Affected Region Six farmers to receive assistance tomorrow
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
Regional Chairman, Region Six, Zulfikar Mustapha said today that the farmers’ assistance programme would be initiated in his region tomorrow and areas such as Crabwood Creek, Black Bush Polder, Alness, Lancaster and Mara would be targeted first.
He added that the verification process will continue in other areas throughout the region where farmers were affected by heavy rainfall.
The Regional Chairman said that excavation works are continuing in Angoy’s Avenue to improve the drainage and irrigation systems in that area. Earlier, the Chairman had noted that the Town Council was negligible in carrying out these critical works.
Earlier last week, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud had initiated the Region Three and Four Assistance programme.
Farmers are given seeds, plant material, chemicals and even nutrients for animals. Vouchers are given to livestock farmers to assist them in receiving ducklings from the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) or chicks from hatcheries. With respect to farmers who had lost goats, sheep or pigs, they would be prioritized in the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI’s) breeding programme.
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Improvement in crime situation since Lusignan massacre – Minister Rohee
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee yesterday delivering the feature address at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the ‘C’ Division (East Coast Demerara) Community Policing Groups (GPGs) held at the Lusignan Community Centre, East Coast Demerara, reiterated that community policing is a vital part of Government’s crime fighting strategy.
He told the meeting that while some acts of criminality, though unjustified could be explained, there has not been any logical explanation for the attack on the innocent unarmed persons, including women and children who were gunned down in their beds at Lusignan on January 26, 2008.
Reminiscing on the tragedy, Minister Rohee, recounted the despair and anger displayed by residents of the surrounding communities following the brutal act and the fact that Government was accused of being unable to regain control of the crime situation. “Today,” he declared, “persons must admit that there has been a vast improvement in the crime situation.”
Following the brutal attack on the village President Bharrat Jagdeo and other Government Ministers, including Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, had met with residents of Lusignan and surrounding villages. At those meetings the villagers had requested a number of measures to be adapted to assist in providing additional security.
President Jagdeo, on the other hand, had called on the residents to form CPGs in villages where none existed and to resuscitate them in villages where they were not functioning. On January 28, he met with representatives of the 21 active CPGs on the East Coast Demerara, when he promised to assist with the training and equipping of the groups. During the last year, following the completion of the requisite training, a quantity of equipment and several vehicles were handed over to be used by 30 groups.
At present there are 46 functional GPGs in ‘C’ Division, with over 1500 registered members, over 400 of whom are Rural Constables. Equipped with five vehicles, motor cycles and bicycles they conducted over 8000 patrols, effected 125 arrests, 74 of which resulted in charges being laid.
As a result of reports from the residents that the police responded in an indifferent manner to a call to the station on the night of the tragedy, new standing orders were issued requiring ranks to state their service number, rank and name when answering calls. This was aimed at ensuring that callers could identify to whom a report was made. This has already seen much success as several bandits have been pursued and caught because of the quick reaction to reports made after and or during the commission of crimes.
A request from the residents resulted in a decision to clear the backlands of the lower East Coast Demerara villages since it was felt that the heavy overgrowth was creating cover for the bandits prior to and after commissioning of criminal activities. During this exercise a partly-buried decomposed body was found while two bandits were killed by ranks of the Joint Services in a shoot out in the backlands.
The identified need for aerial surveillance to support the troops on the ground resulted in Government setting aside $1B to retool the security services. Two Bell 206 helicopters equipped with special features were purchased and contributed significantly to the demise of Rondel ‘Fineman’ Rawlins, leader of the gang responsible for several brutal slayings.
The strengthening of the intelligence capabilities of the security sector resulted in the arrest of some 29 members and/or supporters of the gang while several others were killed in shoot-outs with law enforcement officers during raids to their hideouts in different parts of the country.
Minister Rohee during his address to the AGM reminded the members that crime is present in every society and that they need to remain vigilant and support the work of the law enforcement agencies to ensure that their communities remain safe.
