Squatters affecting Canal No.2 Polder drainage
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
Squatters located on government’s reserve at Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara are hampering the operation of the new drainage pumps, installed to provide effective drainage for Canal No. 2 Polder.
The new pumps cost $61.5M and are part of a total programme to rehabilitate the drainage system in Canals Number One and Two Polder.
The squatters have encroached on the drainage reserve of the main drainage canal at Stanleytown that leads to the pump station. Despite being served notices for the past two years by several agencies, they have not moved. Also efforts are being made by the Ministry's NDIA and the Ministry of Housing to provide alternative house lots for those encroaching.
At the behest of farmers and residents of Canal Number Two Polder,
the government, with support from the Inter American Development Bank, has
undertaken the complete rehabilitation of the major drainage system.
The Agriculture Ministry said this major investment cannot be utilized due to squatters occupying the reserves on both sides of the channel or water basin which serves the pump station. To complement the effective operation of the new pumps, the basin leading to the pumps needs to be excavated to increase storage capacity and to ensure adequate flow of water to the new pump station that has an increase discharge capacity of 35 percent.
Squatting houses on the reserve
This project involves the rehabilitation of 120 cubic feet of water per second (cusec) hydro flow pump and the installation of a new 150 cusec, 15 feet TDH high capacity line shaft pump. The works also include the reconstruction of a pump house; construction of new perimeter fence, supply of fuel tanks, new metal pump skids, trash racks, discharge pipe and associated civil works, desilting of the bypass channel including the pump basin. Also technical training is ongoing for operating staff.
These works are expected to significantly increase drainage for the Canal Number Two area, especially in the rainy season to ensure continuous drainage during the tide lock periods.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Region Three Administration
have engaged the attention of the Ministry of Housing's Central Housing and Planning Authority for the allocation of house lots for assistance in the removal of squatters. However, this process has been met with reluctance from the squatters.
Residents and farmers are now calling on the relevant authorities to intervene in ensuring the reserves are cleared and to allow the operation of the newly installed pumps. The NDIA will be taking steps in accordance with the NDIA Act for the removal of all squatters and encumbrances to realize the operational potential of the pump station.
Meanwhile, the NDIA is currently undertaking a massive overhaul of the drainage and irrigation system within both the Canals as part of the Ministry's Agriculture Support Services Programme and is appealing to farmers to cooperate and clear all drainage and irrigation reserves.
Farmers at Sans Souci, Canal Number One Polder were served notices to clear dams to facilitate the ongoing rehabilitation of the drainage and irrigation system to improve the services farmers are receiving and to make more agriculture lands accessible.
Work amounting to approximately $358M to be carried out in the Canals Polder include installation of three main head regulators on the Conservancy Dam, 12 secondary head regulators, two secondary check structures, 58 secondary culverts and drainage channels, one main outfall sluice, two primary check structures, 14 bridges, 800 miles revetment dams and 20.85 kilometres of road.
TOP
Brazilian President sends 43rd Independence anniversary greetings
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
In a missive dated May 25, President of the Federative Republic of Brazil, His Excellency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has sent President Bharrat Jagdeo the following message:
“Excellency – As the Republic of Guyana commemorates its 43rd Independence anniversary on May 26th, on behalf of the Government and people of Brazil, I wish to convey my warmest greetings and congratulations to Your Excellency, to the Government and to the Guyanese people, as well as my best wishes for the progress and prosperity of your country. Highest consideration.”
The Embassy of Brazil in Georgetown also took the opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation the assurances of its highest cooperation.
TOP
Police clamp down on amplifiers, speaker boxes in mini-buses
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
The Police Traffic department is clamping down on motorists who fail to comply with the traffic laws. Ranks are conducting exercises around Georgetown (B-Division) where illegal music systems are being removed from several mini-buses.
This exercise is an ongoing component of the Guyana Police Force’s ‘Operation Safeway’ implemented in October 2007 and which is aimed at reducing road fatalities and curbing road lawlessness.
Traffic Officer at the Brickdam police station, Deputy Superintendent John Daniels said while the Traffic Department continues to stringently enforce the laws, there are many drivers who are in breach of the Road Service licence. The 1999 Amendment of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act 51:02, stipulates the fine for loud music in mini-buses, the minimum being $20,000 and maximum $40,000.
