September 3 new Constitutional time-frame for Elections
- Follows GECOM’s inability to meet August 4 deadline
Georgetown , GINA, May 3, 2006
The Amendment to Article 61 of the Constitution of Guyana to create more flexibility in the Constitutional timeline for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to hold General Elections was based on GECOM”s indication to the President that it was unable to hold Elections before August 30.
This would have seen GECOM being unable to meet the stipulated August 4 Constitutional timeline that was set before the Amendment.
The Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo, by Proclamation dissolved Parliament on May 2. The President similarly dissolved the ten Regional Democratic Councils.
Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said that prior to the dissolution, Parliament had approved a Constitutional Amendment to extend to four months the time within which an election of Members of Parliament must be held after a dissolution.
“That Amendment meant that Elections must be held Constitutionally on or before September 3, 2006, since dissolution took place on May 2, 2006. Article 61, the Article amended, main intent is to provide a cushion, some flexibility to GECOM in meeting its obligations to hold General Elections within a Constitutionally-mandated time frame after a dissolution of Parliament,” Dr. Luncheon said.
The HPS further added that this Amendment by the Government essentially provides GECOM with that Constitutional cover to hold Elections not three but four months from the time of dissolution of May 2.
However, Dr. Luncheon said that the People’s National Congress Reform, the main Opposition Party, has sought to ascribe unknown motivations for the Amendment.
“It should clear to all why that provision existed in the Constitution in the first place. It is even more obvious that the need for its existence was broadly appreciated across the body politic and within the social partners to the extent that successive rounds of Constitutional reform left that Article (61) untouched,” said.
The PNCR’s scepticism flow from its public diatribes about GECOM’s inability to discharge its Constitutional mandate, Dr. Luncheon said. He added “but we are all beholden of the fact that GECOM is independent and that its independence must be respected. It should be noted that GECOM notified the President that Elections could not be held before August 30, 2006. Thus, a Constitutional mechanism had to be found to remedy the situation caused by the original Article 61 obligation to have Elections held by August 4.”
It is the Administration‘s firm belief that “the existence of that remedy contemplated the frailties involved in setting time frames that are effected by the will of the Executive, the Constitution and GECOM separately,” the HPS said.
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Small excavators for Pomeroon
Georgetown, GINA, April 04, 2006.
Two small excavators are being shipped today to Region Two to aid in drainage and irrigation (D&I) in the upper and lower Pomeroon River. They will replace one of the heavy-duty machines deployed earlier in the year.
The swapping of the machines was announced by President Bharrat Jagdeo during a meeting in the Region in March, when residents complained that the two excavators are inappropriate because of the soil texture and geography of the Pomeroon.
The two excavators are among 15 that were purchased by government at a cost of approximately $500M and is one of the measures being undertaken by the administration to alleviate the risk of flooding. Regions One, Three, Four, Five and Six have also benefited through the use of these equipment.
Chairman of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Rudolph Gajraj said the other machine will remain to serve the Region.
At present, the machines are being used to excavate drains at Cozier and construct an embankment along the Riverstown canal. Work is scheduled for other areas such as Manikuru canal and Goodhope.
A shipment of agricultural machines and equipment valued at Euros 3.2 M arrived in the country on March 28 to aid the D&I system, particularly in the MMA/ADA scheme. The funds were provided by the Italian government.
The machines are intended to improve the D&I system that will benefit 25 000 acres of farm land between Mahaica and Mahaicony while at least 16, 000 acres will be developed at a later date under Phase II of the MMA/ADA scheme.
Another project being undertaken by the MMA/ADA is the construction of a flood embankment at Abary to prevent the overflow of river water into the agricultural areas during high tides. This project is being undertaken as part of the Authority’s 2006 civil works programme.
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Government, PSC sign MoU on National Competitiveness Strategy
President Bharrat Jagdeo witnesses the signing of the MoU on the National Competitiveness Strategy by Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon on Government’s behalf and Chairman of the PSC Yesu Persaud on behalf of the Private Sector. (OP photo by Sandra Prince)
Georgetown, GINA, May 4, 2006
The Government of Guyana and the Private Sector Commission (PSC) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets out what has been agreed between the entities regarding the foundation and operation of the new National Competitiveness Council (NCC).
