Minister Shadick revisits relatives of slain security guard, murdered teenager
Georgetown, GINA, June 8, 2006
Human Services Minister Bibi Shadick currently on a two-day visit to Region Six, today revisited the relatives of the slain security guard and murdered teenager in Corentyne, Berbice.
The Minister visited yesterday and was updated about the respective incidents. Government is expected to assist both families with the funeral arrangements.
Security guard Allan Jordan of Fyrish Village, Corentyne, an employee of the Guyana Oil Company (GUYOIL) Terminal, Heathburn, was shot and killed when armed bandits stormed the Terminal on June 5, escaping with approximately $300,000. He was also a former member of the Guyana Defence Force. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Minister Shadick consoled the grieving relatives of the deceased. She explained Government’s concern about the crime situation and what measures are being implemented to reduce criminal activities.
During her visit to Number 19 Village, Corentyne, Minister Shadick expressed government’s condolences to the relatives of murdered 16-year old, Roshanie Pertab Singh.
According to her relatives, Singh, a student of the Berbice Educational Institute was sitting the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams which started recently.
The teenager was described as a helpful and ambitious person. She was raped and murdered while staying with an elderly woman at a house, two lots away from where she lives.
Police investigations are ongoing into these two incidents.
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President Jagdeo contributes $5M to World Cup Football broadcast
Georgetown, GINA, June 8, 2006
The National Communications Network (NCN) has received a contribution of $5M from President Bharrat Jagdeo towards the cost of broadcasting the FIFA 2006 World Cup Football Tournament.
The tournament, comprising 64 matches, is billed to start tomorrow in Germany with the host country vs. Costa Rica and Poland vs. Ecuador.
The finals would be played in Berlin on July 9.
A release from NCN said that the President’s contribution has ensured that the agency fulfills the requirements of the International Media Content (IMC) and Sportsmax to facilitate the coverage.
Several other sponsors have chipped in with $9M. The required sum to win broadcast rights is $16M. However, an additional $2M is needed by NCN and the State-owned broadcasting entity is urging sponsors to come forward.
There are 32 teams competing in this FIFA tournament, one of the most watched in the world.
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Government assessment intensifies
- Heavy rainfall continues in hinterland, coastal regions
Georgetown, GINA, June 8, 2006
Government’s assessment of the impact of heavy rainfall on hinterland and coastal communities has intensified, as senior officials fan out to affected communities.
Minister of Agriculture (ag) Harripersaud Nokta, today visited several communities in the Essequibo region, following high intensity rainfall over the past several days, which has resulted in the accumulation of water in agricultural and low-lying residential areas.
The Minister met with rice farmers at Andrews, where he discussed possible measures to address the situation. This includes the possibility of digging a sluice to aid in draining water.
However, residents of Better Success objected to this, indicating that a sluice could result in the residential areas being further affected.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Ravi Naraine, advised the residents and farmers of both communities to meet with regional officials to determine the most effective measure that can be taken to neutralise the situation.
Regional Chairman, Ali Baksh, requested two additional pumps to be stationed at Somerset and Anna Regina, which along with Andrews are most vulnerable to water accumulation.
Baksh pointed out that the region recently received $3M from Central Government to undertake drainage works, which includes the clearing of several outfall channels. This is expected to commence today.
Meanwhile, reports from Regions 1, 7 and 10 indicate mostly fair weather, with isolated showers.
A 15.5mm level of rainfall was recorded in Region 2 today, while the water level at the Boerasirie Conservancy was 62 Gd.
In Region 4, the water level was significantly high in the Cane Grove area, with 1.5 inches of rainfall being recorded over the past 24 hours.
President Bharrat Jagdeo visited Mahaica, East Coast Demerara to meet with residents and farmers while Prime Minister Samuel Hinds is in Lethem, Region 9, where there have been reports of rising water levels, due to the Takutu River overflowing its banks.
Government and Regional officials continue to monitor and assess the situation there, as relief efforts intensify.
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PM conducts further assessment in Region 9
Georgetown , GINA, June 8, 2006
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and a team of government officials today continued assessments in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) to determine the extent and impact of water retained on the land as a result of the Takutu River overflowing its banks.
The two-day visit followed instructions from President Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this morning.
Also accompanying the Prime Minister is Chairman of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup and other officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
Indications suggest that intense rainfall along the Amazon belt has resulted in dramatic rises in water levels across south-east Suriname, northern Brazil and the extreme south of Guyana.
Acting Minister of Agriculture, Harripersaud Nokta said that reports emanating from Lethem on Thursday morning suggested that water levels rose significantly over the last few days but reportedly dropped by half of an inch on Wednesday night.
