Several areas around City benefit from enhancement work
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
Several areas around the City are being enhanced, as the Mayor and City Council continues to utilize money from the $120M that was given to it by President Bharrat Jagdeo to undertake enhancement and landscaping works. This is in keeping with the Administration’s effort to ensure a clean and safe environment.
Works, including de-siliting of drains, weeding of parapets, trimming of trees, minor rehabilitation of roads, removal of debris and derelict and illegal structures are ongoing at several locations, including at Regent, East, New Market, Carmichael and Cummings Streets and South Road.
Workers from the Public Works and City Engineering Departments are also part of the enhancement operation.
The Municipality’s Public Relations Officer, Royston King during a telephone interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that the Council is also serving statutory and demand notices to persons in the areas to stop the construction of illegal buildings and for them to pay their taxes.
King noted that there are persons who do not write the City Engineering Department for approval before building, however, it is a requirement of the law that approval is granted before construction commences.
King related that they are talking with citizens to help correct the situation.
In addition, persons from the Public Health department are spraying drains in an effort to contain mosquito larvae.
While major road works are not being done as part of the allocation, King said that the Ministry of Public Works is assisting with road building materials to undertake minor road repairs in the areas.
On March 19, President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Mayor and Town Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which allowed for the Council to benefit from a $120M fund over a 12- month period, for landscaping and enhancement. The money will also be used to bolster the Council’s $260M budget and is being disbursed in tranches of $10M.
The Council is in receipt of its first $10M, which is being utilised to undertake current works.
Areas identified to benefit from enhancement works include, Cummingsburg, Cummings Lodge, Tucville, Agricola, Lacytown and Lodge Housing Scheme.
The communities were selected based on an assessment done by engineers of the City Engineer Department and were chosen because of their physical condition and population density.
Most of the enhancement work is being done in a labour intensive fashion and persons are being recruited from the identified areas to execute the cleaning, while technical assistance is provided by the Council.
King said that the enhancement project has provided employment for about 80 persons from each community.
To have the community directly involved in the project will provide the residents a sense of ownership of the community and thus, they would be more inclined to making the project a success, King contended. This was encouraged by President Jagdeo.
The Council is asking residents to cooperate with them and to help sustain the programme.
In addition to the $120M, the Council also benefited from two vehicles and five computers to aid its three-year Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) strategy. It will also assist with the automation of the Municipality to serve residents in a more effective and efficient manner.
Government on a number of occasions has provided the Municipality with monetary assistance to aid developmental works in the city, including the provision of technical assistance and equipment such as pumps and excavators.
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Leguan’s drainage capacity to be enhanced
- as preparations continue for rainy season
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
As preparations continue for the rainy season, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) is looking at enhancing the drainage capacity in Leguan, Region Three.
According to Regional Chairman, Region Three, Julius Faerber, the NDIA is looking at the possibility of enhancing drainage in the Waterloo area. The Regional Chairman and NDIA’s Chief Executive Officer (ag.), Lionel Wordsworth yesterday visited the area. The officials observed that the four-foot tube that was being used to provide drainage for 2600 acres was inadequate.
NDIA is looking to at two possibilities; installing another tube of similar size or resuscitating a drainage structure in close proximity to the area.
The Regional Chairman said an excavator is working in Leguan and 80 percent of the drainage works earmarked for this period has already been carried out on the island in preparation for the rainy season.
With respect to works in other Region Three areas, monthly maintenance work is being carried out on the sidelines. The new De Willem sluice, West Coast Demerara that is being constructed by NDIA is 90 percent complete while the pump station that is being refurbished at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara is also soon to be commissioned.
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GPF to complement Gov’t efforts to fight domestic violence
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is working to put more measures in place to assist Government in the ongoing fight against domestic violence. The GPF has noted the increase in cases of domestic violence which has led to victims losing their lives or being seriously injured.
Force Training Officer at the Felix Austin Police College and Assistant Commissioner, Clinton Conway assured that, “Domestic violence is on the front burner of all the Divisions of Police Commanders.”
Asst. Commissioner Conway informed that the GPF has several officers who were trained locally and overseas to deal with this crime. These officers are responsible for conducting the domestic violence training component at various levels in the Force such as constables, sergeants, inspectors and officers.
