Joint Task Force reconstituted to expedite Local Government reform
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007
Government’s commitment to expediting the Local Government reform process has gained momentum with the reconstitution of a Joint Task Force after an agreement was reached between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Leader of the Opposition Mr. Robert Corbin.
The six–member task force is scheduled to meet on May 21. It comprises an equal number of members from the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R).
The PPP/C’s members are Clinton Collymore, Ganga Persaud and Navin Chandarpal. The PNC/R has appointed Vincent Alexander and Basil Williams. The third name is expected shortly.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall stated that this move will help to expedite the reform in the local government system.
He emphasised that the task force must meet early to ensure that the reforms are finalised so that Local Government elections can be held quickly.
At the upcoming meeting, the Task Force would discuss the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) and the Fiscal Transfer Bills.
The Local Authorities Bill makes provision for the changes to the method of electing local government councils and also for individuals.
Under the new system constituencies are to be created within municipalities and neighbourhoods which would account for 50 percent of the seats while proportional representation will account for the remainder.
At present, only political parties and independent groups can contest those elections.
The Fiscal Transfers Bill 2007, streamlines the procedures that will ensure that budgetary allocations are dispersed equitably to the local government organs.
The general principles of the transfer are agreed on but there are outstanding issues to be finalised. Additionally there are provisions in the enabling Bill for a formula to be placed in Regulations to the Bill.
Two other local government legislations are engaging the attention of the Attorney-General, the Local Government (Amendment) and the Local Government Commission Bill.
The first Bill relates to the entire local government reform process which will include the reduction of some ministerial duties that will be absorbed by the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and Municipalities.
Village Councils will be resuscitated and community councils will be introduced. This legislation will also enable the local government systems to be more accountable and responsible.
Meanwhile, the latter Bill will enable the relinquishing of some ministerial functions to the Local Government Commission.
The Guyana Elections Commission has been provided with copies of the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill for examination.
In preparation for the reform process, Government has employed a multi-stakeholder approach.
The Ministry, under the Urban Development Programme (UDP) and the Community Services Enhancement Project (CSEP) and in partnership with the Guyana Municipal Governance and Management Programme (MGMP) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other international funding agencies, is engaged in several infrastructural and institutional strengthening programmes to fortify the structures within the local government system.
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Scope widens for birding as major tourist attraction
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007
Following on the heels of its successful conservation efforts in Guyana's Kanuku Mountains, Conservation International (CI) has completed a Rapid Assessment Programme (RAP) in Guyana's Konashen District.
The 318 species from 50 bird families recorded by the group included a new species for Guyana, the Large-headed Flatbill.
The RAP found that 40 percent of Guyana's bird species are found at Konashen, located on the left bank of the Essequibo River. Twenty-five percent of the species are endemic to the Guiana Shield. Guyana is also home to over 800 species of birds, 200 of which can be found in Georgetown.
The hundreds of bird species have led to government’s move to promote birding as a new tourist attraction.
A three-year birding tourism plan was launched by the Ministry of Tourism Industry and Commerce in 2006 at the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown. This programme is being done in collaboration with the Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS), a USAID- funded agency.
The Konashen study area consists of a 600,000-hectare parcel of land nestled within the Amazonia High Biodiversity Wilderness Area that was given to the Wai Wai Amerindian tribe in an absolute grant from the Government of Guyana.
During the expedition, scientists and representatives from CI, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Wai Wai community also studied ants, dung beetles, large mammals,
fishes, reptiles, and amphibians.
Information and data collected will be used to increase the scientific knowledge of the area and inform future protection and conservation decisions. Results will also be used to help the Wai Wai develop a management plan for the Community Owned Conservation Area.
During CI's previous assessment programme in the Kanuku Mountains in 1993 and 2001, researchers discovered that the area is home to 70 percent of Guyana's known mammal species and more than 50 percent of Guyana's avifauna (all bird species). CI later declared the Kanuku Mountains to be one of the few remaining pristine Amazonian habitats.
The Kanuku Mountains are located in Region Nine and divide the Rupununi area into north and south.
Guyana already has a wide array of birding sites, from the Rupununi District to Georgetown, but with newfound interest in birding rapidly increasing, new areas are being explored. One such place with strong potential for development as a bird watching destination is Gluck Island on the Essequibo River not far from the mining town of Linden.
After much success at the 2006 American Birding Association Annual Convention in Maine and the British Bird Watching Fair in Rutland, England, the Guyana Tourism Authority/GTIS Birding Tourism Programme continues to make Guyana known as an untapped bird watching destination.
To further acquaint vacationers and the media with Guyana's pristine birding habitat, two birding product familiarisation tours (FAM trips) were carried out in November 2006 and February 2007.
