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Housing Ministry launches home improvement fund
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
The Ministry of Housing and Water is in the process of providing home improvement subsidies to underprivileged persons desirous of undertaking enhancement and upgrading work on their homes.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has already invited applications from home owners who may be interested in the home improvement pilot project.
The package comprises financial contribution and technical assistance and targets 400 families in existing housing schemes.
CH&PA’s Community Development Specialist, Donell Bess-Bascom said that each subsidy is valued at $200,000 and can be accessed by persons with income scale of up to $50,000.
She disclosed that seven schemes including West Minster Phase One, Onderneeming Phase One, Recht-Door-Zee Phase One, Area ‘B’ Lusignan, Block ‘D’ Bath Phase One, Tabatinga Lethem and Amelia’s Ward Phase Two, will initially be targeted with 100 subsidies in 2010.
Bess-Bascom noted that the project which falls under the Second Low Income Settlement (LIS) Programme and funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will eventually provide subsidies to 20 housing schemes.
Included in the LIS programme is a component that would assist households to carry out repair works on roof, walls, floors etc, Bess-Bascom revealed.
“These repairs are to existing homes so the person must first have a house lot in the scheme and must also be in occupancy of the lot,” Bess-Bascom explained.
She stated that eligibility will be determined in accordance with the operating regulations of the programme.
The Authority will meet with Neighbourhood and Regional Democratic Councils (NDCs and RDCs) on August 5, 10, 12, and 14 in Block B Bath, Amelia’s Ward, Lusignan and West Minster respectively.
The Housing Ministry has grown increasingly popular for its efforts in making housing amenities and services more accessible to the less fortunate.
The ministry has also embarked on a core homes project which seeks to provide 113 affordable homes to low income families by the end of the year.
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East Coast farmers receive assistance to restore livelihoods
…Agri Ministry bears land preparation costs
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
The Ministry of Agriculture is extending land preparation assistance to farmers in various communities along the East Coast of Demerara whose livelihoods have been affected by the prolonged dry season.
Farmers will benefit from assistance for the clearing and ploughing of over 566 acres of backlands, an intervention that is expected to benefit 300 poor households in the various communities.
The Ministry urged farmers to conduct land preparation exercise to increase land utilization and more importantly to contribute to the agricultural diversification thrust of the Ministry.
In this regard assistance is being given in weeding, heaping, burning and other forms of preparation of uncultivated land that they may own or lease.
Areas that benefited include Victoria, Belfield, Nabaclis, Golden Grove, Dochfour, Ann’s Grove, Bee Hive, Two Friends, Clonbrook and Greenfield.
The affected areas represent a major segment of the agriculture sector mainly rice, other crops and livestock and subsistence and small scale farmers derive their livelihoods from farms and holdings in these areas.
The thrust, therefore, is to ensure that the affected farmers are provided with the requisite intervention and support to mitigate losses and re-establish their livelihoods.
In an effort to efficiently monitor and manage the preparation of lands, the Ministry purchased a tractor with implements which is more economical than if the Ministry were to procure the services of a private contractor.
The activity also served as an income earning activity since it utilized the skills and labour of the residents of the said communities thereby contributing to the improvement of their livelihoods in a sustainable manner.
Upon completion of this activity the machine will be utilized to assist the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) in the execution of its field work.
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International Building Expo to kick off on August 6
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
The first ever International Building Exposition that is being spearheaded under the auspices of the Housing and Water Ministry, is one of Government’s initiatives to advance the housing drive in Guyana.
The Expo aims at creating and advancing linkages among key stakeholders in the construction and housing sector from the local, regional and international communities, including China, United States of America, India, and Trinidad. This will provide an opportunity for the business community and the public at large not only to look at new products on the international market, but also to create and or strengthen business relations with these countries.
It is ideally suitable for suppliers of hardware manufacturers and importers and electrical contractors, construction and engineering companies, sawmillers and wood dealers, housing developers and real estates agencies, furniture manufacturers and suppliers, suppliers of paint and household items and best practices related to the housing, urban planning and construction sectors.
The housing sector has been very vibrant for the past 10 years and the drive and energy continues to stimulate further expansion.
The Exposition, which was launched on July 10 at the Princess Hotel, Providence, will kick off on August 06 at 17:30h with an opening ceremony at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
One of the objectives of this event is to harness the potential power and transformational effect that the industry can bring to the country since not only does it include building and construction but the financial sector which is key to ensuring that there is strong representation from the manufacturing sector, the private sector and the business entities from across the region.
