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Linden highway gets new street lights
- PM flicks switch to commission
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
At exactly 18:00 h yesterday Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is also the minister responsible for the electricity sector flicked the main switch to commission the newly installed streets lights on the Linden highway.
The lights which illuminate a one-mile length, in the vicinity of Amelia’s Ward were made possible through a collaborative effort of the Linden Municipality and Digicel, one of the two telecommunications service providers in Guyana.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds accompanied by Digicel's CEO Gregory Dean flicking the switch to commission the new street lights on the Linden highway.
The project is however the brainchild of the cell phone company which is fulfilling its commitment to “give back” to communities.
At the commissioning ceremony were Digicel’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gregory Dean, Chairman of Region Ten Mortimer Mingo, Chairman of Linden’s Interim Management Committee (IMC) Orin Gordon, the Linden Town Week Planning Committee and several other officials of the town and the company.
Prime Minister Hinds said he was particularly pleased that the lights were commissioned during the Linden town week activity which Digicel has been supporting.
“It is important to note that today’s achievement forms part of a greater movement in which corporate entities partner with government and local groups all across our nation,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
While highlighting the expansion in the population of Linden, Prime Minister Hinds recalled the period when Amelia’s Ward was nothing but mere “bush” but gradually developed into a flourishing housing scheme.
A section of the newly installed street lights at the Linden highway.
He however, recalled the many serious accidents which occurred on the Linden Highway and other parts of the country which “have perturbed Government.
“We have high accident rates here in Guyana and as you know we have embarked on a programme to work to reduce that rate. Seatbelts were introduced and they are now largely accepted. Safety helmets for riders of motor cycles are also in the law but I don’t think they are well respected. We are also advertising the breathalyzers to clamp down on drunk drivers,” Prime Minister said.
The company’s CEO said the project was embarked upon following its concerns about series of road fatalities along the same location which had claimed the lives of some contractors of the company.
The most recent accident which also killed National Communications Network (NCN) reporter Akila Jacobs and injured several other media operatives was also highlighted.
“We couldn’t provide lighting for the entire highway so we thought that we would focus our attention on the main areas of concern in Linden,” Dean said.
The project which was the end product of lengthy discussions between the company and officials of Linden was completed in one week. The company in addition to installing the road lights erected road safety billboard messages to assist in promoting public education.
The traffic department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the region has been maintaining a high presence on the Linden highway as they maintain their vigilance. During the commissioning the police was commended for contributing to the reduction in road accidents on the highway.
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Amaila Falls hydropower construction likely to start by year end
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
The Caribbean should be pushing for renewable energy because of its vulnerability to fossil fuels, Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said and in this regard and despite challenges, Guyana would be pursuing renewable energy in the form of hydropower, one way or another.
Guyana’s fuel import bill is US$350M, and the President has said that the development of renewable energy sources is needed to increase energy security and maintain macro-economic stability. “We should do that from the perspective of energy security and from the perspective…that it will reduce our balance of payment and improve our macro-economic fundamentals…there is a need for Caribbean countries to pursue this to make them more secure from the macro perspective but you have additional benefit of climate mitigation,” he said.
At a press conference held yesterday, Guyana Power & Light Inc. Chairman, Winston Brassington, noted that it is likely that construction of the Amaila Falls hydropower plant will start by year end.
The project which has the capacity to provide over 140 megawatts of electricity is to be located along the Kuribrong River in Potaro, Region Eight.
Giving an overview of the progress in developing the project, Brassington noted that five bids were received from interested parties to construct the hydropower plant in November 2008, and these bids were forwarded to the project developers, Sithe Global Power.
Sithe Global Power, LLC, based in New York, is an international development company involved in the construction, acquisition and operation of electric power generation facilities. The company began as Sithe Energies, Inc. in 1968 and has since become one of the largest power producers in the United States. Sithe has developed over 50 power plant projects in nine countries with a capital investment of over US$5B. The company is currently developing the 250MW Bujagali Hydropower Project at Jinga, Uganda.
President Bharrat Jagdeo had earlier stated that the Amaila Falls hydropower project would be completed before he demits office.
“We are working towards an agreement in Copenhagen to allow assistance for countries to move to renewable energy,” President Jagdeo stated. “In Guyana’s case, it a US$600M we have to find to build a hydro (power plant) to provide the whole country with electricity…we are talking about 100 to 150 megawatts. We need US$150M maybe another US$50M for some systems and transmissions…so it will cost us three times more to build the hydro (power plant) and to transmit the electricity than if we were to go to the fossil type of investment.”
