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Cabinet gives go ahead to five contracts

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

 Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon today advised that Cabinet at its May 19 meeting gave its no objection to five contracts in the social sector.
            Dr. Luncheon made these pronouncements at his post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President.
            The contracts given the green light are as follows:

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Independence exhibition opens at Castellani House

Georgetown, GINA, May 20, 2009

An exhibition, under the theme ‘Image and Identity- Guyanese Art Now’ opened to the public today at the National Art Gallery, Castellani House in celebration of Guyana’s 43rd independence anniversary.
            Sixteen artists which include nine established National Collection artists, including Oswald Hussein, George Simon, Gary Thomas, Betsy Karim, Terrence Roberts, Carl Anderson and Winslow Craig and seven new artists’ graduates from the University of Guyana and the Burrowes School of Arts are showing their work. The latter category includes Jynell Osbourne, Lori-Ann Jacobs, Ohene Koama, Akima McPherson, Anil Roberts, Thurston Brown and Lloyd Blanchard.
The concept the artists hope to showcase will vary in themes that reflect Guyana as an inspiration and experience for artists.
The gallery will be open from Monday to Friday from 10: 00 h   to 17: 00 h and on Saturday from 14: 00 h to 18: 00 h.

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Gov’t implementing tighter traffic laws to ensure road safety

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

Government continues to aggressively enforce new and tighter legislation to ensure road safety. Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon said that the enacted Bill-the Evidence Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Bill is one aspect of this aggressive approach that the administration is taking to address the nation’s traffic concerns.
Dr. Luncheon was at the time updating members of the media at his post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President, today.
The Cabinet Secretary said that many concerns have been raised by citizens about the traffic situation in the country and pointed out that the address by the administration on the operational side for stronger enforcement by the traffic department in various parts of the country is also seen as a more coercive legislation.
President Bharrat Jagdeo at a public ceremony on May 22 at the Office of the President is expected to assent to the Evidence Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Bill.
 Among other things, it addresses the detection and the prosecution of drunken drivers or persons driving under the influence of alcohol.
Dr. Luncheon posited that evidence exists that conclusively shows that drivers under the influence of alcohol contribute significantly to the recklessness of drivers on the road and the consequential carnage.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that radar guns, breathalyzers and the licensing demerit system all reflect ongoing efforts by the administration to deal with the nation’s concerns about traffic on the roadways.
Meanwhile, in response to a question raised by a media personnel on progress and measures taken by Government in removing stray animals off the road, which is also a traffic hazard, Dr. Luncheon said that Government has reviewed the situation and has taken the decision to accentuate its resolve to find more funding and to give direction for enhanced collaboration with the police force and the local democratic organs, including Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs) and municipalities.
He pointed out that the decision was taken for the local government entities to be provided with additional resources, both to hire more people and to upgrade and rehabilitate the pounds, so as to provide proper care for stray animals.
 More importantly, he noted that the decision was taken to assist the local authorities to monitor and evaluate these interventions to see what other measures can be taken in this regard.
The issue of stray animals has been brought to the point where merely executing Cabinet’s instructions, is solely focused on monitoring and evaluation and preparing a report on the status on the implementation, which has now become an integral part of the administration’s  response, he said.
The Cabinet Secretary is optimistic that on that ground, partnering implementation and evaluation will allow for a more timely way to recognize whether the initiative has succeeded and what can be done for further implementation.
Government has recently amended the pound act to better address the issues of stray animals.
Dr. Luncheon contended that with the additional resources provided for the rehabilitation of the pounds, the commitment to provide care for public animal, raising the fines for impounding and with monitoring and evaluation, which is a necessary part of this new initiative better successes will be yielded.

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Hundreds flock housing ministry’s ‘One Stop Shop’ in Region Ten

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

The Housing and Water Ministry has continued to place access to affordable housing at the top of the country’s agenda for national development. Many Guyanese can now have access to their own homes as the administration continues to assist in making it possible to access this essential social service.
            Hundreds of Region 10 residents today flocked the Housing Ministry’s fourth ‘One Stop Shop’ outreach which was taken to the community at the Linmine Constabulary Hall.
            The programme, since its inception on March 30 has shown great success and significant response from citizens. In excess of 3,000 transactions were processed from the three outreaches held recently in Regions Three, Four and Six which have surpassed the target set by the Ministry as it relates to the allocation of lots and titles.