Daniels said officers examine buses and if they find that they have altered music systems then they are taken out and the operators are charged.
“We take them to the court and let the court decide what fine they pay. You will find that most of them after they would have been given a road service licence they would change the system in the bus. When they were examined they all had flat panels,” he said noting that most buses now have raised panels with additional speakers, boosters, amplifiers, pre- amps and equalizers.
Daniels also noted that some motorists have also added CD and DVD players and these are also being removed and confiscated by the police.
He also issued a call for all drivers, conductors, passengers and pedestrians to comply with the rules of the roads and operate within the confines of the law.
Meanwhile Officer in charge of traffic for southern Georgetown, Sergeant Heron Anderson, believes that bus drivers, conductors and owners had ample time to abide by the law. He said the law enforcement officers will not spare anyone found to be in breach of the law.
He added that drivers and conductors, as a blatant move to break the law, are hiding speakers and amplifiers in the panels and under the seats of buses.
Operation Safeway was put into effect to curb lawlessness on the roadways, borne out by statistics that showed that in 2006 there were 140 accidents compared to 167 in 2007. Since its implementation more than 4,000 traffic tickets have been issued and 14,000 cases made against defaulting drivers. Of the lot 8,000 cases have been successfully prosecuted and about 6,000 are pending in the courts.
TOP
Human Services Ministry extends office to Region 8
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
Government of Guyana remains rigid in its commitment to ensure that all Guyanese, irrespective of their geographic location, ethnicity or culture receive the essential social services that the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security provides which aims to reduce poverty and protect the vulnerable in society.
With this aim, Government achieved another significant milestone as Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand launched an office of the Ministry in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) today.
Minister Manickchand cuts the ribbon at the opening of the Human Services Ministry's
office in Mahdia
This office will provide all the services that are offered by the Ministry in Georgetown including Old Age Pension, Public Assistance, Counselling, Support for the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and Single Parent Assistance among others.
“Every service that we launch in Georgetown… know that if you come to this office that we are formally opening you can get that service, so please do not hesitate to use them,” Minister Manickchand encouraged.
In 2007 the Ministry held a country-wide campaign on “Stamp it Out” which addresses sexual violence. During the Ministry’s visit to Mahdia, officials promised that the presence of the Ministry and an office would be established.
Minister Manickchand inspects the children's corner of the new Social Services office
Since then the Ministry has had a Probation and Welfare Officer in the Region, Ms. Jackie Wilson.
“What we did in 2007 is reiterate a promise that the Government made at the 2006 elections … one of those promises was that we would provide residential social services and social services officers in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine,” she said.
At present, the four above mentioned regions are benefiting from visiting Probation and Welfare Officers, however, because of the expansion of other social services such as housing, water, education, etc, Government is working to have the Ministry office set up as soon as possible.
School children vying for Minister Manickchand's attention
Minister Manickchand explained that there have been some difficulties in accomplishing this task as they were unable to find housing for the resident-officers due to other Government officials who have retired occupying the houses. However, she noted that this has been resolved and shortly other offices will be opened in these regions.
Mahdia has a population of approximately 10,000 people and is located at an altitude of 415 metres (1,360 ft). Commerce is centred around the area's gold and diamond mining operations.
The community has a police station, and schools that provide nursery, primary and secondary education.
TOP
Still no fare increase, despite rumours -Minister Prashad
Georgetown, GINA, June 03, 2009
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad has reiterated the government’s stance that no increase in bus fares will be allowed.
Members from the Guyana Public Transportation Association said that they are in total agreement with the government and will not be supporting any increase unless fuel price exceeds $1,000 per gallon.
At a press conference today at his South Road office, Minister Prashad responded to claims made by Head of the Minibus Association Lylon Weithers, who said that an increase was indispensable and that the decision regarding the increase was not up to the Minister.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, a member of the 32 Route Association (left) and a member of the Guyana Public Transportation Association,
at the press conference
Minister Prashad disclosed that apart from gas prices, he will be addressing other issues that are affecting drivers. One such issue that was raised was the high price of used tyres and other spare parts. He noted that there is a rift between the various bus associations, since there is no commonality in their claims. He said that some associations want to ban the use of used tyres while others are not in agreement.