However, while noting that building the plant is a huge investment, the President explained that it would be fully subsidized by the international community because it is a renewable energy project.
Brassington explained that the bids submitted were much higher than the engineer’s estimate for the project and Government is taking steps to negotiate with the bidders to secure a reduced price. He pointed out that the bids were submitted when the world prices of commodities had risen significantly, a trend which has reversed, and efforts will focus on securing reduced prices based on these falls in world commodity prices. Also, certain additional studies have been carried out on the project which will reduce the risk to prospective bidders, and this should have an effect on the final project price.
It is expected that a price in line with the budget established for the project will be agreed by September of this year, along with securing financing. Sithe Global, the project developer, is willing to supply the equity for the project, which is expected to be over US$100M.
Upon conclusion of negotiations, it is possible that construction of the project will begin by year end.
The Amaila Falls Hydropower Project is just part of a larger effort to revolutionize Guyana’s power generation infrastructure. Also ongoing is a US$39.6M project to upgrade the transmission and distribution (T&D) system, establishing a continuous network from Skeldon, Berbice to Parika, Essequibo including the East and West Bank Demerara networks. It will also see the construction of a state-of-the-art control centre at Sophia and will be capable of connecting to the Amaila Falls project once it is completed.
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Gov’t committed to modernizing financial sector
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
Government remains committed to developing and modernizing the local financial sector in its drive to take Guyana forward since a country’s growth and development hinge on a sound, solid and modernized financial sector.
Government has made ample progress in this regard with major policy and legislative reform undertaken; the most recent being the passing of a Bill to confiscate money launderers’ assets.
The Bill is an essential element in helping with the reorientation of the local financial sector and can be seen as a landmark achievement. For many years, there was always the speculation of bad money entering or being a major part of the financial system which is usually associated with corruption.
The new piece of legislation will lay the foundation for these issues to be directly tackled and will allow for proper accountability and transparency, thereby improving the governance process.
The passage of the new Bill is one of many pieces of financial legislation that will pave the way for a host of complementary reforms. The Bill which was passed with the full support of the National Assembly spent almost two years in a special select committee. It seeks to provide for the establishment and management of a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to provide for unlawful proceeds derived from criminal offences to be identified, traced, frozen, seized and eventually forfeited.
It also provides for comprehensive powers for the prosecution of money laundering, terrorist financing and other financial crimes and the forfeiture of proceeds of crime and terrorist properties.
The modern legislation will also require entities that report such crimes to take preventative measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing and to assist with the forfeiting of assets involved.
A FIU was established within the Ministry of Finance in 2003. In addition to the unit, government bodies responsible for investigating financial crimes include the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, the Attorney General, and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Bill is being complemented by the Money Laundering Act of 2000, which provides for seizure of assets derived as proceeds of crime, including money, investments, and real and personal property. The legislation is also expected to provide for oversight of export industries, real estate, and alternative remittance systems.
In addition to this piece of legislation, several other Bills are at present before a special Parliamentary Select Committee including the Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing Bill) 2008. That Bill will help in the monitoring of money transfer agencies by making provision for the registering of money transfer agents and for connected purposes.
Government has also embarked on several financial and fiduciary oversights in its reform process; these include the setting up of special oversight bodies and reforms in the banking, insurance, and pension sector all with the aim of creating a vibrant and dynamic finacail sector to the promotion of private sector growth and development.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said that the Bill marks a landmark achievement and lays the basis for an effective fight against the scourge of money laundering.
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Gov’t continues to emphasize drainage infrastructure for East Coast communities - close to $30M spent at Buxton for enhancing drainage capacity
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud today at a meeting with Buxton / Friendship farmers told them that government’s emphasis will continue to be on infrastructure and drainage since East Coast Demerara communities needed to be secure. The Minister also met with farmers of Enterprise.
The aim of these meetings was to revive and expand agricultural cultivation in communities along East Coast Demerara that have potential for agriculture since it will help in enhancing the economic situation and way of life in these areas.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud speaking to Buxton farmers.
Government has invested a significant amount of resources and has been working with the farmers’ group. A considerable amount of work was done especially on the pump basin. Also works were carried out in the backlands and in canals around the community.
In this respect, Minister Persaud said government had spent close to $30M in enhancing the drainage capacity and has been working with the region, the NDC, farmers’ group and contractors in trying to improve these drainage facilities.
He noted that a lot of work will be done on the Crown Dam because over time it has eroded and cavities have developed which led to water entering the community. As such, there was no first line of defence between the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) and the Crown Dam. Earlier, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) could not carry out remedial work because of security concerns. Minister Persaud said that much work was targeted to be done on the dam between the last rainy season and this rainy season.