Divisional Commanders are required to do a monthly analysis of cases of domestic violence in terms of the reports made and the action taken by the police; this report is then submitted to the Criminal Investigation Department and subsequently to the Ministry of Home Affairs where further analysis is done.
Since the start of 2009, 498 ranks including 145 recruits have been trained in domestic violence. Officers operating at the stations, who would be the first to accept the reports, are also being trained so that they are able to take the corrective action, he said.
Another initiative taken by Government to encourage victims to report this crime includes building a private room at the stations for victims to report their crime in private. Presently, construction of these rooms has started at Georgetown and Berbice Police stations.
Conway assured that, “Domestic violence is an important part of our policing duty because we feel that it is affecting members of the community and we ask members of the community to report cases to us where we can take action.”
However, he noted that the police are facing the major problem of victims not following through with the reports made because many of them refuse to provide the evidence needed to take the alleged perpetrator to court. He added that, if victims refuse to pursue the matter there is not much the police can then do.
“It might start with a small assault and later on will increase; it may end up in murder or other serious offences. We feel that if we deal with the minor matters there won’t be opportunity for the major ones to come forward, therefore no matter how minor, we need to address domestic violence and that is the message we have been spreading to all members of the force… The urge is there, the will is there but on the other side we have to get the will of the victims to come forward and give the necessary statements so that we can deal with the issue,” he said.
Additionally, the Asst. Commissioner said that, “Domestic violence is not only a police issue but rather the community should play a role, the churches, the school and all other stakeholders… Unless we work together we really cannot effectively reduce domestic violence so I am appealing to all and sundry to come forward and make the report, let us know what is going on so that we can take the effective action.”
The procedure when making a report on a domestic violence case as outlined by the GPF is;
- At the Police station, the victim is to report to the police on duty. After an evaluation is conducted, the police will then classify the offence as either being a case of domestic violence or another offence.
- If identified as a case of domestic violence, the victim should then be taken into a private room/area at the police station to report his/her case in confidentiality.
- The police are then required to gather all information including what occurred, all the persons that were involved, the date, time and place of the incident.
- It is then the duty of the officer to examine the victim and note if there are any injuries/marks of violence on the victims exposed body. The police are then required to ensure that the victim seeks medical attention immediately (if necessary).
- The police should seek to apprehend the alleged perpetrator. At this point the police may confront the alleged perpetrator with the case reported and note the response. Further, if there is evidence suggesting that the alleged perpetrator did commit the act; and arrest and later charges can/should be made against them.
Asst. Commissioner Conway acknowledged that they have received reports against policemen and women that they were not effective in dealing with this issue and this is currently being addressed.
He asked that persons who are not satisfied with the response that they received from the station level should report their case to a higher authority. These include the Divisional Commanders, the Office of Professional Responsibility or the Police Complaints Authority.
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Guyana seeks to extend its continental shelf
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
Government has provided information to the United Nations aimed at securing Guyana’s entitlement to extend its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, pursuant to Article 76 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a release today said the information was submitted on May 12, 2009 to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLSCS) by the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations.
Guyana’s preparation of its full submission to the United Nations pursuant to Article 76 of UNCLOS is at an advanced stage, and will be submitted before the end of August.
According to the Ministry, the provision of the information to the UN was made without prejudice to future maritime delimitation with neighbouring States.
Under the provisions of Article 76 of UNCLOS, Coastal States, after meeting strictly specified technical and scientific criteria, may, with the recommendation of the UNCLCS exercise jurisdiction over a maximum of 150 nautical miles beyond the 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone.
Guyana signed the UNCLOS (United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1833, p. 3) on December 10, 1982 and became a State Party to the Convention when it deposited the sixtieth instrument of ratification on November 16, 1993.
The Convention entered into force 12 months later on November 16, 1994.
The continental shelf of a coastal State comprises the sea-bed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond its territorial sea throughout the natural prolongation of its land territory to the outer edge of the continental margin, or to a distance of 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured where the outer edge of the continental margin does not extend up to that distance.
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Team of Government Officials to visit Region 1 from May 15
-to address community development, challenges
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
A team of Government Officials led by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Member of Parliament Donald Ramoutar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Sewchan, Hinterland Coordinator of the Ministry Harripersaud Nokta and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Hydar Ally will be visiting a number of communities in the Mabaruma Sub Region during the period May 15 to 20.
