Gov’t has moved progressively towards policy, performance based frameworks
- Finance Minister at Int’l development agencies event
Georgetown, GINA, January 27, 2010
Government has, over the years, been moving progressively toward policy and performance-based frameworks for mobilizing development support which has resulted in positive outcomes for Guyana. Through partnerships with the donor community, Guyana has recorded progressive development in various sectors.
Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh commented on support from the donor community and developments during an address at the International Development Agencies event on Tuesday.
“At a recent occasion, I said that the task of building a modern Guyana is well underway. I add now that much work remains if that task is to be completed as quickly as our Government would like. We look forward to continued support from our development partners and our domestic stakeholders as we advance this work and complete this task,” Minister Singh said.
Noting that much work has been done at the global level to define an agenda for coordination, harmonisation, and aid effectiveness, Minister Singh stated that several initiatives have emerged. These include the Declaration adopted at the High Level Forum on Harmonisation in Rome in February 2003, the core principles advanced at the Marrakesh Roundtable on Managing for Development Results in February 2004, the March 2005 Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, and the September 2008 Accra Agenda for Action.
The Minister noted that locally, in collaboration with and with support from development partners, Government has made considerable progress on a number of aspects of this agenda.
“As far as alignment and harmonisation are concerned, the objectives of moving increasingly towards untied aid, using common arrangements and procedures, increasing use of country systems, increasing the proportion of aid delivered using a programme-based approach, and managing for results are goals that are explicitly embraced,” Minister Singh stated.
The event provided an opportunity to share information on the diversity of the work being undertaken by the various international development agencies in Guyana. Minister Singh stated that Government warmly welcomes such engagements aimed at facilitating sharing of information with, and receiving feedback and inputs from domestic partners and stakeholders.
“I would readily confess strong empathy with what appears to be a desire on the part of the donor agencies for wider dissemination of information on the work they are supporting in Guyana, having myself lamented ad nauseam what I regard to be the considerable room that still exists for improvement in the effectiveness with we, ourselves in Government, tell the story of the development and progress that have been taking place in our country in recent years,” Minister Singh said.
Government’s recent and currently ongoing approach to the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), the Minister noted is instructive. This approach includes the establishment and involvement of a Multi-stakeholder Steering Committee with a mandate to oversee and provide guidance to the LCDS process, specifically the stakeholder engagements. The Committee includes representation from Government, the private sector, labour, youth, women, indigenous NGOs, conservation NGOs, mining and forestry producers, and independent professionals.
Minister Singh pointed out that following the launch of the LCDS in June 2009, 15 national and sub-national consultations were held across the country in seven Regions with participation from 222 communities. The sessions were supplemented with countrywide awareness exercises using the print and electronic media, and focused presentations in response to requests by specific stakeholder groups with special interests.
Meanwhile, commenting on the work done by the Ninth Parliament, Minister Singh pointed out that he has been able to witness how some of the permanent mechanisms that were recently established in Guyana for consultation and inclusiveness have worked with great beneficial effects.
The Finance Minister noted that he had the privilege of chairing two of the Parliamentary Special Select Committees over the past year, charged with considering important and complex pieces of legislation, specifically the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill and the Money Transfer Agencies (Licensing) Bill.
“On both occasions, the Special Select Committee mechanism accommodated extensive views submitted by interested stakeholders, and allowed for detailed examination of every clause of the Bills concerned by Committee Members drawn from all sides of the House. This process facilitated demonstrable refinement of, and very strong broad based support for, the legislation concerned. And, I am sure that my colleague Committee Members would forgive me for saying that, away from the glare of cameras and without the unfortunate pandering to respective audiences that appears to be an inevitable consequence of the cameras, the opportunity to meet and put our heads together in a quiet and collegial atmosphere worked to our and the national advantage,” Minister Singh said.
Pursuant to the provisions of extant legislation, the practice of tabling in the National Assembly documents such as annual reports and audited financial statements of Government agencies and loan agreements signed by Government is one that is deeply entrenched. Since the commencement of the Ninth Parliament, Minister Singh noted. Cabinet members have tabled 103 Government agency annual reports and similar documents, while his Ministry has tabled 14 loan agreements concluded with development partners.
“These tabled documents, along with the verbatim transcripts of the deliberations of the Standing Sectoral and Special Select Committees to which I referred earlier, are a matter of public record and are available at any time for inspection and research at the Parliamentary library. These are aspects of openness in, information sharing by, and accountability and transparency of, Government with the aim of a more informed population and a more involved form of governance, that are not referred to with the frequency they merit, possibly because of the limited opportunities they offer to those with sensationalist tendencies,” Minister Singh said.
