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National Opthalmology Hospital served over 11, 000 people in 2009
The Caribbean’s first National Opthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant, Berbice has seen over 11, 000 patients for various eye ailments in 2009.
The hospital which opened its doors on February 9, 2009 conducted approximately 990 surgeries over the past few months with 168 patients seen for cataract, 975 for pterygium and 14 for laser surgeries.
The focus on eye-care in Guyana is part of the Health Ministry’s primary health care initiative to provide eye-care services.
A patient having his eyes checked by Cuban optometrist
Specialized staff from Cuba are manning the facility until Guyanese medical students currently undergoing training in Cuba return to serve their country.
Prior to the construction of the facility thousands of Guyanese benefited from eye surgeries conducted in Cuba under the Guyana/Cuba ‘Mission Miracle’ programme.
The programme since its inception in 2006 has touched all population points in the country as persons were able to have corrective eye surgeries.
National Opthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant Berbice
The construction of the facility is part of an expanded cooperation in the area of health between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba. President Bharrat Jagdeo had visited the Spanish speaking island in February 2006 when the cooperation agreement was sealed. The construction of the Diamond East Bank Regional Hospital and the Suddie, Leonora and Mahaicony diagnostic and treatment centers were also part of the agreement.
The hospital is expected to conduct 10,000 eye surgeries per year and will cater for persons from neighbouring countries.
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Livestock Development Authority, Sexual Offences Bills for debate at next Parliamentary sitting
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority and the Sexual Offences Bills would be taken to the next two sittings of Parliament on January 7 and 14, 2010.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his post-Cabinet press conference on December 31 said that, “Cabinet adviced that it would be taking to the next two sittings financial papers and possibly the conclusion of debates on outstanding matters, the Livestock Authority and Sexual Violence Bills,” he said.
The Guyana Livestock Development Authority Bill which was deferred at the December 10 last sitting is an act which seeks to promote greater efficiency in the livestock and livestock product industry and to provide enhanced services in livestock husbandry, health and research. It also seeks to establish the Guyana Livestock Development Authority so as to make provisions for effective administration and regulation of that industry.
It provides for the administration and management of the Authority and its affairs to exercise all powers to act in accordance with the provisions enlisted. This body will be empowered to act on national and commercial considerations subject to the directions of the Minister in discharging its functions.
The Minister shall constitute the Board comprising of 15 Directors of whom no more than eight shall represent the Government and seven shall be chosen by the Minister from nominations submitted by the associations or interest groups including producers of poultry, pigs, cattle, agro processors, beekeepers, as well as traders and exporters of livestock and /or livestock products.
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Authority will be responsible for the preparation of plans and undertaking studies to determine the economic, technical or other feasibility of projects to be undertaken, implementing initiatives approved by the Minister, maintaining a register of livestock farmers, processors, traders and exporters and identifying the research, development and training needs and providing development opportunities.
The Act provides for the funds within the Authority to be utilized by it to meet its expenses in connection with its duties and functions. These include: salaries and remuneration of the Director and other employees of the entity.
The funds shall consist of any amount made available from the consolidated fund, investments, grants or Government loan, charges for the management of any task, or grants or financial assistance received from national or international agencies or organisations.
The Sexual Offences Bill was introduced in June 9, 2009 in the National Assembly by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand. After its first reading the Bill was sent to Special Select Committee for review.
The Bill seeks to ensure that measures are put in place at the highest level to protect the rights of the vulnerable of society.
The legislation places special focus on rape as it broadens the definition to include any intrusion, however, slight of any part of a person’s body or any object into the vagina or anus of another person.
Under the Bill sexual offences include rape, sexual assault, sexual activity with a child under 16 years of age and meeting a child following sexual grooming. The latter deals with the concepts of position of trust and obstructing prosecution. Other offences are exposure of the genitals, voyeurism and intercourse with an animal.
It outlines that regarding consent, this cannot be inferred by reason of silence or sexual arousal and belief in consent is not a defence.
With regards to children and vulnerable adults, the Bill notes that unless expressly stated in any of those offences, it is not necessary for the prosecution to prove that the complainant did not consent.
