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Final payments made to first batch of farmers from Buxton
as compensation process progresses
Georgetown, GINA, February 29, 2008.
The first batch of farmers from Buxton, East Coast Demerara, who are eligible for compensation for crops damaged by the dense vegetation clearing exercise being carried out in the backlands by the Joint Services, received their final payments today.
During a meeting with the farmers at the Ministry of Agriculture, Vlissengen Road and Regent Street, Georgetown, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said the payments to this batch are final although some farmers were previously given interim payments. The first batch includes primarily farmers from Brushe Dam since this is the only area where clearing has been completed.
The Minister re-iterated that efforts are being made to accelerate the compensation process by ensuring early verification of crops that are identified in the zone to be cleared by the Joint Services as the exercise progresses.
“The goal is by the end of next week, we would have processed 60 to 70 percent of the remaining farmers and we hope that within three weeks once the verification has been completed, each farmer would have been compensated, part or full. That is our objective to have this exercise concluded as quickly as possible,” he added.
To date, 67 claims have been made from the Buxton/Friendship community and these are currently being verified. However, before the full verification is done, interim payments are being made to those affected since this was agreed to during consultations with the community’s farmers’ group and other key stakeholders in the compensation process.
It was noted that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to engage the farmers by giving them further support to not only continue, but expand their agricultural activities when they are allowed to return to the lands. Farmers were told that the monetary support is just one aspect of the assistance that will be rendered to them.
Reference was made to a $25M expenditure to improve drainage and irrigation (D&I) in Buxton during this year while it was noted that the land clearing exercise will also benefit farmers by providing not only cleared areas for farming, but improved D&I. A new excavator was procured specifically to clear the drains during the exercise.
Farmers expressed gratitude for the compensation and stated their optimism in returning to re-cultivate the lands when the clearing exercise is completed.
The compensation centre set up on February 18 at the Friendship Methodist Church, caters for affected farmers in the Buxton/Friendship area and is being operated by a multi-stakeholder body with representatives from the Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development and Agriculture, the Joint Services and the farmers’ committee in the area.
Subsequent to the collection of forms at the centre, the claims are reviewed for verification which includes physical confirmation of the land, after which the results from this process are assessed by a technical committee for the award of sums to be paid to the farmers. Clearing of backlands of the lower East Coast Demerara is being pursued as part of security efforts and was requested by many citizens who believe that the dense vegetation could serve as a haven for criminals.
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Agriculture Minister expresses disappointment over fishing company’s failure to report missing vessel immediately
Georgetown, GINA, February 29, 2008.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has expressed disappointment with Pritipaul Singh Investments (PSI) for its failure to immediately alert the Guyana Coast Guard (GCG), the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Fisheries Department on the situation regarding the missing fishing vessel, Palpos III.
The vessel departed on January 23 with a three-member crew and was expected to return on February 11 with the possibility of a maximum of a five-day delay.
It was pointed out that the Fisheries Department was only alerted of the situation on February 25 while the Coast Guard was informed through the media on the same day but it was not until February 28, that the GCG received a correspondence on the matter. It was pointed out that MARAD was notified on February 20.
Following a meeting with family members of the missing crew today, Minister Persaud immediately called an inter-agency meeting which included officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, MARAD, the Coast Guard, PSI and the Fisheries Department to discuss the matter. The need for quick implementation of the strategy in place to search for the missing vessel and surveillance was highlighted.
The family members also expressed concern over the sloth in response by the fishing company.
It was learnt that although the normal crew for a Red Snapper Vessel is four to five members, the Palpos III left with three persons. In addition, there is no information on the third crew member.
As a result of the Agriculture Ministry’s intervention, the Coast Guard is currently conducting an aerial search off the coast of Essequibo and Demerara while searches have also been conducted by boats.
A statement issued on February 28 by the Ministry of Agriculture expressed its concern over two recent incidents relating to the health and safety of fishermen at sea including the situation surrounding the Palpos III.
“The Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has expressed concern over the fate of the three persons aboard, and noted that the Ministry is fully engaged with all stakeholders, and is presently examining several courses of action to assist in this matter,” the statement reported.
Another incident that was highlighted by the Ministry was the sinking of a trawler belonging to Guyana Quality Seafoods.