Participants were impressed with Guyana as a birding destination and indicated that their respective companies will begin offering tours to Guyana in 2008, with some looking at bringing smaller groups as early as this year.
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Countrywide marketing outreach underway
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007.
The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) is currently conducting a countrywide outreach programme to provide up-to-date marketing information and advice to farmers.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said the activity will help to further enhance the efficiency of GMC while pursuing a market-driven production strategy.
It is also intended to provide information on the type of crops in demand on the local and international markets. Farmers are also guided through the formation of linkages with interested buyers. Already, GMC has hosted these sessions in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six while farmers of other areas are scheduled to benefit from the outreach.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture through the GMC is pursuing various initiatives that will secure more export markets in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) for agricultural products. The Ministry had previously made available a list of products that could be exported to T&T.
The CARICOM State is interested in increasing its imports from Guyana, however, Guyana is required to carry out stringent analyses that will provide detailed information on each export crop. Information required included biological cycle, adaptation to climate in the country and type of pest control/disease for the various types of crop.
Analysis of each crop proposed for export is currently being conducted and already, information has been submitted to T&T authorities for nine types – bora, pumpkin, cabbage, pepper, citrus, eggplant, tomato and coconuts while details on other products will be completed shortly.
Submission of the information will allow the T&T authorities to give its approval for export from Guyana.
Earlier this year, GMC launched its Guyana Shop and Marketing Information Centre at Robb Street, replacing the former GMC supermarket. The centre aims to facilitate and coordinate development of non-traditional agricultural produce and products for export and enhance the services offered by the GMC.
It seeks to make market information and contact more accessible to guide clients on current market trends and demand at the global level. Market agents will provide guidance for possible linkages between farmers and prospective buyers/exporters.
The various initiatives are part of Government’s wider vision to promote development of the non-traditional crop sector which is included in the country’s agricultural diversification strategy.
Government has invested significantly in the promotion of this emerging sector and in recent years there have been continuous increases in exports and production. In 2006, Guyana exported 5, 219 tonnes of nontraditional crops as compared to 1902 tonnes which was exported in 1992.
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Work on the Region Three wells moving ahead
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007
The wells at La Grange, West Bank Demerara and Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara which have been dysfunctional for over a year have been posing challenges for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Minister of Housing and water Harry Narine Nawbatt noted that progress is being made with repairs to the 762 foot deep La Grange well. The drilling process for the placement of casings is just over 700 ft.
Minister Nawbatt explained that GWI has changed its modus operandi for insertion of the casings. One casing is being placed instead of two as was previously done.
Meanwhile, repairs to the well at Meten-Meer-Zorg are also moving ahead. Reaming of the boreholes for installation of the casings and welding of metal cases are ongoing.
This will be expedited to ensure that the water supply is restored, Minister Nawbatt assured.
He is hopeful that both wells would be completed before the June deadline he gave to Parliament.
Minister Nawbatt apologised for the inconvenience caused to residents of the Region Three communities. The wells are being repaired at a cost of $30M
In the interim, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has contracted the distribution of water on a daily basis to affected residents, which costs approximately $500,000 monthly.
In December, fiberglass materials purchased for both wells were damaged during shipment forcing GWI to procure new casings to avoid further delay.
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Minister Ramsammy, China’s Vice Governor hail bilateral relations
Guyana and China have taken their bilateral relations to new heights in recent years with
intensified partnership efforts, particularly in the medical field. Today, high-level representatives of both countries’ Governments hailed the long standing friendship which has earned Guyana enormous benefits when a delegation from China, led by Vice Governor of the Jiangsu Province, Hon. He Quan paid a courtesy call on Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at the Ministry of Health.
The Minister and the Vice Governor held discussions on a number of issues including the purpose of the visit, further cooperation agreements and the Chinese Medical Brigade in Guyana. The delegation from China is in Guyana to present on behalf of their people and Government to the Government and the People of Guyana equipment to conduct laparoscopic, retinal and other surgeries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, as well as, turn the sod for the construction of housing facilities for the Chinese Medical Brigade in Guyana.
Vice Governor Quan noted that the two countries have witnessed mutual heightened friendship over the last few decades and this will continue to grow. He added that his Government is committed to not only continuing the presence of the Chinese medical professionals in Guyana, but also ensure that experts are included in future medical brigades in Guyana so that the menu of health care services offered locally can be expanded.