It is the intention of Government that all forms of this Bill will benefit child victims, as well as adults as it addresses vulnerable adults such as persons with mental disorders.
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Mechanism to access revolving housing fund to be implemented by first quarter of 2010-Minister Ali
The mechanism to activate the revolving housing fund to assist low and middle income families is expected to be in place by the first quarter of 2010, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said recently.
The fund is to assist will assist persons unable to qualify for a mortgage to access the finance they need to construct their homes.
The first tranche of $400M which represents 20 percent of the fund will be operated by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and will increase eventually to $2B for continuous housing expansion.
“We are working on a mechanism to implement it. We have the manual and policy governing it and as soon as that mechanism is completed the fund would be put in place...we are looking forward for this too…A lot of persons have great interest in it… This is something that we will seek to have done in the first quarter of 2010,” Minister Ali said.
The revolving fund is expected to target pensioners, single parents and persons who have suffered domestic violence.
To qualify for a low-income lot a beneficiary analysis will be conducted by the Housing Ministry during interview with applicants to determine access to fund.
The creation of the fund was first announced by President Bharrat Jagdeo when he delivered his Independence Day speech on May 25, 2009 at the flag-raising ceremony.
The fund will provide further impetus to the Ministry’s housing drive of expanding and improving access to low-income housing.
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Notable progress in levels of Social Services for 2009
The Government of Guyana has demonstrated its dedication to improving access to social facilities for all as exhibited through its single-parent programme, assistance to the elderly, provisions for the homeless, as well as its protection of children and other vulnerable groups.
Throughout 2009, the Ministry of Human Services made commendable strides in the area of securing a healthy, productive environment for all, especially the nation’s children.
Foster Care Programme
In February, Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand introduced the Foster Care Programme for children who find themselves without proper parental support.
There are currently 600 children in 23 orphanages of which 65 percent, or more than 400, are eligible for foster care.
The ministry is at a stage where it is waiting for Guyana’s judicial body to sanction several applications in order to legalise the union between child and family.
The Ministry has held interactive sessions with foster parents, has placed over 30 children in foster care and encouraged interested individuals to volunteer to become foster parents.
Shelter for the Homeless
While the needs of children were being met, the ministry in October began construction of a shelter for itinerant individuals to facilitate their reintroduction to society.
The project is being undertaken at a cost of $403M to accommodate 140 persons and is being constructed at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice.
The aim is to replicate and improve the programme which was implemented at the Night Shelter at East La Penitence, which offers accommodation, meals and clothing to displaced persons.
The new shelter will provide counselling services, skills training and medical assistance.
Family Court
And to further promote the significance of family welfare, the foundation for the construction of the family court was laid in November.
This project was approved by Cabinet and is being monitored and supervised by the Ministries of Human Services and Public Works.
Family Court under construction
The initiative was prompted by the awareness that family units face internal challenges which result in breakdown.
This recognition has prompted the need to place emphasis on providing an environment where adults and children, seek redress and where family law issues can be discussed in a specialized manner.
The new facility will deal with issues such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody and is expected to be completed by May 2010.
Adoption Laws
It was in February that the ministry unveiled plans to strengthen its adoption laws which will ensure that the rights of children are protected.
The Adoption of Children Bill 2009 which aims to reform the law on adoption was tabled in the National Assembly.
The legislation aspires to provide the best environment for the child while taking into consideration all aspects of the adoption.
The Child Care Protection Agency and the Adoption Board was selected as the leading agencies in the adoption of children.
Single Parent Assistance
Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand with single parents.
Government’s overall goal is to ensure that Guyanese are not subjected to abject poverty.
It is for this reason that the single parent register was launched to provide assistance in the form of training, micro-credit for income generation, school uniform and daycare expenses.
Daycare
The daycare assistance programme seeks to ensure that children are provided for while their parents are at work. Beneficiaries on the Essequibo Coast were among the first to receive assistance.
Approximately 2,000 parents, who are employed with at least two children and pay daycare fees, are receiving approximately 25 percent of the total cost of daycare monthly.
