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Significant improvement in Region Five D&I system

• Regional Chairman

Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2006.

The drainage and irrigation (D&I) system in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) has been considerably enhanced due to government’s input in various projects.

Region Five Chairman, Harrinarine Baldeo said that farmlands have been empoldered and internal drains linking the façade were excavated in many areas particularly on the West Coast Berbice. During the 2005 and 2006 floods, substantial work was done in villages from Bath Settlement to Profit.

At present, canals are being dug and embankments built along the De Hoop Branch road in Mahaica with the excavators provided to the region for boosting the drainage system. This region received four of the 15 machines purchased by government.

Work is being done at Yankee and Pandit canals while others earmarked for clearing are Handsome Tree, Poor Fellow and Biaboo. Some of these canals were inspected last week by a team of officials led by Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock, Harripersaud Nokta.

On the same day, the team visited the Mahaicony Creek where they met farmers and discussed drainage and other issues. Farmers spoke about a proposal they had previously made to establish a canal along the right bank of the Mahaicony Creek to accelerate the flow of water.

Minister Nokta had advised that a site visit should be made by engineers of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), the regional administration and farmers.

The visit was undertaken yesterday and included the Regional Chairman, who explained that the proposed site of the canal is from Hyde Park to Guyana Grove, further down the Creek. This diversion will omit the water’s flow around a right angle turn at Devil’s Hole. Farmers are of the view that this turn is responsible for the slow drainage during high tides.

Baldeo said surveys are expected to be done by the MMA/ADA to determine the possibility of establishing the canal.

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Contractor aims to complete Kurupukari bridge repairs by Monday

• rising water poses difficulties
  

Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2006.

The government is assuring the public that all efforts are being made to urgently effect repairs to the collapsed Kurupukari bridge and the contractor has indicated that repairs may be completed by Monday.

Government has given a $12M contract to Mekdeci Machinery and Construction (MMC) Incorporated to execute the repairs which started earlier in the week.

Chief Executive Officer of MMC, Carl Morgan said the contractor is working to complete the project by Monday but, bad weather and rising river levels are posing threats.

He said even transporting the materials from Demerara Timbers Limited, Mabura to the bridge site is very difficult.

Region Nine Chairman, Vincent Henry said the region is making arrangements for a boat to be stationed at Kurupukari to aid travel of persons until the bridge is repaired. This arrangement would become operable today or tomorrow, Henry said.

He noted that transportation of goods and services to the region is quite a hassle but, the region is being supplied with basic items. However, prices of goods have risen since more cost is incurred in transporting the items.

Henry said that during a recent visit to the bridge by President of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Daniel Gajie and himself, it was observed that MMC had already assembled materials and workmen were on site.

The Regional Chairman pointed out that prompt action was taken by government immediately after the bridge’s collapse as a site visit was made shortly after the incident by engineers of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. However, he expressed dissatisfaction that actual work has been prolonged.

This has been attributed to the change in the repair methodology as a result of more damage to the structure during the process to extract the overloaded truck that caused the bridge’s collapse on April 25.

Each year government allocates huge sums to improve highways, roads and bridges in various areas across the country including Region Nine.

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Security measures heightened in Berbice

- Investigation underway into police response to robbery

Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2006

Measures to enhance security in East Berbice, Region Six, are underway, with additional police patrols, and the establishment of a 911 Berbice emergency number.
Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira, during a visit to the area on May 17, told residents that all avenues will be explored to ensure that violent criminal activities does not escalate, and spread throughout the Division.

Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira, interacts with the Canje family who were robbed on Tuesday, May 16, while meeting residents and members of Community Policing Groups to discuss issues relating to criminal activity in Berbice.  

Attempts to activate the 911 emergency number in Berbice were previously undertaken, but due to technical difficulties, it has not been operational.

“The idea was to have a 911 number that is relative to ‘B’ Division. This meant that the operation of the system would be executed in Berbice, providing a quick response mechanism. However, due to technical difficulties, calls were being routed to the Georgetown 911 emergency number, which was resulting in an overload of that system,” Minister Teixeira said.

Efforts to address the technical problems should soon result in the number becoming operational, the Minister explained.

Commander of ‘B’ Division, Clinton Conway, said that two special patrols have been deployed to traverse the area at nights, and contingency measures will be put in place to ensure that an adequate number of ranks is always on duty.