Affixing their signatures to the document in the presence of President Bharrat Jagdeo were Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon on Government’s behalf and Chairman of the PSC Yesu Persaud on behalf of the Private Sector.
Witnessing the signing ceremony at the Office of the President were members of the PSC and the Project Adviser to the President on the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS) Kevin Logan. The NCC will be Guyana's main institution for high-level public-private dialogue on the Strategy and all competitiveness-related issues.
The MoU would serve as an institutional structure to support public-private dialogue on the NCS and in signing this MoU, both parties commit to supporting the NCC in accordance with:
- The definition of the roles and responsibilities of the NCC and supporting institutions
- The NCC membership structure, which will comprise 12 persons, six to be nominated by government, four by the Private Sector and two by organized labour. The Council would be chaired by the President and in his absence, the Prime Minister.
- The method of nomination of members to the NCC
- The schedule for commencing the work of the NCC
Today’s signing signals recognition by Government and the PSC that genuine partnership between the two sectors enhances Guyana's ability to implement policies and programmes which boost national competitiveness. As an expression of this, since September 2005, the Government and the private sector (led by the PSC) have been working to consult widely amongst national stakeholders and to provide input to the Office of the President and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, enabling them to update the NCS.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon and Chairman of the PSC Yesu Persaud exchange the agreement signed at the Office of the President. (OP photo by Sandra Prince)
This update - the second draft of the NCS - contains a significant number of new policies and programmes which the Government has committed to implementing, as well as outlining a new institutional structure for ongoing public-private dialogue on competitiveness issues.
This MoU is also premised on several important events including the release by Office of the President and Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of first draft policy discussion paper on competitiveness: "Enhancing National Competitiveness: Implementing the National Strategy" in July last. Positive responses were received from the PSC in September and the first bout of national consultation on the NCS begun.
This consultation exercise was led by (for the Government) a Cabinet Steering Committee chaired by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce; and (for the private sector) the PSC's Trade and Investment Sub-Committee. The overall effort was supported by an ad-hoc public-private Steering Committee composed of representatives of the Office of the President, the Tourism Ministry, and the PSC.
The Government, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), engaged the services of four teams of international consultants to look in particular at four areas of competitiveness policy:
- Strengthening the Environment for Private Sector Investment
- Strengthening Enterprise Competitiveness for Export Development
- Developing Fast-Track Sectors of the Economy
- Strengthening Public-Private Dialogue for Competitiveness
Government and the Private Sector Commission representative after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets out what has been agreed between the entities regarding the foundation and operation of the new National Competitiveness Council (NCC). (OP photo by Sandra Prince)
These four areas were looked at because they are covered under the Government's upcoming Support for Competitiveness Programme, which is receiving funding from the IDB. The Government, the PSC and the IDB worked together to finalise the Terms of Reference for the consultancies to cover each area.
Additionally, under joint Government / PSC leadership, seven public-private focus groups were held covering
- Investment Promotion / Red Tape
- Competition Policy / Consumer Protection
- Framework for Export Promotion / Trade Negotiation
- Technology, Skills, Financing and BDS
- Developing Fast Track Sectors: Aquaculture
- Developing Fast Track Sectors: Contract manufacturing/services exports
- Facilitating Public / Private Sector Cooperation
Government and the PSC are expected to issue a joint statement later.
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Tutorial alumni to provide IT lab
Georgetown , GINA, May 4, 2006
Former University of Guyana Professor, now Associate Professor at the State University of New York and President of the New York Chapter of the Tutorial alumni, Dr. Lear Matthews has committed that the New York Chapter will provide assistance to the Computer lab when the school is complete.
On May 4 Dr. Matthews and Executive Member of the Guyana Chapter of the Tutorial High school alumni Malcolm Parris paid a courtesy call on Minister of Education Dr. Henry Jeffrey.
Minister Jeffrey said that they discussed assistance for the school. He is also a product of this institution.
“I have been telling them about the need for a technical and vocational centre at the school,” he told GINA.
Meanwhile Dr. Matthews said who is on a six-month sabbatical here said he visited the school and was very inspired with the extent of the repairs.