About 300 single parents are also being trained in cosmetology, garment construction and catering at a cost of $25M.
Small business grants are also available for participants who are intent on becoming self sufficient.
Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand givin a pep talk to nursery students.
Uniform Programme
In keeping with its mandate to ensure equal opportunity to education, the ministry in September embarked on a countrywide uniform distribution programme.
The programme was funded at a cost of $55M in 2009 and benefitted over 36,000 students.
About 10,000 people facing various economic challenges received assistance from the Difficult Circumstances Unit, a critical safety net department of the Ministry.
Old Age Pension
Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand speaking to pensioners during the distribution of pension booklets.
Recipients of old age pension are now thrilled at the fact that they can receive their monthly stipends in a timely manner and are not forced to queue up for long hours, due to a new system set up by the ministry after an assessment of previous years when senior citizens were affected by the tardy distribution of pension booklets.
The government programme, which assists about 42,000 beneficiaries, is run at a monthly cost of $200M.
Child Care Protection Legislation
The Child Care and Protection Agency was established as an implementation body for any legislation regarding the protection and care of children in vulnerable circumstances.
In January, the Child Care and Protection Agency Bill was passed in the National Assembly.
Three of five Children’s Bill namely; the Protection of Children Bill, the Status of Children Bill and the Adoption of the Children Bill have already been passed.
At present the Child Care and Development Bill and the Custody, Access, Maintenance and Contact Bill are before a Special Select Committee. The Sexual Offences Bill is also before a committee pending review.
Sexual Offences Legislation 2009
In July, the Sexual Offences Legislation was tabled in the National Assembly.
This all encompassing Bill is designed to protect citizens from a wide range of sexual violence and to revamp Guyana’s existing archaic laws.
The draft legislation was formed after countrywide “Stamp it out” consultations in October 2007 and was later sent to a Parliamentary Select Committee.
Overall, the government has worked tirelessly in ensuring that the lives of its vulnerable groups, including the aged, disabled and underprivileged, were significantly enhanced.
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2009 – Milestone year for completion of major infrastructural projects
…as President’s proper stewardship of Guyanese economy reaps benefits
The Takutu River Bridge! The new, state-of-the-art Skeldon sugar mill – the largest single investment in Guyana’s history at US$185M! The National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant, Berbice! These are just three of the many major infrastructural projects that were completed in 2009 as President Bharrat Jagdeo’s proper stewardship of the Guyanese economy continued to bear fruit.
Berbice River Bridge
It’s pertinent to reflect a few days before 2009 commenced, when the US$40M Berbice River Bridge was commissioned.
The Bridge, for the first time, presented a connecting link between Regions Five and Six, and reduced the delay in transporting goods and people from the Ancient County of Berbice to the centre of commerce in Demerara, and bypassing the transportation bottleneck of the Rosignol-New Amsterdam ferry service.
This structure has proven to be a project that has had a significant impact on the country’s overall development.
National Ophthalmology Hospital – a first for the Caribbean
The National Ophthalmology Hospital, a collaborative effort between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba, was commissioned by the President on July 25. The facility, located at Port Mourant, Berbice, has the capacity to conduct 10,000 eye surgeries each year, and is expected to serve not only Guyanese, but nationals from the rest of the Caribbean and Suriname.
The hospital has screened over 11,000 patients since February 9 for various eye ailments including cataract and pterygium, and close to 1,000 surgeries has been completed in 2009. All services provided by the hospital are offered free of cost.
National Ophthalmology Hospital, Port Mourant, Berbice.
The eye care centre is one of several projects under the Guyana/Cuba collaboration programme which was an outcome of President Jagdeo three-day working visit to Cuba in 2006, and also includes the construction of four diagnostic and treatment centres at Diamond, Suddie, Mahaicony and Leonora.
All of these centres have been completed, and are operational and serving the country.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, noted that since the construction of the four diagnostic and treatment centers they have been providing the necessary services just as the President has envisioned, with the Diamond Diagnostic and Treatment Centre seeing approximately 300 patients per day.
