10 Chinese Specialists expected in May
- Chinese Medical Brigade programme extended
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2006
Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Minister, Clement Rohee and China’s Ambassador to Guyana H.E. Shen Quing today affixed their signatures to the amendment to the composition of the seventh batch of Chinese medical doctors’ in the Ministry’s Main Conference room, Takuba Lodge.
“the exchange of notes making way for the seventh batch of doctors marks a significant milestone in the relations between Guyana and China,” Minister Rohee said, adding that Guyana has benefited enormously from the programme.
He pointed out that the fullest cooperation would be extended by the Ministry to the doctors during their stint in the country.
Ambassador Shing noted that Guyana and China enjoy a long history of bilateral relations and cooperation, emphasising that, “the presence of the medical team is a form of gratuitous assistance to the Government of Guyana from the Government of China.”
He said Guyana is the sole country in Latin America and the Caribbean where medical brigades have been deployed to assist the country’s health sector.
“This signifies the importance the Chinese government attaches to relations with Guyana,” Shing said.
The Ambassador emphasised the importance of his government’s contribution to improving health conditions in Guyana.
In the meantime, Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy lauded the role the Chinese doctors have played in advancing the range and quality of medical work.
The batch of Chinese doctors, expected to arrive in May comprises a general surgeon, ophthalmologist, acupuncturist, radiologist, anaesthetist, plastic surgeon, obstetrician/ gynaecologist, histopathologist, orthopaedic surgeon and paediatrician.
Minister Ramsammy noted that though the doctors will officially be attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and the Linden Hospital, they will complement the Ministry’s outreach programmes to various regions.
The Chinese medical Brigade Programme is one of the many technical cooperation programmes between the governments of the People’s Republic of China and Guyana.
Other areas of technical cooperation exist in the craft, sport and education sectors.
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Minister Rodrigues visits Moruca
– Residents to benefit from loan scheme , electricity.
Georgetown , GINA, January 13, 2006
Following a promise made by President Bharrat Jagdeo to residents of Moruca, Region One, in May 2005, a credit programme was launched yesterday in Santa Rosa, by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues outlining details of the Moruca Loan scheme, at the Santa Rosa Primary School in Region One. Also in picture are Regional Officials.
(A GINA/Deo Seulall photo)
The programme is intended to promote self-sufficiency and a greater sense of economic independence in the Amerindian community and its establishment provides an opportunity for families and community members to access loans for economic ventures.
It caters mainly for farmers, shop owners and other businessmen and women seeking to enhance the quality and service of their businesses.
Hundreds of residents attended the Santa Rosa Primary School to listen to Minister Rodrigues, outlining some of the major details of the scheme. Also in attendance were Regional officials and Santa Rosa Toshao John Atkinson
The Minister explained that an individual can access a loan for an amount of no less than $20,000 dollars.
She added that the application process begins when an applicant submits a request. This will be sent to Georgetown, where the final decision on the loan will be made by a Board of Directors at the Ministry.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues and Regional Officials in discussion at the Kumaka Extension Centre in Region One. (A GINA/Deo Seulall photo)
The Amerindian Affairs Minister advised that the scheme be used wisely, adding that not everyone should seek to open a business as this could hinder successful entrepreneurship. She emphasised that the scheme has no room for discrimination.
Borrowers were encouraged to save and submit creative ideas for their businesses in order for it to be successful and competitive.
The Minister also discussed the launching of the electricity project promised by the President in May last year.
She disclosed that the 121 ARV generator, capable of supplying electricity to the entire community, has already arrived, and will be firmly established in the community by the end of February 2006. TOP
President’ s promise to South Ruimveldt youths to be fulfilled shortly
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2005.
President Bharrat Jagdeo’s promise to South Ruimveldt Garden youths is being kept, as the project to develop the area’s play ground will commence shortly.
The President made the commitment to fund repairs to the playground on October 15, 2005 during a walkabout to several communities in the City that are vulnerable to flooding including South Ruimveldt Gardens, East and West La Penitence.
Following his visit, the Head-of-State had announced the allocation of $100M to the execute drainage and irrigation projects in light of the end of year rainy period. From the $100M, $50M was allocated to the Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
Deputy Mayor, Robert Williams said $2M of the $50M, was set aside for the playground’s development. The contract for the project will be signed on January 16 in the presence of community members.
Over the years, government has been committed to enhancing recreational facilities and seeking initiatives that would support youth development with one of the major projects being the establishment of a $350 National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment, launched in June 2005 by President Jagdeo.
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President’s promise to Moruca fulfilled
-jobs created for residents of Santa Rosa
Georgetown GINA, January, 13
Another Presidential promise made to residents of Moruca in Region One (Barima/Waini) is being fulfilled. This was highlighted on January 1 during a visit to the community of Santa Rosa by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues when she held discussions with villagers on a new river clearing-project.
