Gov’t actions in 2010 will aim to consolidate, build on gains already achieved – Head of State
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
In his New Year’s address to the nation, President Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that Government actions in 2010 will aim to combine and build on the gains that have already been achieved, and spelt out plans for infrastructural development, education, health, housing and assistance for vulnerable groups.
Infrastructure
The President stated that Government will continue to invest heavily in developing the physical infrastructure of the country, with a significant coastal and hinterland roads programme already in the pipeline.
Further, the electricity sector, which has been a source of dissatisfaction for many persons, the President said, is in for a major upgrade in the transmission and distribution network.
He was referring to the US$38M agreement with the Import-Export Bank of China to modernize Guyana’s electricity transmission system over the next two to three years.
The project will see the stringing of 110km of transmission mains from Skeldon in Berbice to Edinburgh, West Coast Demerara and the construction of seven power sub-stations that will route the power, and is in preparation for when the Amaila Falls hydropower project is activated, ensuring electricity is routed through Demerara and Berbice.
The project will also see a state-of-the-art controlled system to manage and dispatch power efficiently, installed at the Sophia power station.
Another significant infrastructural project that will commence in 2010, the President indicated, will be the construction of the alternative northern discharge for the East Demerara Water Conservancy at Hope, East Coast Demerara.
Further, “concrete steps to increase the availability and reliability and reduce the cost of bandwidth within the telecommunications sector” will be taken.
The President then moved on to focus on the social sector, stating “Emphasis will continue to be placed on improving quality of service, value for money and greater accountability to the public.”
Education
He indicated that in addition to already established priorities in the education sector, such as improving literacy rates, special emphasis in 2010 will be on “science and technology and the expansion of technical and vocational education”.
The President also indicated that a major programme to computerize all secondary schools is in the works, and cognizant that good nutrition plays an important role in improving concentration of students at school, Government will be spending $800M on a countrywide school-feeding programme.
Health
In the health sector, the major emphasis will be on improving the quality of service, President Jagdeo stated.
“Audits, including clinical audits, will be introduced for all public health institutions. Also, all public hospitals will be required to enter into a service contract with the Ministry of Health whereby these institutions will be held accountable for the provision of quantifiable and verifiable standards of health care deliverables. Further, the quality of service provided by all medical service providers, both private and public, will be reviewed to ensure conformity with the Health Facilities Licencing Act,” he stated.
Housing
In housing, an additional 6,000 house-lots will be allocated and attention will be paid to updating and more effectively enforcing the building codes.
Assistance to vulnerable groups
“In 2010, my Government will build on the work that we’ve already done to protect and serve those who are most vulnerable in our society,” the Head of State said.
To this end, Government plans to bring into law the remaining elements of a comprehensive legislative framework to protect children, including in such areas as child care and development services, custody, contact, guardianship and maintenance and sexual offences, to complement the already enacted legislation on child care and the status, adoption and protection of children.
Further, the national foster care programme will be rolled out and the child care protection agency will be strengthened.
“These initiatives, taken together with our policy on domestic violence and our training programmes for single parents and vulnerable youths, which will benefit some 4,000 persons this year, will help to ensure that more Guyanese are empowered to live a more fulfilling life,” President Jagdeo highlighted.
In conclusion, the Head of State noted, “This agenda will continue to create condition propitious to personal advancement of you, the citizens of Guyana. As you therefore set your goals for this year, you can rest assured that your Government will continue to work for greater social, political and economic progress and especially for the provision of productive infrastructure and the ongoing improvement in the delivery of quality social services.”
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Climate change will not compromise goal of accelerated, transformative development – President
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo, in his New Year’s message to the nation, stated that Guyana can adapt to climate change without compromising its quest for accelerated and transformative development, through the implementation of the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
This is in spite of the fact that rising sea levels and adverse and variable weather patterns occasioned by climate change pose daunting challenges for future development.
While acknowledging that “our people suffer severe economic losses as well as untold misery because of flooding and now, drought-like conditions” and “we’re forced to expend billions of dollars to improve drainage and irrigation and shore up our sea defences”, the President stressed that successful execution of the LCDS “will make our country more climate-resilient, including through better flood control and water management”.