At the National Ophthalmology Hospital, specialized staff from Cuba, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators and bio-medical technicians will operate the facility until Guyanese medical students currently undergoing training in Cuba return to relieve them.
Skeldon Sugar Mill
One of the sweetest achievements in the development of physical infrastructure was the completion and construction, and the commissioning, of the state-of-the-art, US$185M Skeldon sugar factory on August 22, a testament to the foresight of the President and his Administration.
Conceived in 1998 as part of GuySuCo’s strategic review, the commissioning of the factory marks the culmination of 10 years of planning and execution.
With the implementation of the 36% cut in price for sugar from the European Union on October 1, the commissioning of the sugar mill came at a time of great uncertainty in the world of sugar, especially for the 18 sugar-producing countries in the ACP (African-Caribbean-Pacific) Union of which Guyana is a member.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud unveil plaque to commission modern Skeldon sugar factory.
The price cut threatened the viability of the sugar industry in several of these countries, including Guyana, and has resulted in some countries deciding to stop producing sugar altogether.
However, recognizing that sugar is Guyana’s most significant foreign exchange earner ($35B) and one of the largest employers in the country (20,000 workers), Government has stepped up, investing heavily in the sugar sector to reduce production costs and increase value-added production. The Skeldon factory is an integral part of this plan.
Delivering the feature address, President Bharrat Jagdeo said that very early his administration recognized that it had to modernize sugar, bauxite and rice to make them globally competitive.
“This is the largest investment in financial terms in the history of this country; there has been an even larger investment, it is the blood, sweat and tears that our people have invested in this industry from slavery to indenturedship.”
The factory incorporates some of the best technologies from the world of sugar manufacturing. These technologies are applied to provide a high efficiency manufacturing process that makes the best recovery of the sucrose and the energy in the raw sugar cane. This energy is harnessed to power the factory in converting the sucrose to sugar crystals and the surplus energy is used in the national grid.
The new factory features a fully automated continuous process, rather than the traditional intermittent batch process. The use of high steam pressures and temperatures (54 bar and 485 degrees Celsius) allows a high thermal efficiency to be achieved which makes it possible to consistently produce a high quality product and is essential in the cogeneration context.
Also, the use of diffusion technology, in place of traditional milling extraction, improves sucrose recovery and reduces energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Other advanced technologies that characterize the factory include an improved, automated punt dumper for offloading cane; a cane shredder to increase extraction; air supported belt conveyors throughout the factory; all-electric drives to reduce energy consumption; and independent power station with automatic load following capability.
State-of-the-art Skeldon sugar factory
The factory with a capacity to produce about 120,000 tonnes of raw sugar, will require about 1.2 million tonnes of cane annually, about three times the requirement of the old sugar mill. The additional canes will be produced from about 4,700 hectares of new estate lands in Manarabisi (for a total of over 9,600 hectares) and about 4,200 hectares of new farmers’ lands being developed at locations near the estate and at Moleson Creek.
Also, the sugar factory has a co-generation facility that has the capacity to supply 10MW of electricity daily from one 5.0MW set and two 2.5MW sets.
Power is dispatched to the grid at 13.8kV for the first phase of export and a 69kV transmission link is being installed to take the full output from Skeldon.
Takutu River Bridge
The Takutu River Bridge, which connects Lethem and the south east of Guyana, to the northern Brazilian state of Roraima, was officially commissioned on September 14 with great fanfare by the Heads of State of the two respective countries, Bharrat Jagdeo and Luis Inacio ‘Lula’ da Silva.
At the commissioning, the President, who noted that the opening of the Bridge marks the fulfillment of a dream long held by the people of Guyana, expressed sincere gratitude to his counterpart, the President of Brazil, whose support was pivotal in ensuring the bridge’s completion.
The Bridge, which was constructed by the Brazilian Army Corp of Engineers, and costs US$5M and was paid for by the Government of Brazil.
Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo and the entourage minutes before the ribbon cutting ceremony on the Takutu Bridge.