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Over 100 Caribbean youths learn about Guyana
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the Caribbean Award Sub-regional Council (CASC) and the President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana’s (PYARG’s) recent workshop facilitated 114 youths, including leaders, from several Caribbean countries as well as the host country, who participated in fun games, physical education sessions, to ensure they were fit for the expeditions, and an interactive session.
The workshop, which was held at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), on the East Coast of Demerara, gave participants the opportunity to learn ball room and street dancing as well.
Preparatory sessions for the expeditions were held in the mornings, including map reading and camp crafts, which is the art of surviving the outdoor adventures. It includes erecting tents and lighting camp fires with old wood, among others.
Participants of CASC 2010 learning ballroom dancing at the Guyana School of Agriculture, East Coast Demerara
Participants and leaders are preparing for the expeditions, which commence tomorrow. They will have the chance to sample the land of un-spoilt beauty and visit many waterfalls, including Kaieteur, and Lake Mainstay, on the Essequibo River.
The activity which is being held under the theme “Experience the Nature Kingdom,” aims to provide challenging, life-changing and developmental experiences for participants.
The objectives are to promote a new spirit of discovery for participants, provide them with a real life experience and foster a greater awareness of the social issues that impact the lives of the Caribbean youths. It will also encourage a positive behavioural change and provide entertainment and fun for youths in a safe environment.
Participant from St. Lucia, Wendell Bertrande, in a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated that the activities are eventful and at the same time provide an opportunity to interact with persons from various countries.
He added that whatever he has learnt from the experience will be put into practice when he returns to his home country.
Local participant, Onika Stellingburg stated that it is a great opportunity to meet persons from different countries with varying cultures and as the host country it is the duty of the local participants to put their best foot forward.
Youths of CASC 2010 participating in recreational activities outside the Guyana School of Agriculture, East Coast Demerara
The activities showcased the country’s multicultural background, bio-diversity, and the expeditions would provide first hand experience.
Stellingburg noted that the experience would help her become strong mentally, physically and spiritually. It will also build relationships among youths from various countries and also help to develop high morals and values.
CASC’s Staff, Jason Curry stated that there is a cultural event in the list of planned activities for the youths this year.
“Always make it to the end, and you will always be successful in life,” he highlighted.
Curry added that Guyanese hospitality has been extra-ordinary.
Another CASC staff, Tyson English said that the participants, as well as the leaders were exposed to skills training, community services and adventure/ expeditions.
Funding and additional support are provided by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and several members of the private sector.
Guyana hosted CASC in 1999, just one year after it gained independent operator status from the International Award Authority (IAA).
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Health sector benefiting from public/ private partnership
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
Guyana’s health sector has been expanding owing public and private partnerships in providing health care services. This has lead to many patients in remote areas such as hinterland and riverain communities accessing improved health care.
The Mabaruma Hospital, Region One and Lethem Hospital, Region Nine are new investments by Government to make health care more accessible and over the past several months they have been benefiting from skills of practitioners from private and public sectors.
Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran indicated that the above mentioned hospitals were criticized by ‘nay sayers’ who missed Government’s intent in creating the facilities which comprise theater, pharmacy and X-ray department among others.
He added that the staff at the hospitals comprise graduate doctors and to add to this capacity the Ministry of Health has been able to deploy medical/surgical roving teams from the coast comprising approximately seven to 10 medical practitioners from the public and private sectors.
“Those in the private sector are coming forward and giving their services totally free of cost and this must be recognised. The Ministry of Health provides the logistics, support, accommodation and of course hosts them at their modern hospitals such as Lethem and Mabaruma,” Dr. Ramsaran stated.
Dr. Ramsaran highlighted that the hospitals have benefited from experienced doctors including Shoba and Neville Gobin and Shaik Amir. Accompanying the doctors to these locations are support staff including anesthetic nurse and anesthetic technicians.
He added that this will allow the transfer of skills as the young doctors will be able to learn from the more experienced medical practitioners.
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$168.9M sluice commissioned at De Willem
- to significantly improve drainage on West Coast Demerara
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
Government has always taken a proactive approach in offering assistance to communities affected by uncontrollable natural phenomena such as flooding and El Nino, and as such major emphasis continues to be placed on the development of key drainage structures.
This was further demonstrated by the PPP/C Administration, with the commissioning of a $168.9M sluice at De Willem, West Coast Demerara by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud.
Also in attendance at the ceremony were Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth, Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber, Head of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Rt. Colonel, Chabilal Ramsarup, GuySuCo’s, General Manager, (Uitvlugt) Ramandan Vinoor, regional officials and farmers.