He said that the New York Chapter of the alumni has agreed to provide 30 computers for students to use in the Information Technology (IT) lab.
Dr, Matthews has been facilitating several workshops and lectures with staff and students of the University of Guyana.
He said he was very impressed with interactions he had with students of the University of Guyana Tain Campus and with the facilities there as well.
The Ministry of Education is refurbishing the Tutorial High school through the Basic Education Access Management Support (BEAMS) programme at a cost of $137M.
The school is expected to be commissioned soon.
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Arrival Day – honouring Indian contribution to Guyana’s development
Georgetown GINA May 04, 2006
Guyanese will join their East Indian brothers and sisters in celebrating Arrival Day on Friday, May 5 to commemorate the 168 th Anniversary of the arrival of East Indians to Guyana.
This day, also observed in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago draws attention to the significant contributions made by East Indians to the country’s socio-economic development.
Although Arrival Day is observed as a national holiday in Guyana, recognition is still given to the contributions made by other ethnic groups who also arrived during the same period.
May marks the date of arrival of Portuguese, Europeans and Chinese who now constitute the six ethnicities in Guyana;
All groups, including Africans and Amerindians have contributed significantly to the socio-economic and political make-up of Guyana.
Their arrival in the Caribbean from the Western hemisphere was intended to serve as an alternative to the labour shortage in Guyana, following the abolition of slavery in 1838.
Historically, the East Indians were seen as the only suitable alternative to labour after the British experimented with other groups.
Senior Lecturer and Dean of the School of Education and Humanities, at the University of Guyana, Tota Mangar said that East Indians played a significant role in the sugar industry to such an extent that they ensured its survival following the abolition of slavery.
He said that they contributed to every facet of life beginning with the sugar industry.
For a long period after their arrival, many ventured into rice cultivation, cattle rearing, milk-selling and cash crop cultivation, according to Mangar.
He said that over the years many explored other avenues and became active in boat-building and cab-driving. When greater opportunities were provided many became doctors and lawyers.
East Indians were the only immigrants who were suitable for plantation life. European labourers were brought to Guyana and other parts of the Caribbean to work on the plantations, but over the years were unable to prove their suitability since many were unaccustomed to plantation life.
Portuguese also came under the same immigration scheme from Madeira, a Portuguese island in the Atlantic off Morocco. This group was also unsuitable to plantation life and either returned to their native land or ventured into other business avenues.
The Chinese came in family groups from the rural community of Kukein and Kawangtung during the 1860 scheme. Like Europeans and Portuguese they were unsuitable and became few in number over the years because the cost of immigration was high and China was a far way off.
British planters had high expectations for East Indian labourers because of their dedication to work. The British government spent 50,000 pounds per year on Indian immigration.
Their years of services in the labour force were however, not easy as many of them experienced harsh living and working conditions, similar to those experienced by African slaves.
Their difficult conditions were compounded by the fact that many were deprived of basic educational rights and were unable to vote.
Nevertheless, they endured and were still able to perpetuate social, religious and cultural traditions which are today commemorated by national holidays.
The tradition lives on today to an extent that East Indians are now the largest segment of the population in Guyana.
Each year the government of Guyana in collaboration with the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) organises a series of cultural presentations, including dance performances by the famous Gujarati Folk Dance Troupe from India.
This will be the third year since the troupe has been visiting Guyana. Their visit is part of a cultural exchange programme established between the Government of Guyana and India during a visit by President Jagdeo in August 2003.
The group specialises in various cultural and interpretative dances and. female dancers are known to carry decorated pots and sticks on which lighted diyas are placed, while the male dancers perform the Dandiya Raas.
This year the dance troupe was again invited through the organisation of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and the IAC to perform at three Melas.
The first was held on April 30 at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground Region Two, where thousands gathered while the second will be held on May 5, at the Albion Community Centre ground. The third is billed for May 7, at the National Park.
The Melas will include cultural presentations in the form of skits, dances and poems by local artistes and the Gujarati Dance Troupe of India.