Meanwhile, Minister Ramsammy urged that a interventional cardiologist be included, as well as experts to continue training Guyanese doctors in the various fields. He also requested that consideration be given to the inclusion of doctors who are specialized in the areas for which equipment was donated. He expressed gratitude for the help Guyana has received from China so far and echoed the Vice Governor’s sentiments that the friendship will continue to evolve for the benefit
The delegation includes:
H.E Zhang Jungao – China’s Ambassador to Guyana
Mr. Guo Xibghua - Director General Department of Health of the Jiangsu Province
Mr. Wong Yi - Vice Director Division of Int’l Cooperation, Jiangsu Province, Dept. of Health |
Mr. Ding Xiaochang - Vice Governor General Department of Education, Jiangsu Province
Mr. Huang Xiaoping - Vice Director General Department of Finance, Jiangsu Province
Mr. Yin Rullin – Director, Zhenijiang City, Bureau of Health
Mr. Zhu Fu – Director, Zhenjiang City No. 1, People's Hospital
Mr. Chen Minglong - Consultant Doctor, The People's Hospital, Jiangsu Province
Mr. Bai Jianfeng - Vice Consultant Doctor, The People's Hospital, Jiangsu Province Mr. Lu Xiang – Director, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University
Mr. Shi Chunne - Dr. Shi Chunne Head of the 7th Batch of Chinese Medical Team
Mr. Shi Zhiyu – Director, Division of International Cooperation, Jiangsu Province Department of Health, Ms. Yang Qing - Vice Director, People's Government, Jiangsu Province
Foreign Affairs Office, Ms. Jiang Yu – Interpreter, People's Government, Jiangsu Province, Foreign Affairs Office
Mr. Xu Hao - Secretary of Mr. He Quan, Jiangsu Province
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Vice Governor, Directors of Jiangsu Province call on Prime Minister
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds today received a courtesy call from officials of the Jiangsu Province, China at his office in Kingston.
Members of the visiting team included Vice Governor He Quan, and Directors of Health, Education, Finance and Foreign Affairs of the Jiangsu Province.
The Vice Governor engaged the Prime Minister in discussions on a number of issues including details of the team’s visit to Guyana.
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Vice-Governor He Quan presented equipment for laparoscopic, retinal and other surgeries to Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
The Governor will also turn the sod for the construction of housing facilities for the Chinese medical brigade in Guyana.
The Jiangsu Province is a flat low-lying state in China which borders the regions of Shandong, Anhui, Zhejiang and Shanghai most of which are less than 50 metres above sea level.
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Gov’t to address transportation concerns of riverain communities
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007
Government is cognisant of the concerns of residents of river communities and will moving to address them, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues told residents of several communities in the Berbice River.
Minister Rodrigues on May 16 and 17 visited Hururu, Calcuni, Sandhill, Kimbia and Wiruni and held meetings to ascertain residents’ concerns.
“This issue was raised at our last Cabinet meeting and the President has tasked Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn to bring to Cabinet suggestions on the way forward for this problem you are faced with,” Minister Rodrigues explained.
“We really have difficulties fetching out our goods. It doesn’t flow like before when we had the ferry. Like the other communities… I am pleading with the government to assist us in this area,” one resident said.
One of the possible measures that could be introduced to assist is the provision of launch-type boats that could serve several communities simultaneously, Minister Rodrigues said.
“I think that it would be good to have these boats where one will serve three communities. But you will have to set up a committee to manage these boats,” Minister Rodrigues said. Residents supported the Minister’s suggestion.
The Amerindian Affairs Minister was accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox, and officials of the Amerindian Affairs and Education Ministries.
Among other concerns raised by residents is the issuance of land titles.
“A lot of us, living in the riverside for 14 years and more have been on these lands and don’t have land titles. Persons keep telling us that because the people owned the land we cannot have them. But these people have died …we need that security, Minister,” a Kimbia resident pleaded.
The Minister promised to look into the matter. “We will have a team from Lands and Surveys along with an official from my Ministry to check on the situation. They will have to give me a report … and from that, actions will be taken,” Minister Rodrigues assured.
Government’s land titling process in Amerindian communities has been gaining impetus and more communities are coming on board to become titled.
At present, over 67 percent of Amerindian communities countrywide legally own the lands they inhabit.
In 2005, Toshaos of five communities in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) and Orealla in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) received titles for their villages from President Bharrat Jagdeo.
In July, 2006 the President also handed over two land titles and one extension to three communities: Kaburi in Region Seven, Fairview in Region Eight and Annai in Region Nine. These were in addition to another batch of land grants handed over by the President on March 10, 2006.
In January of this year, Minister Rodrigues handed over a land title to Santa Cruz, Region One.
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MMA’s main D&I system prepared for heavy rainfall
-Authority’s General Manager
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007.
General Manager of the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) Aubrey Charles, has assured that the primary drainage and irrigation (D&I) system within the MMA area is well prepared to deal with heavy rainfall.
Maintenance of the primary D&I system is the responsibility of the MMA/ADA and significant investments have been made to ensure continuous improvement and efficiency of the system, Charles said.
He noted that maintenance of the secondary drainage system is the responsibility of the farmers, some of whom have not done their work. At present, MMA/ADA is carrying out a major rehabilitation programme to improve the secondary system after which farmers will be responsible for its maintenance.
