GRA launches training programme for Marine Unit
-to curb illegal trading
Georgetown, GINA, January 12, 2010
The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) today launched a week-long training programme for its Marine Unit. It is hoped that through the knowledge garnered Customs staff would be able to assist in curbing the evasion of taxes as a direct result of smuggling along the foreshores.
At the launch held at of the Customs and Excise Department, Main Street, Georgetown, Commissioner General of GRA Khurshid Sattaur said that GRA recently acquired two boats at the cost of US $200, 000 to aid in the process and that the presence of the boat builders and the trainers at the training session is evidence of the high level of transparency and accountability being administered at GRA.
Participants of the Guyana Revenue Authority Marine unit training programme
He noted that GRA is pleased to be associated with the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard in the training, which will result in a lot of interaction. Recognizing that it was a ‘most significant moment’ for GRA, he said the knowledge gained will be shared with and be employed by the special staff of the Marine Arm of GRA’s law enforcement section.
The Commissioner General commended those involved in making the acquisition of the vessels possible, and noted that the funding for the capacity building is only one of the many programmes that resulted from the Guyana Threshold programme. This programme is a continuation of such efforts and a direct result of the funding.
Through that intervention, GRA was able to prepare the Marine staff for standard Operations Procedures to help guide the officers in their day to day operations in overcoming danger that may present itself on duty.
Pantera Boat, the company that built the vessels was acknowledged for its work and for availing its personnel to facilitate training in the necessary skills, such as the maneuvering of the boats when dealing with persons whose intention is to evade taxes.
Customs Officials embarking on a Marine unit training programme
The provision of the boats is a direct result of studies conducted by the GRA which revealed a need for the Agency to go after smugglers.
He said this is now possible with the special training and will result in a serious challenge to those persons who are or intend to employ devious skill and talent in smuggling items into the country using the porous water ways.
According to Sattaur the agency will spare no efforts in addressing this scourge and those persons who are found indulging in the practices of smuggling goods will be dealt with. The Commissioner-General expressed hope that the use of these boats will increase the level of taxes collected and appealed to the taxpayers to be the “watchdog’ of the GRA.
He thanked the Transport and Harbours Department for making available the infrastructure to house the boats and the facilities to accommodate the marines.
Jo Nunez, proprietor of Pantera Boat, pointed out that the boats manufactured for GRA are the most popular patrol boat the company makes.
Commander Sean Harmon, Officer Commanding, Maritime Law Enforcement Division, noted that the Coast Guard is happy to be a part of the programme in collaboration with GRA and will be playing a key role in the training.
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Standardised disaster damage assessment, needs analysis plan to be crafted
Georgetown, GINA, January 12, 2010
On January 15 representatives at the policy making level will be meeting to discuss future actions needed for a standard Disaster Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (DANA) system for Guyana.
The meeting will be guided by the recommendations submitted from a multi-stakeholder workshop organized by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on disaster damage assessment and needs analysis and an integrated web based management platform which began today at Regency Suites on Hadfield Street.
This three-day workshop is aimed at upgrading the national disaster management system, strengthen response mechanisms, assist in directing initial response activities and guide the recovery and rehabilitation process.
At today’s workshop were Director General of the CDC Colonel Chabilall Ramsarup, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Deputy Resident Representative Didier Trebucq, DANA Consultant Paul Saunders and representatives from government, private sector agencies and civil society.
The workshop will conclude on January 14 at the Centre for Information Technology of the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus where participants will receive hands on training on the Integrated Web Base Disaster Management Platform that was developed by the CDC to enhance coordination during an emergency or disaster.
Colonel Ramsarup made reference to the 2005 flood and its devastating effects as a graphic example of the impact of a natural disaster that affected a third of the country’s population and caused damage equivalent to 60 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
While he was proud of the CDC’s response capacity during the period, Colonel Ramsarup was optimistic of the scientific approach which the new DANA process will provide, to strengthen future damage and needs assessment endeavours.
At the national and local level, Colonel Ramsarup said the CDC has made headway in its works in areas of communications systems strengthening, search and rescue, community leader training and Information Communication Technology (ICT).
The workshop which is part of a four-year project to strengthen the country’s capacity to reduce disaster risks is a partnership effort of the CDC, UNDP and the Caribbean Development Bank.
The US$2M project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
UNDP’s Representative Trebucq alluded to the importance of the workshop in the context of the many threats which natural disasters pose to the economies of the Caribbean.
He noted that during the period June 2008 to June 2009, 343 disasters occurred claiming about 14,000 lives and damage in excess of over US$57M. Floods, droughts, earthquakes and storms were just a few of the well known disasters.