“It will also allow us to take full advantage of the opportunities to earn from preserving and trading a hitherto unrecognized resource – forest carbons, and to deploy these earnings in transformative economic and social projects that will bring substantial benefits to our people,” he further added.
To this end, he indicated that the groundwork has already been laid and that Guyana has become one of the first countries to which a financial commitment has been made.
“Our agreement with Norway which would see us earn up to US$250M over the next five years through performance-based payments and at the same time, continue to sustainably utilize our forest resources through mining, forestry and other activities is just the beginning,” the Head of Stated indicated.
He went on to state that while the accord that arose from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark was less than desired, this will not affect Guyana’s financial flows.
“We will continue to work for a binding global treaty that apart from limiting the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere will provide even greater predictable, long-term financial incentives for forest-rich countries,” the President said.
In conclusion, he thanked all the stakeholders who participated in the extensive consultations that took place in the second half of the year to shape the LCDS document, especially the opposition Parliamentary parties.
“I also wish to record my appreciation for their recognition that such a Strategy is necessary for Guyana, even in the absence at this time of a binding global treaty.”
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Guyana given green light for increased agro-exports to Trinidad
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Intense efforts by the Ministry of Agriculture to increase Guyana's fresh agriculture and forest products exports to Trinidad and Tobago have resulted in the finalization of a Trade Protocol between the two countries which paves the way for a number of additional agro-commodities to gain entry to the twin island republic.
The Guyana/Trinidad and Tobago Fresh Agricultural Produce and Forest Products Trade Protocol outlines the terms and conditions relating to commercial shipments of defined agro-products from Guyana to Trinidad. The terms and conditions address key areas such as packaging and packaging facilities, product quality, storage, inspection and certification, exporter/importer responsibilities, pesticide management and farm
inspection.
The finalization of the Trade Protocol comes in wake of Guyana's increasing ability to export larger volumes of agriculture and forestry products to the region and ongoing interventions guided by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, to modernize and diversify the sector.
The ongoing market-led Grow More Food campaign has also resulted in a marked increase in food production targeting local, regional and international markets for which demand of specific agro-products exists.
The signing of the Trade Protocol between the two countries resulted from discussions which began in 2006 between Minister Persaud and his Trinidadian counterpart. At that time, the Ministers had explored the possibility of increasing the number of admissible agro-products from Guyana to the island, which stood at about six items, after these discussions there was an increase that took the list to 26 items available for export.
Since then, several visits have been made to Guyana by Trinidadian agriculture officials, the most recent being in February when four officials from the twin island republic inspected several farms throughout Regions 2, 3, 4, 6 and 10.
With the continued increase in demand for food, Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to increase exports to new and existing markets, as the country repositions itself to become once again the bread basket of the Caribbean.
The Ministry of Agriculture is encouraging farmers and exporters to utilize this
opportunity to export additional agro-products to the Trinidadian market.
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Weathering the storm, forging ahead with positive outcomes
- Guyana’s economy continues to record positive growth
A GINA Feature by Rekha Budhna, December 28, 2009
Despite challenges posed by the global financial and economic crisis, Guyana’s economy has for the past year, weathered the storm and has been able to record growth in several areas. Due to prudent management and policies implemented by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Guyanese have been worry free with regards to job security and lasting effects of the crisis on sectors within the economy. Government spending in the sectors increased by leaps and bounds resulting in continued development across the 10 Administrative Regions.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in a recent comment noted that the Guyanese economy displayed striking resilience this year, despite depressed external demand and lower prices for certain key exports.
“Sustained efforts to diversify our productive and export bases, and prudent management of our external and fiscal balances over the years, combined to enable the economy to withstand the pressure of recent external developments. Larger amounts of resources have also been allocated to investing in critical infrastructure as well as to advancing work on restructuring the economy for greater diversification, in order to lay the foundation for sustained growth,” Minister Singh said.