The team is expected to visit several communities including Hobodia, Hotoquai, Sacred Heart Square, St. Dominic Square, Yarakita, Arukamai and Lower Koriabo.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs will also convene a seminar at Hosororo which will engage community leaders and residents from the surrounding communities.
The objective of the visit and seminar is to address the community development challenges and concerns of residents and to provide update on the Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme executed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. Matters pertaining to Region One 2009 Programme and the upcoming Local Government Elections will also be discussed by the Ministry of Local Government Officials.
The Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development team is scheduled to meet with the Regional Chairman, Vice Chairman, Regional Executive Officer and other Senior Regional Officials to discuss administrative matters and to examine the implementation and progress of the 2009 work programme. It will examine ongoing project within the sub region.
This team is also scheduled to visit and meet with villagers of the Kamwatta, Whitewater, Wauna, Wauna Hill/Tobago, Almond Beach and Lower Aruka villages.
Permanent Secretary Ally will meet with Regional Health Officials and conduct a visit to the Mabaruma Hospital, and the nurses’ hostel which is currently under construction.
The combined team’s visit will cover a total of 20 communities in the Barima, Aruau, Aruka, and Koriabo Rivers in the Mabaruma Sub – Region.
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Contracts valued over $141M signed to boost drainage, agricultural activities
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
Seven contracts totalling over $141M were today awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture Sector Development Unit to six contractors which will significantly boost the capacity of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), the Burma Rice Research Station and the Parika Packaging Facility.
These major contracts include the supply of a hydraulic excavator at a cost of over $37M by Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM). This long reach excavator will be used in the execution of drainage works at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC).
According to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud who was present at the award ceremony, this will enhance the NDIA’s fleet of excavators.
The second contract involves the rehabilitation of structures at the EDWC, at a cost of nearly $50M. The contractor is A&S General Contracting Inc.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud with other officials at the signing.
Another contract that involves the fabrication of a punt and a pontoon for the EDWC at a cost of over $34M was awarded to the Guyana National Industrial Company. The pontoon will be used in the EDWC to transport machinery and aid in the clearing and excavation of drainage canals.
These contracts are linked to the World Bank Conservancy Adaptation Project and are critical to bolstering the capacity of the drainage systems in addition to what is being done by central government.
It will also aid the NDIA in having better drainage and irrigation infrastructure in preparation for the impact of climate change. The Agriculture Minister said that these interventions are significant.
Commenting on the increased capacity by NDIA, he explained that the enhanced fleet of equipment will reduce the need for hiring contractors. Earlier, during a visit to the Abary River he had noted how costly it was to hire contractors.
NDIA has been working around the clock in preparation of the rainy season. Just last week, contracts totalling in excess of $167M for the supply of a pontoon, excavator and two bulldozers were signed.
Two contracts were also signed for equipment in the Burma Rice Research Station. The first totalling over $8M is for a laser land leveller and the contractor is General Equipment Guyana Ltd. This will be used to improve rice research and cultivation techniques. The second is for a tractor costing $11M that will be used to facilitate improved research.
The Parika packaging facility will also benefit from the signed contracts since they will receive office equipment which will aid in the efforts of the facility. Just last year, the facility was opened and has been functioning since.
The contractors at the signing.
These contracts are part of the Agricultural Support Services Programme (ASSP) that are funded by the Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) which extends to the different sub-sectors such as rice.
Minister Persaud noted that several contracts have already been completed with the Rural Enterprise and Agricultural Development (READ) Programme and through the Agricultural Diversification Programme.
The Agriculture Minister stated that these contracts are reflective of support from international partners in terms of central government policies which has grown significantly.
He advised that contractors to maintain high standards when delivering their contracts while doing so in a timely manner. Minister Persaud said that the contractors must meet the requirements necessary to sustain the projects.
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Copenhagen should seek to cut emissions deeply, create financing flows, and transfer technology – President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo today pledged Guyana’s support for calls to reduce net global deforestation by 50 percent by 2020 and to make the global forestry sector carbon neutral by 2030. He asserted that the Copenhagen forum must create financing flows and technology transfer to facilitate the considerable abatement potential of the developing world to be part of the solution, warning that if it fails to create the incentives to address deforestation, the cost of inaction will dwarf the investments that are required to solve this aspect of the climate change problem.