Guyana is well-placed to benefit from the Takutu River Bridge because it will allow Brazilian businessmen from Roraima to truck commodities through Guyana to a port on Guyana’s Atlantic coast and then to markets in North America and Europe at a cheaper cost.
Also, the Bridge makes its easier for Guyanese businesses that wish to expand their activities by exporting to Brazil to access their markets and reduce transportation costs.
It is reported to be one of 335 projects identified by the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America, an initiative by South American Governments to construct a new infrastructural network for the continent, including roads, waterways, ports, and energy and communications interconnections.
20.7MW Kingston Power Plant
The new 20.7MW Kingston power plant, consisting of three 6.9MW Wartsila turbines, was commissioned by President Bharrat Jagdeo on December 4.
The plant, which adds 30% to the generating capacity of the Demerara network, will significantly reduce the incidences of power outages and, according to the President, is part of Government’s plan to catapult Guyana to the next level of growth and development, given that power is an important requisite for economic activity.
He indicated that over the past several years, Government has invested US$125M into the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), the local electricity utility, as a result, with an additional US$15M invested in fuel subsidies in 2007 and 2008 when the world price for fuel had risen significantly. This ensured that electricity rates remained relatively stable.
 and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (left) hold the ribbon as a Queen’s College student cuts it to commission the 20.7MW Kingston power plant.JPG)
President Bharrat Jagdeo (right) and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (left) hold the ribbon as a Queen’s College student cuts it to commission the 20.7MW Kingston power plant.
The Head of State further reiterated his Administration’s commitment to continue investing in this key sector, highlighting the US$38M agreement with the Import-Export Bank of China to modernize the 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, as well as a state-of-the-art controlled system to manage and dispatch power efficiently. This management system is to be installed at the Sophia power station.
Several other infrastructure projects were also completed during 2009 including the Lethem and Mabaruma Regional Hospitals, the $2B Linden Hospital Complex, and numerous roads and water facilities. Also, major infrastructure work was completed in several housing schemes.
President Bharrat Jagdeo interacts with staff of the Linden Hospital .
Linden Hospital
However, this is not the end as many larger projects are expected to get underway in 2010, which along with those already completed, will see Guyana being propelled to the next stage of economic and social development.
In his New Year’s message to the nation, 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. He indicated that the US$38M transmission and distribution project for the electricity will start early in the New Year.
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”
.
External view of the new Kingston Power Plant.
The importance of the President and his Administration’s prudent management of the economy over the years cannot be understated in the achievement of these significant infrastructural developments.
Inheriting an external debt of over US$2B in 1992 and reducing that to around US$800M in 2009, while finding the money to invest not only in upgrading the infrastructure of the country but also in improving and expanding social services, is a delicate balancing act that very few can handle. However, the President has shown that his ability in guiding Guyana through the straits of difficulty into the calm waters of a prosperous future is unparalleled.
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Record breaking 300,000 ounces of gold declared for 2009
Prime Minister congratulates small, medium scale miners
Small and medium scale gold miners continue to make invaluable contributions to the sector helping it to live up to its reputation as a major contributor to Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A record breaking 300,000 ounces of gold have been declared for 2009 owing to the efforts of small and medium scale gold miners who dedicate their lives towards the search for this precious mineral.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who is also the Minister with responsibility for Mines and Minerals recently congratulated all who contributed to the achievements of the sector for 2009, including institutions such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Gold Board (GDB).
“Gold prices have been good, and the sector has done exceedingly well for itself during these last years in providing much needed improvements in economies at the family level, and a large portion of our exports and foreign exchange income, at the national level,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
While commending the stakeholders, Mr. Hinds highlighted the challenges which come with success; challenges which before could have been ignored, but have to be contained and reduced and mitigated.
With the global challenges which the climate change phenomenon pose, Mr. Hinds said the world’s interest in sustaining remaining forests has heightened awareness of the negative environmental and social impact of small and medium scale mining.
“Miners have been sensitised to these issues and areas for improvement have been identified. Now, improved lower-impact, more efficient, higher recovery methods are being demonstrated and sought as well as restorative practices,” the Prime Minister said.
