Tomorrow is Budget day
Georgetown, GINA, January 22, 2006
Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar will present the 2006 National Budget tomorrow.
The Minister had earlier said, “we are on course for the presentation of the 2006 Budget,” and noted that it would be bigger than last year’s estimates, which will make it the largest in Guyana’s history.
The current flood situation has not affected the administration from proceeding with the planned early presentation of the budget.
The Minister indicated that the budget’s theme would focus on modernising the country with people being at the center of the government’s economic development programme.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon said at his press conference on Thursday last that increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is expected in the economy in 2006 while increased private investment is also expected in the areas of bauxite and gold mining.
He also pointed out that government will continue to direct attention to the productive sector and will focus on identified new-growth-areas of tourism, Information Communications Technology (ICT) and Services.
The Cabinet Secretary contended that in the new year government will continue to place emphasis on maintaining macro-economic stability and will continue measures to sterilise excess liquidity, control inflation, stabilise the exchange rate and increase international reserves.
Earlier this week, President Jagdeo, along with Minister Kowlessar and his budget team consulted with private sector bodies, the Trades Union Congress and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana on the Budget.
The total budgeted expenditure of $86.4B in 2005 was the largest in Guyana’s history and represented a 14% increase over the $75.6B estimates of 2004.
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Engineers to give West Berbice more drainage attention
– as President Jagdeo returns
Georgetown, GINA, January 2005
At team of engineers will return to several areas in West Berbice, Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice) to discuss drainage solutions to problems identified today when they met with Head of State, President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The President gave this commitment during his interactions with residents of several Mahaicony villages, Belladrum, Kingsley, Lichfield, Profit/ Foulis, Lovely Lass and Numbers 28 and 30 villages.
During the interactions, suggestions were made with regard to de-silting canals, repairing drainage structures, reopening self activating kokers and having the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary- Agricultural Development Authority (MMA- ADA), the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) undertake regular maintenance of drainage systems.
Many of the senior citizens in the communities also made the suggestion of reverting to drainage systems utilized decades ago, while others called for the deployment of additional pumps.
These suggestions were noted by the technical authorities who accompanied President Jagdeo including Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Chabilall Ramsarup, Chief River and Defence Officer, George Howard, Regional Chairman, Harrynarine Baldeo, and several other officials.
The technical officials have been mandated by the Head of State to return to the areas to undertake detailed discussions with residents on how their situation could be remedied.
According to the President once the engineers and technical officials have completed their discussions and conclusion on feasible projects are made that could be undertaken, Government will go out to tender to fund such projects.
He assured residents that government would try its best to expedite the work.
Meanwhile several residents suggested the conclusion of the second phase of the MMA scheme, which President Jagdeo acknowledge is the ideal solution, but would cost government US$40M, which is unaffordable at this time.
In the interim residents expressed the need for equipment to assist their efforts in empoldering which they deemed as the most effective short term measure.
Two hymacs are expected in Region 5 by Wednesday to assist in this effort. The President tasked officials of the MMA with responsibility of maintaining the equipment as well as monitoring the works to be undertaken.
Additionally, areas where sluices and kokers cannot work, such as Numbers 28 and 30 villages, mobile pumps would be utilised.
Ramsarup reported that at Belladrum Primary School which is being utilised as a shelter, 127 persons are being accommodated but meals are being provided for 200 persons which include shut-in residents.
At the Number 42 Village shelter 51 persons are being accommodated while120 persons are being provided with hot meals daily.
While at Lichfield President Jagdeo instructed that a shelter be established there for affected residents.
The Head of State told the CDC Head, “Do not let money be a constraint. Once there is need to have more shelters opened, do so, but only those who reside in flat structures should occupy the shelters”.
President Jagdeo said, “We are hoping that the flood waters would recede soon and shelters would be moved because we are occupying schools and we cannot continue to contravene the education of our children.”
He also indicated that all affected households will be provided with financial aid which should be made payable during February.
Head of the MMA Gajraj indicated that the level of the Mahaicony River has dropped by half inch.
Government continues to examine the existing situation in flood affected areas and provide the necessary interventions.
President Jagdeo is expected to visit other west Berbice communities tomorrow.
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Water recedes in several flood-hit areas
- relief efforts continuing
Georgetown, GINA, January 22, 2006.
The flooding situation in a number of areas such as Region Six, West Coast Berbice and Canal Number 1 & 2 Polders, Region Three have improved slightly, as the water levels have receded.
This observation was made during the visit of several ministers and other senior government officials, who are currently assessing the situation in various affected areas.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh, who is overseeing relief efforts in the Mahaicony Creek, said residents have indicated that the water level has reduced by about 1 to 2 inches.
Minister Sawh added that the area has not experienced any heavy rainfall over the past two days except for periodic light showers. However, the weather pattern remains cloudy.
He noted that two shelters have been established at the Gordon Table Primary school in the Creek and at the Mortice Primary School on the Mahaicony access road. This effort is being spearheaded by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
Efforts have also been made to relocate animals to higher ground with the use of pontoons, while veterinary assistance and animal feed distribution is ongoing. Additional supplies for the animals are expected during the week.
The situation in the Perth area has also improved significantly, since a pump was installed to drain the water off the land while cleaning of the internal drainage in the community is ongoing.
In Region Six, Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy reported that the water has withdrawn in a number of communities including the hardest hit area, Number 19 village, Corentyne. However, there is still high water on the land.
Minister Ramsammy said drainage and irrigation works are currently ongoing in Sandvroot and Black Bush Polder while the water has significantly receded in these areas.
Health teams are working in various communities in Regions Four, Five and Six. So far, there have not been any reported cases of significant flood related diseases.
Health teams are currently in areas including Perth, Ithaca, Hope Town and the riverain communities in Region Five and affected communities in Region Six.
The Health Minister has been assessing the situation in affected areas in Regions Five and Six.
Minister of Public Service, Jennifer Westford visited the Victoria, Golden Grove/ Haslington and Bee Hive communities on the East Coast Demerara.
She noted that there is approximately two inches of water on the land at Victoria and some residents living in flat houses have been affected.
However, the residents declined the Minister’s offer to move them into a shelter, as they said the situation is not critical and this action is not necessary at this time. Their request for sandbags was met.
At Golden Grove/ Haslington, Minister Westford observed that the double door koker is back in operation and this has contributed to the effective flow of water.
A contractor has been hired to clear an outfall in the area and works are currently in progress.
She reported that the water has receded in Bee Hive and some residents have accompanied army ranks on patrol in the area to direct them to sections where water was escaping.
Meanwhile, a mobile pump and koker have been installed at Supply village, Mahaica by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA). This action has been influential in relieving the area of flood water.
Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, Ravi Naraine said the mobile pump was installed last evening while the koker was put in place today.
Naraine noted that the water has receded by about two inches and should the weather continue to be favorable, it is expected that there will be a substantial reduction of the water level.
In the meantime, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon said government’s relief efforts have impacted positively on those affected with assistance provided during this difficult situation.
“The patience of the Guyanese people continue to be tested by the excessive rainfall but, the intervention that has been made in a number of areas by the administration has certainly had a lot to do with promoting understanding and tolerance by the citizens,” Dr. Luncheon said.
He expressed optimism that the situation would improve instrumentally but it will take some time to get the water off the land.
The HPS assured that in the meantime, the administration will continue to address and respond to the complications that arise during the period that the water withdraws.
“I think that is what gives the Guyanese people the confidence in the administration and in having their matters dealt with in a very timely and appropriate manner,” Dr. Luncheon noted.
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