of the year while the house lots allocation process would commence at that time.

With regard to the regularisation of Goed Fortuin Squatter Settlement, the sub-division plan has been completed and 70 percent of the residents have been allocated house lots. The designs for the road, drainage and water projects are ongoing.

Regularisation of other squatter settlements such as Edinburg and Cornelia Ida North are far advanced.

According to Minister Baksh the housing development programme is in keeping with the Government’s thrust to ensure that all citizens access adequate housing as well as basic facilities.

At present the Ministry of Housing and Water has more than seventy ongoing projects across the country and is working aggressively to complete all infrastructural works by the end of 2006.

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PRSP consultations reaffirmed positive impact implementation having on communities – Dr. Luncheon

Georgetown, GINA, August 10, 2005

The just-concluded national consultations on the draft report of the 2004 implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper endorsed the progress being recorded in various communities with the implementation of the strategy.

This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today at the Office of the President.

“Overall, the Unit felt that the consultations re-affirmed the positive impact that the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy was having on communities all over Guyana with specific regard to poverty reduction and the consultations continued with the calls for more services at the grass root/ community levels and greater monitoring of the outcome of pro poor spending that was taking place in their communities,” Dr. Luncheon said.

The 2005 consultation on the draft Progress Report of the 2004 Implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy ended on Tuesday, August 9, 2005, with a special review in the National Assembly.

There the PRSP was criticized by the Parliamentary Opposition as lacking a direct approach to getting Guyana out of the cycle of poverty, where the country continues to borrow.

“It would seem to me that the Opposition must be familiar with the efforts by HIPC countries in conjunction with their national partner and their international partners to implement Poverty Reduction Strategy as a way of getting out of the vicious poverty cycle,” he said. The HPS noted that at the national consultations, pointed out the need for increased amount of aid, particularly concessionary grants and such like in eliminating poverty.

“It has been, of late, a habit of the Administration to try to demean the Administration from resorting to the international community for funding whether it is concessionary or grants,” he said.

Dr. Luncheon noted that Government’s experience is that “the pro poor spending in Guyana is and has been having a monstrous effect on those indicator of poverty – positive impact,” he said.

These positive indicators have been in the infrastructure, social and services Sectors.

“Indeed that pro poor spending has moved large number of Guyanese from one category of poverty to a less poor state,” Dr. Luncheon said, adding that the benefits have been appreciate by both the donors and the residents who are the prime beneficiary.

“I see no basis for taking seriously their contention that you cannot borrow your way out of poverty,” he added.

That Consultation was included after the National Review held earlier in the month. Dr. Luncheon said the entire consultation process resulted in a wealth of recorded information. This information is being used to revise, amend and make corrections to the existing draft report and to impact on the 2005 programme and future programmes in light of those lessons learnt during the review of the 2004 implementation.

The countrywide consultations on the PRSP draft report saw approximately 800 persons throughout the Administrative Regions made recommendations, a process which came to an end in July.

Among the raised during the consultations were concerns school drop out rates, absenteeism, student/teacher ratios, the quality and delivery of medical care, employment and investment.

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

Meanwhile, more than 80 per cent of the planned interventions in 2004 have been completed.

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.

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Georgetown , GINA August 10, 2005

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Natural Resources today met at the Parliament building to discuss a number of issues.

Among the matters addressed was the resolution of an issue involving the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and Mr. Wilmott Chan.

Mr. Chan, who is a miner, leased a plot of land at Eterinbang (Guyana/Venezuela border) for which he acquired a reconnaissance permit. Subsequent to Mr. Chan’s acquisition of the land, officers of the Guyana Defence Force denied him access to the claim citing that there were security concerns in the area.

Mr. Odinga Lumumba argues that Mr. Chan has been paying large sums of monies preserve his claim and it is thus unfair for him to be denied access.

Brigadier Edward Collins added that the commencement of mining activity would emerge the need for ingress and egress which will compromise security.

The matter was deferred for a subsequent hearing since Mr. Chan is currently out of the country.

Mr. Lumumba noted that there were precedents in other countries where economic development was given priority over national security.

Among those present at the meeting were Commissioner of GGMC, Robeson Benn and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

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