Prime Minister preaches inter-faith socialisation -as Guyana observes Inter-Faith Harmony Week
Georgetown, GINA February 1, 2011
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the duties of President believes that Guyana’s reputation of upholding religious tolerance and respect can be greater if there is a concerted effort to understand the religion of another.
Acting President Samuel Hinds joins UN Resident Representative Kiari Liman Tinguiri, ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira and religious leaders in unity during the World Inter Faith Harmony week launch
Speaking at the launch of World Inter-Faith Harmony Week, today at State Housethe acting President said “… we tend to stay in our own corners and I’ve been feeling more and more strongly that there is a relation to the fact that we are of different relations, not that it creates in itself any hostility but there is maybe a reluctance to reach over or to be with the other persons,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
Mr Hinds expressed the opinion that this level of hesitancy could stem from the fact that there is lack of interest to some extent to learn and understand the religion of another.
“Some of it comes about because we are not sufficiently familiar with the practices, religious and beliefs of the other party… for us in Guyana, increased socialisation is the requirement at this time,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
In this regard Mr Hinds called for a niche whereby opportunities are provided for persons to learn about all aspects of religion and its history, with the aim of increasing knowledge and understanding at the different levels of the education system.
Representatives from different religious faiths join hands together during the launch of World Inter Faith Harmony week
This was a task which Mr Hinds said the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) can take on to affirm the message that all religions go along different paths to arrive at the same realisation.
Today’s launch began with prayers and harmony messages from various faiths including the Bahai, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Muslim, Mystical Apostolic and Rastafarian organisations.
A quotation was also taken from one Mahatma Gandhi’s famous doctrines, “We don’t know each other because we hate each other and because we hate each other we don’t get to know each other.”
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly in October last year, passed a resolution calling for religious dialogue, harmony and cooperation to create, maintain and strengthen interfaith harmony and good will.
“The world very much needs that at this time and Guyana needs it too and so Guyana was pleased to be one of the sponsors of that resolution,” Prime Minister Hinds said.
Guyana has organised a series of activities for the occasion which is themed “Love of thy Neighbour.” Among the highlights will be an inter-religious harmony walk on February 3 which has been designated Inter-Faith Harmony Day.
United Nations Resident Representative Kiari Liman Tinguiri speaking at the launch of World Inter Faith Harmony week
The walk will begin at the Cenotaph at 11:00 h and end in the Promenade Gardens. Participants will be attired in coloured symbolic of gold.
The United Nations week is based on the foundation of love of God one another, each according to their own tradition and convictions. The UN Secretary General in his messaged shared the belief that this week has a unique and unprecedented role to promote knowledge sharing, inter-faith dialogue and the promotion the healing of inter-faith tension worldwide.
The UN Resident Representative in Guyana Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, said the week is of special significance for religiously diverse countries like Guyana, as he acknowledged the country’s reputation of upholding religious tolerance.
Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira speaking at the launch of World Inter Faith Harmony week
Presidential Adviser on Government Gail Teixeira hailed the partnership that has existed between Government and the religious community recalling the role of religious leaders in past elections elections, their active role in dialogue with the government on issues of domestic violence and social legislation during the period 1992 to 1997 and its participation in the discussion constitutional reform.
The religious representation and voice is today stronger than ever before in major issues, such social legislation. Teixeira alluded to the child protection and sexual offences legislation among others.
“These were very progressive and modern pieces of legislation within which all the stakeholders and more particularly the faith based organisations had a voice and they presented their views and made recommendations,” Teixeira said.
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New Haags Bosch sanitary landfill facility opens
- each cell has a 10 year capacity
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
Despite criticisms and delays, the first of the four-cell state-of-the-art Haags Bosch sanitary landfill facility, aback Eccles, East Bank Demerara, was officially opened today to accept garbage from Timehri, East Bank Demerara to Cane Grove, East Coast Demerara, catering for 15 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and the City of Georgetown.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall explaining the functions of the new sanitary landfill facility at Haags Bosch, Eccles, East Bank Demerara.
This will bring significant relief to Georgetown residents who have been affected by the overflow from the Mandela dumpsite and will enhance the city’s ability to cope with solid waste management.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall stated that the each cell is 16 acres (6.5 hectares) and will take 10 years for one cell to reach its full capacity. Currently, 10 percent of work on cell one has been completed and has the capacity to accommodate two months of garbage to bring it back to land level.
Project Manager of the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme, Walter Willis, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall at the official opening of the Haags Bosch landfill facility.
He added that within a few days the facility will become fully operational.