“However, unlike the previous incident in which the fate of the crew remains unknown, the Ministry is pleased to note that all the crew of the trawler had been accounted for and were in good health,” the statement indicated.
It added that “the Minister is of the view that both of these incidents spotlight the ever-present dangers at sea to which fishers are constantly exposed, and stated that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work with all stakeholders, to improve security for fishers.”
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Berbice, Takutu bridges for completion this year
-Works Ministry’s reduced budget to enhance security
Georgetown, GINA, February 29, 2008
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, in reply to Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament Shelia Holder’s accusation that the Administration has a cavalier approach to security said, certain allocations have ben cut to ensure an increased sum for security.
“The assignment of those funds and cutting the budget in some areas could indicate that we are being cavalier on this side? A member of this House and a Minister of the PPP Government was slain in the crime wave so this is a matter with which we could never be cavalier about,” Minister Benn asserted.
Benn said that he was happy to hear PNCR Member Winston Murray pledging his “full and unequivocal support to the Joint services.” Benn said that he was waiting a full statement from the Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin with respect to his support to our security forces’ fight against crime.
He noted that the total budget allocated the Works Ministry is $8.66B, 14 percent less than 2007 since it was imperative that the Ministry proceed in an environment of improved safety, efficiency and developing synergy within its operations.
Speaking on the work programme for the year Minister Benn assured members of the House that the rehabilitation of roads and bridges will continue since the administration is “building a new Guyana.”
The completion later this year of the Berbice River Bridge will be the fulfillment of a promise made by this Administration. It signals a phase of modernization.
The Takutu Bridge, conceptualized in 1978 links Brazil and Guyana. It is expected to be completed later this year. The bridge will create a point of growth at Lethem and Bom Fin. The finalization of other infrastructure related to the bridge will be completed by the end of the year. Work will commence on the design of a river crossing at Kurupukari.
The Terms of Reference have been finalised for a new Demerara River crossing to be funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as the present bridge continues to pose challenges to be maintained.
The phasing out process for the bridge’s pontoons will continue during this year with 79 pontoons being built at Linden.
The Bartica/ Issano/ Mahdia road will be rehabilitated with $20M set aside to repair three miles of roads this are impassable. The Blackbush Polder road will be rehabilitated at the cost of $15M. Additionally $650M will be spent to rehabilitate roads countrywide and $200M to fix 15 miles of urban roads and drains outside of Georgetown.
The road from Mathews Ridge to Baramita and the Ituni to Kwakwani road will be rehabilitated during this year.
This year will see eight kilometres of sea defence rehabilitated and an additional four kilometres of new sea defences constructed and the Sea Defence Department merged with the Works Services Group to maximize efficiency in project implementation.
The modernising of the Cheddi Jagan Airport Timehri and the development of the Ogle Airport through the Ogle Airport Inc. will continue making it a truly municipal and regional Airport.
The Transport and Harbours Department will be putting systems in place to commence registration of all fishing vessels, and covering the passenger boats to allow passengers to travel in comfort and the installation of navigational aids and the dredging of the Demerara River are slated for this year.
In closing the Minister promised to resume the boat service to the Upper Berbice River when the Berbice Bridge is commissioned. This, he said, will create opportunities for farmers to access a bigger market.
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PNCR challenged to produce evidence of corruption
Georgetown, GINA, February 29, 2008
Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn yesterday challenged Opposition Members of Parliament to raise the level of debate as it relates to what was referred to by PNCR Member Winston Murray as ‘perceptions of corruption’. Minister Benn was at the time addressing the National Assembly during the Budget debate.
“One wonders why after all of these years they could not bring to the National Assembly hard evidence… With the amount of lawyers and investigative capacity you have, you have the ability and knowledge and willingness to bring facts to the National Assembly on these issues.” This he said would prevent the House being told about perceptions and indices of transparency that have no basis in fact.
Murray in his address said that some 20 percent of the capital works Budget is ‘leaked out’ due to corruption.
Minister Benn also slammed the PNCR members calling them facetious and dishonest for asking that the contracts for ‘no objections’ awarded by Cabinet be tabled in the National Assembly. They were also requesting the names of the persons who made bids and the amount of the bids. He reminded them that according to the National Procurement and Tender Board Act every citizen of Guyana, including the Opposition, is free to sit in and be informed on the facts they are requesting in the House.
