Dr. Luncheon returns, to resume duties
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2006
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Cabinet Secretary and Secretary of the Defence Board Dr. Roger Luncheon has returned home and will resume his duties.
Dr. Luncheon left Guyana on March 14 for the United States of America for investigative medical checks.
On the same day, Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Ministry and Head of the Public Service Dr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul was sworn in by President Bharrat Jagdeo as acting Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary. He also acted in the capacity of Secretary of the Defence Board in Dr. Luncheon’s absence.
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Designs for diagnostic centres completed, work to start soon
Georgetown, GINA, April 02, 2006
The team of Cuban experts who came to Guyana recently to create the designs for four diagnostic and treatment centres has completed the task and will be presenting them to Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
Minister Ramsammy said he will receive the designs on April 3. He is optimistic that work would commence in two weeks.
Dr. Ramsammy said four experts; two of whom are engineers along with two architects examined the Mahaicony Hospital in Region Five, Suddie Hospital in Region Two and the West Demerara Regional Hospital and the Leonora Hospital in Region Three. He said that Leonora has been identified to house one of the centres. A fourth centre will be established at Grove on the East Bank Demerara as this area is densely populated and lacks a hospital.
According to the Health Minister, the team looked at ways the existing hospitals could be modified to operate as a centre, whereas a design has been created specifically for the other centre to be built on the East Bank.
During President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit to Cuba from February 1-3 it was agreed that the Guyana Government will purchase equipment that cost US$1.2M to furnish four diagnostic and treatment centres that would be set up by the Cubans. The Cuban Government would provide 27 specialists and technicians for each of the four centres over a five-year period. However, Guyana would provide a $40,000 monthly stipend and accommodation for the medical personnel.
They will offer a range of services such as laboratory, intensive care, hematology, x-ray and ultra-sound. All the centres will have the capacity to conduct surgeries, Dr. Ramsammy said.
The establishment of these centres, will provide quality services to the regions and will reduce the load from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Services will be free and will be offered 24 hours daily with guaranteed comprehensive medical care for patients.
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Rice – an industry that holds tremendous potential
A GINA Feature by R. Gildharie
A major source of income and employment in rural areas and a foreign exchange earner, Guyana’s rice industry is poised to increase growth, as government remains committed to ensuring sustenance of this vital industry, despite many challenges posed to its development.
Minister of Agriculture (ag), Satyadeow Sawh at a rice field day, Den Amstel, WCD.
Changes in the international markets, increased competition and flooding, which severely affected the industry for two consecutive years have influenced rice cultivation and production.
The administration has assured its input to boost the industry and has developed a number of initiatives that will surely enhance performance of the local rice sector.
One of the most outstanding development is the Euros 24M grant to enhance competitiveness of the Caribbean rice industry, Guyana is benefitting from Euros 11.7M of that amount.
Paddy being off-loaded at Black Bush Polder in Region Six.
This sum will provide technical assistance in the form of expertise and training, cater for major repairs to the Dawa pump and replace the Golden Fleece and Westbury sluices on the Essequibo Coast. There is also a financial element that will provide working capital and investment support to rice millers and farmers.
A recent update by the Guyana Rice Project Management Unit (GRPMU), the agency coordinating the project, has indicated that much progress is being made.
Potential services providers under the technical services package have already been and the formal bids for this component will be submitted shortly.
Rice & Cattle farmers of Region Six being updated on development in the industries.
Areas to be covered include research development of technology transfer, institutional strengthening and capacity building, rice processing and milling and business and credit development.
Under the financial component, a procurement notice has been published inviting all commercial banks in the Region particularly institutions in Guyana and Suriname to submit bids to operate the facility.
Water management is also an essential component of this project,. A draft tender document has been submitted for endorsement by the EU, after which the procurement notice for this project will be advertised.
Another massive project which will benefit the rice industry is the Agricultural Support Service Programme (ASSP) valued at approximately US $22.5M.
Rice being harvested
The ASSP is being funded jointly by the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and contains four components - civil works to fix primary and secondary drainage and irrigation systems and institutional support for these, rice seed development and diversification and export.
Nine areas, spanning 120,000 acres, have been identified for repair works – Vergenoegen/Bonasika, Den Amstel/Fellowship, Vreed-en-Hoop/La Jalousie and Canals Polder in Region 3; Golden Grove/Victoria and Cane Grove in Region 4, Black Bush Polder and Nos. 52- 74 Villages and Crabwood Creek in Region 6.
Under the rice seed component a rice seed plant will be constructed at No.56 Village, Corentyne, Region Six valued at US$478 000. This is expected to start operating in August. The Burma Rice Research Station, Mahaicony, Region Five will also be upgraded at a cost of US$360 000.