Minister Lall indicated that the Ministry is working with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to close cell three at Le Repentir site and will continue over the next few weeks to ensure all the garbage around the site is placed in the cell and completely covered.
In addition, Central Government is assisting in beautifying the area particularly those parts of the cemetery which have been desecrated.
Project Manager of the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme, Walter Willis pointed out that citizens are not expected to pay for the garbage collection and disposal service since the contractor will be paid for such.
He explained that the handling process includes the acceptance of garbage and placing it in a manner that is prescribed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Willis indicated that garbage can be taken to the facility by private persons (citizens), NDC, contractors and the Municipality.
As it relates to waste picking, Willis stated that the facility’s operators will be responsible for recruiting persons for this activity which promotes recycling.
Willis pointed out that in 2008, cell two at Le Repentair landfill was closed while in 2009 a contract was awarded to close cell three. However, due to delays in the opening of the Haags Bosch facility, the decision was taken to continue operations at Le Repentair landfill until the new disposal site was ready for use.
A section of the cell one.
He added that since cell three has stopped accepting garbage, the Ministry will be approaching the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for funds, which is part of the loan agreement, to completely close cell three.
The Haags Bosch facility is expected to be better managed than Le Repentir so as to prevent instances of fires. The contractor in the civil works contract is expected to provide fire pumps and the availability of pipelines to assist in fire fighting in the event of a fire.
In ensuring a strong base for the Haags Bosch facility, a geo synthetic material has been introduced which acts as a strengthening agent while another material is placed on top of that to allow effective drainage along the bottom of the cell.
The facility is equipped with an all-weather road while buildings for weighbridge, workshop, energy and water supply, wheel washing facilities and administrative office are also on stream.
The Ministry urges all persons transporting garbage to this new site to do so in such manner as to avoid littering the streets along the route to the site.
Persons can access the facility using the new access road leading to the site which is at the boundary between Eccles and Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara.
The $4B project is financed by the IDB and the Government of Guyana while an additional $800M has been allocated to advance further work on the construction of the landfill in the 2011 budget.
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BBC to visit country on February 4
-to retrace footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh and El Dorado
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
The country will once again be placed in a spotlight, as a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) team is scheduled to arrive on February 4, in its quest to retrace the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh in search of the City of Gold, El Dorado.
The team is filming a 10-part series titled ‘Serious Explorers’ retracing the footsteps of Sir Walter Raleigh, according to a press release from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and commerce.
The TV series focuses on adventure for kids, and has won awards from the British Association of Film and TV.
The release said that the series will be aired in October 2011 on the BBC 1 in the United Kingdom and in over 150 countries around the world, reaching an audience of over 60 million viewers.
The team, which includes eight children ages 12-15 years from over 16,000 entries, will arrive in the Waini River by means of the Sail Boat “Scaramouche”.
Filming will be done in areas including Waini, Kaieteur, Rupununi, Mahdia, Mt. Roraima, Surama, Rupununi and Rewa.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad, according to the release said that the series will boost Guyana’s image and destination awareness.
He added that the opportunity would provide amazing coverage for ‘Destination Guyana’ and will also help to create more demand for the Guyana tourism product.
“This BBC series will also help to strongly position and promote Guyana as a must see and unique tourism destination. It will provide excellent PR and help to build our brand and image as the hot new destination,” Minister Prashad insisted.
He pointed out that it would be an investment in, and an endorsement of the Guyana tourism product, and will provide and boost credibility and confidence in the country’s tourism product and experience.
The Minister highlighted that promoting the country through films and documentaries is a deliberate marketing strategy by his Ministry and the series will help to project positive images of it and offer compelling reasons to visit the destination.
“Guyana will be promoted and marketed as a top adventure destination,” Minister Prashad posited.
The release pointed out that the team was fascinated by ‘Guyana – the Amazon Adventure’ and its environmental stewardship, and after the three-part series ‘the Lost Land of the Jaguar’ which gave the country tremendous exposure, promised to be back again to share Guyana’s story, secrets and beauty with the world through 10 half hour-long programmes.
The Serious TV series is an observational documentary series made by the BBC and broadcast as part of their children's programming.
It encompasses Serious Jungle (2002), Serious Desert (2003), Serious Arctic (2005), Serious Amazon (2006), Serious Andes (2007) and Serious Ocean (2008/09). Serious Ocean consists of ten 30-minute episodes, while each previous series were six 30-minute episodes.
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Considerable developments in hinterland communities under PPP/C Gov’t- Nokta
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) member, Harripersaud Nokta in his contribution towards the 2011 national budget stated that effective management and strict control of the finances of this country resulted in increased production and economic growth.