In keeping with government’s commitment to meet the needs of the population in the face of threats from natural and man-made hazards, the CDC has been mandated to ensure that there is a national system in place to cope with multi-hazard impacts within the framework of comprehensive disaster management.
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President promises improved service delivery and greater accountability
-at village meetings during Cabinet outreach in Region 6
Berbice, GINA, January 12, 2009
At village meetings held today at the community centres in Crabwood Creek and Mibicuri and at the village square at Port Mourant, in Region Six, President Bharrat Jagdeo promised to improve the delivery of services and value or money, as well as greater accountability from Government in 2010.
President Bharrat Jagdeo surrounded by Port Mourant residents during Cabinet Outreach, January 12, 2010
He explained that government since assuming office in 1992 has tried to reverse the parlous state of affairs of the country, paying US$1.5B worth of debt, equivalent to about G$300B.
As a result, Guyana is now using four percent of its revenue to service external debts compared to 94 percent in 1992. This, the President said, has helped Government to invest heavily in expanding social services such as education and health and in upgrading the physical infrastructure of the country.
President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with a Mibicuri, Black Bush Polder resident during Cabinet Outreach in Region 6
However, he noted that the results that have been achieved from this focus have not been satisfactory. To illustrate this point, President Jagdeo pointed to doctors who are working in the public health sector but are also operating private practices that limit the amount of time they spend with patients in the numerous newly constructed public hospitals across the country.
School girl garlanding President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Mibicuri Community Centre where he held a meeting, January 12, 2010
Another example that he used to illustrate his assertion is the absence of teachers from schools which is affecting students.
The President stressed that this is unacceptable and vowed that in 2010 Government will work to reverse the trend.
He indicated that such action will be taken from the Cabinet to the community level. He stated that there must be a cultural shift.
Port Mourant resident raises an issue with President Bharrat Jagdeo during Cabinet Outreach in Region Six
President Jagdeo stated that the delivery of service has to increase to better service Guyanese and Government must ensure that it gets greater value for the money it spends. This also must be backed-up by greater accountability at all levels to accomplish this objective.
The President also highlighted the needs to institute penalties for failures. “Unless we put penalties people will not change,” the President said.
Ten teams of Cabinet members today fanned out to various communities where they engaged in discussions with residents of about 30 communities in Region Six, focusing their engagements on garnering inputs for the 2010 budget which is due and is being finalised.
President Bharrat Jagdeo makes a point during a meeting at Crabwood Creek
On Monday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon had indicated that particular attention would be paid on three cross-cutting matters which address government’s effectiveness during the Cabinet outreach. These are improving accountability, gathering and obtaining value for money in public procurement and improving the delivery of public goods and services within the communities.
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Agri infrastructure in Region 6 to be boosted – Ministers tell residents during Cabinet Outreach
Georgetown, GINA, January 12, 2010
Government is determined to satisfy the needs of citizens to ensure social, economic and political developments and in an effort to accomplish this, Cabinet members conducted an outreach in Region Six to ascertain issues affecting residents, to determine appropriate solutions and needs of communities. This activity will aid in shaping the 2010 budget.
Led by Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo, several teams of Cabinet members fanned out in the region, interacting with residents.
Ministers Robert Persaud, (Agriculture), Jennifer Webster,(within the Ministry of Finance) and Charles Ramson (Legal Affairs) met with residents of Fyrish, No. 19 Village and Seawell. Minister Persaud who began a meeting at the Crabwood Creek Sport Complex, where he was joined by President Jagdeo, addressed the issue of water supply raised by farmers in light of the El Nino conditions being experienced in several parts of the country.
He noted that the Ministry will provide an excavator for necessary works in the area and will construct a link canal to aid in drainage and irrigation. The Ministry has outlined 27 different types of structures inclusive of sluices and access dams to further assist farmers.
Drainage and irrigation play an important part in the Region’s agriculture and Minister Persaud urged farmers to collaborate to aid in the development of the sector in light of the current weather pattern.
He underscored that there is an increase in cultivated lands from 3,700 acres last crop to 4,000 acres this crop for rice production. Non-traditional crop farmers were also encouraged to bolster production so that they can enjoy competitive prices.
Persaud highlighted that last year, although there were many challenges including flood there was phenomenal growth in some areas and marginal in others. He emphasized that rice production was at its highest and non-traditional crops also increased.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), which has been facing challenges, has also shown signs of improvements. It was able to reduce cost in excess of $2.5B.
In light of Government constructing drying facilities across the country to reduce the cost of production for rice farmers, the idea of setting up a facility in the Crabwood Creek district was discussed. Farmers indicated that there is available land space for the infrastructure and also a large number of farmers to utilize it.
