President Jagdeo briefed on upcoming meeting of South American bloc
President Bharrat Jagdeo greets the Supervisor of CASA Ambassador Jorge Taunay during a courtesy call at the Office of the President on February 16, 2006. Looking on is Brazilian Ambassador Arthur Meyer. (OP/Sandra Prince photo)
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2006
President Bharrat Jagdeo was brought briefed on the status of the South American Community of Nations’ (CASA) agenda when he met the Supervisor of CASA Ambassador Jorge Taunay and Brazilian Ambassador Arthur Meyer during a courtesy call at the Office of the President.
The February 16 meeting featured discussions on the schedule of events for the South American Community of Nations.
A meeting is set for Rio De Janerio in April next to further discuss the certification of identification documents and visa exemption for South American countries, the Ambassador later said in an invited comment.
Guyana signed onto the bloc of the South American Community of Nations recently.
TOP
Guyana , Germany ink euro 2.93M Protected Areas project
- Amerindian communities to benefit from small grant facility
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon and Sector Economist, Matthias Bechtolsheim of Germany seal the agreement for the Protected Areas Project
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2006
The German Government has chipped in with euros 2.93M to finance a new project to further ensure sustainable management of selected conservation areas under the Guyana Protected Areas System (GPAS)
The documents for the project were signed on February 17 at the Office of the President by the stakeholders, including the Governments of Guyana and Germany and officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.
The agreements signed would see three components of the project being executed – financing (euros 2.56M), training (euros 370,000), and a small grant facility (US$180,000 maximum), for collaborative management projects dealing with Amerindian communities.
Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar and Sector Economist, Matthias Bechtolsheim of Germany signed the financing agreement for the Protected Areas Project, while Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Luncheon signed for the grant facility and Doorga Persaud, Chief Executive, EPA and David Singh, General Manager of Iwokrama International signed the agreement for training.
The euros 2.56M will be provided by Germany through the Development Bank KFW to specifically support ecosystems’ conservation initiatives. It stems from a co-financing agreement between the Guyana and German governments signed in the early 1990s, the German Sector Economist said.
This project would heighten focus to ensure sustainable management of selected conservation areas under the GPAS.
Kanuku Mountains, Region 9 - protected area
Dr. Luncheon said government has created the framework to ensure sustainable eco-system conservation.
“We have been working with stakeholders to ensure we are at the same playing level with the international community with the creation of protected areas…we have been working with the international community actively in the areas of the environment and conservation and GPAS continues to enjoy this support,” Dr. Luncheon said.
He disclosed that this project will see, during its first phase of implementation, work being done at the two identified protected areas – Kanuku in Region Nine and Shell Beach in Region One. The role of the EPA would also be strengthened, he said, with regard to conservation and protected areas.
The training component entails instructions for about 120 persons over the next two years in various aspects of natural resource management. This includes ranger and tour guide training for both government officials and persons living within the communities. The project is being executed by the EPA through the Iwokrama International Rainforest project.
“This is a very signal moment in the work of Iwokrama. It fulfils a part of our mandate in promoting ways of conservation and stable use of the rainforest. It is also an integral part of transferring our experience to other areas of Guyana,” the Iwokrama General Manager David Singh remarked.
Meanwhile, as Persaud noted, the EPA has a major role to play in the effective protection and management of environment as well as sustainable utilisation of natural resources.
The Guyana Government, Dr. Luncheon said, has not directly invested heavily in the protected areas, but has been integral in creating the environment and building consensus to have support for such projects.
TOP
President to launch Linden menial labourers’ D&I programme
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2006
Several more jobs would be created in Region Ten shortly with the launching of the drainage and irrigation programme there.
President Bharrat Jagdeo will on February 20, launch the programme which targets mainly young people without a formal education, who would be hired by Central Government to maintain the drainage systems in their respective communities.
This programme is open to both men and women and will be launched at the Constabulary Building, Region Ten.
The Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) be responsible for monitoring their work.
The NDC has the option of setting tasks to be accomplished by the labourers or have them work for four days per week with remuneration of $25,000 monthly.
Under this programme 3000 persons would be hired from various communities across the country.
While in Region Ten, the Head of State would be hosting a meeting with the region’s football club at Watooka, and also distribute Forestry Leases to Forest Producers at Watooka House.
TOP
President Jagdeo assures Abary cattle farmers of financial assistance
- potable water supply to increase
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2006.
Cattle farmers of the Abary Creek, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) who have suffered legitimate losses during the disastrous flooding will receive monetary assistance. This assurance was given today by President Bharrat Jagdeo during a visit to the area.
The President held a meeting with farmers and officials of the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) at its office, Onverwagt before visiting the Abary Creek.
During the meeting, some farmers requested monetary assistance while others requested more veterinary supplies, Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) infrastructure and improvement in the breeds of cattle in the area. However, the majority voted for the financial aid.
President Jagdeo explained that cattle farmers will receive assistance to a maximum of $200 000. However, those who have benefited from the cash crop and rice financial packages will not be entitled to claim.
There are approximately 224 cattle farmers in the Abary Creek and the West Coast Berbice Cattle Farmers’ Association will verify those eligible to benefit.