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali speaking to Region 10 residents at the Ministry's 'One Stop Shop' programme

         Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali while noting the many barriers which have prevented potential home owners over the years from constructing their homes in the community, explained that the initiative is designed to improve the Ministry’s services through direct interface with the people.
             “People only become agitated and aggravated when the problems are unbearable …we in the Guyana Water Incorporated and the Housing Ministry strongly believe that the best solution for housing is a localized one that has been developed to meet the needs of the people,” he said.
            The Ministry’s objective is to develop, process and allocate in excess of 17,000 houselots by December 2010.
            The focus will be on every area where there is demand including Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Ten.
            He noted that squatting is also an issue which has been continuously raising its head in the region.
            “Let us work together to avoid squatting…squatting brings with it a number of social issues that affect the development of people in the communities….When you have squatting, we are barred from putting infrastructure until the area is regularised. So we want you the people who are going through this very legal process to join with us in stemming the issue of squatting,” he urged.
            Approximately 20 squatter settlements were identified during field work conducted by the Housing Ministry in which nine areas are to be transferred from Linmine to the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).
            The Minister further disclosed that government successfully this year, lobbied the New Building Society to reduce its interest rate for loan to build low-income homes.
            “You can now have access to a $4M loan at an interest rate of 4.9 percent…this has happened at a time when we are experiencing globally a financial crisis when the entire lending institutions in the Caribbean, the world over have restricted lending…so we have that opportunity and we should make use of that,” he said.
            Within the two-days, the Minister said about 1,000 houselots that are available will allocated to the region.
            “We are going to start from the backlog and based on the years of application as we clear the backlog, we will come closer to present day application.”

Region Ten residents turn out in their numbers to the Housing Ministry's One Stop Shop

         The Housing Ministry, he noted has realized that many persons cannot afford to make full payments for land, adding that a payment structure was implemented to assist potential home owners to acquire plots.
            Chief Executive Officer, Central Housing and Planning Authority, Myrna Pitt said that the CH&PA, in pursuing a process of continuous improvement is committed to providing a responsive service that meets the needs of its customers.
            In this regard, the CEO revealed that the water distribution network project in Amelia’s Ward Phase 1 has recently been completed and the Authority is currently executing a $120M road project in Phase Two with water distribution network and electricity to the sum of $132M earmarked to be completed this year.
            During the 2010-2011 period a further $420M will be spent in Phase Two to complete infrastructure and $400 will be spent to provide infrastructure for Amelia’s Ward Phase Three, Pitt said.
            She urged residents with allocations to begin to have plans drawn and to complete the necessary preparatory work related to the commencement of house construction.
            The current level of occupancy she noted in Wisroc scheme is below the desired level and urged them to occupy their lots.
            Pitt added that the Housing and Water Ministry in Georgetown has implemented a one-stop management where applicants can have their applications processed in real time, with their interviews concluded in one visit.
            “It is our intention to also strengthen the Regional Housing Offices by having them linked directly to the main database in Georgetown to allow for the timely processing of applicants and real time update of the main database,” she stated.
            Regional Vice-Chairman, Samuel Hooper welcomed the initiative while noting that it is an effort by government to improve living standards of the people in the Region.
            The programme also included presentations by Senior Planning Officer, CH&PA Andrea Smith who explained the procedures, building standards and requirements for persons who have been allocated.
            General housing issues including allocation and identification and payment of houselots, processing and distribution of titles and transports, and water concerns were also addressed.
            The Housing Ministry will continue its widespread housing programme in several other regions which will allow many more Guyanese to have a home of their own.

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Gov’t will continue belabouring plight of Guyanese nationals overseas– Luncheon

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

Head of the Presidential Secretariat of the Office of the President Dr. Roger Luncheon said the Guyana Government has not been passive about the plight of Guyanese nationals in other CARICOM countries who complain about unjust treatment.
            He was a the time speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President when he was asked to respond to some calls in the public domain for Government to intervene in the complaints by Guyanese nationals in Barbados after the announcement by the island’s Prime Minister David Thompson of the new immigration policy.
            Dr. Luncheon said the concerns of non-resident CARICOM nationals has long been in existence and is an issue which the free movement agreement within CARICOM has sought to relinquish.
            The Cabinet Secretary noted however, that the Barbadian government has justified their actions on the premise of Caribbean nationals being undocumented which can also be interpreted as illegal immigrants.
            “The focus remains on ‘undocumented’ and the onus is on those who are contributing in a very productive way for solutions to address the issue of ‘undocumented’,” Dr Luncheon said.
            Nevertheless, he said the Guyana Government, along with many of the CARICOM Heads has taken a principled position on the matter and will be articulating through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Guyana Government’s position that defends the interest of affected Guyanese.
            “We are going to be operating on a number of different fronts, certainly at the heads and the appropriate institutions within CARICOM to continue to belabour the Guyanese cause, and I want to believe in concept with the Heads of other CARICOM Governments whose nationals are similarly exposed, and then to use other gatherings of the institutions of CARICOM to perhaps reduce the lack of clarity by introducing additional norms and practices that overtime would build a more healthy and realistic approach to the problem of ‘undocumented,’” Dr Luncheon said. 
            Undocumented immigrants have from June 1 to November 31 to present themselves to the immigration authorities to regularize their status or face expulsion from the island.
Only those living on the island eight years or more, prior to 2005, will be pardoned.