The Minister reported that the fiscal year 2009 saw Guyana securing a record level of disbursement by the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) using policy-based instruments, with total disbursements under this modality alone amounting to US$17 million last year.
“This, I am advised, represents the highest level of policy-based disbursements in nine years. In 2008, total policy-based disbursements amounted to US$7 million, itself a very significant sum of resources in our context. Our current and pipeline portfolio of policy-based loans with the IADB includes sectors such as justice, competitiveness, electricity, and the financial sector,” the Finance Minister stated.
On the same note, 2009 also saw Guyana securing a total of €25.5 million in general and sector budget support grants from the European Union. This followed the €27 million disbursed in 2008. As in the case of the IADB’s PBL disbursements, the EU’s budget support disbursements reflect recognition and tangible acknowledgement, by various partners, of Government’s track record in implementing agreed reform programmes and achieving progress against preset performance indicators.
“Our current and pipeline budget support programmes with the EU address sectors such as sugar, sea defences, health, education, and housing. We have always acknowledged, as I would do publicly again today, the role played by the European Union in pioneering and promoting the general and sector budget support modality for delivering development assistance,” Minister Singh said.
Pointing out that the 2010 National Budget will be presented shortly, the Finance Minister noted the past four years have been marked by a strong sustained growth performance by the domestic economy, in the face of the most hostile and volatile external environment in recent memory.
“Our fiscal deficit is on a steady downward path and is currently at its lowest level in over five years. Our external reserves are today at their highest level in our country’s history. While I would be quick to emphasise that these favourable developments are the direct result of Government’s prudent policy stance, I would be equally quick to add that these developments also reflect a private sector and more generally a non-governmental sector that is responsive and responding to the policy environment created by Government,” Minister Singh said.
The Minister further added that the achievements have been considerably aided and supported by the work of development partners, including bilaterals like China, Cuba, India, and Venezuela, with all of whom Guyana has important cooperation programmes.
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President urges GDF officers to consider expanded role for military
Delivering a presentation today at the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) annual officers’ conference at Camp Ayanganna, President and Commander-in-Chief, Bharrat Jagdeo, urged his officers, during their deliberations, to situate the army within the Guyanese context, and pay particular attention to resources for the military and their use.
This, he said, is necessary as the GDF must adapt to serve the country more effectively.
The President explained that the traditional function of the military, and the design of its structure, has been to maintain peace and the territorial integrity of Guyana. However, given that it is not anticipated that there will be a military conflict to which the country would be a party, the huge pool of talent that exists within the army should not be wasted.
“The sole focus of the traditional concept of the military has to shift to one that is wider in its understanding, and with a better use of our resources,” the Commander-in-Chief stressed.
He noted that the challenges that the military will have to face include internal security issues, coming from criminal gangs; piracy; smuggling; illegal immigration; the narcotics trade; and political destruction, along with their traditional responsibilities.
Commander-in-Chief Bharrat Jagdeo and officers of the Guyana Defence Force, January 27, 2010 (OP, Sandra Prince Photo)
The President had set his presentation within the agenda of the officers’ conference which has as its core theme the re-engineering of the GDF, with the emphasis being placed on three areas – army structure, human resources and material resources – to ensure that the military is prepared to face the challenges of the future.
He highlighted that Guyana does not have the resources to meet all of its needs, and it therefore becomes necessary that more efficient use is made of the resources that the country already possesses.
“Re-engineering has to focus on even greater efficiency and the better use of resources that you already have,” the Head of State said.
He noted that the inadequacy of resources is not just a developing country phenomenon, pointing to significant cuts being made to the military budgets of several developed countries, including the United States.
In this context, he urged the officers to develop a practical plan that can be executed effectively.
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GWI to conduct maintenance at Eccles water treatment plant
-customers advised to take necessary measures in light of disruption
Due to a scheduled maintenance of the Eccles Water Treatment Plant, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is advising customers of Eccles, Eccles Industrial Area, Bogotstown, Peter’s Hall, Republic Park, Nandy Park and Providence who are served by the facility that they will experience a water service disruption from 08.30 hr to 17:00 hr (8:30 am to 5:00 pm) on January 28.
According to a release from the agency, during this period, customers will be served by the Covent Garden Water treatment Plant at reduced pressure.
Customers are urged to take all necessary measures in light of the disruption, the agency advised.
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GDF remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional mandate- COS
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) today commenced a two-day Annual Officers’ Conference at the Base Camp Ayanganna, under the theme “Re-engineering to enhance National Defence and Security.”
Chief of Staff (COS) of the GDF, Commodore Gary Best in his opening remarks said that in January 2008, the Force embarked on a process of re-engineering to enhance national defence and security, the theme on which this conference is based, to ensure the continuation of the journey on the path to re-engineering.