Another US$1.25M has been approved under the ASSP for training of personnel within the rice industry. Of this sum, GRDB will utilise $790, 000 to train farmers in Regions Three, Four and Six.
Guyana joined the Latin-American Fund For Irrigated Rice (FLAR) in January 2005 and stands to benefit from US$50 000 which will be spent on more high yielding varieties.
Rice being harvested.
Another programme developed directly by government to provide assistance in the sector is the $400M financial aid package for rice farmers countrywide, initiated by President Bharrat Jagdeo. This initiative has benefited more than 7000 rice farmers in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.
At present, harvesting for the spring crop is taking place in all rice growing areas across the country. Statistics dated March 17 show that paddy production yielded 628, 824 bags from the 7, 254 hectares harvested representing an average yield of 5.5 bags per hectare. Of the 68, 460 hectares prepared, 59, 507 were sown.
With all these development and more in line, there is no doubt that Guyana’s rice industry will thrust forth seeds of success.
Rice fields being sprayed for pests.
Increased production and improved quality will ensure that Guyana’s rice will hold its own and will be able to compete on the world market particularly at a time when the price for the commodity is continuously increasing. At present, the local price for paddy delivered to the mills averages $1900 per bag.
Government continues to be supportive and has been actively pursuing initiatives that will guide the rice industry along the path to further success.
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UAEP commissioned in Berbice – more than 30 communities accessing electricity
Georgetown, GINA, April 02, 2006.
Information Liaison to the President Robert Persaud flicks the switch to officially commission the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme at Cumberland, East Canje Berbice on April 2.
Thousands of residents of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) are happier citizens as the government’s Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP), has officially been commissioned in that region.
At the Monument Square, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud symbolically switched on a light bulb, officially commissioning the programme.
Persaud, who also delivered the feature address, described it as a historic moment particularly for the beneficiaries. Through the realisation of the UAEP, approximately 28 communities in Region Six will access electricity.
Government’s extended electrification programme that commenced in July 2005 will facilitate the provision of electricity to numerous communities in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. It is funded through a US$34M loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The programme, Persaud said is on par with government’s objective to provide the infrastructure so that citizens can enjoy a better living standard having total access to the necessities of a modern society.
He also urged that the beneficiaries avoid the theft of electricity which is a serious concern and a great contributor to the high consumption cost.
“I think we need to take that seriously, if we want to build a modern country with all the necessities, we have to also be prepared to support that infrastructure,” Persaud said.
Conservation, he noted is another issue that must be taken into consideration to alleviate the high cost and may include moving away from the reliability on fossil fuel, which is expensive.
Persaud also addressed Guyana’s commitment to the development of hydro power in the next five years as it has the potential to do so in the context of reducing the reliability on fossil fuel and advancing toward cheaper fuel.
The Cuba/Guyana energy saving initiative, according to Persaud is another element in government’s drive to reduce electricity consumption.
Construction Manager of the UAEP, Kumar Sharma said the programme is in keeping with government’s commitment to provide infrastructure at subsidised costs to consumers in isolated communities.
Overall areas benefiting in Region Six are: Rotterdam, Lansdale, Brothers, Sisters, Cumberland, Hampshire South, Kortberaad Tain Block 4, Kilcoy Chesney SILWFC, Whim, Wire Dam, Adelphi, Belvedere, Nigg North, Yakusari, Johanna, Mibicuri, Lesbeholden, Albion Area H& J, Fort Ordnance, Grassfield, Bangladesh, Ankerville Block-R, Adventure/Friendship First Street, Number 77 Village, Number 78 Village, Corriverton, Number 70 Village, Glasgow Housing Scheme.
In his address, Deputy Regional Chairman of Region Six, Kadim Bacchus said electricity is a key element in the development spectrum and the provision of this service indicates government’s continued support to put in place such infrastructure.
A section of the gathering at Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice where the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme was commissioned on April 2
He expressed confidence that further benefits are in store for citizens through the programme that was implemented by the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL).
“In the months and years ahead, the government and GPL will be pressing ahead to provide electricity to many areas in Region Six and residents can feel happier and make life a little easier,” he said.
On March 29, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also commissioned the UAEP in Sophia, one of the pilot areas under this project.
The second phase of the UAEP is expected to commence during the second quarter of the year.
This current project is scheduled to be followed by a hinterland component which will also be funded by the IDB.
The programme is being executed in conjunction with an additional $700M government-funded project, which will facilitate its expansion. This component is being executed through the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP).
Materials are currently being procured for the execution of this aspect of the programme, which commenced in the last quarter of 2005.
UAEP’s construction is being executed by three contractors - Cummings Electrical, Power Lines Construction Company and Dynamic Engineering.
Beneficiaries are expected to pay $10,000 for meter and interconnection in addition to $5000 for security deposit.
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