Minister Benn had earlier expressed regret that the Budget is being presented in an environment where “we find ourselves in a national struggle against AK 47 bandits.” This resulted in several programmes receiving a reduced budget to facilitate more provision for the Security Forces to meet security needs so that the task of nation building could be continued.
The Works Ministry has been allocated a Budget of some $ 8.66B which is 14 percent less than last year.
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VAT windfall to be used to improve living standards
-Minister Jeffrey
Georgetown, GINA, February 29, 2008
The revenues that the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Excise tax reaped in 2007 will be poured into ongoing efforts to improve the living standards of Guyanese who are deemed vulnerable.
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Dr. Henry Jeffrey during the second round of the debate of the 2008 National Budget made this disclosure during his presentation in the National Assembly today.
“What government is attempting to do, is to use the windfall to properly target and support those who are really in need: old age pensioners, vulnerable youths, single parents etc,” Dr. Jeffrey said.
People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) Member of Parliament Ms. Volda Lawerence said it is unfortunate that the government is bent on retaining the 16 percent VAT.
“The people of Guyana are calling for the lowering of the 16 percent VAT. All that we are getting is the Minister of Finance coming to this House with a long list of items that are zero-rated items that doesn’t fall under the basic goods,” Lawerence said.
Minister Jeffrey said government made the right decision at a perfect time to introduce VAT and remains unshaken that it should not be lowered.
“It is good that we have implemented VAT at this time when trade liberalization is gradually eating away at these kinds of taxes. Indeed at another level I am against a reduction in the rate of VAT even if it brought the government a windfall,” Minister Jeffrey asserted.
In the 2008 budget, government announced that from March 1 several other items have been zero-rated for the purpose of the VAT.
Government will conduct a study of the tax system to determine how it can implement further tax reform. Thereafter, it will proceed to implement a number of reforms aimed at simplifying the business environment and ensuring efficient tax administration and effective compliance.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony explained that over the years efforts have been made to produce well-rounded youths.
The Minister also noted that the government is cognisant of the wrong choices that some youths make in life and to this end it will continue to improve on its interventions. These include giving them a second chance at education, improving adolescent health and youth employment opportunities.
“The Kuru Kuru residential programme has an intake of 173 students from all the geographical regions. We are continuously working to improve the quality of the curriculum. Last year 76 students benefited from Peer Education training in HIV/AIDS that was done by Guyana HIV/AIDS Reduction programme,” Minister Anthony said.
This year, government will incorporate the Healthy Family Life Education into the curriculum which would cover HIV, STI, and substance abuse among other areas.
In relation to youth employment Minister Anthony said the Ministry’s youth officers continue to provide career guidance workshops and career fairs.
He said that they have also been helping persons who have passed through the Youth Entrepreneurial Trianing Programme.
Minister Anthony posited that this will allow the youths to break into the job markets, by providing placements and apprenticeships. These programmes will continue during 2008.
In this year’s budget government has allocated $60M for the expansion of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment. Approximately 1,000 young people who did not complete secondary school will receive skills training.
A further $35.7M will be spent to expand and maintain the Madewini Youth Camp, to purchase training materials and sports gear and to retool workshops along with general maintenance at Kuru Kuru, Smythfield, Vryman’s Erven and Sophia Training Centres, and the New Opportunity Corps.
The Culture Minister explained to the House that preparations for Guyana’s hosting of Carifesta X is advancing well and will be used to bolster Guyana’s cultural confidence and noted that it will also be a plus to the cultural tourism sector.
“It is an opportunity to develop our cultural tourism product. Cultural tourism is an important segment of the global tourism market; in fact the World Tourism Organization estimated that 37 percent of all trips have a cultural element. This was cited in the Marker for Cultural Tourism in Europe-EIU travel and Tourism analyst,” Minister Anthony emphasized.
Finance Minister Ashni Singh during his budget presentation on February 22 said that the hosting of CARIFESTA X is also expected to provide additional impetus to the levels of economic activity in several sectors during 2008.
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