The COS said that the Officers’ Corp remains committed in ensuring the completion of this process, which will see a transformation of the Force.
“We are encouraged to persevere against all the challenges to complete the transformation of this process,” he said.
Commodore Best highlighted four critical areas to aid this process, namely the completion of: the Force’s organisational analysis, a strategic defence review, a strategic plan and a GDF multi-year development plan.
Chief of Staff (COS) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Commodore Gary Best delivering the opening remarks at the Annual Officers’ Conference held at Base Camp Ayanganna.
Thus far the organisational analysis has been completed and a menu of recommendations, which will impact positively on the tasks and challenges ahead. The Force is in the process of setting the stage of the strategic defence review, which will incorporate goals and objectives laid out by Commander in Chief.
The COS noted that closure has been brought to some of the occurrences in 2009 that tarnished the image of the Force. He said that the obvious criminal acts committed by some officers and ranks have been dealt with. Some were taken before the civil courts, some before the military court, some have been dismissed and others have been disciplined summarily.
He said that this deviant behaviour has also been addressed within the other security services along with the other heads of services. He pointed out that the joint services was suffering from a command and leadership deficit and that while commanding was done by instrument, it needed to be exemplified by sacrifice.
He added that this exhortation is of great importance to the leadership and management of the Force and that those who fail to measure up to these high and necessary expectations will no longer be suitable for leadership in the disciplined services.
“We must act now as leaders and stop protecting under-achievers,” Commodore Best said.
The COS reiterated the Army’s assurance to the President and the nation that it is committed to serve with all honesty, integrity and selfishness.
“Our lives and values must continue to be exemplary in all areas and those who attempt to sully the good image by breaking the confidence that the citizenry have invested in the Force must be separated from us,” he said.
Commodore Best maintained that defence and security are serious issues that require serious personnel and commitment for it to be successful.
He said that regardless of resource limitations and other challenges faced due to the magnitude of the evolving nature of crime and violence, the Force remains committed in working towards the fulfillment of its constitutional mandate.
In recognition of the importance of trained human resource, the Force will be launching the Academic Education Programme and the Technical Education, Vocational Programme, this year.
Commodore Best assured that no effort will be spared in leading the Force to be the best it can be.
Subsequent to the COS’s remarks, the ranks were given the feature address by their Commander in Chief, President Jagdeo, who expressed best wishes for productive deliberations during the course of the discussions.
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Hydroelectricity, modern telecommunications, stronger links with Brazil to spur transformational economic growth – Head of State
At the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) annual officers’ conference, Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo stressed that hydroelectricity, modern telecommunications and stronger links with Brazil have the potential to spur transformational economic growth from which all Guyanese are likely to benefit.
“What we need now is a leapfrogging type of development and there are only a few major strategic projects that could, along with the routine growth in investment and economic expansion, deliver this leap in our gross domestic product, the creation of greater income and wealth here,” the President said.
Hydropower
In relation to the hydropower project at Amaila Falls, President Jagdeo highlighted that work will commence this year, revealing that Government has already received the bid for constructing the access road to the project site.
“In five to six years, what we are using to import fossil fuel to generate electricity, we can repay the cost of the hydro-power (US$600M),” he indicated.
Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the Guyana Defence Force’s annual officers’ conference, January 27, 2010 (OP, Sandra Prince Photo)
Modern telecommunications, including increased bandwidth services
The Head of State told his officers that modern telecommunications can transform Guyana’s economy by providing significant rewards in terms of greater productivity, and also has the potential of “tens of thousands of jobs”.
He explained that this underlines the conflict that Government has had with the local telecoms provider, the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company, “because we feel that the services have not been adequate to allow national development of a transformative kind to take place”.
However, progress is being made towards improving telecommunications in the country, with emphasis on increased bandwidth services, President Jagdeo said.
He pointed to the new fibre-optic cable that GT&T landed recently, and also related that Government, in collaboration with its counterparts in Brazil, is working to land another cable.
“This (the fibre-optic cable from Brazil) is dedicated to the Government’s needs. It will link our schools, hospitals, police stations and…will allow us to do E- Government, E-Health, E-Education and E-Security in a much, much more effective and hopefully efficient fashion,” the Head of State said.
“When the fibre-optic cable comes in, the cost that you pay now for bandwidth, for internet access, could drop by as much as 85%. You will be paying 15% of what you were paying for access.”
Some of the participants at the Guyana Defence Force’s annual officers’ conference, January 27, 2010 (OP, Sandra Prince Photo)
Stronger ties with Brazil
“I have spoken a lot of times about the need to have a link with Brazil. Brazil is a growing world power in many, many areas. It is already the leader in the world in food and technology production and we are fortunate that we live very close to a world power,” President Jagdeo expressed.