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Banking sector must prepare for int’l and regional competition
- President Jagdeo declares open GBTI’s business conference
Georgetown, GINA, May 4, 2006
The banking sector has a crucial role to play in the production process and competition, not only within the local and regional economy, but also internationally and hence it is imperative that the private sector prepares.
This is one of the many challenges meted out today by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the participants of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry’s Business Conference hosted at Le Meridien Pegasus.
GBTI led the way for the private sector by being the first private entity in Guyana to host a business conference for local and regional counterparts, an initiative that was launched by President Jagdeo. The Business conference 2006 was held under the theme “Defining a Successful Business Strategy within the CSME,’ a theme, President Jagdeo remarked that should focus on defining successful strategy, not within the CSME, but rather a strategy that would address competition at all levels.
The President explained that several challenges are posed by globalisation and while countries cannot tackle them independently, an opportunity is offered to do so collectively through the single market. Hence, he noted that the time for talk is at an end as the CSME is here and countries have to work together. However, the Head of State was quick to point out that countries don’t compete, but rather businesses do and the role of the private sector in the success of the single market and economy is critical.
Citing an example, the President said CARICOM has managed to create a regional economy of $50B and while a $1B economy of a particular country may fail to attract attention internationally, this large regional economy certainly would not.
“A large bank in the United States or Europe would not pay any attention to this $1B economy, it may be too small but an economy of $50B will definitely attract their attention. So do not for a moment think that your competition would only be from regional competitors. By pooling our economic states we have now become attractive to competitors from the rest of the world,” the President said.
It is in this context that he urged the participants to consider a strategy not within the CSME, but rather one that tackles the international situation.
The banking sector was also urged to boost its capacity, which is one way to handle the competition.
“We have to develop the instruments that you have available now in the banking sector so that they can match any instrument and service provided out of or within the region. So it is a development of the services offered to customers,” the President said.
President Jagdeo also urged bankers to work at reducing the cost of intermediation, which would be reflected in lending rates.
Additionally, “You have to move away from seeing yourselves as outside of the production cycle. You are a very important part of that cycle, in fact some may say the most important part of that cycle because without effective and efficient credit the economy cannot do well and therefore I hope that today’s conference would allow the bankers to get closer with their customers and not just see them as a subject for making loans, but would also see themselves as part of the economic strategy of the country,” the President said.
He also called on the bankers to work at establishing a Credit bureau, which would avoid bad debtors from accessing further loans.
However, the Head of State was quick to acknowledge that there are still too many outstanding issues to be addressed by both government and the private sector and work is being done on government’s part. He alluded to the Presidential business summit to be held by the private sector as one example of taking the relations between the two entities higher.
Also addressing the opening ceremony of the conference were Chairman of GBTI, Robin Stoby and Chief Executive Officer of the bank Radhakrishna Sharma. The feature address was delivered by Ambassador Joan Underwood, Non-resident Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda to Latin America. She also holds the posts of that country’s National Spokesperson on CSME and as Manager, Human Resources and Strategic Development, ABI, Financial.
The conference also featured a distinguished panel delivering presentations on various issues in the sector.
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Banking sector must prepare for int’l and regional competition
- President Jagdeo declares open GBTI’s business conference
President Bharrat Jagdeo and GBTI’s CEO Radhakrishna Sharma in discussion at the Business Conference hosted at Le Meridien Pegasus under the theme “Defining a Successful Business Strategy within the CSME.’ Sandra Prince photo
Georgetown, GINA, May 4, 2006
The banking sector has a crucial role to play in the production process and competition, not only within the local and regional economy, but also internationally and hence it is imperative that the private sector prepares.
This is one of the many challenges meted out today by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the participants of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry’s Business Conference hosted at Le Meridien Pegasus.
GBTI led the way for the private sector by being the first private entity in Guyana to host a business conference for local and regional counterparts, an initiative that was launched by President Jagdeo. The Business conference 2006 was held under the theme “Defining a Successful Business Strategy within the CSME,’ a theme, President Jagdeo remarked that should focus on defining successful strategy, not within the CSME, but rather a strategy that would address competition at all levels.
The President explained that several challenges are posed by globalisation and while countries cannot tackle them independently, an opportunity is offered to do so collectively through the single market. Hence, he noted that the time for talk is at an end as the CSME is here and countries have to work together. However, the Head of State was quick to point out that countries don’t compete, but rather businesses do and the role of the private sector in the success of the single market and economy is critical.