In response to cattle wandering and destroying crops, the Minister indicated that the Ministry will facilitate the construction of pasture fences and also aid in the drainage and irrigation systems for the pastures.
Residents of Fyrish expressed similar needs for drainage and irrigation. After listening to some of their concerns the Minister made an intervention that the General Manager of GuySuCo, Berbice will meet with them so that their issues can be addressed.
As the Ministry continues its promotion for agricultural diversification farmers of the Fyrish district will be recipients of planting materials this Saturday.
This is also being done to assist single parents to generate an income and sustain their families.
Residents also expressed the need for infrastructural developments including street lights and improved roads. The Minister indicated that their needs will be considered since it will help to direct the course of the budget.
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Gov’t officials meet Betsy Ground, Canefield and Fort Ordnance residents
-part of Cabinet outreach to strengthen local governance
Berbice, GINA, January 12, 2009
Ministers of Housing and Water and Foreign Affairs and Public Service Irfaan Ali, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Dr. Jennifer Westford respectively met with residents of Betsy Ground, Canefield and Fort Ordnance, East Canje, Region Six to engage residents on discussions on community development and to update them about the administration’s planned programmes and policies for the year.
The annual Cabinet outreach is part of the administration’s activity to improve the effectiveness of governance and the delivery of goods and services. The team in their discussions addressed important issues affecting the communities while providing solutions to residents where necessary.
From left: Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett listening to concerns being raised by Fort Ordnance residents
Residents expressed concerns about housing matters, water supply, drainage and irrigation, deplorable roads and working conditions for Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) cane harvesters.
While noting residents’ concerns, Minister Westford told them that government has been increasing its investments over the years in the Region to better improve the living conditions of communities and that such an outreach is pertinent in order to understand whether the resources have been impacting on the lives of the citizens.
Over the past five years government has been increasing the number of money that it would have been spending in the areas of health, human resource and housing and water and other services, she said.
Meanwhile, Minister Ali who was addressing concerns about the quality of water supplied pointed out that Betsy Ground community is under the purview of the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund (SILWF) and that the only means by which they can have improved supply is if the service is handed over to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
Betsy Ground residents raising their issues with the Ministers
“We commenced discussions with GuySuCO a few weeks ago to hand over the service to GWI…the service does not belong to GWI…when the process is completed then we can do upgrades that would improve the pressure and flow of water for the communities,” the Minister said.
He further noted that once service has been handed over to the GWI, customers will be subject to the rules under the agency.
“We are ready to make the investment as soon as the residents agree that the system will be handed over to GWI,” he stated.
The Minister also used the opportunity to update residents about the $1.6B Corriverton water treatment plant which is being constructed at Queenstown, Corriverton that will benefit approximately 18,000 more residents.
To address the issue of water quality, in the interim, the Minister assured that GWI will be taking a proactive approach in flushing the mains.
At Fort Ordnance, the Housing Minister informed residents about planned programmes that will be implemented this year for the community.
He said that government will be expending more than $780M for the provision of additional housing for persons.
Fort Ordnance will be extended by a further 460 houselots of which $234M will be spent to develop infrastructure in the new areas to benefit approximately 2000 people, Minister Ali said.
The tendering process for the project, he said has been completed and is awaiting the approval of the Inter American Development Bank (IDB).
Ministers Ali, Dr. Westford and Rodrigues-Birkett engaged in discussions with a Canefield resident, East Canje, Region Six. In photo also is Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water, Emile McGarrell
“We are hoping to have this contract awarded by mid February so that we can commence works in this area…this is part of government’s overall plan for the region…the government believes strongly in social and pro poor development,” he stated.
The Minister further expressed that it is his hope that at the end of the implementation of the Second Low Income Settlement Programme his Ministry would have more than 2,000 new houselots available in the region.
In response to issues raised about wages and salaries for sugar cane workers, Minister Birkett updated residents about significant investments being made by government to support the sugar industry.
She noted that the European Commission’s 36 percent price cut has affected sugar producing economies such as Guyana and that government has taken decisive action to ensure that the industry remains viable.
While other Caricom states have closed their sugar industries, government has taken a decision to invest in the Skeldon Sugar factory to improve efficiency and keep its citizens employed, Minister Birkett said.
She told workers that each time a strike occurs in the industry the country loses revenue which results in setbacks, adding that there is need for continuous interaction between government and citizens to find solutions to these problems.
Regional Director, Berbice Jai Petam also provided an overview of medium - term plans for the sugar estates in the region.