As small and medium scale miners continue to be successful, Mr. Hinds is also looking forward to rapid adjustments, such as avoiding illegal exports to both neighboring and distant countries.
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Strengthening Security Sector in 2009
Government over the years, through the Ministry of Home Affairs demonstrated its commitment towards the modernization and improvement of the Security System to ensure that the fundamental rights of citizens are met.
With a budgetary allocation of $13.6 B in 2009 the Ministry undertook several projects; these includes the rehabilitation of a number of facilities that falls under its responsibilities to aid in the improvement of the services offered to the public.
In recognition of the changing security needs within the country, several new programmes, legislations and campaigns were also embarked upon. These include: the implementation of the breathalyzer system, the campaign against lewd drawings and slogans on minibuses, a massive legislative framework which aims at making provisions to modernize the sector and training programmes designed to enhance capacity within key security agencies, particularly the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
The Guyana Police Force
The GPF celebrated its 170th Anniversary on July 18. Government, in recognizing the vital role of the Force, has provided extensive support to mobilize and improve every aspect of its operations.
Minister Rohee hands over motor bike to the Guyana Police Force
Crime Prevention Conference
In order to address crime and violence in a holistic manner, the Home Affairs Ministry hosted the National Crime Prevention Conference (NCPC) in November, under the theme “Making Our Communities Safe,” at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC). The conference brought together a number of individuals with recognised expertise and extensive experience in the development of strategies to reduce crimes and violence in communities. A group of international facilitators was also present to critically analyze the deliberations and to give their suggestions and views on how to effectively deal with crime prevention.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee underscored the importance of crime prevention as an effective law enforcement tool that is far less expensive and destructive.
He said that despite the increasing challenges that have been encountered over the years, the GPF has recorded a great deal of success in its investigations and other efforts to combat crime. He said that by the end of October, there was a reduction in murders and other serious crimes when compared to the corresponding period in 2008.
Support for CPGs
Minister Rohee handing over vehicles and other equipment to C Division, Community Policing Group (CPG)
Additionally, a lot of focus has been placed on the formation of Community Policing Groups (CPGs). Currently there are 187 established voluntary CPGs, which receive support from the government in the form of vehicles and boats.
Training
The dire need for trained officers in the Force became evident and in this regard the Ministry has moved in the direction of training officers in various disciplines. As part of the Citizens Security Programme, 24 courses from a Comprehensive Training Plan was recently launched. The courses are very interactive and provide a modern learning theory which will equip officers with the much needed skills, knowledge, attitude and tools to be affective in executing their duties.
Modern Data Center
Government recognised the importance of the use of technology in arresting crimes and criminals. As such, it has committed to upgrading technical capacity within the armed forces. In August, a $60M state-of-the-art data center was commissioned at the Eve Leary Headquarters.
This center, which is another project executed through the Government of Guyana – Inter-American Development Bank (GOG/IDB) partnership, provides for linking of all police stations whose data systems are compatible thereby reducing the delay in transmission of critical data to the relevant centres.
This highly modernized facility is crucial to the coordination of data and the speed at which information flow will take place among the various points. It will be integral to the improvement of public safety; reduction of deaths, and the achievement of all the objectives the force has set itself.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee at the commissioning of the new Data Center at Eve Leary Headquarters.
Through the GOG/IDB partnership $170M was spent on remodelling 12 police stations in Regions Four and Six. Each of these stations now has a case management room, a modern interrogation room, an ID parade and witness room, a room for domestic violence victims, and a waiting room for children.
The Guyana Fire Service
Prior to 1992 the Guyana Fire Service’s (GFS) response to fire was at its minimal and recognizing the deficiency, Government embarked on a venture to retool the entity to meet the challenges faced in the ongoing expansion of housing and commerce sectors.
In early 2009, the GFS received a quantity of fire fighting equipment and gear from the French Guiana Ambassador to Guyana Richard Barbeyron.
Fire tenders that were handed over to the Guyana Fire Service during fire prevention week
The 2009 budgetary allocation of $318M for the GFS was used to upgrade and purchase new equipment, expand training and other educational subventions and maintain fire stations.