Citing an example, the President said CARICOM has managed to create a regional economy of $50B and while a $1B economy of a particular country may fail to attract attention internationally, this large regional economy certainly would not.
“A large bank in the United States or Europe would not pay any attention to this $1B economy, it may be too small but an economy of $50B will definitely attract their attention. So do not for a moment think that your competition would only be from regional competitors. By pooling our economic states we have now become attractive to competitors from the rest of the world,” the President said.
President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the Guyana’s Bank for Trade and Industry Business Conference hosted at Le Meridien Pegasus under the theme “Defining a Successful Business Strategy within the CSME.’ Sandra Prince photo
It is in this context that he urged the participants to consider a strategy not within the CSME, but rather one that tackles the international situation.
The banking sector was also urged to boost its capacity, which is one way to handle the competition.
“We have to develop the instruments that you have available now in the banking sector so that they can match any instrument and service provided out of or within the region. So it is a development of the services offered to customers,” the President said.
President Jagdeo also urged bankers to work at reducing the cost of intermediation, which would be reflected in lending rates.
Additionally, “You have to move away from seeing yourselves as outside of the production cycle. You are a very important part of that cycle, in fact some may say the most important part of that cycle because without effective and efficient credit the economy cannot do well and therefore I hope that today’s conference would allow the bankers to get closer with their customers and not just see them as a subject for making loans, but would also see themselves as part of the economic strategy of the country,” the President said.
He also called on the bankers to work at establishing a Credit bureau, which would avoid bad debtors from accessing further loans.
However, the Head of State was quick to acknowledge that there are still too many outstanding issues to be addressed by both government and the private sector and work is being done on government’s part. He alluded to the Presidential business summit to be held by the private sector as one example of taking the relations between the two entities higher.
Also addressing the opening ceremony of the conference were Chairman of GBTI, Robin Stoby and Chief Executive Officer of the bank Radhakrishna Sharma. The feature address was delivered by Ambassador Joan Underwood, Non-resident Ambassador for Antigua and Barbuda to Latin America. She also holds the posts of that country’s National Spokesperson on CSME and as Manager, Human Resources and Strategic Development, ABI, Financial.
The conference also featured a distinguished panel delivering presentations on various issues in the sector.
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PUBLIC RELATIONS & EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Camp Ayanganna, Thomas Lands
Tele No: 226—8002
GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE
PRESS RELEASE
FBI WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE GDF
The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is working closely with the Guyana Defense Force in the missing weapons case. The GDF’s investigation is progressing and they have identified several suspects. The FBI assisted the GDF in conducting several polygraph examinations and interviews. The investigation produced additional leads that are being analyzed by the FBI, GDF and other organization in Guyana and the United States.
One suspect in the custody of the Guyana Police Force identified himself as Mustafa Abdullah Muhamad a.k.a. Edmond DeFreitas. He said he was a bodyguard for Clayton Hudson. In addition to Mustafa several Police Officers were killed. His is currently wanted by the Trinidadian authorities, Abdullah Muhamad was allegedly involved in Jamaat Al Muslimeen’s violent coup against the Trinidadian Government in 1990. The coup lasted six days and his alleged involvement in a murder attempt on a former member, Jamaat Al Muslimeen. The FBI is continuing to assist with the investigation.
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Gujarati dance troupe delights audience at National Cultural Centre
Georgetown GINA, May 04, 2006
The Gujarati Fold Dance Troupe from India performed in an evening of cultural dance at the National Cultural Centre on May 04, held to commemorate the 168 th arrival anniversary of East Indians to Guyana.
The troupe’s performance in Guyana is part of a cultural exchange programme that was established between the Government of Guyana and India, during a visit by President Jagdeo in August 2003.
The large audience included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Bibi Shadick and Minister of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, Clement Rohee.
Indian High Commissioner Avinash Gupta dedicated the evening to the Indian immigrants who triumphed over the harsh working conditions that existed on the plantations of Guyana, during their services as indentured labourers in the 19 th Century.