The Minister explained the possibility of manufacturing brake pads locally with the support of the government and other private entities in an effort to lower the cost of spare parts. He said that the idea was experimented with and it was realized that the brake pads will be just as effective as imported ones.
The Minister also said that he will be meeting with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards to heighten awareness of the importation of defective tyres.
He further noted that the Ministry of Tourism has pledged its assurance to work with the various minibus associations to ensure that commuters are not ripped off.
TOP
Persons engaged in TIP will be prosecuted – Minister Manickchand tells Region Eight residents
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
Government continues to work to ensure that Trafficking in Person (TIP) does not become acceptable in Guyana’s society and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand who has the responsibility to ensure that it does not become ingrained, is determined that any one found guilty of the act will be prosecuted.
“If we (Ministry of Human Services) find any person, business person or otherwise employing persons who are under the age of 18 years and/or exposing them to any form of prostitution or entertainment… we are going to move against you,” Minister Manickchand warned.
Minister Manickchand addressesregional and sub-regional officials. On her right is Regional Chairman, Senor Bell and to her right is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Trevor Thomas
Minister Manickchand issued the warning during interactions with Mahdia, Region Eight residents today. The Minister visited the region along with a team of personnel comprising officials of the TIP Unit and the Probation and Social Services Department.
The United States has given Guyana a tier 2 rank where TIP is concerned and according to Minister Manickchand, “we have no evidence nor has the US provided any evidence that we have a significant number of TIP, that is not to say that we do not have it, however… we don’t have the significant numbers that bring us under the radar of the US that requires them to judge us in the way they have been doing.”
Government has undertaken a series of measures to combat this crime.
- the TIP Unit, established shortly after the enactment of the TIP Act in 2005, has held several seminars during 2007 to heighten public awareness of the issue and ways of recognizing and preventing it
- the Ministerial Task Force on TIP conducts reports and presents them to the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee which are used to review the work that Guyana has been doing in relation to this crime.
- the Task Force also operates as an oversight to the TIP unit and comprises representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Human Services and Social Security and Home Affairs, the Guyana Police Force, Food for the Poor, Help and Shelter and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Minister Manickchand said that it is the aim of the Ministry to sensitize Mahdia and to a larger extent the entire country about the issue of trafficking.
The TIP law of 2005 states that if anyone is an accomplice in TIP they can be charged. Additionally the recent legislation on child protection that were passed by the National Assembly state that persons can be charged knowingly allowing children to come into harm’s way.
Representatives of the Sub-regions of Region 8 at the meeting with Minister Manickchand
She called on the residents to be responsible and said that, “If you are encouraging this (TIP) you are actually helping to destroy the fabric of Mahdia, Guyana and you are really being bad examples to our young children.”
Residents are being urged to make reports if they know of this crime. It must be noted that the reports can be anonymous.
The Human Services Ministry is further looking to establish small networks with groups of people in the region to collaborate with the Ministry on the issue of TIP.
Similar networks have already been established in Regions Two, Three, Six, Nine and 10.
TOP
Guyana can benefit from UN’s approval to extend continental shelf
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
Guyana’s submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Outer Continental Shelf to have its continental shelf extended beyond 200 miles is of great importance since Guyana can benefit from emerging technologies that have proven useful in extracting hydrocarbons.
This is according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) on June 3.
Guyana is among 50 countries that have provided preliminary information to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Outer Continental Shelf which signals the intention to make submissions aimed at securing an extension beyond the 200 nautical miles.
Guyana has met the May 13 deadline for countries to provide the Commission with preliminary information that allowed them to indicate their intention to make submissions. Guyana expects to make a complete submission within a few months after conducting a series of scientific studies and technical analyses that are required.
Guyana can extend jurisdiction up to 350 nautical miles from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
The Foreign Ministry has been working to meet the criteria which also stipulate that consultations be done with other countries that are parties to the Law of the Sea Convention.
According to Minister Rodrigues-Birkett countries are required to make individual submissions but as neighbouring countries Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Barbados are required to have consultations as they are also parties to the Convention.
Rodrigues-Birkett also stated that Guyana is working towards repealing the existing Maritime Boundaries Act of 1977 to have it replaced with the new Maritime Zones Bill legislation which she aims to present to the National Assembly, before it goes into recess.