These remarks come in wake of a robbery which occurred on Tuesday at the residence of an overseas-based Guyanese family in Betsy Ground, East Canje. Family members claimed that although several calls were made to the Reliance, Albion and New Amsterdam Police Stations, ranks arrived hours after the incident occurred.

In this regard, the Minister said, “I’ve spoken with the Commissioner…he has designated a senior officer to conduct an investigation into the handling of the situation by police in the Division.”

She indicated that information provided so far by the police and residents suggest that several aspects of the police’s response mechanism did not function effectively. The investigation will therefore seek to address this, and corrective measures would immediately be implemented.

Community Policing Groups, the Minister said, must also play their part in the thrust to tackle crime and violence.

Consequently, Administrator of the Ministerial Unit for Community Policing Groups, Ret’d Deputy Commander, Ovid Glasgow, has since been deployed to Berbice to assist with the strengthening of relations between police and community policing groups.

The Minister urged residents to be more vigilant and forthcoming in the provision of information regarding criminal activities.

This, she said is integral to addressing crime, since a significant percent of the crime is drug related, and is executed by individuals known to the community.

Minister Teixeira is scheduled to return to Berbice shortly, where she will be meeting residents, members of Non-Governmental Organisations and security officials throughout the Division.

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Cabinet members fan out for regional 40 th Independence observances

Georgetown , GINA, May 17, 2006.

Several Members of the Cabinet including President Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be joining Guyanese in the 10 Administrative Regions to celebrate Guyana’s 40 th independence anniversary in grand style.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today made this announcement.

The Flag Raising Ceremony commemorating the Independence of Guyana will, as usual take place on May 25, 2006, at the National Park, with the Golden Arrowhead being hoisted at midnight.

The President will address the nation at the grand celebration at the National Park in the City.

This historic 40 th anniversary will be accentuated with a cultural programme being planned by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the climax of which would be the fireworks display.

The following Cabinet members will join the regional flag-raising ceremonies.

Guyana gained independence from Great Britain on May 26, 1966. A relatively young independent nation, Guyana has made many strides, but there remains a long road ahead for the country that is rising out of decades of oppression dating back to the years of slavery.

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Monitoring of flood control mechanisms intensify

• As May-June rains here

Georgetown , GINA, May 18, 2006

Government, through the relevant agencies, is closely monitoring flood control mechanisms and the committees to monitor drainage and irrigation works have been reconvened

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing said “the May-June rainy season has led to the intensification of monitoring of drainage and irrigation systems, flood control structures and devices and the conservancies. Cabinet re-appointed its two committees, headed by Acting Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Harripersaud Nokta and the Prime Minister.”

These committees are responsible for monitoring actual rainfall and the impact on affected communities and monitor the functioning of drainage and irrigation and flood control systems.

“Initial reports to Cabinet have exposed the main vulnerability being the human factor as far as proper functioning of the mechanisms is concerned. They are not being opened and closed in a timely way,” Dr. Luncheon said.

As a result, Cabinet has decided to direct more of its attention to communities and has assigned teams of Ministers to be responsible for monitoring and reporting on specific Regions.

Below is a list of the Ministers and the areas for which they are responsible:

Hinterland Regions - Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues

Region Four - Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford

Region Three - Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Service and Social Security Bibi Shadick

Georgetown - Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Anthony Xavier

Region Six - Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

Region Five - Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Harry Narine Nawbatt

Several communities are under the threat of flood following heavy rainfall over the past few days. Prime Minister Hinds, who chairs the Special Technical Committee on flood-related matters and several Ministers visited some of the communities.

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C-Tax on diesel adjusted, prices to drop at pumps

Georgetown , GINA, May 18, 2006

The Government has announced immediate adjustments to the Consumption tax (C-Tax) on fuel and as a result of the decline in acquisition cost, the wholesale and retail prices at the pumps should come down.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today said that Government continues to adjust the C-Tax charged on fuel to cushion the effect it is having on consumers.

“With effect from May 17, the C-Tax on diesel has been reduced from 17.5 percent to 10 percent. This follows the earlier, April 20 reduction of C-Tax on gasoline from 45 percent to 30 percent,” Dr. Luncheon said.

Over the years, government has adjusted the C-Tax on fuel whenever there is a steep rise in the acquisition cost of fuel products.