Minister Persaud in his address said that the initiative is timely since it seeks to enhance and re-develop the country’s water management capacity. This has seen significant amount of resources being channelled countrywide; to ensure that they remain functional.
He noted that as part of the NDIA’s master plan, the structure will take a significant amount of pressure off the supporting drainage system.
The $168.9M sluice commissioned at De Willem, West Coast Demerara
“Our drainage system working at optimum is in the region of 1.5 inches of rainfall discharging in about 24 hrs. When we are recording rainfall levels of about 4-5 inches what that tells is that our existing system, even if it is working at maximum capacity would not be able to adequately drain the land; since the demand is greater.”
A study which was done by Mc Kinsey and Company found that if the country is to adequately to climate change in Regions 3, 4 and 5; it would require approximately US$1B to upgrade infrastructure. This is compared to the US$5M spent annual by Government.
This he said, indicates that the country still has a far way to go; but however, noted that with the requisite resources available; the administration has over the years been restoring sluices, that once existed such as the sluice now commissioned.
He said that the sluice is oftentimes described as one of the most ‘popular’ ones; since government has on many occasions been heavily criticised for investing in the structure, and where it was located.
“We took those criticisms in great strides, because it comes with a territory and we will not shy-away or fail in our responsibility to bring better services, facilities to our farmers/ people in Guyana not withstanding criticisms,” he noted.
“We always welcome constructive criticisms in the Ministry of Agriculture, and if something is wrong with a project we invite the public to so point that our so that we can take corrective actions, infact we have submitted all the projects (under D&I) to the Auditor General to carry out a total survey, to ensure that sums allocated, were spent in accordance with the sum,” he emphasised.
Minister Persaud said that his Ministry has over the years been guarding, not only against complicity, but also against ‘crookedness’ since it is present. He said the investment is testimony to ‘value for money’.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud addressing gathering at commissioning of the sluice at De Willem, West Coast Demerara
GuySuCo, will be the major beneficiary of the investment which has been on its capital project for about seven years, and according to Minister Persaud, due to financial constraints facing the industry, the workload was shifted under NDIA’s work programme.
“This is a direct investment in the sugar industry too. Whilst residential and other farmers around will benefit it will directly impact the sugar industry. It is testimony to our commitment to agricultural development, ensuring enhanced water management in order to sustain growth and expansion in the sector,” the Minister added.
Realizing that more is needed to improve the sector, Minister Persaud explained to farmers that they need to take a proactive role and monitor projects being expedited in their communities.
Government has been constructing, reconstructing and rehabilitating numerous drainage and irrigation structures across the country to ensure that farmlands have necessary conditions for cultivation.
Wordsworth, while giving the background to the project said that the sluice was abandoned in the late 1970s due to structural deterioration.
This, he said, caused areas around the sluice to be breached in 1984; resulting in severe losses to the sugar industry and having a negative impact on residents and farmers in the area. As a result, drainage water was diverted into the Zeeburg sluice.
“The readjustment of the network resulted in difficulties for GuySuCo, farmers, and residents of this area. Among them were high water levels and prolonged drainage time which impacted negatively on agricultural activities and building foundations,” he said.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud (centre) flanked by NDIA, Chief Executive Officer, Lionel Wordsworth, Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber, regional officials and farmers during the cutting of the ribbon to declare the $168.9M sluice open
The contract which was awarded and signed on August 5, 2008, will contribute to the long-term agricultural development and sustainability of communities such as, Meten-Meer-Zorg, De Willem, Zeeburg and Uitvlugt.
Collectively, the communities comprise 1880 hectares of land; of which 270 hectares and 1610 hectares are dedicated to domestic and agricultural activities respectively, Wordsworth said.
He further added that the country’s drainage system is under increasing stress as a result of climate change and is suffering from the impact of the rising sea level.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Julius Faerber welcomed the initiative since people are returning to agriculture.
The drainage control structure will benefit farmers and residents and foster improved drainage to hundreds of acres of land. He stressed that this project also demonstrates Government’s commitment towards improving farming conditions.
The Agriculture Ministry and its sub-agency, the NDIA, continue to make interventions throughout the country to ensure that all drainage networks remain functional.
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Human Services Ministry staffers return from stint at Lesley University
-Aufait with tools to tackle violence
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
A team comprising four senior staff members from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, and a staff member of Help and Shelter, recently returned from their stint at Cambridge, Massachusetts, where they attended the Peaceable Schools & Communities Institute (PSCI) at Lesley University.