The Foreign Minister explained that the reason why this legislation should be repealed is because it is over 30 years old and was passed in the house before the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. She added that the convention provides for certain rights and obligations which also need to be updated.
Minister Rodrigues-Birkett referred to the issue between Guyana and Suriname involving the use of the Corentyne River which she said has resulted in the maritime boundaries being changed, hence the need for the new legislation.
The legislation, she added has already been drafted and is currently being reviewed. She hopes that within a short time the process will be completed so that it can be presented to the National Assembly.
TOP
$40M City hydroponics investment a success – Agri Minister encourages other farmers to adopt similar ventures
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
Local entrepreneurs have been taking up government’s call to adopt new technology to mitigate the effects of climate change and to improve crop production.
Investor, Gerald Mekdeci has put in over $40M into a hydroponics venture, right in Georgetown. Hydroponics farming utilizes the use of nutrients in water instead of soil. In this way there will be controlled high quality balanced nutrition for the plant.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud along with investor, Gerald Mekdeci and other officials inspecting lettuce on the hydroponics farm. greenhouses
Today, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, accompanied by the National Agricultural Research Institute’s (NARI) Director, Dr. Oudho Homenauth visited the farm on Water Street, where he noted that technology and initiatives such as hydroponics are needed in the agriculture sector to deal with some of the challenges.
Dr. Homenauth stated that the technology will aid in combating the effects of climate change as it could be used year round and has the potential of creating quality produce since it uses a reduced level of fertilser. The commodities are also free of pests and diseases.
The Agriculture Minister said he hoped other farmers will take up similar initiatives since NARI was propagating the use of this technology around the country. The Ministry of Agriculture has been exposing farmers to technology such as the use of greenhouses and semi-greenhouses in an effort to alleviate the effects of climate change and garner better crop yields.
Lettuce being grown on the hydroponics farm
Minister Persaud noted that farmers contemplating the use of this type of technology will be given technical advice and support through the Agriculture Diversification Programme, the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and NARI. With the Agriculture Diversification Programme, entities carrying out such operations will be considered since the aim of the programme is to develop farmers’ clusters for fruits, vegetables, livestock and aquaculture. In the programme is a matching grant component which will provide partial financing once the relevant criteria are met.
Mekdeci said he had farmed in the intermediate savannah but because of heavy transportation costs he had considered building green houses right in Georgetown. The first greenhouse was built in 2007 and three others were set up this year.
He noted that because the business was profitable he was able to access loans and he will expand and build six other greenhouses. He hopes to complete these in another two months.
At the moment, the farm has 16 employees but Mekdeci said as the project expands, more will be hired. Plans are also afoot to experiment with other types of produce.
TOP
Digicel opens new headquarters - Prime Minister compliments company
Georgetown, GINA, June 3, 2009
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, this evening attended the opening of Digicel’s new headquarters, the Barrack Building, located on Fort and Barrack Streets and the launch of the company’s 24 - hour customer service contact center.
The Barrack Building, the new Digicel (Guyana) headquarters.
The Prime Minister told the gathering which consisted of Ministers of Government, Members of the Opposition, and the Diplomatic Corps, Digicel executives and other employees and residents of Kingston that he hoped the company would succeed in all its endeavours and encouraged competition with the other network, ensuring that Guyana has superior telecommunications services.
He congratulated the company on its accomplishment and urged employees to do their work to the best of their abilities.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds cuts the ribbon to declare Digicel's new headquarters officially open
Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir also congratulated the company, noting that since the beginning of its operations in Guyana, Digicel has made significant strides to enhance the telecommunications service in this country.
He said without efficient and effective mobile communication, many persons can scarcely function. Minister Nadir noted that for a utility to be efficient, a 24-hour customer service contact center is vital. Subscribers need to have access to care and advice on a consistent basis, he said.
“For Guyanese goods and services to be regionally and globally competitive we need not only efficient telecommunications services but our Laws have to be reviewed and changed to ensure that we keep growing the opportunities for decent work for our people,” he said.
Some of Digicel's Customer Service Representives hard at work
He informed those gathered of the Bill that was passed in the National Assembly to allow commercial businesses to operate for longer hours, and that a different legislation was also amended which deals with giving magistrates the power to order defaulting employers to pay employees.