The works on the Dam are expected to last two years and would focus on areas such as Victoria.
A section of the gathering at Buxton, ECD.
Chief Executive Officer, NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth said that rehabilitative works will be carried out from Lusignan to Strathspey. He added that all the sidelines leading to the front lines in Buxton will be done.
Work will be done on the old sluice to increase the flow because it is critical to releasing water. Minister Persaud explained that a pump poured water into the basin which in turn released it via the sluice but this structure proved inadequate. As a result of this old mechanism used by the Guyana Sugar Corporation, all pumps will throw water into the Atlantic Ocean. Minister Persaud noted that the emphasis continues to be on infrastructure and drainage.
Commenting on a farmer’s concerns about the outfall channel, he said that two excavators and pontoon will soon arrive to dredge the channel. This equipment will be moving from Abary to the East Coast to dredge outfall channels at Buxton, Hope, Golden Grove and Greenfield. Contractor Courtney Benn is in the process of building another piece of equipment for dredging.
The Minister pointed out that NDIA has responsibility for the primary drainage systems and the NDC the secondary ones but often the Authority cannot wait for them to act.
He said he was hoping for local government elections since it will bring “new blood”. He made this statement in light of complaints by residents that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) was not taking on its responsibility since they were not even at the farmers’ meeting and were not effectively dealing with drainage and irrigation issues.
Minister Persaud interacting with farmers of Enterprise, ECD.
The Minister during his meeting with Enterprise farmers also expressed his dissatisfaction over drainage and irrigation works.
The Minister advised farmers to form themselves into groups since it is more difficult when they operate as individuals.
Buxton farmers were told that part of the Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development Project (READ) will interface with them in terms of building their capacity and mainstreaming. He said that there will be an increased presence of crops officers in the area and more training programmes.
The Minister said that there is an animal breeding programme across the country and through this farmers will benefit. Some 400 farmers around the country have already benefited. He stated that farmers who were interested in artificial insemination could either get it freely done or pay 30 percent of the cost.
The Minister advised farmers who were interested in cane farming to proceed in their ventures since 40,000 tonnes of sugar will be needed at the Enmore packaging plant.
Minister Persaud took the opportunity to remind Buxtonians that it was time to move forward since they had missed out on a number of opportunities.
In Enterprise, the Minister said that he will facilitate talks with GuySuCo to garner more land for farmers especially cattle farmers. Farmers had claimed that there was some amount of land aback of the savannah which could be utilized for farming.
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Houselot allocation under this administration phenomenal – President Jagdeo - promises $6B more investment in housing sector
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
Houselot allocation under the People’s Progressive Party Civic administration has been unparalleled and the administration plans to further expand the housing sector with an additional $6B to be spent over the next three years to develop new houselots and to improve existing housing schemes.
President Bharrat Jagdeo while addressing hundreds of Region Four houselot applicants at the Housing Ministry’s third “One Stop Shop’ Outreach at the Ministry today, said that he has made it clear that over the next three years 17,000 new houselots should be developed.
Speaking about the housing backlog, the Head of State explained that Government would continue to work towards realizing the dreams of other Guyanese of owning their homes.
President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses Region 4 houselot lot applicants at the Housing Ministry's 'One stop Shop' outreach.
“I wonder if we had not issued the many houselots ...where would we have been in terms of backlog? Just imagine a country with the census showing that you have about 250,000 households and another 70,000 to 80,000 houselots being issued, it’s a huge phenomenon; it’s massive development.
I don’t think any country in the world could match our record in terms of comparison between the number of households in the country and how many new housing units and houselots that we are providing to people so that they can grow. We had to do this because historically we did not invest enough in the housing sector so this huge backlog built up,” the President explained.
The Head of State sees the sector’s advancement as one that would move away from what was created historically, towards greater harmony among the country’s multi-ethnic groups.
“ When our people either left the plantations as freed slaves or indentured servants they went off and settled in communities that they bought and developed but largely because of the historical period, …but because of history we tended in the past to live in communities that had maybe a single race in Guyana… we want to change all of that in the new housing schemes …the communities are going to be mixed …that would develop bonds of friendship, bonds of unity that this country badly needs to overcome the history that the colonial people started.”
Housing is one of the major success stories of this administration having allocated over 80,000 houselots. With the One stop Shop outreach that was recently introduced another 2000 have been added to that number.
Last year 8,854 houselots were allocated and services provided to approximately 6,000 lots. This resulted in an improvement in the quality of life for approximately 24, 000 people.