He explained that Guyanese businesses can access large markets in the northern Brazilian states of Amazonia and Roraima, thereby allowing them to obtain critical production masses from which they can obtain increasing economies of scale. This will help lower production costs and increase revenues, which will trickle down to all Guyanese.
“There will be tremendous spin-offs benefits for Guyana,” the Commander-in-Chief told his officers.
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GFC explains its logging policies to Parliamentary Sectoral Committee
Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, and a panel from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) consisting of Commissioner, Joe Singh, the Deputy Commissioner, two Assistant Commissioners and other representatives, today appeared before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resource to discuss existing policies within the GFC, with special emphasis on the Low Carbon Development Strategy.
In his opening statement, Minister Persaud said that despite extensive efforts by the GFC to preserve the forest as a means of mitigating climate change, the Commission has not de-emphasized its role as it relates to the building of a competitive timber sector, particularly focusing on the concept of value-added.
He noted that the Forest Products Marketing Council has been restructured so that it can focus on development of wood products and encourage more investments within the sector.
The Minister’s remarks were followed by a comprehensive power-point presentation by Commissioner Singh who noted that Forestry Sector contributes four percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a primary product. However, considering value-added products it is worth 15 percent, while at the same time, providing direct employment for over 26,000 people.
Singh said that 46.0 percent of the total State owned forest has been allocated for production, which is capable of an annual production of 375,000 cubic meters and average exports of US $50B.
Notwithstanding the fact that Guyana has been practicing logging over many centuries, its deforestation rate is less than one percent, due to the selective logging practice being adopted by the Commission.
Commissioner Singh said that one of the policies that govern the GFC is the Forestry legislation implemented in 1953 and which was revised and unanimously approved by the National Assembly in 2009.
Additionally, the Guyana Forestry Act 2008, National Forest Policy 1997, Draft National Forest Plan and the Code of Practice on Forest Operations are also adhered to, very rigidly.
He added that the Commission has a transparent State forest allocation process, where all areas that are available for allocation are made public through widespread advertisement.
State forest permissions of less than 8,000 hectares are issued for two years; woodcutting leases 10-15 years, and timber sales agreement 10-25 years. Thus far one conservation concession has been issued to Conservation International.
The GFC, a semi-autonomous body governed by a board of directors, was established in 1975 by an Act of Parliament. It is mandated to manage the State-owned forest in accordance with the strong policies within an institutional and operational framework.
Guyana has a total land mass of 21.5 million hectares. Of this amount 18.6 million hectares or 87 percent is forested, with the State owning 13.6 million hectares.
Subsequent to the Commissioner’s presentation, the meeting was adjourned. Presentations are expected to be made by representatives of the Hydrometeorological Office at the next sitting of the Committee.
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CIOG donates $500,000 worth in items to further assist Haiti
Georgetown, GINA, January 27, 2010
The National Committee for Haiti Relief today received 15 barrels of clothing and kitchen utensils valued $500,000, from the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG).
The donation was made to the committee at the Civil Defence Commission’s office, as efforts intensify towards assisting the devastated island of Haiti which was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on January 12.
During the simple handing over ceremony, the CIOG’s Education Department Director, Sheik Moeen- ul Hack said that the Muslim community is very happy to be part of the national relief effort.
However, he noted that this is only the beginning of the organization’s humanitarian gesture. “The CIOG expresses profound sadness and sympathises with the people of Haiti over their tragic loss of life and the destruction of its infrastructure….but we assure the people of Haiti that this is only the beginning.”
The items donated were garnered from Muslims in Georgetown, Berbice and Trinidad and Tobago.
Head of the Civil Defence Commission Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup accepts donation from CIOG Education Director Sheik Moeen-ul-Hack on behalf of the National Committee for Haiti Relief
Head of the Civil Defence Commission Colonel (ret’d) Chabilall Ramsarup who accepted the donation on behalf of the Committee thanked the CIOG for its generosity and assured that it will go a long way in helping the people of Haiti.
He disclosed that early next week Guyana will be shipping supplies directly to Haiti. “With the ports now open we will now be able to have direct access from Guyana to Haiti instead of having to stop in Jamaica,” Ramsarup said.
The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana’s donations of clothing and kitchen items which were handed over to the National Committee for Haiti Relief, January 27
The National Committee for Haiti Relief has been successfully raising funds to support the earthquake struck country whose capital Port-au-Prince was destroyed leaving tens of thousands dead and many homeless.
At the intervention of President Bharrat Jagdeo, the National Committee for Haiti Relief was set up and has been receiving donations from many. Government committed US$1M, while sums were raised from two nights of telethon and contributions made by businesses, religious organisations, political parties, the private sector and civil society.
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