The founder of the Margaret Clemons Foundation (MCF), Margaret Clemons today met with the media, at Help and Shelter, where she pointed out the highlights of the trip and the methods that can be utilised as tools to tackle violence against women and children.
While in Guyana, Clemons will be meeting with Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, staff of Help & Shelter and social service professionals who participated in the Peaceable Schools programme; as a follow up to their visit. She will also be discussing future collaborative efforts between the MCF and the Ministry.
From left to right are Founder of the Margaret Clemons Foundation (MCF), Margaret Clemons; Coordinator of Help and Shelter Margaret Kertzious; and one of the participants of the Peaceable Schools programme and staff member of Help and Shelter, Tessa Greene
She also disclosed that Minister Manickchand has been invited to Cambridge University, in October for domestic violence recognition month in the US. While there she would be honoured for her efforts in defending women and children against violence.
She indicated that having the team of Guyanese participating in the peaceable Schools programme was much appreciated; since they took their talents and knowledge with them, which had an impact on the programme. She applauded them for being open, enthusiastic and for displaying their competencies.
One of the Guyanese participants, Tessa Greene, from Help and Shelter, indicated that while in the United States, she was exposed to new methods of creating peace and learning; which include visual literacy, song, dance, drama, poetry and art.
She added that utilising these methods in Guyana will be a success and that Help and Shelter is committed to ensuring that the programme is used in reducing the impact of violence.
In this picture Margaret Clemons is discussing the elements of the programme. On her right is, Researcher/Consultant Lauren Stevenson and on her left is Margaret Kertzious
Additionally, the MCF would be working along with the Human Services Ministry and Help and Shelter to facilitate a one-year certificate programme, for social workers and social service providers.
This programme will be offered by Lesley University, Cambridge, Massachusetts and would see the participants being trained in the arts to create behavioural change. They would be engaged in periodic face-to-face and on-line sessions.
Researcher/Consultant, Lauren Stevenson, indicated that the programme builds on the impact of the arts in expressive therapy in communities affected by violence.
This partnership with the Ministry, Help and Shelter and the MCF facilitates continuous improvement in addressing social issues.
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Gov’t mulling installation of wider culverts along Linden/Lethem road
-Recent heavy rainfall caused significant damage
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
The Linden-Lethem road is important to Guyana as it allows the transport of passengers and cargo in hinterland communities and is the main conduit to the Takutu river bridge. The recent heavy rainfall which caused flooding in some areas along the road resulted in damage to some sections and quick action by Government has seen the restoration of most of the structures.
At a press briefing at the Ministry of Public Works and Communications today, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds reminded that Guyana has been experiencing heavy rainfall in the hinterland areas and this had lead to some areas such as Mabura being affected.
Also in attendance at the briefing were Ministers of Transport and Hydraulics and Local Government and Regional Development, Robeson Benn and Kellawan Lall respectively, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Communications Balraj Balram, and Work Services Group Highway Engineer Ron Rahaman.
Prime Minister Hinds spoke of reports in the media about travelling on the Linden/ Lethem corridor and indicated Government’s concern about the difficulties and uncertainties for people in Lethem and along that road.
He noted that the media has not been helpful in creating the right understanding and spirit so that the challenge can be overcome.
The Prime Minister added that when the water recedes the Ministry of Public Works will continue to work on the road. It was indicated that one should not look at it as negligence or ignorance.
In terms of long-term strategy for the area after the water would have receded, Government is considering whether to install bridges or wider culverts to allow the passage of water.
Minister Benn highlighted that the corridor consists of 276 miles of unsurfaced road and it has been affected by the rainfall causing serious disruption of traffic.
He noted that six miles from the Mabura/ Rockstone junction has been affected with a damaged area of approximately 500 metres. It was noted that vehicles including cars can access this section but it needs addressing to restore it to its original geometric design.
Minister Benn added that this section will cost about $10M to fix and works are still ongoing.
He noted that a log bridge located 30 miles from the Kurupukari crossing was rehabilitated by Demerara Timbers Limited at a cost of $4M.
“The bridge itself in terms of its condition, despite what was printed in the newspapers, wasn’t an impediment from traversing into the area. The problem was that the bridge was supported along two main areas for the passage of vehicles, say the wheel tracks, you only need one person to come and drive off that track to destroy the bridge,” Minister Benn stated.
He noted that there is a picture in one of today’s newspapers suggesting that the Bushmouth area is in a deplorable condition but MMC has been working in the area for approximately five days.