Under the first Low Income Settlement Programme, about 19,000 houselots in several housing schemes and squatter settlements were established in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 6, 7 and 10.
More than 65 squatter settlements have been regularized with the necessary infrastructure installed.
Several new housing schemes have blossomed over the recent past with Sophia, Diamond/Grove and Parfait/Harmonie among the most progressive.
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Now is the time to build - President advises houselot allottees
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
Guyana does not have a housing bubble, nor a crash in housing prices, due to the global financial crisis, but what has been arising out of the depression has been the opportunity for persons benefiting from cheaper building materials because global demand has shrunk and prices have fallen right across the board for a whole range of things.
As such, Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo continues to advise persons who have received houselots from the Government to utilize the opportunity now and take advantage of lower prices.
“This is the best time, this year or so, when the world is in recession, it is the best time to build because building material prices are going to remain low so as far as possible try to move to put up your buildings early,” the President advised hundreds of houselot applicants who turned up at the Ministry of Housing’s ‘One Stop Shop’ outreach to have their applications processed today.
He said locally, there are some who always claim old stock, that they have to sell old stock out but they don’t drop their prices.
“I’ve urged the army officers to get together and buy directly abroad …lots of building materials have fallen steeply in the global market and if people can’t get proper prices here they should get their families to buy stock import then pay the duty. Sometimes if you send in a container you can save much less than if you buy in some of the retail outlets here because they are not very competitive,” he explained.
The President spoke also advised the houselot beneficiaries of the low interest rates at banks which would be to their advantage.
“The interest rates have come down in fact for low-income housing; we don’t just subsidize land and water it’s a huge subsidy but we also have an arrangement with the banks that if they make loans available to low income communities we don’t pay taxes on any income from those loans so that is why the mortgage rates have come down.”
Alluding to the interest rates many years ago when it was 35% and was impossible to borrow for housing, he advised that the rate now is 6.7 percent.
Urging the allottees not to be complacent, he said that Guyana has resources for every single Guyanese, and while all the land is gone in Region Four, with the exception of GuySuCo from which it has taken a lot, there is land elsewhere.
He explained what is happening internationally where due to the recession in the United States alone more than 10 million people have lost their homes or about to lose them, while in China 20 million have lost their jobs.
The President told those gathered at the Ministry that what happens internationally tends to feed in locally, however, “We have been taking some strong steps to safeguard our economy as far as possible to ensure that the contingent effects would not affect us here; we’ve had a little brush when the CLICO Bahamas failed.”
President Bharrat Jagdeo’s lobbying efforts at the 5th Summit of the Americas on behalf of the policyholders of CLICO Guyana was successful, with the President indicating that CARICOM Heads have agreed to put aside an additional US$15M to assist Guyana in closing the liability - asset gap of the local company.
From the very beginning, of the CLICO saga, the President has guaranteed that no policyholder would lose their money. This guarantee was unequivocally support by the National Assembly on March 12.
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Agriculture, Health Ministries institute strict monitoring for swine flu
-no reported cases in Guyana
Georgetown, GINA, May 2, 2009
Officials of the Ministries of Health and Agriculture have implemented measures to monitor the country’s borders, and airlines and ships coming into the country in light of the swine flu outbreak that is occurring in other countries.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud today met with pig rearers, and veterinary and health officials in the Agriculture Ministry’s Boardroom to update them on the situation with regards to the swine flu/ H1N1 flu.
“The reason that we have called this discussion is that we want some of the information to be available to the public, farmers, and generally individuals have been a bit confused or have a number of unanswered questions regarding the swine flu. When a lot of persons heard about the swine flu they started to get worried and to question whether or not the consumption of pork, or whether through the animal they can get the flu,” the Minister said.
Minister Persaud noted that in some countries there has been massive slaughtering of pigs which is due to a lack of information.
He stated that there needs to be full understanding of the flu from the pig rearing stand point. From the World Health Organization (WHO) perspective, it is safe to consume pork, Minister Persaud advised.
He assured that animals in Guyana are free from the H1N1 virus.
“We have not found animals in Guyana with the H1N1 virus so that means our flocks are free,” he said.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud meeting with pig rearers, veterinarians and health officials.
He said that farmers need to be aware of what is happening in order that they can take the necessary precautions, to be very alert and proactive to maintain safety of the pig industry. He also urged Veterinary Officials to be more interactive with farmers and have mechanisms from which they can receive constant reports from farmers so as to eliminate panic and be on top of the situation.
Dr Colin James of the Public Health Department advocated practicing hygiene that is washing hands frequently. He also advised persons to cover their mouth when coughing.
“We are advised to take the necessary steps to protect our human population as it relates to safeguarding them from being affected.”