During a visit in May last year, President Bharrat Jagdeocommitted to ensuring the commencement of the project in the area.
The project involves the clearing of major blockages commonly referred to as “Mocka Mocka” along the Moruca River. These often affect the free-flow of transportation to and from the Santa Rosa community and also contribute to drainage and irrigation problems in the area.
The Minister accompanied by regional officials met residents and discussed plans to have the vegetation cleared. The project will also serve as a boost to the community as it will provide employment for several residents who usually complain of a lack of such opportunities.
The Minister disclosed too, that plans are on stream to provide full-time employment for residents. Persons will be employed on a yearly contractual basis to remove the blockages and clear the sides of the river. Approximately 50 persons were selected and placed in groups to work in particular sub sections of the Moruca River. Each person will be paid a salary of $20,000 monthly and the project is expected to start by January month-end.
Minister Rodrigues said that government has proposed the use of signs at different sections of the river to provide guidance and direction to boat operators. She urged residents not to remove the signs.
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FLOOD UPDATE
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2006
Reports from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) today indicated that there has been a break in the weather pattern over the past two days and flood water is receding in Regions Two, Three, Five and Six.
The Hydrometerological Office’s report for January 13 through 19 states that wide spread rainfall is likely to occur on January 14 and 15. It is expected that on these days isolated thunderstorms and gusty winds may be experienced while some locations may exceed 1.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period.
Region Two
Pomeroon River
- The water is receding in the Pomeroon River
- High water in channels at areas along the Essequibo Coast is also receding while all pumps and sluices are in operation
- Excess water from the main canal is being discharged at Uno Creek, Somerset and Berks
- The verification process for determining affected persons has been completed.
- Excavation of canals are still ongoing at Good Hope, Supenaam and Somerset and Berks and Coffee Grove.
Region Six
Yakusari, Johanna, Sandvoort
- Water has reduced significantly in the Black Bush area, there is only minor accumulation of water
- All sluices and pumps are operational
- Additional pump installed at Joppa by the Regional administration is functional. Two pumps are working around the clock
- Cleaning of residential drainages at Johanna and Yakusari is ongoing by the Regional Democratic Council
- Excavation works are currently being done on the Eversham outfall and No. 67 sluice.
- In Sandvoort, water is receding rapidly.
- Hymacs have cleared the Canjie Creek embankment
- Minister of Agriculture, Satyadeow Sawh was in the affected areas on January 12 and 13 to have a first hand look at the situation.
Region Three
Canal No. 1 & 2 Polders
- Flood water in Canal Number 1 Polder has significantly receded while in Canal Number 2, it is gradually receding
- All pumps and sluices are operating
- Mechanical clearing of Canal Number 1 and 2 is in progress while other drainage works are also being executed
Region Five
Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary
- Flood water within the upper reaches of the Mahaicony Creek is gradually receding
- The Mahaica-Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) is monitoring the situation in the Mahaicony creek and is undertaking necessary works
- All pumps and sluices are operating
- The pump installed at Bellamy (Abary side) by the MMA/ADA is operable
- Work on check structures at Mortice is ongoing by the NDIA and the Regional Administration
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CWC’s Karran Singh refutes Stabroek News headline
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2006
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007, Karran Singh has refuted a headline appearing in the January 13 edition of the Stabroek News that gives the impression that government is obligated to provide a huge sum for cruise liner.
Commenting on the headline, Singh explained, “The headline tends to convey the wrong impression to the public… CWC is a global event and people are accessing the Stabroek News electronically, so we need to have this clarified and corrected.”
He said that recent developments have proven government has no obligation to sign any guarantee since there is no need for them.
“We are confident that we will be able to meet the required amount of rooms for the officials coming for the event,” he said.
Singh said the involvement of both local and foreign investors in the hotel industry, would ensure there is adequate accommodation. Gafoors development at Turkeyen, Shivraj’s and Arthur and Smith development at Providence and Arakaria Hotel on the West Coast of Demerara have come on board.
“We are confident we will meet this target…we are not like the tourist countries such as Barbados and others, and even some of them have issues of accommodation to sort out, but we are confident,” he reiterated.
In December last, International Cricket Council (ICC) officials indicated that 272 rooms at City hotels had fulfilled the required standard for CWC.
“With these developers on board that will bring us to an additional 400 rooms, which will be built to meet ICC standards… we are also still working with Hotel Tower and Ocean View,” he stated.
Singh said that CWC is the world’s third largest event and urged the media to be positive in the dissemination of information.
“I think the media should help us along in ensuring this event is efficiently hosted… the world is watching us and we need to be careful,” Singh admonished.
“If you use a computer and type in Providence stadium, you will be surprised at the amount of websites available…everyone seems to have authority on evaluation of the process, most don’t have a clue of what is taking place. Please let us be positive,” Singh implored.
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