Commenting on this year’s record $128.9B National Budget, the Finance Minister said, “The presentation of Budget 2009 on February 9th to the National Assembly under the theme Working Together – Reinforcing Resilience was reflective of our Government being ever cognisant of the threats posed by the existing global environment and the need for strong and collective efforts at the national and individual levels to ensure that we are able to weather the global economic storm,” the Minister said.
Budget 2009 projected real growth of the non-sugar gross domestic product at 1.8 percent while overall growth was projected at 4.7 percent influenced strongly by the expected recovery of sugar.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh presenting the record $128.9B National Budget in the National Assembly.
Catapulting Investments
The 2009 National Budget represented an 8.1 percent increase over the previous year’s $119.3B budget and provided for the wellbeing of children and vulnerable groups with specific focus on continued efforts to safeguard Guyana’s children and vulnerable groups.
With increasing investment on public infrastructure and improvements in the overall financial climate in the country, investor confidence has been increasingly and glaringly visible with massive investments across the country.
The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) recorded a significant increase in expansive investments which have improved life in outlying areas. Of significance, was that investments were not centered on the capital city, instead several new areas were tapped into providing new avenues of operations in various sectors.
Head of Go-Invest Geoffrey Da Silva stated that investments surpassed expectations for 2009 and noted that many persons are returning to Guyana to invest due to the favourable investment climate.
“It has been a year way beyond our expectations, we knew that there was going to be an increase because the Guyana economy is standing up much better to the international challenges than many others,” he said.
Some areas have seen more investment than others, while some are relatively new to Guyana and it is expected that other areas will be further developed. Investments have been recorded in the areas of agriculture, alternative energy, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), services sector, and tourism among others.
The banking sector, several new developments took place including the commencement of construction on the new head office of the New Building Society Limited (NBS).
The new building located at the corner of North Road and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown is being constructed at a cost of $700M.
The $700M New Building Society’s new office under construction at the corner of North Road and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown.
Strengthening Policy framework
Continued expansion in economic activities resulting from new and emerging sectors have added to the development and the stimulation of economic growth, and in light of the increasing number of money transfer agencies, the need to ensure regulatory mechanisms has resulted in the enactment of the relevant legislation.
The National Assembly approved the Anti-money laundering, countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill 18/2007 which was returned to the House following over one year of deliberations in a Special Select Committee of the National Assembly.
The Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Act, which provides for the licensing of persons carrying on the business of money transfer agencies, makes provision for the registering of money transfer agents and for connected purposes, came into operation on October 1. It also allows the Bank of Guyana to have improved information flows based on a more systematic collection of data to be better able to access the scope and extent of money transfer agencies and their economic impact on the economy. This is as a result of the signing of the commencement order by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on August 21.
The Bank of Guyana which, under the Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Act, will have improved information flows based on a more systematic collection of data to better assess the economic impact of such agencies.
Greater transparency, accountability and good governance relating to the operations of money transfer agencies and money transfers agents’ operations are to be expected as the legislation lays out an effective administrative, operational and legal framework for the conduct of these businesses.
Additionally, the Money Transfer Agencies Licensing Act forms part of Government’s effort to strengthen supervision of money transfer agencies and streamline the efficiency of Guyana’s financial system and will substantially improve the supervision of money transfer agencies and reduce the risks involved in transactions ensuring greater safety for the users of such services.
The Act makes it mandatory that money transfer agencies publish their transaction fees as it seeks to eliminate hidden transaction costs as government moves to further improve transparency and reduce cost as the agencies compete for customers.
Meanwhile, the Credit Reporting Bill 2009 was also presented in the National Assembly and was sent to a Special Select Committee for further consultation.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, stated that the Bill is yet another installment in Government’s systematic and comprehensive efforts to strengthen and modernize the financial system.
“We have recognised as a Government that a strong, stable, sound, financial system, one that is responsibly managed and well regulated is critical if we are as a country to realise sustained economic development. Such a system is indeed a prerequisite to the mobilizing of savings and private investments by the private sector and we have sought over the years to ensure the establishment of a legal and institutional framework that would facilitate the growth and development of such a strong and stable financial system,” Minister Singh said.