He noted that some measures have been implemented in that airlines as well as ships are required to enforce health declaration at ports.
Since the outbreak of the H1N1 virus the Ministry of Health has heightened its surveillance as well as maintained a stock of Tamiflu to be distributed to all health care facilities.
The swine flu first surfaced in Mexico, spreading to the United States and other countries. Reports are that more than a dozen countries have since been affected.
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Over 1,000 applications processed at Region Four ‘One Stop Shop’ outreach-Minister Ali
Georgetown, GINA, May 02, 2009
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali confirmed this evening that over 1,000 house lot applications were processed at the Housing Ministry’s ‘One Stop Shop’ outreach in Region Four.
During the programme held today, the Minister noted that the initiative was a commitment by President Bharrat Jagdeo in 2006 to take the services offered by all the Ministries to the people.
The commitment by the President has been fulfilled and today it is a reality and importance not only in the lives of the people but also the government since it has accomplished the promises set out in the PPP/C 2006 manifesto, he said.
It was noted that the Parfaite/Harmonie Housing Scheme is one of the proposed schemes that has been targeted for the distribution of houselots and the development of more homes.
“This area comprises a number of plantations totalling approximately 13,000 houselots. When we first established Parfaite/Harmonie persons would say it is out of Georgetown but Parfait/Harmonie is just about 7.11 miles away from Georgetown. For persons who are working in Georgetown it is approximately 30 to 35 minutes away from Georgetown… If you go into Parfaite/Harmonie Housing Scheme today you would be surprised to see the wonderful development that we have in there,” Minister Ali said.
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali interacting with a Region Four house lot allottee at ‘One Stop shop’ outreach
To date the administration has expended in excess of $1B on developmental works in the Housing Scheme for the construction and upgrade of roads.
“In construction and upgrading of roads we have spent $634M, in the installation of pure water distribution network we have spent in excess of $160M and for installation of electricity we have spent in excess of $225M. We have programmed in this year resources for the drilling of a well at Parfaite/Harmonie and we have concluded the design for that project…We are moving forward now with the tendering process,” the Minister said.
Allottees awaiting to have their applications processed
He also noted that the provision of houselots and water is highly subsidized by Government adding that the amount many persons pay is not the real cost.
“People are at the center of the policies that are developed by this government…for a $90,000 houselot you are receiving 375% subsidy; the real cost for that houselot is actually $475,000 and that includes the development cost of the land, so today we are enjoying the direct benefit that goes directly to you and your family as a result of the development thrust of the government….As a result of the government’s commitment in delivering essential services to our people and ensuring that all our people benefit from that service that is subsidised,” Minister Ali said.
President Bharrat Jagdeo who was present at the outreach also assured applicants of his administration’s commitment to the development of the housing sector and communities.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), Myrna Pitt said the Parfait Harmonie housing scheme is the CH&PA’s largest scheme which consists of five phases.
She highlighted that the construction of houses continues apace in the area and when fully occupied, it promises to be another housing scheme that persons will be proud to inhabit.
“Will boast a commercial zone that would include facilities such as banks and other commercial and business undertakings that would contribute to a sustainable and self-sufficient community,” she said.
Pitt added that the CH&PA will also be preparing a Community Development Plan that will provide a planned context for the future development and consolidation of the community.
This, she said, is to ensure that development will take place in an orderly manner, to assist in creating a better land-use decision-making environment, where development decisions will take account of issues which impact on the community and its development.
“We will be gathering data on the demographic and other characteristics and issues in the existing community for analysis, and using that information to develop a framework for a community plan that will not only address the needs of the community, but inform a plan of action for achieving them. Be assured that the plan will be developed with the full participation and involvement of everyone who resides there. It is also envisioned that once the area is fully occupied, including the commercial and business area, employment opportunities would be a natural and desirable outcome,” Pitt assured.
She further noted that the CH&PA is pursuing a process of continuous improvement and is committed to providing a responsive service that meets the needs of allottees.
“We are seeking to improve on our service delivery to you and working towards providing a more holistic service that includes information that is relevant to you as a future home owner. Today is one such example, since we have made this a ‘One Stop Shop’ arrangement which will enable you to leave here with not only your lot number, but the necessary documents that will enable to finalize your transaction smoothly, and in a timely manner,” she concluded.
The ‘One Stop Shop’ initiative since its introduction approximately four weeks ago has seen in excess of 2,000 transactions processed from the two outreaches held in Regions Three and Six by the Housing Ministry.
It was noted that this has surpassed the target set by the institution as it relates to the allocation of lots and titles.
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