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Tourism Ministry supports entertainment activities

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

To foster and develop events around the country in order to have a holistic promotional campaign for Guyana’s talent, resources and potential, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is working along with representatives of various events committee.
            To this end, the Wakenaam Nite Committee met with Tourism Minister, Manniram Prashad to launch ‘Wakenaam Nite’ which will be held on August 1.
            Ministry Prashad said that his Ministry will be working with the private sector and non-Governmental Organisations to promote such events. He noted that such collaboration has proven successful with major events now held in Lethem, Bartica, Rockstone, Berbice and Moruca as such it is now time to develop events in new areas so that they can be promoted as well.
            The Minister posited that the main aim of working along with these committees to have these events is to ensure that there are quality entertainment activities throughout the year which will not only promote domestic tourism but will also provide year-round activities for people visiting Guyana.
            Minister Prashad made an appeal to the business committee to support the event which he believes has great potential in helping to foster the island’s development and offered full support both technical and financial from the Ministry. He noted that ancillary staff of the Guyana Tourism Authority and the National Exhibition Centre will be providing technical assistance.
            Activities that will be held during Wakenaam Nite will include a mini-expo, a beauty pageant, singing and dancing.
            Additionally, on the first Monday of August a grand “get-together” will be held on the neighbouring Tiger Island’s Hamburg Beach which attracts thousands.
            Chairman of the Wakenaam ‘Nite’ Management Committee, Sheik Ahmad said that they will be using the Bed & Breakfast facility to accommodate visitors.
A speedboat service was recently introduced from Parika to Wakenaam; this will provide easier access to the island advancing its development.
In August 2008, Wakenaam hosted its first ever Wakenaam Nite. The event proved to be a tremendous success which attracted thousands. This prompted the promoters to hold it annually.
Wakenaam is an island at the mouth of the Essequibo River with a population of over 5000 people who depend primarily on farming.

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Guyana maturing in terms of race relations, can get better – ERC Chairman

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

A two-day outreach to Region Five by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) came to an end today and was lauded a success by its Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill who said Guyana was maturing in terms of race relations.  
During the outreach there were larger turnouts than on previous occasions and broad based participation. This is an annual feature by the ERC to visit the 10 regions of Guyana.

ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill addressing students at the film festival

           The ERC is a constitutional body established as an undertaking by the Hermanston Accord and by Constitutional Amendment (No. 2) Act of 2000 and assented to by President Bharrat Jagdeo on August 11, 2000. This initiative by government is based on improving race relations in Guyana, as well as aid in alleviating discrimation.  
The ERC Chairman said that over a five-year period, the Commission had looked at many complaints but they did not have any merit. He stated that persons could not use the ERC for their personal gains. This year, he said, the ERC will be visting 100 public places to interface with various persons in the street.
            Earlier yesterday, the ERC’s annual feature of hosting a film festival was launched in the Region Five with 12 schools participating. Three films were shown depicting the consequences of discrimation.
            The Chairman also was involved in a youth workshop today where he told youths that they will help in creating a new paradigm in race relations in Guyana. He noted that Guyana’s future development depended on them and they could make a difference.  

Chairman of the ERC, Bishop Juan Edghill addressing youths at a workshop

        Bishop Edghill explained that the ERC was reaching out to youths because it recognised that if youth learn these values early, as they grow older, it will be easier to cultivate these habits. He added that as a result, they must be able to learn and live differently.
            The ERC Chairman told youths that with conflict, there will be no progress and in Guyana they must see past conflict and build a harmonious society. Using the words of Martin Luther King, he said, persons must not be judged by their colour, race or religion but by their character. He noted that conflicts often result in the loss of opportunities and parties not a part of these conflicts are often affected.
            On the issue of different religions, he stated, that persons must try to understand each other even if they didn’t agree. 
            Bishop Edghill urged students not to disrespect their parents but teach them what they were learning if their parents are encouraging discrimination.    

ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill meeting with regional officials and councillors

        The ERC also met with regional officials and councillors, where he noted that Guyana can get better in terms of race relations.
            According to Region Five Chairman, Harrinarine Baldeo, people in his region were not experiencing conflicts since they are all different races of persons living in the region. He stated, however, there will be differences but persons must assess the situation objectively.
            The ERC yesterday held a historic first workshop for women. This year 10 workshops will be held for women.          

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Parliament approves 15 for Women and Gender Equality commission

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

A Motion tabled in the National Assembly today approved the 15 nominees selected for appointment to the Women and Gender Equality Commission moving the process a step closer to the appointment of the Human Rights Commission.
The appointment of the nominees to this commission was made after consultations were held between the Committee of Appointments of the National Assembly with over 100 entities including women’s organizations, professional bodies, the private sector, trade unions, political and ethnic organizations.
People’s Progressive Party Member and Chairperson of the Appointment Committee Gail Teixeira reminded that the process to establish the Rights Commission started in 2003 but was stymied due to the failure of the last Parliament to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary for the appointment of commissioners.
She said the achievement of this Parliament should be applauded as it has been able to achieve success in creating an additional layer of inclusiveness in the administration of  the State. 
The need for the capacity of organizations to be consulted, for these issues, to be strengthened was highlighted as it was found that while the willingness to participate in the process was evident some lacked the capacity to deal with the process.
Teixeira said that there may be a need to examine the possibility of producing a manual so that the process could be completed in a timely manner.
She assured the House that the nominees selected for appointment were all selected in a transparent, fair and unbiased process.
Supporting the Motion for the appointment of the nominees, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member Amna Ally said that the Committee worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the process and complimented the other members of the committee for the achievement of the appoints of another of the Rights Commission.
She however, lamented the fact that serving members of parliament were nominated to the commission claiming that that may remove the independence from the body. These sentiments were also expressed by Alliance For Change (AFC) Member Sheila Holder who posited that Members of Parliament should decline appointment as chairperson of the Human Rights Commission if asked. The Human Rights Commission will comprise members of the five rights commissions.
Government Members Minister Jennifer Webster and Donald Ramotur addressing the House on the Motion alluded to the contribution of women to the political struggles and development of Guyana and pointed out that their status as Members of the National Assembly should not debar them from participating in this important body which is reflective of their struggles and contribution.
Teixeira said that the appointment of Members of the National Assembly to the commission should not be surprising as the women’s arms of the political parties were included in the list of organizations to approach. She said that their membership in the House should not interfere with their work in the commission and the test of the effectiveness will be seen in their work.
The list of nominees will be forwarded to President Bharrat Jagdeo for the official appointments to be made.
The Indigenous Peoples Commission appointments are expected to be made later this year and will complete the appointment of the five Rights Commissions after which the Human Rights Commission, which will include the chairmen of those commissions, will be appointed.

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PRSP approval still awaiting full parliamentary endorsement - HPS

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

Although government has fully endorsed the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP), the document which outlines Guyana’s plan to eliminate poverty is still awaiting the full patronage of Parliament.
            This was according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon who was asked for an update on the PRSP at his post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President today.
Government over the last five years has been pursuing efforts through countrywide consultations to fashion the PRSP.
Since the implementation of the PRSP, surveys were done to determine the outcomes of programmes set out in the paper on moderate and extreme poverty levels in Guyana.
Dr Luncheon said the move to bring the paper to the attention of parliamentarians was done to ensure that its recognition was acknowledged.
 “This is our anticipation which has not been completed and I suppose the delegation (from the 11th Special African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) ministerial conference on sugar) would anticipate parliament perhaps to say that parliamentary consideration of the PRSP has been concluded, the outcome of which is a national endorsement,” Dr Luncheon said.
The PRSP is a mechanism through which low income countries craft their own plans for poverty reduction and provides a guideline for the World Bank to render assistance.
The principles governing the PRSP are that they must be country-driven and written from the input of civil society, must focus on outcomes that would benefit the poor, partnership oriented and based on a long-term perspective for poverty reduction.
About 30, low income countries have completed their PRSPs, while 47 have prepared interim strategies and 11 reports on annual progress in implementation.
Technical support training and financial assistance is provided by the World Bank to support the design and implementation of a country’s PRSP. Moreover, Poverty Reduction Support Credits (PRSCs) are provided. These are structural adjustment loans that support the implementation of the country’s strategies.