“This performance tonight would not have been possible, had not the Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sport not extended hospitality to the troupe and the Indian Culture Council not sent the troupe to this part of the world.”
The group consists of male and female dancers who specialize in various cultural and interpretative dances using decorated posts and sticks on which lighted diyas are placed.
This year the troupe was again invited through the organisation of the Ministry of Culture,Youth and Sport and the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) to perform at three melas.
The first was held on April 30 at the Anna Regina Community Centre ground, Region Two, where thousands gathered, while the second will be held today at the Albion Community Centre Ground.
Speeches by various religions, regional and government officials were made, highlighting the contribution of East Indians to the development of Guyana.
The programme included cultural presentations in the form of skit, dances and poems by local artistes and the Gujarati Dance Troupe. The third performance is billed for May 7 at the National Park, Georgetown.
The troupe is part of the Rangashree School of Fine Arts in New Delhi, India which promotes Indian art and culture through classes, workshops and performances of classical and folk dances.
The Rangashree traces its origin to 1978 when a group of talented and dedicated artistes came together to perform for drought relief in Gujarat. They were formerly named the Tahuko and Paulomi Pandit.
Outside India, the Rangashree artistes represent Indian tradition in many countries in Europe, France, Italy, Spain, Dubai and Muscat.
With private and government support, the Rangashree’s performances have emerged as one of the top performing arts group in Gujarat.
Members of the Gugarati Folk Dance Troupe of India performing at the National Cultural Centre
Members of the Gugarati Folk Dance Troupe performing at the National Cultural Centre
A section of the audience at the National Cultural Centre which included Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Labour Human Services and Social Security Bibi Shadick, and Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee, who attended the evening of dance by the Gugarati Folk Dance Troup
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Government considering enhancing security at Post Offices
-Prime Minister
Georgetown , GINA May 4, 2006
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds today said government is considering the strengthening security measures at various branches of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC).
The comment was made during a visit to a female employee who was hospitalized on Saturday, following an armed robbery.
Twenty-nine year old Alisha Marshall of Kitty Post Office was shot in the hip during a daring daylight robbery staged by armed bandits while on duty last Saturday.
Accompanying the Prime Minister was Chairman of the GPOC Juan Edghill, fellow employees and representatives of the Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union.
While at the hospital the Prime Minister expressed his regrets to the family members and friends of the injured employee.
Marshall’s brother expressed deep concern about the incident, noting more should be done to secure employees since the nature of the organisation allows for contact with members of the public.
The Kitty Post Office is one of several to be robbed by bandits within the last few months.
Among those targeted were the Fort Wellington in Region Five and Aurora in Region Seven.
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Guyana will utilise Rio Group Chairmanship to further cement links between Caribbean and Latin America – Minister Insanally
Georgetown, GINA, May 04, 2006
“The Rio Group remains a very powerful instrument for integration, …I want to assure you that our Chairmanship will be a very purposeful one intended to bring our countries together in closer cooperation and consultation so our peoples can become closer, that is our agenda and purpose for the chairmanship.”
This is the vision adumbrated by Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally at the handing over ceremony of a generous donation by the Government of Chile to assist Guyana in the provision of simultaneous English/Spanish interpretation for upcoming Rio Group meetings.
Handing over the cheque to Minister Insanally at the Foreign Service Institute was Chilean Ambassador accredited to Guyana, resident in Jamaica H.E Alfonso Silva.
Minister Insanally expressed Government’s appreciation for the Chilean’s gesture to assist with the interpretation services.
“It is vitally necessary to all meetings and will serve us in good stead,” for the Foreign Ministers meeting and the Rio Summit, Minister Insanally explained.
He recalled the Chilean President Ricardo Lagos’ visit to Guyana for the inaugural ceremony of the Caribbean Community’s Secretariat during which talks were held on Guyana’s chairing of the prestigious group.
“In our chairmanship we have been inspired by your work in the Rio Group and we want to establish as our priority the approximation of the two Regions, Latin America and the Caribbean which for reasons of history and geography have in the past been separated.”
Elaborating, the Foreign Minister said we are living in a brave new world where barriers of separation have to be brought down and it is felt that Guyana is strategically placed given its geophysical location, to serve as a point of communication between the two Regions.