The Bill establishes the framework for licensing of a credit bureau, clearly sets out the procedures for application, evaluation, issuance, and revocation of licenses, supervision of bureau, power to issue instructions, annual audit and compliance review.
“The result of all of these legislative interventions is that a very robust framework now exists within which and under which our financial system operates and with the benefit of this framework, we have witnessed, what would by any standard be described as striking growth, but growth without compromising stability and integrity,” the Finance Minister stated.
International Assistance/Bilateral Co-operation
Bilateral engagements in 2009 have resulted in significant financial assistance in various sectors. Government in its thrust to improve and provide affordable housing to all signed a US$27.9M agreement with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the Second Low Income Settlement Programme. This is part of an ongoing collaboration between Government and the IDB to address low-income housing issues that started in 2000 with the first low income settlement programme.
A €55M ($14.575B) of grant financing was secured by Government under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) country support strategy agreement that covers the period 2008 to 2013. It focuses mainly on general budget support and the maintenance and rehabilitation of critical sea defence structures. The sum of €30.2M was allocated to macro-economic support and €14.8M for sea defences/coastal management.
Two technical co-operation agreements were also signed between Government and the IDB totalling US$1,450,000 which provides support for the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and Guyana’s efforts to improve disaster risk and flood management.
One of the agreements which will provide support to the LCDS caters for the strengthening of national institutional capacities for effectively dealing with climate change; and supporting a nation-wide consultation process on the LCDS.
The second Technical Cooperation Agreement supports Guyana’s efforts to improve disaster risk and flood management and is consistent with the agreed upon country strategy with Guyana (2008-2012), given its focus on disaster risk management and climate change to promote competitiveness. Beneficiaries of this project will include vulnerable communities and national and local governmental agencies such as the Ministries of Agriculture and Public Works and Communication, the National Climate Change Committee and regional and neighbourhood democratic councils.
The IDB has also approved a US $7.3M loan for the expansion and integration of the Basic Nutrition Programme aimed at achieving a viable, effective and comprehensive five-year maternal and child health programme with specific focus on nutrition to be delivered as part of the family health programme.
Another component of the IDB’s assistance was the approval of a US $550,000 loan for financial and institutional strengthening of Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
On December 23, the Finance Minister and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana Zhang Jungao signed an economic and technical cooperation agreement which will see Guyana benefitting from a RMB 40M grant (approximately US$5.9M or $1.2B).
The projects which will benefit from the grant have not yet been earmarked and negotiations will begin immediately, the Finance Minister said, to do so. Government will highlight the areas where it would like to see the funds flow and will discuss these with the Chinese and arrive on an agreement.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Zhang Jungao, shake hands after the signing of the economic and technical cooperation agreement that will see Guyana benefitting from a $1.2B grant.
International recognition
Government’s prudent management of the local economy was again recognized by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The institution, in its Article IV consultation with Guyana, commended the Government for implementing several policy initiatives that saw the economy maintaining macroeconomic stability, achieving real growth rates and containing inflation, in spite of the global turmoil.
In May, the World Economic Outlook, which presents the IMF’s analysis and projections of economic development projected Guyana’s economy would grow by 2.604 percent in 2009 and by 3.448 percent in 2010.
The Article IV report stated that despite external shocks and social pressures, macroeconomic stability was preserved in 2008, which the Fund attributed to the administration for actively implementing prudent fiscal and monetary policies.
Meanwhile, the Executive Directors of the World Bank commended Guyana for its macroeconomic performance over the past decade and recognised the progress made in improving fiscal discipline. The Bank’s Board of Directors also approved the new Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for Guyana for the period 2009 to 2012 to support its country’s development agenda in the areas of improving education and social safety nets and strengthening its ability to mitigate the effects of natural disasters and climate change.
The World Bank at its third meeting of the Participants’ Committee (PC) of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) in Montreaux, Switzerland in June approved Guyana’s readiness plan (R-Plan).
The R-Plan (or “REDD readiness”) entails developing a reference scenario of the country’s historical and projected deforestation patterns; a strategy to reduce deforestation and conserve standing natural forest (in Guyana’s case, the Low-Carbon Development Strategy – LCDS); and developing a system for monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of emission reductions, all of which will need to be in compliance with evolving international standards to make the country eligible for REDD payments.