In October, the Service observed “Fire Safety Month,” an event which marks the anniversary of the world’s worst conflagration. The Month was observed under the theme “Fire Prevention Needs Everyone’s Attention” and was complemented with a series of Fire Safety Fair and drills at Fire Stations, schools and community centres across the country.
Minister Rohee at a church service to usher in fire prevention week
Government’s commitment to ensure fire safety was further exemplified with the provision of over five fire fighting units comprising three water tenders, a water Carrier and a Land Rover.
The Guyana Defence Force
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) recognizes that Guyana is at one purpose with her Caribbean sister states and that is to guarantee the well-being of all Caribbean citizens. As such during the Fifth Summit of the Americas held in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009, the Force deployed troops to the twin island to assist in logistics planning, analysis, and strategy development, maritime and air operations planning, reconnaissance
analysis, intelligence operations and information processing.
Troops were again deployed to Trinidad and Tobago in November for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). These troops were deployed in accordance with the Visiting Forces Act 2007 of Guyana, the Visiting Forces Act of Trinidad and Tobago and the Treaty of Security Assistance among CARICOM Member States.
The GDF is very much an integral part of the Guyanese Nation in that it is regularly involved in community tasks, National Development and Emergency Missions whereby use is made of the resources and equipment that are at its disposal. This was demonstrated by the Special Forces’ heroic efforts in a search and retrieval operation for the body of the late 23-year old Aliya Bulkan, who leapt to her death from the top of the 741 ft Kaieteur Falls.
On the occasion of its 44th anniversary, a pledge was made by Chief-of-Staff, Commodore Gary Best to continue to forge partnerships with civil society, the Government and the people it serves and to optimize resources in ensuring that collective tasks and responsibilities are underscored by accountability.
The Guyana Prison Service
Government’s efforts to modernize and enhance the operations of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) saw the management of the Service being reviewed to address issues such as overcrowding. The strategic plan that was devised will see the prison serving the purpose of a correctional facility.
Over the years, Government has placed major emphasis on reforming prisoners through various literacy and skills training programmes, so that they will be able to make meaningful contributions towards the development of the country.
This strategic plan will be further consolidated with training programmes for Prison Officers, as well as training for prisoners by the Guyana Prison Service Training Board. The programme is designed to facilitate prisoners’ reintegration into society upon their release from incarceration.
Several contracts were also awarded for the rehabilitation of prisons around the country. Additionally, a Retraining Area, strong cells and Inner Sterile Area will be constructed at the New Amsterdam Prison and Officers Quarters at the Lusignan Prison.
Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU)
In 2009, CANU which was set up in an effort to assist in curbing narco-trafficking, celebrated its 14th anniversary. This unit is seen a potential National Drug Enforcement Agency, commanding the respect of other Law Enforcement Agencies in Guyana, CARICOM, the hemisphere and the international community.
Deficiencies in terms of manpower are currently being addressed and its objectives reviewed in order to realize the full potential and scope with respect to its operations. Recently members of CANU were polygraphed, and those who were found unsuitable were dismissed from the organization.
CANU conducted several drug busts during 2009; the most recent involved a collaborative effort with officers from Seafreight Shipping Limited, which led to the seizure of nine packets of compressed marijuana aboard the MV Stadt Luneburg, arriving in Guyana.
Legislation
Government remained steadfast in its commitment to security sector reform and in line with this aim, several landmark pieces of legislation were laid before the National Assembly in 2009.
These include: the Fugitive Offenders (Amendment) Bill, the Private Security Services (Regulation) Bill, The Fire Prevention (Amendment) Bill, the Fire Service (Amendment) Bill, the Prison Service (Amendment) Bill and the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill.
The passage of these Bills, places Law Enforcement Agencies in a much better position to combat crime and violence more effectively in Guyana.