The MMA/ADA will work out a six-week cycle of maintenance for the D&I system once payments are made by farmers.
The Trafalgar pumps which were reactivated have boosted operations of the D&I system in Region Five. The pumps, which were out of operation since the 1980s, were repaired following a commitment made by President Bharrat Jagdeo in early 2006. The Head-of-State had committed to repairing two of the four pumps located at the Trafalgar pump station in response to residents’ request. The newly repaired pumps have a total capacity of 157, 500 gallons of water per minute.
The pumps were not in operation during 2005 and early 2006 when the Region experienced heavy rainfall and water accumulation in several areas.
The General Manager urged that the various Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) foster their maintenance programme to ensure that the residential drainage system is prepared to deal with heavy rainfall as forecasted by the hydrometeorological service. Major rehabilitation of the various villages was undertaken by the MMA/ADA during 2006 under the instruction of President Jagdeo, and based on residents’ request for improved D&I in their areas.
Geographical designs of the D&I system were prepared for each village and presented to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five and the various NDCs. This was intended to guide the NDCs to carry out D&I maintenance.
Project proposals for the MMA/ADA were finalised in 1962 to provide water control for coastal lands by impounding the flood waters in conservancies located in the upper reaches of the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary rivers, through construction of civil engineering infrastructure.
The project was divided into three phases with each phase covering an area between two of the rivers, hence the Abary-Berbice, the Mahaicony-Abary and the Mahaica-Mahaicony areas.
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Chinese Government donates medical equipment to GPHC
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007
Medical services at the Linden and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be further enhanced with the addition of surgical equipment donated by the Chinese Government. The donation was made today in the compound of the GPHC.
The equipment valuing US $85,000 will serve for laparoscopic, retinal and other surgeries. They were presented to Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy by Vice-Governor of Jiangsu Province Mr. He Quan.
The handing over ceremony also encompassed a sod-turning exercise which took place at the old doctor’s quarters on East Street for the construction of an apartment complex for the Chinese medical brigade during their two-year tenure, and the presentation of appreciation plaques and certificates to Mr. He Quan among others.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds underscored that the Guyana/China collaboration is encouraging since this country is still in its early stages of development.
Minister Ramsammy said such partnerships are pivotal to poverty reduction and critical to Guyana’s development.
He said that Guyana cannot be unaware of the global position that China has carved for itself and therefore, the government is appreciative of that country’s role in Guyana’s development.
Present at the ceremony were the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Zhang Jungao, Indian High Commissioner Avinash Gupta and members of the medical fraternity of both countries.
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Traffic lights operable at three City junctions
-road users being urged to adhere to signals
Georgetown, GINA, May 18, 2007.
Traffic lights have been commissioned and are operable at three City junctions; Vlissengen Road/Regent Street, Regent/Camp Streets and Camp/Robb Streets, and road users are being encouraged to comply with the traffic signals.
Installation of traffic lights at 50 critical City junctions is being done under a US$2.1M initiative being undertaken by the Governments of Guyana and India and is intended to ease traffic congestion in Georgetown.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and other officials of both Ministries today checked out the traffic lights which are in operation.
Minister Benn said the traffic lights are an overdue development and citizens should exercise discipline and understanding to familiarise themselves with the new system that will create better traffic management and road safety.
He noted that ‘observations’ of the lights will determine the need for adjustments to the countdown time for change of signals for both vehicular and pedestrians’ traffic. The system is adjustable, he said.
Routine programmes explaining the features and functions of the new lights will be conducted via the television, radio and newspapers upon installation of traffic lights at each junction.
This is part of the Ministry’s public awareness and education campaign to familiarise road users with the new features.
According to Minister Rohee, the traffic police play an important role in the initial stages of installation of the lights, and will have to be vigilant because there may be persons who are unaware of the signals.
“Persons who are not accustomed to the traffic lights will find themselves in trouble if they don’t observe the signals and read them carefully,” he stated.
Traffic Safety Engineer Kadri Parris explained that the lights have various modern features. The new lights are divided into five phases of movements for vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
It has been observed that some persons are not au fait with the system and as a result are crossing the road irresponsibly, Parris said.
“These pedestrians’ pelicans are in place to ensure the safety of our pedestrians, who are the most vulnerable road users in the country and to ensure that they can travel safely,” he added.
Additionally, the lights have a countdown time which indicate to drivers when the signals are about to change. Another feature includes directional arrows instead of the normal green lights and which are more user friendly particularly for motorists and cyclists.
Responding to questions about security of the solar panels installed at each junction, Paris said safety mechanisms are being explored. Persons are being urged to desist from attempting to steal or remove the panels as they will be face charges for tampering with public property.
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