According to the Minister, vehicular traffic can still venture along the land trail to as far as Annai.
The CDC will be distributing aid since some of the communities further down south have been cut off by high water levels along the roadway.
The Prime Minister will be meeting and interacting with residents, business and Regional officials to determine the extent of assistance required.
In southern Suriname water levels were reportedly in excess of six feet in some areas and evacuation efforts are being expedited.
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Commonwealth hopes for no further Elections delay
Georgetown, GINA, June 8, 2006
The Commonwealth is concerned about the postponement of the 2006 Elections beyond the Constitutionally due date and has expressed hope that there will be no further delays in the timeline.
In a letter to the Government on May 19, Commonwealth Secretary General, Donald McKinnon stated ‘I note with concern the postponement of the elections beyond the Constitutional date and sincerely hope that they will be held without further delays.’
The Commonwealth has confirmed its intention to field an Observer Group for the Elections.
This commitment followed an assessment undertaken by the Commonwealth to determine whether such a group would be free to pursue its mandate and whether there would be broad support for it.
The Organisation of American States (OAS) will also be fielding an electoral mission for the Elections while the Europeans Union (EU) has pledged finances for similar missions.
Meanwhile in an effort to intensify its preparations, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has scheduled a workshop for political parties on the Nomination process.
The workshop to be held on June 14 at the Hotel Tower, will focus on submission of the list of candidates and Party symbols, declaration of elections results and the allocation of Seats.
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Positive results from schools’ oral health programme
Georgetown , GINA, June 08, 2006
Thousands of children in government and private nursery and primary schools have been benefiting from oral health education, under the Schools’ Oral Care programme.
The programme was piloted in 1999 by the Ministries of Health and Education and sponsored by the Colgate toothpaste company and has been ongoing in a number of schools countrywide.
Today a team of oral health workers from the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre visited the Lodge Nursery School and educated the pupils on oral health practices.
Among the methods used to promote oral health and nutritional counselling, were television messages, teeth-brushing demonstrations and interactive sessions with the children.
At the end of the sessions, children were given oral health packages, containing Colgate toothpaste, toothbrushes and pamphlets on dental health and personal hygiene.
Supervisor of the Oral Care Programme Bernice Benjamin said that since its inception, the programme has produced positive responses among children in terms of getting them to brush their teeth regularly.
This was brought about due to awareness of the harmful effects of overeating sugary foods and bacteria-infected teeth.
Similar programmes are ongoing in Regions Two, Three, Five and Nine.
The health sector has seen significant improvements in dental health, with the establishment of 34 centres in Guyana.
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National benchmark assessment on stream – levels 2 & 4 being assessed
Georgetown, GINA, June 8, 2006
The Ministry of Education is forging ahead with preparations for the National Assessment Programme which replaces the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE) from next year.
A national benchmark assessment of the National Assessment programme is on stream to help in the evaluation of the system, according to Bibi Ali, Senior Test development Officer, Ministry of Education.
Exams were taken in literacy and numeracy at levels two and four across the country and the information will be analysed to review the new system which was being piloted during the last two years.
The introduction of this programme comes as reform in the education system continues to cater for the growing needs of the society and to ensure there is equity and transparency.
“Many people were saying that it was such a high stake exam to just give students a one-shot and you take that result and place students into secondary schools and that it was unfair that we were not taking into consideration variables and behaviour of the students at that particular time,” she said, noting that some of the criticisms were fair.
Emphasis is being placed on literacy and numeracy, to coincide with the Basic Education Access Management Support (BEAMS) programme which is also developing enhanced means of teaching these two areas.
However, soon other core subjects will be brought on board. In the new system, the scores at levels 2 and 4 will be added to the National Grade 6 examinations that will determine placements in secondary schools with effect from 2007.
Ms. Ali noted, however, that the placement of students is not the only reason for the programme as the results will be used for summative and formative purposes.
“It must be clear that we will not only use the results to place students but we will also use the results to improve the system, our strategies and to address weaknesses,” she pointed out.
She said the programme will help the entire education system as schools will have to look at the new curriculum, teach according to the curriculum, and focus on students at all levels, thus improving standards.
“If we wait until a certain level (Grade 6) we’re not improving standards that way. If we focus on the early years then we improve standards,” she said, noting that there needs to be accountability at all levels as well.
According to her, Regional Assessment Officers have been deployed through BEAMS and they will assist in a standardised system of assessment soon.
Presently teachers carry out the assessment at the various levels. However, Ali noted that the particular Grade teacher does not conduct the assessment for transparency reasons.