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As China observes Year of the OX…Chinese Ambassador pledges to deepen ties and continue support to Guyana
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Jungao said that economic and technical exchange and cooperation between Guyana and China reached a new height in 2008 and pledged continued support and to deepen the friendly relations between the two countries.
The two countries established diplomatic relationships on June 27, 1972 and Guyana earned the distinction of being first English speaking country to establish diplomatic ties with that country.
In October President Bharrat Jagdeo attended the Summer Davos Forum held in Tianjin China and also visited Beijing and Chonquing.
During that visit he signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the China’s Exim-Bank to facilitate financial support for further modernisation of the power sector in Guyana.
That agreement enabled the Government of Guyana to access a Chinese Government Concessional Loan of approximately US$40M to finance the development and expansion of the Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL’s) Transmission and Distribution system.
A 30M RMB Yaun grant agreement was also signed for the implementation of technical cooperation programmes.
Since the two countries established diplomatic relations, Guyana has benefited in several areas . In 2007, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cancellation of a $3.137B debt owed by this country to China for the period 1975 to 1993. Since 1993, China has been sending medical doctors including general practitioners and specialized surgeons to Guyana.
In August 2004, Guyana and China signed an exchange of notes to facilitate the establishment of the Guyana/China Joint Business Development Council.
The multi-million dollar Skeldon factory was constructed by the Chinese Company, China Technology Inport and Export Corporation.
Ambassador Jungao said that 2008 was very eventful for the Chinese people, in that they experienced both distress and happiness. Early in the year, the country experienced some of the worst snowstorms in almost five decades and a devastating earthquake in Wenchuan, Sichuan Province that claimed the lives of almost 10,000 people including children.
In addition, China successfully hosted the 29th Olympics and Paralympics and it also launched the third manned spaceship with three astronauts, who made the country’s fist-ever space walk.
In the economic field, the country tried to tackle the global financial crisis which deepened in the latter part of the year. Ambasador Jungao expressed gratitude to the Government and the Guyanese community, as he noted that the achievements made by China could not have been possible without the strong support from friends and the Government of Guyana.
He particularly singled out the support and assistance given to China, especially after the earthquake, which he said demonstrated the Chinese and Guyanese patriotism.
China in its efforts to build a harmonious and affluent society is facing new opportunities and challenges, Ambassador Jungao said and highlighted that the current global financial crisis is rapidly spreading and world economic growth is dramatically slowing.
In this regard, he reassured that China will be taking positive measures to boost demand and carry out necessary restructuring.
“I am sure through coordinated efforts, we will overcome the temporary difficulties and transfer the crisis into opportunities, and I am confident that China will play the constructive role for the stable and sound development of the international economy to create a prosperous future for the people.”
January 26, 2009 marks the beginning of the Chinese spring festival or New Year. On January 22, President Jagdeo and other Government officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps joined with their Chinese counterparts for a cultural celebration to mark the occasion at the Chinese Embassy, Mandela Avenue.
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Extension may be given for declaration of assets to Integrity Commission – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo today said that in an effort to ensure that Members of Parliament (MPs) comply with the 1997 Integrity Act which requires them to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission; he may consider extending the deadline of February 2.
“I want to remove any excuse that the Opposition leaders have so I may look at probably extending it for a few days further but clearly this should not be my call, it should be your call, the people of the country and the media,” the Head of State said in response to a question posed by a media operative.
President Jagdeo told the media that they should ask the MPs why is it that some members of Parliament, who have been in Parliament for several years, did not submit a single declaration when it is required by law and how is it that they continue to make laws in this country and enjoy the benefits as legislators.
“This is not a question for me but for the people of this country and for the media you should ask them these questions,” he added.
In response to another media operative as to why the hesitancy in enforcing the law over last several years, President Jagdeo said that the furor is being seen now with trying to enforce the law “Even when it’s a clear breach of the law they (the Opposition) are making it a political issue rather than just complying with the law.”