Minister Nadir said such legislation are in line with the rest of the developed world, as decision makers recognised that Guyanese not only deserve, but were demanding superior customer services in keeping with international best practices.
The Labour Minister said entities such as Digicel have taken full advantage of this opportunity and have continued to provide thousands of Guyanese with impeccable after-sales service and customer assistance.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir, Alliance for Change Member of Parliament, Sheila Holder and others tour the new building
Meanwhile Chief Executive Officer of Digicel Gregory Dean said the move to the new location was an easy task as the distance was no obstacle.
He said it was with great pride that the company opened its new headquarters within the same community that it has called home for the past two years.
Dean said through Minister Nadir’s initiative to extend working hours of all businesses the company is now proud to provide after sales services and customer care through the customer services center.
TOP
Water sector to be strengthened in coming months
-Housing and Water Minister
Georgetown, GINA, June 03, 2009
The reform of the Water Sector will be strengthened in the months ahead as the Ministry of Housing and Water has developed a ten-year water strategy to increase access to safe water for a targeted 90 percent of the population.
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali today during a press briefing at his office, Brickdam, updated media operatives on strategic plans and capital investment which are to be implemented for the water and sewerage sector.
“We have detailed all the weaknesses in the system; we know now exactly where our strengths lie and where our weaknesses are and we have developed a strategy that would move the entity from a level in certain villages and regions where the service is poor to one within another 12 months to which it would be at least adequate and we are speaking here about the pressure and flow of water,” Minister Ali said.
The Minister noted that his Ministry has embarked on a number of plans including acquisition of capital infrastructure such as new wells, distribution network and the consolidation of existing capital investment.
“Of great importance to us too is the ‘turn around plan’ that deals with the reducing of wastage and non-revenue water. These are critical elements of the plan that we will be implementing,” he said.
A US $22M three-year ‘turn around plan’ (2008 – 2010) was drafted for the utility company with tremendous focus on the improvement in water quality and waste reduction. The plan also seeks to prevent further deterioration of customer service, improve metering systems, increase billings and collections and reduce leakages. The GWI is geared to reduce non-revenue water from 60 percent to 25 percent.
He said a number of projects would be financed over the next three to five years in the medium to long-term that would ensure a level that everyone can be satisfied with.
“So far we have awarded a contract for supply and delivery of well materials and this project consists of the supply and delivery of fiber glass casings, well screens and other equipment in order to facilitate the drilling of potable water wells in the Parfaite/Harmonie and Cornelia Ida housing schemes,’ the Minister stated.
The new housing schemes and the size of the schemes, Minister Ali said have posed some challenges and existence of service for the Ministry and with the purchase of the necessary materials would pave the way for the development of new wells in these areas.
He said the intervention (turn around plan) is being funded by government at a cost of $1B where the cost of the supply of the materials is approximately $68M. This, he said will benefit approximately 5000 people from the villages of Hague and Cornelia Ida on the West Coast Demerara and approximately 20,000 people from Parfaite Harmonie housing scheme. The programme was awarded to Mac Equipment Inc from the United States.
Part of the strategic plan is to reduce non-revenue water to improve efficiency and transparency in the system while at the same time reduce leakages.
“This project consists of the supply and delivery of approximately 10,000 water meters and boxes in order to facilitate the metering programme of GWI. The government again is funding this intervention at the cost of $139M and again it comes from the $1B investment in the ‘turn around plan’. This would benefit approximately 10,000 people around Essequibo, West Coast and West Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara,” he said.
In addition, the Minister said the Agricola trunk main project has been extended to include the installation of approximately 40 meters of transmission main, 15 interconnections and 10 trench crossings.
“This, along with the Central Ruimveldt and Eccles water treatment, project would interconnect the two service centers to serve the population and it would improve efficiency and effectiveness. More than 50,000 people would benefit from this intervention and this is at a cost of approximately $53M,” he added
He further noted that his Ministry has been disturbed by the prolonged dry season which has been affecting a number of hinterland communities in north Rupununi, Region Nine and that his Ministry will be monitoring the situation closely.
“The present weather pattern has the potential of posing threats to our system since most of our wells in the hinterland region are shallow wells…extreme long periods of long dry weather have the effect of drying up these wells…If the dry weather continues in another two weeks in the hinterland area, it will definitely require some more drastic interventions,” Minister Ali stated.
TOP
|