Guyana’s efforts to augment the process of setting up businesses and trading across borders were cited as positive reforms, enhancing business activities in the country. In its Doing Business 2010 report, the World Bank noted the reforms undertaken in Guyana which were aimed at reducing the administrative burden for firms.
According to the report, a high ranking on the ease of doing business index signals that the regulatory environment is conducive to business operations. The index averages the country’s percentile rankings on 10 topics which are made up of a variety of factors and covers the period June 2008 through May 2009. Economies are ranked on their ease of doing business, from 1 – 183, with first place being the best.
In the report Guyana is ranked at 101 this year scoring higher than neighbouring Brazil and Venezuela which scored a rank of 129 and 177 respectively.
Conclusion
Guyana’s economy continues to withstand exogenous shocks recording positive growth due to the unstinting efforts of Government to create and maintain a stable macro economic environment to foster development of all sectors and facilitate a wider spread of projects across the country.
Despite the external conditions and local challenges such as those known to be confronting the sugar industry, the domestic economy is projected to continue to grow. The non-sugar economy recorded positive growth, with expansion in output reflected across a broad base of sectors. This result undoubtedly demonstrated early returns to Government’s efforts at diversification, with the strongest rates of growth achieved in non-traditional agriculture sub-sectors.
“That notwithstanding, difficulties were encountered in some traditional sectors. In particular, the bauxite industry responded to depressed global market conditions and low prices with reduced production while the sugar industry continued the search for solutions to overcome its domestic challenges, foremost amongst these being the productive output of the sector and the financial performance of Guysuco. On balance, the economy achieved positive growth at the end of the year and macroeconomic stability was maintained,” Minister Singh said.
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Cabinet approves eight contracts
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
At a post-Cabinet media briefing today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon advised that Cabinet at its December 29 statutory meeting, offered its no objection to eight contracts in the health, security, public works, housing and water and regional development sectors and GECOM.
The approved contracts are as follows:
SECTOR |
TENDER |
VALUE OF AWARD |
Health |
Purchase of supplies for malaria treatment
Supply and Delivery of a dental boat to ply riverain and hinterland areas. |
$21.4 M
$36.8M |
GECOM |
Procurement of office supplies and equipment |
$34.3M |
Housing and Water |
Drilling well at Hague
|
$47.1M
|
Public Works |
Procurement of communication and meteorological equipment for the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority |
$30M
|
Regional Development |
Construction of market tarmacs at Waterloo in Region Five and Golden Grove/Diamond in Region Four. |
$38M |
Security |
Procurement of vehicles for the Guyana Defence Force
Supply and delivery of uniform materials for the Guyana Police Force |
$43.5M
$89.7M |
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Cabinet’s annual retreat slated for late January 2010
-Dr. Luncheon
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon has announced that late January 2010 has been identified for Cabinet’s annual retreat.
Addressing media personnel today at his year-end press conference at the Office of the President, the HPS said that the date and venue for the retreat will be announced later.
The retreat is intended to provide Cabinet with an opportunity to critically examine the current, as well as the future prospects in the sectors.
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Interventions to combat impact of El Nino conditions being implemented – HPS
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet media briefing today said that Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud updated Cabinet on the impact of the current El Nino-like phenomenon on the availability of irrigation water to supply the traditional and non-traditional crop sectors.
The HPS said that the situation has been worsening as the levels of potable water for plants and animals have fallen to the point where restrictions had to be placed on the distribution.
Consequently, assistance has been resorted to, through mechanical pumping as well as excavation of channels to allow farmlands access to water. This situation, which is not unique to Guyana, is expected to extend to the first quarter of 2010.
Recently Minister Persaud and officials from the Ministry and the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) visited Karmat in the Mahaicony River to discuss measures taken to address the El Nino situation which has resulted in the significant drop of water in conservancies across the country.
A schedule of the routine use of water accessible to farmers has been implemented to monitor water usage and farmers must comply with the schedule. Minister Persaud highlighted that in order for a high level of productivity at the first crop in 2010, farmers need to utilize water available in a controlled organized manner.