The Head of State noted that these are the people who have argued that there needs to be transparency in public life. “They have a lot of things to hide. They don’t want the people of this country to know what their income level is and what are their assets.”
The President said that he was informed that when the Civil Society Organisations asked why there were so many objections with submitting the declarations, a member of a political party responded that she did not want the country to know what her husband was earning and what assets he had.
“If that’s the case you should not be in public life because that is a requirement of the law. So I urge you (the media) to stay on top of this and the people of Guyana to look at this as a test case because if the leader of the Opposition is urging people to break the law when the law is to ensure financial probity in public life then what moral authority does he have to ever speak about corruption?” President Jagdeo queried.
While the stress has been on Parliamentarians to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission, it is not limited to them. President Jagdeo noted that there are other groups, however, he thought that they should start with the Members of Parliament because they are the legislators of the country and they must submit their statements of income and assets to the integrity commission.
In this regard, the President stated that persons who have not declared their assets for several years will be penalized accordingly for the missing years.
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World Economic Forum, another occasion to promote avoided deforestation – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo considers it a privilege to be given the opportunity to speak at the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland noting that it will present another opportunity to advocate for incentives for the preservation of rainforests.
He was at the time speaking to members of the media during a press conference at the Office of the President where he provided an update on some of his future business endeavours.
The Head of State is among 41 world leaders slated to attend the WEF which will be held in Davos during the period January 28 to February 1. Among those to attend are Heads of State from China and Russia including ministers of finance, trade, foreign affairs, environment and energy.
The forum will be held under the theme ‘Shaping the Post Crisis World’ and will focus on climate change, global crisis and economic reform among other pressing topics.
President Jagdeo said the topic of deforestation and climate change will be discussed by several other key speakers at other occasions during the forum and in this regard he considers it an important step forward in the area of avoided deforestation.
“We have been arguing that we need to refashion the Kyoto protocol to ensure that in the successor agreement to the protocol there is a position that adequately provides incentives for the preservation of rainforests,” President Jagdeo said.
The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement signed in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997 and came into effect in February 2005 aimed at reducing world greenhouse gas emissions to ultimately slow the rate of global warming. The United States of America (USA) agreed to a 7% reduction, and the European Union (EU) and Japan agreed to 8% and 6% reductions, respectively.
President Jagdeo said however, that although rainforests play a vital role in averting climate change and preserving biodiversity, there is no remuneration for its services.
“This has to change for equity sake and for the sake of achieving the steep targets that are necessary to stabilize the climate,” the Head of State explained.
Increased greenhouse gas emissions from industrial activities in many countries have been cited as the major contributor to the climate change phenomenon which has resulted in unusual weather patterns affecting the landscape and agriculture of many countries.
The Head of State believes that much work is needed if the advocacy role for standing forests and mechanisms for financial flow to the developing world will be considered. He called for the involvement of several Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) for this initiative to be realised.
“We are arguing that the market is a critical aspect of this so we have been doing quite a bit of lobbying work, I think we are gaining traction now and we’re gaining traction in an expanded way, ” President Jagdeo said.
Guyana has been seen by several international agencies and NGOs as a model for the remuneration for standing forest initiatives and President Jagdeo credited this to the extensive studies and technical work done.
At the launching of Guyana’s position on avoided deforestation in December President Jagdeo said studies have determined that Guyana’s forests could generate economic gains for the country as its value to the nation lies between US $430M and US $2B per year.
As to what Guyana would do should the country be compensated for its forest, President Jagdeo said the incentives can go towards a number of development areas. Here, he listed five planned areas his Government would be invest in:
- Moving the entire economy to clean energy…an example of this would be the planned Amaila Falls Hydro Power Plant that would see a supply of low carbon electricity for several decades. This, he said will lead to a significant decrease in the cost of doing business, cheaper living costs for consumers while it also will remove about 50 percent of Guyana’s already limited greenhouse gas emissions.