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Canals Polder farmers benefit from drainage pipes
-part of interventions to deal with El Nino conditions
As part of the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to bring relief to farmers during the current El Nino conditions and to ensure the Agriculture Diversification Programme (ADP) remains unhindered, a high-level team of officials led by Minister Robert Persaud visited Region Three. They distributed drainage pipes and also assessed ongoing drainage and irrigation works as well as to provide other form of support to farmers in Canals Polder 1 & 2. Minister Persaud said that the massive drainage and irrigation rehabilitation programme being undertaken in the Canals Polder will help to realize the full potential and importance of the farming areas.
Farmers of the two areas benefitted from 400 six-inch drainage pipes that will assist them to channel water to their farms.
He said that the capacity of the drainage and irrigation infrastructure; to materialize the success of ADP is not sufficient and that the Ministry will continue to make the necessary interventions.
The objective of the ADP is to raise income in the area through increasing efficiency of agricultural product.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and technical staff of the Ministry in discussion with farmers of Canal No.1 Polder
He elaborated on some of the interventions indentified for Canals Polder 1& 2 which include the construction and rehabilitation of 3 main head regulators, 12 secondary head regulators, 2 secondary check structures, 58 secondary culverts, 1 main out fall, 2 primary check structures, 14 bridges, 800 metres of revetment and 20.85 kilometers of roads at cost of $390 M.
Further, he noted that 83 percent of the earthen rehabilitation works, the control structure and access roads has been completed.
“We believe at the end of the massive project, it will be able to bring better farming conditions and improve the livelihood of farmers,” Minister said
He urged farmers to make maximum use of the significant investments being made by the Government to accommodate the agricultural sector’s expansion.
“The Canals Polder are very important for the diversification programme, because we know crops gown in the areas are being exported] to America and Canada and further beyond,” Minister Persaud said.
Minister Persaud is optimistic that the challenges will be met with continued involvement by Government and stakeholders and urged that farmers continue to do their part in ensuring that structures are maintained and protected.
Drainage pipes being distributed to farmers
He encouraged farmers to assist in monitoring and give feedback to the Ministry on the drainage and irrigation and other works being done in their communities.
During the visit, farmers were provided the opportunity to interact and discuss possible interventions for the El Nino period with the Minister.
Since the advent of the conditions, government has spent in excess of $250M in infrastructure works to support farmers countrywide with $49M allocated to hinterland locations.
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President wishes for harmony, peace and development in 2010
…preliminary figures shows economy grew by 2% in 2009
In his New Year’s address to the nation, Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo wished for “renewed harmony, unremitting peace and uninterrupted development” for Guyana in 2010, and called on all Guyanese to work together to make this a reality.
While stating that it is Government’s duty to create a nourishing environment that brings the best out of every individual, the President stated that this role is overshadowed by the higher obligation of citizens to work for the common good, which was on exhibition during the festive season.
“This greater concern for the well-being of others was very much evident over the past few weeks. I was deeply moved by the overflowing spirit of goodwill demonstrated by Guyanese over the Christmas holidays and particularly, through the thoughtfulness shown to the less fortunate in our midst. The numerous acts of kindness are testimony to that wellspring of humanity engraved in every person’s heart and with which we can touch the lives of others,” he stated.
“We may not yet be a rich country but our station as a nation need not constrain our kindness or our compassion or our solidarity. Guyana is our home and the ties that bind citizens to this land will outlive us all. It is thus our obligation to do all that we can to help our country attain the peace, security and prosperity for which our ancestors and succeeding generations struggled. We have an abiding duty to assume the mantle of responsible citizenship and play our part in realizing the vision of a united, free, prosperous and humane Guyana.”
He noted that despite the many challenges faced at the global, regional and domestic level over the past year, this vision of Guyana can be realized in the near future.
“The collapse of CLICO across the region, reduced remittances and weaker commodity markets adversely affected our economy. These blows could not have come at a more inopportune time for the local economy, which this year suffered the full impact of the price cuts in sugar revenues by the European Union. Despite these formidable obstacles and below expected performance in some sectors of the economy, namely sugar and bauxite, preliminary indications are that our economy registered a positive growth rate of about 2% in 2009,” the President said, while noting that it was done in conjunction with improving and expanding social services, and within a framework of sustained macro-economic stability.
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