The Guyanese leader, the only Head of State invited to address the 17th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in New York, told the gathering that Guyana, through its Avoided Deforestation initiative aims to provide the world with a model of how this could be realized in a sustainable manner.
“We believe this can be done in a way which not only protects our forests, but also re-orients our economy onto a low-carbon trajectory by utilising renewable sources of energy instead of fossil fuel; reducing overall industrial emissions from energy generation by one third without sacrificing healthy growth rates, opening up unused, non- forested parts of the country to agricultural development and by unprecedented investment in economic opportunities within our forest communities,” President Jagdeo stated.
He reminded that for two years now Guyana had indicated its willingness to place its entire rainforest under long-term protection if the international community finds the right way to include forestry within a broader climate agreement.
The President explained that Guyana is currently working with Norway and others to ‘trial innovative ways for the developed and developing world to work together as equals to solve the climate change problem.”
Highlighting the need for an agreement to address climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark in December, President Jagdeo emphasized that if that agreement fails to create the financial incentives to address deforestation, the cost of inaction will eclipse the investments that are necessary to solve the deforestation problem.
The President underlined that at the Copenhagen meeting it is essential that countries make meaningful commitments to reduce emissions and the current global economic crisis should not be used as an excuse to desist from honouring these commitments since this will send a disastrous signal to the developing world that action on climate change can only be taken during prosperous times.
“It is vital that we are bold in ambition in Copenhagen - climate change is a far greater threat than the collapse of any bank, so the world needs to act with the same urgency it displayed when wrestling with the worst of last year’s financial collapses.”
“Apart from the deep emission cuts, Copenhagen must also create financing flows and technology transfer to enable the significant abatement potential of the developing world to become part of the solution,” he stated.
This investment, he said, will not be cheap since recent estimates suggest that the global flows to the developing world will need to be about 60 billion euros per annum by 2020. However, it will serve as a cheaper means of preventing emissions than other abatement solutions that are being pursued in the developed world.
He added that the developing world will be willing to play its part in the climate change fight once the developed countries accept their responsibilities even though (on a per capita basis today) most developing countries account for only a fraction of the emissions of the developed world. The entire world will benefit if developing countries avoid the high pollution path that richer countries have followed but it will be mathematically impossible to avoid catastrophic climate change without the developing world being able to take a more sustainable path to their future development.
Reiterating Guyana’s willingness to be part of the solution, the President pointed out that over 80 percent of Guyana’s territory is pristine forest and though “we want it to stay that way we are aware that preserving our forest comes at an economic cost to our nation.”
The Guyanese Leader said in comparison to deforestation which causes 17 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable use of forest and agricultural land can deliver 37 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas abatement potential between now and 2020. It also provides a more immediate abatement solution as opposed to other options such as Carbon Capture and Storage which would take a long time before the technology is proven.
The President, CARICOM’s Lead Head on Agriculture took the opportunity to also speak on food security which is inevitably linked to climate change as by 2030 the world will face some water shortage, and with less forest for conversion to agriculture and desertification, there will be a reduction of arable agricultural land.
Noting that the Caribbean is very conscious of the need for a partnership that brings together the best resources and a coherent set of international trade and other policies, the Head of Stated explained that it is for the very reason that the region has sought to focus on a strategy (the Jagdeo Initiative) to revitalize its agriculture.
Stressing that there is need for coherent global policies to help secure global food supplies, he said that this will not be achieved without meaningful reform of multilateral institutions and the creation of a new international policy environment since the challenge is now global in scope.
He said that CARICOM stands ready ‘to partner with countries and institutions in advancing the regional agriculture and food security agenda’.
In concluding his presentation, President Jagdeo said that sustainable development is no longer just a slogan or a rallying cry for a campaign, ‘ it is now recognised as essential to the future well-being of the world’s people, the global economy and life itself’.
He identified that political will is what is required to put the world into a more sustainable track, urging that it makes the right choice.
Commission Chair Gerda Verburg of the Netherlands, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Minister of Environment and Tourism of Namibia also addressed today’s forum.