- Providing unprecedented assistance to forest villages and communities and to develop village economies which he noted can simultaneously improve opportunities for residents of the communities as well as secure sustainable use for the forest in the long-term through the expansion of eco-tourism and other attractions.
- The Diversification of the economy into low carbon economic sectors through the opening up of non-forested areas of the country such as the intermediate savannahs which he said could be opened up to sectors such a aquaculture, fruits and vegetables and bio-ethanol.
Noting that these parts of the country are inaccessible as a result of infrastructure being previously geared towards forest extraction, the Head of State said a new land use strategy would be worked on that would enable Government to invest in the infrastructure shift required to move on to low carbon development.
He added that this does not mean that all economic activity in the forest would be completely blocked but that sustainable forestry or mining will be limited in scale and must be done in accordance with the highest nationally validated and supervised standards.
- Investing heavily in people through development as focus would be placed on especially improving the health and education sectors of the country, as well as equipping the country’s young people to acquire high quality jobs in a globalised world economy.
5) Upgrading the country’s sea defence and irrigation systems to cope with the challenges posed by Climate Change.
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Integrity Commission to be resuscitated – President
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo today criticized the actions of the opposition members of parliament (MPs) who have refused to submit their declarations to the Integrity Commission, yet talk about integrity and corruption in public life.
The Head of State at a press conference at Office of the President stated that consultations will commence later this week, to resuscitate the Integrity Commission in light of the Opposition’s refusal to adhere to the law which requires them to make declarations of their income and assets.
According to President Jagdeo, the opposition has embarked on a public relations offensive and turned the issue into a political football after his recent caution that opposition leaders and MPs have two weeks to submit their declarations to the Commission or face legal consequences.
He said such a comment should have been a catalyst for the defaulters to comply with the law and submit their statements since these laws were designed by the executive and passed in the National Assembly with a view to ensuring that there is no corruption in public life.
Opposition leaders have however, refused to comply with the law which they blame on their concern about the legality of the commissioners.
The President said that the law stipulates that the President, Prime Minister, Members of the Cabinet, Members of Parliament (MPs) and other groups that have fiduciary responsibility make a declaration of their income, assets and liabilities so that audits can be subsequently done on these statements. He said those who do not want the public to know about their and their families’ assets should not be in public life since they are obligated to submit the assets, incomes and liabilities of their spouses and children to the commission.
He said despite whatever concerns they may have about the legality of the commissioners, there is a permanent mechanism in place with a secretariat, a secretary to the Commission and a requirement that persons submit their declarations. “So regardless of whether you have difficulties with the commissioners or not, you have to as part of our law to submit your declarations. I am very disappointed at the people who have been criticizing the government for corruption and calling for a freedom of information act that they are the ones who are also calling for non compliance with the law,” he declared.
The Guyanese Leader hopes that civil society and the international donor communities would speak out on this issue because they often argue that there is not enough transparency in public life in the developing world.
He also urged the media to not let excuses mask the need for compliance with the law and allow good sense to prevail. All MPs from both the opposition and governing party have to comply with the law since all will face the same consequences if they fail to do so.
He said he hopes in light of the disparaging remarks made by the leader of the Opposition about the religious members on the commission that “we don’t lose sight of what is at stake here. This is a very critical moment for our country; it is a watershed moment for our country. How can we say to the Head of the Customs department and other agencies that they have to comply with the law when some of the MPs ….do not want to comply with the law,” he queried.
Responding to questions about the role of the President, in this issue, the Head of State said that if people are not complying with the law and the Integrity Commission has not taken steps to deal with it, as the President he has to let the public know about what is taking place.