El Nino is uncommon during this period in the MMA area while other parts of the country experience dry spells. For the past three to four years the Ministry has been addressing matters of flood in those areas, however, owing to climate change a dry spell has affected the farm lands.
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Guyana will respond to climate change-HPS
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet press briefing said that Cabinet’s December 28 meeting saw the discussion of Guyana’s assessment of developments in climate change, particularly those likely to be influenced by the outcome of the Conference of Parties in Copenhagen earlier this month, as well as local reactions.
The HPS said that Cabinet’s contention is that the reality of climate change is here to stay and in the face of international inaction, the likely course is uncertain but may worsen. This he said is a reflection of the lack of definitive commitments in December at Copenhagen.
He said that that Guyana’s nexus is one that seeks a convergence to a climate neutral economy while expanding the role of forest in mitigation and adaptation, which is now enshrined in the international agreements and provided a realistic basis for Guyana’s commitment to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).
Dr. Luncheon said that Guyana continues to be aggrieved by the commitment of economic and financial support than is required and even less than is expected. He added that foresight probably played a role in cushioning the full impact of the Copenhagen summit’s uncertainty, where financial support was concerned, noting that that there was a previous agreement between Guyana and Norway.
He said that, the negative reviews of the summit are understandable on both the local and international arenas. He noted that the political inputs had quite a bit to do with the convergence around the scientific solution. “It is unfortunate that there was not enough convergence on the scientific, political and technical arena to bring about the ultimate ambitious, legally binding international treaty.
The HPS said that Government will continue to focus and respond to the local negatives, when they are misguided and uninformed. He noted that one of the most misleading notions in relation to deal is that Norway is leading Guyana to “hamstringing” the level of the operations of the mining and forestry sectors. This, he said, is very far from the truth.
“We committed to the levels of operations in these areas and indeed, many of the specifics of our commitment were based on matters that these two sectors themselves were addressing previously and independent of the LCDS,” he said.
Another misunderstanding he said deals with national capacity in the implementation of the agreement, particularly at the technical level as well as the Monitoring Reporting Verification (MRV) level.
“We have made pledges in the Guyana-Norway agreements that are based on the background of our consistent achievement in improving governance over the years,” the HPS said.
At the summit, world leaders agreed to set a target of 2°C for the increase in global temperatures. Countries are to provide details on how they would implement carbon reduction on a national level, and rich countries would provide financing and support to developing nations.
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Delivery of goods, services, improved governance high on Govt’s 2010 agenda-Dr. Luncheon
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his year-end media briefing at the Office of the President today said it is quite clear that in many sectors emphasis would have to be placed on the intensification of the delivery of goods and services with better governance and accountability in 2010.
Dr. Luncheon made this statement while briefing members of the media on the reviewed performance of Government sectors in 2009 and projections for 2010.
“Not the extensive approach that over the last four administrations of the PPP/C saw; monumental increases in investments in each of the sectors,” he said.
He noted that during Cabinet meeting on December 29, presentations were made by each Cabinet Minister on the highlight of the sectoral performance in 2009 adding that the major focus was 2010 projections with the main focus on improving sectoral performances.
“I think we are fast approaching the sustainable levels of investments in many of these sectors and now we have to concentrate at getting more value for money,” Dr. Luncheon said.
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Prudent management of GRA facilitates increased intake in 2009
-HPS
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
While addressing members of the media at his year-end press conference today at the Office of the President, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said the administration has acted in prosecuting, investigating and disposing of perpetrators while putting in place more rigourous and mechanisms to facilitate the increase in revenue collection at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
Dr. Luncheon was responding to questions posed by media personnel as it relates to the 2009, revenue collection by the agency.
“I don’t think that our efforts over the years particularly with this year has shown us to be comfortable with just anecdotes. We have acted, taken to court, investigated, disposed of and put more and more rigourous mechanisms in place,” he said.
The HPS said that he endorsed the functions of the GRA’s Commissioner General and the agency’s management.