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Children’s rights to be protected with passage of two Bills

Georgetown, GINA, May 21, 2009

Children’s rights in Guyana are expected to be dramatically improved with the passing of the Status of the Children’s Bill and the Adoption of the Children’s Bill today by the National Assembly which was unanimous in its decision to have the bills passed into law. 
            Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand who chairs the Special Select Committee informed the House that there were some amendments and addition to the clauses of the bills, however, the committee achieved unanimity on all clauses.
           
Status of Children’s Bill
            This bill repeals the Discrimination of Children Born Out of Wedlock Act 1983 and provides for presumptions of parentage and parentage testing procedures and to effect reform of the law. In essence, it will give all of Guyana’s children, irrespective of how they were conceived, equal rights and status in every respect. 
            Minister Manickchand explained that this Bill “is very comprehensive in addressing the various means by which a child may be conceived… it is very necessary for us to repeal the Discrimination Children Born Out of Wedlock Act 1983 while that Act served us well as a country and was timely and progressive in its own time… since then, the world has moved on in the way that we can conceive human beings… this Bill reflects the reality, not only of Guyana’s time, but of the world’s changes since 1983 and if we are to treat all of our children equally then we have to cater for those children who may not be conceived by traditional means.”
            “This legislation is necessary and timely but one of which we in this House and as a country can be proud. We are ensuring that by the passage of this law… we are removing all hurdles preventing them (children) from happiness, but particularly creating an environment where discrimination cannot live nor thrive,” she stressed.
            Member of the People’s National Congress Reform, Clarissa Riehl, said that this is “21st Century legislation…which takes into account developments and science and technology as they apply to the human reproduction system.”
            She noted another interesting clause in the Bill which recognises ‘extra territorial declaration of parentage’. This is appropriate for Guyana which has significant representation in the Diaspora in the developed world. Additionally, she noted that the Bill permits a child to have his/her own representation in Court and also allows for the child to voice his/her own opinion.

 Adoption of Children’s Bill
            “Child protection in Guyana has taken on a whole new life; we have committed in our manifesto… a whole new menu of measures that will be taken to ensure that children are properly cared for, to ensure that we provide an environment where children can be protected but to proactively protect children from being abused and harmed,” Minister Manickchand said.
            In this regard she noted the establishment of the Child Protection Agency which will collaborate with the Adoption Board (established in the provisions of this Bill) to carry out its functions in the best interest of the child.
            Some of the provisions outlined in this Bill are that: the best interests of the child be of paramount consideration; adoption is to be regarded as a service for the child, not for adults wishing to acquire the care of the child; if the child is able to form his own views on a matter concerning his adoption, he shall be given an opportunity to express those views freely and they are to be given due weight in the circumstance; and the child’s given name or names, identity, language and cultural and religious ties should, as far as possible, be identified and preserved.
            Member of Parliament of the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Anil Nandalall noted that the present Administration has always placed emphasis on youth development. He added that the importance of the Bills’ enactment was not lost on the administration, as such it has spent considerable time conducting consultations to ensure that stringent law was made.
            He noted that, “these provisions must be regarded as fundamental and progressive improvement of Guyana’s laws.”
            Another provision of this Bill makes it a criminal offence for persons involved in the adoption process to receive payment. The intention here is to restrict persons from profiting from the adoption of a child.
            The Bill also limits the age of an adopting parent at 65 years old, to allow grand parents to adopt their grand children and to ensure that people are healthy and otherwise capable of taking care of a child.   

            The Status of the Children’s Bill and the Adoption of the Children’s Bill brings Guyana into conformity with the international ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ and the ‘Convention on the Elimination on all form of Discrimination against women’ and the ‘RIYADH Guidelines’.
            “This is another piece of legislation that advances our country to a place where the environment would be created where discrimination cannot take place. We will have to be vigilant to ensure that the provisions are complied with by the service providers,” Minister Manickchand said.
            These Bills were tabled in January and were referred to a Special Select Committee comprising Ministers Frank Anthony, Priya Manickchand and Desrey Fox and Shirley Edwards, Mohamed Khan and Kwame Gilbert for the Government, Clarissa Riehl, Volda Lawrence and Mervyn Williams of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Latchmin Punalall of the Alliance For Change (AFC) for the Opposition.
            They are also among five pieces of legislation which became known as the ‘Children’s Bills’. These have been in the making for 10 years, commencing under the tenure of former Minister Bibi Shadick and continued under her predecessor Indra Chandarpal.

The draft Bills were prepared by the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers (GAWL). The Bills have received input from several different agencies and organizations including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) which provided an expert to review the draft legislation to ensure that it was in compliance with the various international conventions and protocols.
            Approximately two weeks ago the National Assembly also passed the Protection of Children Bill 2009.

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