With regard to other relief efforts, the Head of State instructed the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to ensure that the distribution of potable water to residents is boosted urgently.
Arrangement have been made to deliver additional tanks to the households in the area starting tomorrow. Already some 30 tanks have been distributed to residents for them to store their own supplies sourced by rainfall.
In the interim, the MMA/ADA will organise for residents to access potable water supply by the use of uni floats.
The President also updated residents and farmers of government’s long-term interventions, which include the mobilisation of funds to dredge the Abary Creek at a cost of approximately US $1M.
He said that the Venezuelan Government has indicated its willingness to provide assistance and has commenced an assessment.
President Jagdeo noted that two excavators have already being provided to the region to heighten embankments around villages while two pumps have been deployed for use in the coastal villages.
In addition, the shipment of heavy-duty equipment provided under the US$4M loan from the Italian government, will arrive next month.
“We have to plan for the future and we are looking at reinforcing the drainage system. During my visits to communities, people made several suggestions. The engineers were out and looked at the areas and it will cost us a substantial sum of money. At present we are looking at about US $15M to $20M,” the President said.
Farmers were also given the opportunity to raise their concerns and make suggestions.
One farmer spoke of the lack of irrigation water since many of the channels were blocked to prevent flood water from reaching the coastal areas. This, is presently being rectified by the MMA/ADA.
Some farmers claimed that the distribution of the $100 000 cheques to rice and cash crops farmers was not fairly done. The President advised that all sets of dishonesty should be reported to the Rice Producers Association (RPA), which has responsibility for the distribution.
He also told the residents that tenants and not landlords must benefit from the financial assistance.
Commenting on the overall situation in the Creek, residents reported to the President that the water has reduced significantly as there is sign of land in some areas. However, the animal mortality rate has increased as there is no grass and many of the animals are suffering from cramps or diarrhoea caused by eating the moss covered grasses. To date, there have been a reported loss of 6753 animals in the Abary Creek.
Farmers also expressed their gratitude to government for the relief interventions rendered since they have been under flood water.
TOP
HE with farmers and MMA & CDC officials and Minister Sawh at MMA Headquarters
HE at Abary Creek
HE at De Hoop Mahaica
HE at Biaboo
TOP
Air transport to be further boosted this year
Georgetown, GINA, February 18, 2006.
This year, there will be further enhancement of the air transport sector, as government has made considerable provisions in the 2006 National Budget to improve both infrastructure and services.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Harry Narine Nawbatt said $25M has been allocated for a new conveyor belt at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
He noted that revenue is expected to increase to $535M through airport security, landing and car park fees and rental of duty-free shops.
At present, several projects are ongoing including the installation of three new Central Windsock Systems at a cost of $2M. This will assist the Air Traffic Controllers and pilots with wind direction and speed.
Another $2.8M is being utilised to procure two pairs of Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL) to aid pilots in identifying the beginning of the runway while repair of the taxiway lighting system is being done at a cost of $5.6M.
Minister Nawbatt said a large number of projects were completed in 2005. These included the implementation of a new security card system that will be used to better monitor access to the restricted areas of the airport costing $3.3M.
The airport’s communication was also enhanced, as $4M was spent to purchase Very High Frequency (VHF) radios while $13M was spent replace the automatic change over switch for the generator.
The Minister also reported that in June 2005, the corporation’s aerodromes certificate award, which requires aerodromes to be in compliance with Annex 14 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (IACO) convention.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCA) has been allocated $22M this year to fund lighting protection while increase in revenue is anticipated at $241M.
Projects earmarked this year include training of six air traffic controllers to supervisory level, establishment of a 24-hour supervision air traffic control and a computer network system at Timehri.
TOP
Multiple-phased approach to address flooding
-International community to assist
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds interacts with a resident of First Savannah, Mahaicony creek during a visit to Region Five on February 18 (Ameer Khan Photo)
Georgetown , GINA February 18, 2006
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said government with aid from the international community will be focusing on a number of short, medium and long-term solutions to address the issue of flooding and drainage in communities currently affected.
The assurance was given to residents of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) during a visit to the district by two teams of government officials led by President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Prime Minister on February 18.
The Prime Minister said in addition to providing monetary assistance to farmers and residents, “massive drainage and irrigation works will be executed which includes the enpoldering of dams and the creation of ‘high lands’ where livestock can dwell in the event that water rises.”
Following the declaration of the disaster areas in Regions Two and Five, international aid was requested to effect emergency drainage works which include dredging of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary and Pomeroon Rivers.
He noted that the May/June rains are expected shortly hence, government has to enforce preventative measures.
A farmer of Mahaicony Creek shows Prime Minister Samuel Hinds several cash crop plant which were destroyed by recent floods (Ameer Khan Photo)
He added that there is not much that government can do about climate change and other natural factors but everything possible will be done to control flooding if it recurs.
He cautioned that even though the flood water is receding much still has to be done to prevent health risks associated with flooding.
Medical teams from the Ministry of Health have been visiting the affected communities twice weekly and measures have since been implemented such as vaccination and medical checks.
On the way back from the Mahaicony Creek the Prime Minister visited several other communities among which were Calcutta, De hoop and Mahaica.
TOP
|