“While one can go into that analysis of the additional incremental increase in revenue collection in 2009, no kind of analysis could conceivably ignore the role that the Commissioner General has been playing. We have lent him and provided him with endless support,” he said.
Dr. Luncheon noted that government will not turn a blind eye to the weaknesses that have been uncovered at the organisation.
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Guyana’s economy remains stable, economic progress consistent and satisfactory-HPS
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon during his year-end press conference today at the Office of the President said that Guyana’s economy has remained stable as a result of the aggressive technical management and judicious interventions made by the administration.
Dr. Luncheon who was providing an overview of the performance of the economy for 2009 said that Cabinet’s assessment for the year was on the basis of eventual achievements that took into consideration challenges and interventions that were made.
“The economy has remained stable and economic progress…has been a consistent and a satisfactory one. That result is a reflection of aggressive technical management and judicious interventions by the administration,” he said.
Speaking about the social sector, Dr. Luncheon said it is one area that sees room for extensive investments in governance, in dealing with the effectiveness and delivery of goods and services and monitoring and evaluation.
Dr. Luncheon noted that the days of really impressive rates of increase in investments in the sectors are coming to a close. Government, he said is looking to see whether it is getting value for money to the level of investment per capita spending; standards are being enforced and whether there is a fairly robust system of monitoring and evaluation that would allow government to feel that investment is indeed realizing its goals.
He said in that context the state will continue to encourage widespread discussions, debates and public consultations on the issues of the day and commit to taking action and making interventions subsequent to the consultations on the discourses.
Dr. Luncheon pointed out that second generation reforms will also continue to be undertaken in the financial, justice and security sectors and will be moving more to address the monitoring and evaluation of the performances in the sectors.
“Where additional investments are indicated they will be made but the focus would be on getting the value for money so the emphasis on improving governance is to match investments and execution, financing the development along now with the equal emphasis on monitoring and evaluating to ensure that what is obtained is indeed a reflection of the financing into that effort,” Dr. Luncheon stated.
The situation, he added has stabilized from the shocks of 2008 but concerns still exist and work will continue on the robustness of the financial sector citing that the main plank is growth in new areas and improving the competitiveness of the country’s industry.
“We are led to believe that the trend that appeared in the latter 2009 would be addressed forthrightly by the main stakeholders and indeed industrial peace would once again prevail in the industry in Guyana. The growth areas we keep mentioning are tourism and renewable energy and ICT financial services and of course in non-traditional crops and livestock area in the productive sector…competitiveness at the end of the day must be enhanced in our industries,” Dr. Luncheon concluded.
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PM receives solar panels from German NGO
Georgetown, GINA, December 31, 2009
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, today received 19 solar panels on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana from EEREPAMI, a German Non Governmental Organisation.
The hand over ceremony held at the National Museum, was witnessed by Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall, Educator of the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society, Sirimavo De Freitas and facilitator Ben Ter Welle.
Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds expressing gratitude for the solar panels at the hand over ceremony at the National Museum.
Prime Minister, Hinds extended gratitude to the NGO for the donation, explaining that the panels will be utilized across the country, especially in hinterland communities.
The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs received 17 of the panels. Minister Sukhai noted that they will be distributed to the various regions to aid in the provision of power in hinterland communities. The Minister is optimistic that with electricity in the villages, students will be able to study, therefore enhancing their academic performances.
The two other panels will be placed at Fort Zeelandia Museum to power a low carbon path, Dr. Anthony said. He highlighted that his Ministry is grateful to the NGO since it has contributed generously to the National Museum and has also been aiding in the setting up of the water treatment system at the Kuru Kuru Training College.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Educator, for the Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society, Sirimavo De Freitas, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Prime Minster, Samuel Hinds, Facilitator, Ben Ter Welle and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Nigel Dharamlall inspect donation.
Ben Ter Welle noted that this venture signifies a growing relationship between Germany and Guyana.
The Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society received nine solar panels and two tents. The panels will be set up at Shell Beach but will provide power to the community at large, De Freitas stated.
She noted the tents which can facilitate 12 persons each will be utilized by persons working on the conservation project.
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