He told residents that mechanisms are being put in place to move the three sugar estates (Albion, Blairmont and Rose Hall) to a mechanical layout. Petam assured, however, that the move towards mechanization will not be of detriment to workers but will help improve and increase cane production.
“Sixty percent of the job entails loading cane, this would be semi mechanically loaded and planted…we have already made great improvement for the second crop this year due to the favourable weather,” he explained.
Plans, he said are also in place for an additional 900 acres of land at the Blairmont factory.
He assured that there will be no further improvements of lands development at Albion and Rose Hall but will be improving the quality and expansion for planting and semi mechanical layout
Today’s outreach saw several teams of Cabinet members organised and engaged in discussions with residents of 30 communities in the region focusing their engagements on garnering inputs for the 2010 budget which is due and is being finalised.
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Rates and taxes system to be reviewed- Minister Lall
-Water woes, garbage disposal and other issues addressed during Cabinet Outreach
Berbice, GINA, January 12, 2010
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall and Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon, today met with residents of Chesney, Guava Bush and Belvedere on the Corentyne, during Cabinet’s annual outreach exercise, conducted in Region Six.
Minister of Local and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon meet with residents of Chesney, Region Six during Cabinet Outreach, January 12, 2010
They were accompanied by representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture, Human Services and Social Security and Education, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
Dr. Luncheon explained that in the process of finalizing the National Budget for 2010, Cabinet members are consulting with Guyanese, in order to get their feedback and concerns as it relates to their needs.
He added that the objective is to listen to feedback on goods and services that the Government is obligated to provide and urged the residents to air all their views, even if it is in the form of complaints.
Minister Lall said that Government has spent billions in 2009 on drainage, irrigation and other areas of support. He asserted that 2010 however, will see a turning point where Local Government is concerned, in that local leaders will be required to forge closer relations with community members.
A resident of Belvedere, Region Six shares his concern with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall
He noted that too often, the lack of communication between these two bodies has added to some of the problems that residents face.
“2010 will see massive expansion of Government’s School Feeding Programme as well as the Uniform Assistance Programme,” he said.
The sum of $800M will be allocated to expand the programme to schools on the coast. Mostly children in hinterland areas benefit from the programme.
The Minister further stated that, “the more we can move people out of poverty, the more we can make them a natural resource, thus enabling them to contribute to the country’s national development.”
Issues that were raised at the three locations were of a similar nature. These include insufficient supply of quality potable water and inflated water bills, deplorable streets and roads, need for street lights and proper recreational facilities, and the chronic issue of garbage disposal.
Minister Lall discusses water issues with Belvedere residents
Minister Lall eased a lot of concerns when he disclosed that the Albion Road will be rehabilitated this year. He also committed to providing materials to fence a playfield in Chesney as well as one in Guava Bush. To this commitment, the residents readily agreed to cover the cost of labour.
In responding to the urgent need for proper disposal of domestic waste, Minister Lall affirmed that an official dumpsite will be identified that will be complemented with the implementation of a garbage collection schedule that will be manned by the NDC. He disclosed that the NDC has already consulted the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the location of a site but is still awaiting a reply.
On the issue of street lights, the Minister said that NDCs across the country currently owe millions of dollars to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and as a result, a new system will be implemented, whereby NDCs will only be instructed to pay for lights that it has sanctioned.
In answering questions relating to poor water supply, a GWI representative told Chesney residents that their current water supply is what is considered ‘raw water’ which is high in iron concentration. He proposed that the pipe lines be flushed twice weekly to get rid of accumulated iron content.
Minister Lall and Dr. Luncheon meet with Guava Bush, Region Six residents during Cabinet Outreach, January 12, 2010
Dr. Luncheon also enlightened the residents of GWI’s 2008-2010 Turnaround Plan, which focuses on the improvement of the delivery system, as it relates to adequate water pressure as well as quality, which will be addressed through water treatment.
Minister Lall disclosed that only 50 percent of the communities are paying rates and taxes, which amount to $90M. He said that a new assessment process will be carried out to have a more standardized rate attached to property taxes.
The HPS stressed that more rates and taxes need to be collected from the residents in order to initiate further development among the communities. He lamented that revenue collected from the 50 percent that is paying has to be scantily spent on the needs of the entire community.
Concerns related to the condition of the Berbice Dharm Shala was put to rest, when Minister Lall announced that the Human Services Ministry has already begun moving in the direction to enhance the institution. A new manager has been transferred to serve the inmates of the establishment since January 1.
Minister Lall, said that in keeping with Government’s policy to ensure accountability and good governance, the Local Government Ministry will be ensuring that NDCs hold frequent meetings with residents so that their needs would be addressed in a timely manner .
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