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First modernized weather forecast aired on NCN
Georgetown, GINA, May 13, 2009
The first modernized weather forecast was aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) today and was hosted by Abevia Semple from the Hydrometerological Office.
This is part on an initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture to alert citizens about various weather patterns so that precautions could be taken and evolved out of the United Kingdom Meteorological Office’s Voluntary Cooperation Programme (VCP) which is at present supporting the Hydrometeorological Service and NCN, in its pursuit to modernise the presentation of the weather forecast to the public.
Funding for this project has come from contributions to the VCP programme which is part of the UK Public Weather Services, provided by the UK Met Office. The estimated cost for this project (software, hardware and training) is approximately £35,000.
Through this VCP, the Hydrometeorological Service has received WeatherEye PC, which is a complete weather visualization broadcasting system. It combines the latest 3D weather graphics software, meteorological data and global mapping capabilities.
Semple was able to forecast the weather for the present day and tomorrow as well. He was also able to highlight weather patterns on the coastland and other areas.
Farmers and other stakeholders will now be able to get a better understanding of the weather patterns and it will facilitate those living in agricultural and vulnerable areas to take the necessary precautions.
The Doppler radar system will also complement this initiative.
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Prime Minister urges nurses to remain committed to serving their country-at nurses award ceremony
Georgetown, GINA, March 13, 2009
The two-day nursing summit concluded today with many nurses being honoured for their sterling contributions to the health sector over the years at an award ceremony held at the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the duties of President, during his address stressed the need for health care professionals and other trained public servants to render their services to their country.
He expressed satisfaction that the summit seeks to bring together nurses who have migrated since migration has been the contributing factor for health workers’ departure from the country, and urged that Guyanese nurses should retain their relationships with fellow migrants.
Mr. Hinds noted that despite the country’s limited resources, it has been able to perform at very high levels.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds presents June Cato with a plaque for long standing service as a nurse.
The administration is aware of the importance of health care in Guyana and as such has been working assiduously towards developing every facet of the health sector, Mr. Hinds said.
He said in recent years approximately 10 percent of the budget was dedicated towards the development of the health sector. Major focus has been on training of personnel in the medical field.
Mr. Hinds challenged the nurses to perform their duties to their best, in order to deliver quality health care to persons.
Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Lorna Browne said that the award ceremony serves as an incentive and motivation for all nurses as they care for individuals of various ages and cultural backgrounds and those who have physical, emotional, intellectual, psychological, social and spiritual needs.
“The profession combines physical and social planning and technology in caring for the individual,” she said.
From left, Senior Health Visitor Debra Henry, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister in the Ministry of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran and Chief Nursing Officer Bibi Halfrose .
She urged the nurses to continue to develop the profession by confronting the new and re-emerging challenges by finding solutions.
Browne said that it is her hope that the ceremony will enhance their courage to continue to delivery quality care to individuals, families and communities during organised nursing care.
Meanwhile, Chief Nursing Officer, Bibi Halfrose told the nurses that their efforts are not in vain and urged them to lift up the profession and reflect on the role of nursing as the key component of health care.
“Nursing services are provided in a variety of settings in and out of institutions at all levels at the health care system. The nurse accepts responsibility and exercises the required authority in the provision of direct nursing care; he/she is an autonomous practitioner in relation to the nursing action and collaborates with other disciplines in health care delivery. Nurses provide nursing and health care to individuals, family groups and communities,” Halfrose said.
Officials and nurses at the award ceremony.
She further added that the role of nursing is dynamic, shifting in emphasis to meet population needs and that nurses have to be proactive and visionary in response.
“He or she has to set an example of helpful living and to take a more active role by working with interest groups to empower communities to take responsibilities for health and well-being. The nurse’s time should be devoted to health promotion activities not only in the communities, but hospitals,” she said.
The two-day summit which was organised by the Nursing Department, Ministry of Health and the Guyana Nurses Association saw a large gathering of nurses from across the country. The summit was organised to assess and evaluate the state of nursing in Guyana in relation to nursing education, practice, regulations, and the personal and professional growth and development of nurses.
It was held under the theme “Nursing in Guyana, reflecting on the past, envisioning the future, creating the change.”
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