“Consequently, the price of fuel at the pumps should not exceed $809 per gallon for gasoline down from $846 and $600 per gallon for diesel down from $664. Kerosene price would also be reduced to $564 per gallon down from $573,” Dr. Luncheon said.

There is no C-tax charged on kerosene.

Increased demands in India and China; the instability in the Middle East and hurricane threats to the US refineries have contributed to the drastic increases in oil price. The price on the world market for crude oil has exceeded US$70 per barrel. Guyana buys refined oil, which is about 30 per cent more expensive than crude oil.

Increases in the acquisition cost for fuel on the world market would be transferred into the electricity rates. The Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) does not pay any tax on fuel imported, hence, increased acquisition costs are reflected in rates, even though Government tries to minimise the effect.

The last fuel crisis in Guyana in the 1970s resulted in long lines at fuel stations and severe shortages, even though the prices were lower than what they are today.

About ten years ago the price per barrel of crude oil was US$10-US$12, as opposed to the US$60 per barrel in recent times.

Government is actively pursuing alternative sources of energy, including hydropower.

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Sash Sawh assassination …

• Cabinet dissatisfied with investigation

Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2006

Colleagues and friends of the late Minister of Agriculture Satyadeow Sawh who was brutally slain in his home on April 22 are dissatisfied with the progress being made with investigations into the assassination.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today said that despite assurances of the law enforcement agencies working to find the perpetrators, there have been no definitive success.

Speaking on behalf of the Cabinet and friends of the deceased, Dr. Luncheon said, “It would be fair to say that they are totally dissatisfied with the outcome so far of those investigations. Totally dissatisfied! Going on to four weeks with no breaks, seems to have left us with a situation where a colleague was shot along with members of his family in his home like what some would say ‘a yard fowl or an animal’ and not a single intervention or anything definitive is brought out for public information on that issue.”

Dr. Luncheon said the Criminal Investigation Department of the Guyana Police Force has assured that they are continuing the investigations and that the leads from the ballistics and those found from the use of the K-9 squad have given them directions, “but nothing more has been brought forward since then,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

Minister Sawh was killed along with his brother, sister and security guard Curtis Robertson at his LaBonne Intention home when heavily armed gunmen stormed his home shortly after mid-night.

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Government did not engage Roger Khan in law enforcement activities

• Dr. Luncheon

Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2006

The Government of Guyana did not enter into an agreement with Shaheed ‘Roger” Khan on the issue of law enforcement either during the 2002 crime spree or even now during the upsurge in crime.

This was categorically stated today by Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President.

“As Chairman of the Central Intelligence Committee and Secretary to the Defence Board, I am not aware that any of the two bodies engaged anyone other than state entities in discharging the responsibilities and statutory functions of the law enforcement agencies,” Dr. Luncheon said.

Responding to claims that Roger Khan had contributed to controlling the crime spree in 2002 that resulted after the February 23, 2002 jailbreak, Dr. Luncheon said, “That could not have been the results of any agreement brokered into between the Administration and Roger Khan at the level of entities for which I am chairperson or Secretary. I don’t have a recollection directly or any that was brought to my attention in that regard,” he added.

Roger Khan in a paid statement that appeared recently in the daily newspapers suggested that he played a role in the crime spree in the past and that he had on several occasions collaborated with the United States Government. The US last week issued an indictment for Roger Khan on counts of drug trafficking.

However, today Dr. Luncheon noted that no extradition request was made for Khan.

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Cabinet grants ‘no-objection’ to funds for GECOM, new secondary school

• More than $3B in contracts approved

Georgetown , GINA, May 18, 2006

In its continuing support to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Government has approved another request for funding to cover expenses to be incurred on and before polling day.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today said Cabinet at its May 17 session gave its ‘no-objection’ to several contracts among which were two to fund GECOM’s expenses. The GECOM contracts relate to security for District Offices and materials to be used on Elections day.

Meanwhile, Cabinet has also given the ‘green light’ for the construction of a multi-million dollar secondary school to be built at the new Housing Scheme at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Region Four, as well as the printing of text books to be used at the primary school level.

Additionally, the much anticipated project to resurface the road spanning Moleson Creek to New Amsterdam, Region Six will begin, as the funds were given the go-ahead to begin Phase One of the project.

Several projects will also be executed in the housing sector to construct roads, drains and structures and pure water supply in several housing areas.

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