The President acknowledged that many sections of the governance apparatus have not worked well because people sometimes don’t want to take steps against the ‘so-called’ big boys in society. He added that if Ministers and MPs and other groups are not complying, members of the commission may not want to take steps against them fearing that they will be penalized, harassed or discriminated against. Noting that not all MPs have refused to comply with the requirement the President said, “They should not have put me in the position of having to threaten them to go to the public to have the police come in if they don’t submit their statements. As responsible MPs, they should have made their submissions.” He emphasized that they have an obligation to comply with the law.
He said the Opposition have been making excuses not to have to comply or to have their members comply with the law.
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President Jagdeo calls for investigation into contaminated GPL fuel
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo has called for a full investigation into the discovery of contaminated fuel at the Anna Regina Power Station, which created mechanical problems on two Wartsila units.
This problem resulted in the electricity supply to residents of the Essequibo Coast in Region Two being affected by prolonged power outages recently.
The company subsequently sent a technical team to the area for immediate repairs to the engine at the Anna Regina Power Station and also began investigating the circumstances leading to the fuel being contaminated.
Some 4,000 barrels of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) were dispatched in two shipments to Anna Regina on January 9 and 14 respectively. Both shipments arrived at the plant contaminated with water and some foreign solid matter.
GPL in a press release said that samples have been sent to neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago for testing to ascertain the extent of the contamination and should be made available by tomorrow.
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Book on Customer Service launched
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
A publication entitled “High Quality Customer Service Care and Polishing Your Telephone Manners: ‘For all those who interact with people’,” was launched today to sensitise small and large businesses in Guyana about the importance of high quality customer service.
The book is the third of its kind in the series of monographs on customer service management written by Ms. Joyce Sinclair; the two previous publications were “Receptive Courtesies” and Courtesy Tips for children and Young People”.
Section of the audience during the launch of the High Quality Customer Service Care and Polishing Your Telephone Manners book.
Present at the launch was Minister of Public Service Dr.Jennifer Westford who said there is no denying that standards in Guyana are at their lowest as persons are not attaching importance to discipline.
Minister Westford said she believes there should be another campaign similar to the “War on bad manners” throughout Guyana and that Sinclair’s book would be the ideal tool with which to carry out such a campaign.
High Quality Customer Service Care and Polishing Your Telephone Manners: “For all those who interact with people” book.
The Minister noted that her Ministry is responsible for staff development in the public sector and some aspects of the private sector and promised to ensure that the book becomes an essential manual in staff training.
The forward of the book was written by Chairman of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) captain Gerald Gouveia who congratulated Ms. Sinclair on being an icon on etiquette in Guyana.
Captain Gouveia assured her that the PSC will endorse and distribute the books throughout the Private Sector.
From left: Kenneth Simmons of the Region 10 Tourism Development Association, Indranauth Haralsingh, Director Guyana Tourism Authority, Dr Jennifer Westford Minister of Public Service and Ron Robinson Chairperson.
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority Indranauth Haralsingh said the book is timely and relevant and is essential for competitive needs and image building. Mr. Haralsingh said every organization should aim to exceed customer expectations in order to ensure that customers leave with a good impression.
According to Ms. Sinclair, this publication may be used in organizational training sessions to encourage staffers to implement the service standards set by the company. It also references the quality of the service meted out to members of the public and how these entities are perceived in the eyes of the public.
Commenting on the reason for writing such a book Sinclair said, “there is not a day as I go about my business which may take me to private as well as public sector organizations, that I do not experience poor customer service or poor telephone manners in one place or another… Some of this I think happens because persons do not know better.”
Ms. Joyce Sinclair, Author of High Quality Customer Service Care and Polishing Your Telephone Manners.
Ms Joyce Sinclair, a former Permanent Secretary, has also worked in two international organizations. She is currently involved in training activities in governmental and non-governmental organizations alike, seeking to improve their services.