Chilean Ambassador Silva explained that since Chile became a democratic State, his country has been establishing dialogue in political areas and on economic issues with countries of CARICOM and also those of the Rio Group among other regional groupings.
“We feel Guyana is an integral part of South America and in that sense, it is only logical that it would be the corridor to enhance (Latin America’s) the relationship with the English-speaking Caribbean countries and we appreciate that strongly, “Ambassador Silva said
The Chilean Ambassador lauded the significant role played by Minister Insanally in international relations between his country and other countries of Latin and South America.
“He has for a long time showed a long interest in South American relations and we are very proud to have him as a counterpart in this vision,” Ambassador Silva added.
Minister Insanally said the Foreign Ministers meeting is slated for mid-June.
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People would be held accountable - President
- Special committee to monitor law enforcement established
Georgetown, GINA, May 4, 2006
Government will no longer tolerate explanation of ongoing operations that seemingly do not yield result as the country’s crime rate escalates. This is why Cabinet has established a Cabinet Sub-committee that would examine the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies’ operations.
“It would involve not just Ministers, but people from outside of the Cabinet, who are familiar with security matters and will look for results. And people would be held accountable for results, not just the chat anymore,” President Bharrat Jagdeo said during a special interview with journalists from private and State media today.
The Head of State said government would now be playing a more integral role in law enforcement rather than just that of policy-making.
“We think that people have to be held accountable for results. For too long we have allowed the security forces to say to us that we are in operational mode. We are doing things. They may be very well doing a lot of things, but what matters are results. Are we solving the cases? How many cases of murder have we solved? That has to be assessed. Why is it that with 5,500 security officials in the Police and the Army we have a little nest of bandits terrorizing this country in Buxton, maybe 20 of them and we can’t get them? Is it that they are starved for resources?” the President queried.
Government spends more than $7B annually on these two agencies.
“They have the tools. They have the training. They have had the legislative support, the morale support and the independence to plan operations,” the President said, adding that “now we have to focus on results.”
On May 3, 2006 Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Cabinet Secretary and Secretary to the Defence Board Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing disclosed Cabinet’s decision to set up the Sub-Committee, after recognising the fe ars about the security of ordinary Guyanese that abound in the current climate, which is being caused by “criminals using guns to execute their crimes.”
Dr. Luncheon added that “alarmingly, the weapons being used have also become increasingly sophisticated.”
President Jagdeo noted that criticisms were levelled at the administration on previous occasions that it should not get involved in operational issues regarding security. However, recently, the President noted, some of the same groups have called on government to get involved. The administration’s view, he said, is that there should be a balance.
Guyana has witnessed an increase in sophisticated crimes recently, with a particular inclination to assassinations, the victims of which included Government Minister Satyadeow Sawh. Minister Sawh was assassinated on April 22 along with two siblings and the security guard at his residence, an incident that also left several others injured.
Today, President Jagdeo indicated that there have been no further developments in the Minister’s murder case. The ballistics have linked the killers to other victims who that were executed recently
“But nothing further. That is the most. We have not apprehended. They are still out there. I don’t think we conclusively determined why. We know they went there to kill him,” the President said. He added that the opportunity for robbery was not focused on in a major way and the planning that went into the execution tells the story that he was targeted.
“Why would you want to kill a Minister of Government, if the motive was not robbery?” the President questioned, adding that the “guilty ones” have been spreading several rumours about why the Minister was killed.
“As far as we are concerned, he was assassinated. Now the investigative work is to say who sent the killers and, is this a prelude?” the President asked.
The Minister’s assassination resulted in heightened concerns and understandably calls for more efficient and effective crime fighting. Some sections of society have even called for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police Winston Felix, citing his incapability to handle the situation.
Government has requested international assistance to fight crime and solve the murder of the Minister, as well as to recover the AK 47s that are missing from the Guyana Defence Force.
The assistance to be provided by the Canadian Government will soon be made known.
Meanwhile, new Police Stations would be commissioned during the third quarter of this year at Sophia, Greater Georgetown, Diamond/Grove, East Bank Demerara and in Region Five to close the gap in police presence.
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