The National Grades 2 and 4 assessments are ongoing countrywide.
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Relocation of Mahaica Creek residents to begin by October
Georgetown, GINA, June 8, 2006
Given its failing quest to solve the problem of constant flooding in some Mahaica Creek communities, government is moving to relocate residents desirous of doing so by the end of October.
This assurance was given by President Bharrat Jagdeo today to Mahaica Creek residents when he visited the communities along the Creek: Joe Hook, Grass Hook, Little Biaboo and No. 10.
The recent intense rainfall has resulted in rising levels of water in many of these communities, particularly in the farmlands, once again causing farmers to lose their crops, only months after they suffered severe loss in the January flood.
“It is impossible to protect these areas. You can’t go through this every season. We have to speed up the movement of people away from this area. We started developing the area chosen and we hope that the lots can be given out by September, October the latest,” the President told residents at Joe Hook.
Residents from Joe Hook and Grass Hook, the two farthest communities along the creek, would be prioritised during the relocation exercise.
During the last flood in February, President Jagdeo had given his administration’s commitment to relocate these residents to the Dochfour/Hope area, along the East Coast Demerara, Region Four. The President noted that there they would also have easier access to basic utilities such as electricity and potable water, which are unavailable in the Creek.
The Dochfour/Hope area cannot facilitate large-scale farming and the President said they can retain their farmlands. Initially, 22 families placed their names on the list of persons from the lower end of the creek who are desirous of relocating. However, once the process began, this number quickly climbed to more than 100 families.
“Even if we get you houselots at Duchfour/Hope, you could still cultivate the lands here,” the President told them, adding that relocation is a priority.
Meanwhile, farmers told the President than the water level in the creek is constantly rising even though evidence of the heavy rainfall is not seen constantly in their communities. However, the farmers said that in the highlands the rain has intensified.
President Jagdeo today acknowledged the farmers’ plight given the continuous rainfall and explained that the downpour is intense in the highlands and the water is running off to lower lands and even settling in many of the communities. Feverish efforts are ongoing to save crops, but farmers reported that three quarters of their farmlands are already inundated.
Most of the cash crops, they say, will not survive, since the flood began about two weeks ago.
President Jagdeo urged the Regional Vice-Chairman Jalallodeen Baksh to ensure that each farmer along the creek benefit from two days of work with the excavator that was purchased by government for the area following the last flood. The $30M equipment was sent to the Region earlier in the year and has started work at Handsome Tree, along the Creek to empolder many areas. President Jagdeo urged that the machinery be used solely to help farmers and not to do the Regional Administration’s work since the Region has a budget for its projects.
He also said that the smaller farmers should benefit first. He also agreed to have the equipment build highlands for the cattle in the area.
However, farmers explained to President Jagdeo that a smaller excavator is needed to navigate some of the areas and he agreed to have this done. With the second equipment, it was agreed that empoldering work would now be done on farmlands on both banks of the Mahaica Creek.
The President bemoaned farmers’ practices of cutting the embankments created to keep out excess water in their bid to save their plots. This he said causes deterioration and in the long run, more water seeps through to the cultivated plots.
Several other concerns were raised, particularly relating to drainage and President Jagdeo committed to having engineers examine the suggestions. He also noted that Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford, who accompanied him today, would be revisiting the area, as well as Minister of Public Works Harry Narine Nawbatt.
President Jagdeo explained to residents that several other parts of the country is experiencing similar problems with high water levels. He told them that the Prime Minister is in Lethem, Region Nine to have a first-hand look at the situation, since several parts of the area is under water as a result of the overflowing of the Takutu River. The Acting Agriculture Minister Haripersaud Nokta was in Region Two to check on the situation there which is under control for now, while Minister Nawbatt was in Mahaicony, Region Five. And as a similar situation arises at Kwakwani, Region Ten, Minister in the Ministry of Local Government Clinton Collymore would be visiting on June 9.
President Jagdeo also visited Cane Grove, Strathavon, Vereeniging and Supply today. Accompanying him were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Dindyal Permal and Senior Engineer Lionel Wordsworth.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister Jennifer Westford listen to the plight of farmers at No. 10, Mahaica, whose farmlands are under water (OP/Latchman Singh photo)
President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses farmers at Grass Hook, along the Mahaica Creek (OP/Latchman Singh photo)
Rice land under water at Grass Hook (OP/Latchman Singh photo)
President Jagdeo discusses the situation with residents of Little Biaboo, Mahaica Creek (OP/Latchman Singh photo)
President Bharrta Jagdeo at Cane Grove, Mahaica, Region Four (OP/Latchman Singh photo)
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