Minister Benn highlighted that large buses would have been unable to traverse the area owing to low ground clearance and size. “Up to yesterday (Tuesday) morning mini buses and light vehicles were still able to go up to Lethem. I, Mr. Rahaman and another engineer, army engineers and persons responsible for oil exploration in the area went to Meritzero area and then went along the road which is flooded in the savannah portion,” Minister Benn noted.
He added that the water has dropped, however truck operators are not heeding the requests not to enter the area. It was indicated that the trucks using that route would usually get stuck and in their efforts to get out of the ruts would widen them in clay sections of the road. They are also guilty of weakening the structures along the road in trying to escape the ruts.
The contractor was unable to expedite work as desired because resources were used to wrench in more than six trucks that were stuck.
Minister Benn noted that the contractor was able to restore one area and install a four-foot diameter culvert at one location and there are two to three other locations that are now being addressed.
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Heavy rainfall in hinterland communities have significantly impacted mining- PM
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
Mining is one of the major economic activities in hinterland communities including Regions Eight and Ten. For several weeks these Regions have been experiencing heavy rainfall and as such several communities and mining areas have been affected.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds during a press conference this afternoon revealed that the sector has been significantly impacted by the flood since the declared production for July is probably only 60% of what is desired.
“I was out in Port Kaituma and Mahdia a few weeks ago and there is lots of water,” Prime Minister Hinds stated.
“Some of the mining sites we flew over yesterday (Tuesday) aback of Omai, on the Siparuni head, the pits are flooded. The workings on the Potaro alongside the river were all flooded there were some activities but much of the seemingly active pits more closer the water forces were flooded,” Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn stated.
Addressing other economic activities that were affected such as farming, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall stated that crops on low lying areas have been flooded.
He noted that prior to the heavy rains the Ministry of Agriculture had visited the areas and provided seedlings in preparation for the next crop and that was put on hold owing to the rain.
It was noted that the Ministry is prepared to return to the areas after the rain would have subsided. Minister Lall noted that the livelihood of persons in terms of food would not be affected since all the areas are practically accessible and food items are imported from Brazil.
Health is a priority of Government and where there is not a heavy concentration of health facilities, health teams have been dispatched. There have been complaints of minor rashes.
In an interview with the Government information Agency earlier this week Region Ten Health Officer, Pansy Armstrong has stated that there has been no out-breaks of any disease but only a few reported cases of rashes in Region Ten which is the most flood affected region.
Government will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the livelihood of residents are secure and that they remain healthy.
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Gov’t partnering with citizens to clean up city
Georgetown, GINA, August 4, 2010
Within the past several weeks Government’s efforts of assisting the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to keep the environment clean have been compromised with the huge pile up of garbage in the city owing to the council’s inability to pay its contractors.
Government has been able to maintain the cleanliness of some sections of the city and private garbage collectors have been uplifting garbage from residents for a fee.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall said current efforts to clean the city, and communities around Georgetown that are in need of clean up will tomorrow benefit from a citizen’s initiative.
“Officers from the Ministry are on the road identifying the more critical areas, not only the pile up of garbage, but we have the various avenues including Kitty, Campbellville, shoulders of the roads are in a very bad shape, very high grass that have not been cut for weeks. Various parts of Georgetown have been identified, the critical areas so that when all those citizens who want to assist, when they come to us we will be able to identify the areas where they can assist,” Minister Lall stated.
In terms of clearing clogged drains that are breeding grounds for mosquitoes and can cause flooding with excessive rainfall the Ministry will be collaborating with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority.
“We will also be mobilising drainage and irrigation workers operating in the city independently of the city council. We are collaborating with them, that is the Central Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture,” Minister Lall stated.
“I have had some commitments from some large companies with heavy equipment. I have had the commitment of one of those persons that is on strike because of non payment. The person said he is willing to give us a helping hand, because that’s his job, doing garbage. While he was taking strike action, he has not only been working with the council or assisting the council but he has financial commitment, he has to pay his employees and three months now he is not being paid, so he has a problem but he is always willing.”
Minister Lall noted that several meetings were held with various stakeholders, essentially the City Council, Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Private Sector Commission (PSC).
Minister Lall highlighted that when those meetings were held he recognised that the city did not at that point in time have the capacity to deal with the pile up of garbage given the fact that the contractors were on strike and he could not at that juncture find the resources to add to what was being done.
He noted that the Ministry is catering for up to Monday for a full turn out since not everyone would respond tomorrow and that, “We will be doing some intensive work, within the next three days.”
Minister Lall highlighted that citizens are expressing concerns, some of whom are willing to be actively involved in cleaning the city.
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