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President expresses solidarity with relatives of Lusignan Massacre victims
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Lusignan Massacre, a tragedy that shattered the peace on the East Coast Demerara which saw 11 women, men and children being brutally murdered in their sleep.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, at a press briefing held at the Office of the President today said that it was a tragedy that not only encompassed the Lusignan incident but Bartica and Lindo Creek as well.
“We have all recognised that it is a sad period in our history not only because of the loss of life and the traumatic way in which we lost those lives but also because of the brutal nature of the crime and targeting systematically of women and babies lying asleep in their beds, it was probably one of the most brutal set of killings that we have ever had,” the President said.
He, however, stated that he was pleased that those who perpetrated this gruesome crime are either spending time in prison or have been killed. “I think that that’s a small vindication that you are not going to go untouched if you commit such heinous crimes.”
He noted that, “it would never heal the pain that many of the people who lost relatives feel… all that we can do is to express solidarity to people but it won’t return their loved ones, whatever we say its just that it could possibly bring some closure on this matter because of the death of some of the perpetrators.”
Last year, the President described this incident as aimed at spreading terror on the East Coast. “Only sick, demented cowards could kill defenceless children. I would like on behalf of the government and all the people of our country to extend our deepest condolences to the families and relatives of those who have been so brutally murdered,” President Jagdeo had stated.
On February 17, 2008, the mining town of Bartica was attacked by gunmen who killed 13 persons including three police officers. This brutal trend continued a few months later in July when eight miners were slain at a mining camp in Lindo Creek, Upper Berbice.
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Libyan investment team expected within a month – President
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
Libya is soon to deliver on its promise to send an investment team to Guyana to pursue opportunities in several sectors and to establish a Libyan People’s Bureau in Guyana, as both countries seek to further relations.
The team which is expected within a month will be looking at possibilities in the agriculture, mining and tourism sectors.
Libya, located in North Africa had a presence in Guyana in the 1970s 1980s and subsequently left as a result of difficulties at that time associated with the production of rice in the country. During that period Guyana had contracted quite a large debt to Libya.
However, the relationship between the two countries has strengthened after a visit by President Bharrat Jagdeo to Libya earlier this month. The Head of State had advanced Guyana’s case for debt write - off on US$41M.
President Jagdeo and Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi discussed the promotion of cooperation between Africa and Latin America and the development of international political and economic issues of common concern.
The President was accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad.
Libya depends principally on the revenues from petroleum, which contributes virtually all export earnings and over half of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It also has considerable agricultural potential.
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President Jagdeo to lobby Norwegian leader, Prince Charles on avoided deforestation initiative
Georgetown, GINA, January 26, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo intends to advance the petition for compensation for standing forests with the help of the Norwegian leader and Prince Charles of England, both of whom have been supportive of the initiative.
During a press conference today at the Office of the President, the Head of State said he will be travelling to Norway following the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland which begins on Wednesday in Davos.
Norway, according to President Jagdeo has been very supportive of the standing forests initiative and has demonstrated this by allocating large sums of money to deal with deforestation.
The Head of State will then proceed to meet several representatives who are working to raise awareness on forest preservation. Prince Charles of England will be one such person.
In December President Jagdeo had unveiled Guyana’s position on avoided deforestation, prior to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland.
At the unveiling he had reminded that Guyana would be willing to consider placing almost its entire rainforest under long-term protection if the right market-based incentives were created to make the initiative economically worthwhile provided it did not affect the legitimate development aspirations of Guyanese or trespass on their sovereignty over the forests.
“Of course, placing our forest under long-term protection could only be done with the sanction of the National Assembly and those who live in, and depend on, the forests. But I believe that most Guyanese are rightly proud of our long-term commitment to preserving our forest and would be willing to do this.”
He said then that it was determined that Guyana’s forests could generate economic value to the nation of between $430M and $2 B per year. This wide range relates to variability driven by fluctuating prices for commodities such as logs, palm oil and rice – but the most likely economic value to the nation is about US$580 M per year, he said.
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