Nokta who is also the Hinterland Coordinator, said that budget 2011 has something for all Guyanese and is a continuation of what was offered over the years from 2003 to now.
“From Imbotero in the North to Gunns Strip in the deep south, from Baramita and Paruima in the west to Orealla and Siparuta in the east and on the coastal belt all of Guyana will benefit,” Nokta said.
He explained that in the PPP/C budget of $33B in 1993 the foundation for human development was laid with special emphasis for Amerindian development. He added that since then, there has been greater increase with every passing year in the economic and social life of every Guyanese regardless of whether he/she is at the bottom, middle, or top of the social ladder.
Over the years, the allocations for the five hinterland regions have resulted in better schools, trained teachers, availability of text books, school uniforms, hot meals, and now laptops with internet, health facilities in every community, regular supply of essential medicines, radio communication sets, electricity (solar panels), maintenance of air fields and strips, wells, tanks for storage, hand and electrical pumps, roads, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), tractors, and engine boats among other developments.
“Recreation, sports, and cultural activities have improved. Access to overall social services have improved and as such, hinterland people spending their time producing more food,” Nokta posited.
He urged all parliamentarians to look at the bigger picture for greater economic, social and political advancement as democracy must benefits all.
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Public Service Tribunal estimates attract questions as consideration of 2011 estimates begin
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
Today, the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly began consideration of the $164.1B budget estimates, attracting a myriad of questions from the opposition benches, successfully defended by the majority members of the House.
Under the estimates for the Office of the President, specifically for the Public Service Appellate Tribunal, opposition Member of Parliament Basil Williams questioned the wages and salaries for officials as budgeted for in the estimates, citing that that office had not been operational for many years.
In his defence, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn declared it to be fiscally prudent that Government make provision for such an office, in the event that the prevailing political conditions allow the body to be duly constituted.
Questions were also raised about the allocation under capital expenditures, to rehabilitate the building that would house that constitutional body, revealing that the opposition were uncertain about the Brickdam location of the building in question.
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National Assembly approves estimates for OPM
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
It was the opposition members of the House that were placed on the defensive this evening, as the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly met in the first day of consideration of the 2011 budget estimates.
With the Chairman, Speaker Ralph Ramkarran having to issue several warnings against unreasonableness to certain members on the opposition benches, the consideration of the estimates for the Office of the Prime Minister was particularly contentious.
Committee Member Aubrey Norton questioned the amount allocated for equipment maintenance arguing that with no significant change in staff, the change in the figures for maintenance of office equipment was unwarranted.
Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn explained that whilst it was the same amount of equipment to be maintained in 2011 as in 2010, less was spent on maintenance than in the revised 2010 budget and it was anticipated that the deficit might again be present this year. He noted that the amount budgeted for this year represents only a minor increase based on that anticipation.
Member Debra Backer raised questions as it related to the numberof vehicles under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Office, after challenging the amount allocated for vehicle spares and services. On the capital expenditure side, Member Volda Lawrence questioned the amount to be spent on the acquisition of ‘land transportation’ for the Prime Minister’s office, requesting the amount and type of the vehicles to be purchased.
In his response, Minister Benn acknowledged that the Office of the Prime Minister has assigned to it seven vehicles, one of which was unserviceable, adding that three new vehicles were expected to be purchased to replace the aforementioned unserviceable vehicle and another two that were more than ten years old.
AFC member Sheila Holder then asked for an explanation of the magnitude of the amount allocated for drugs and medical supplies to the PM’s office, to which Minister Benn’s response disparaged Mrs. Holder’s question over what he termed “innocuous” items. “These are the normal supplies of first aid kits and drugs and limacol for the offices, for the residences, for the vehicles, for field trips…I’m not sure what the honourable member is driving at.”
After fielding questions relating to the provision for additional power generation for the Lethem Power Company under the OPM’s capital expenditures, Minister Benn made it clear that the intention of Government is to ensure a 24 hour power supply to the residents of the Region Nine community, in line with Government’s commitment to better the lives of all of its citizens.
Perhaps the session’s most contentious consideration came with the discussion on the “Minor Works item inherent in the Capital expenditures, with Norton questioning the allocation, the criteria used to determine what meets the definition and the appropriateness of the placement of the item. Mrs. Holder questioned the intended beneficiaries.
According to Minister Benn, what constitutes minor works is the “normal assistance through the Office of the Prime Minister, through communities and individuals with respect to activities which they may have ongoing for example block working, minor community road building, and issues like that, at the discretion of the Prime Minister.”
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Old age pension payable from February 7- Minister Manickchand
-to facilitate 14 percent increase
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand today announced that old age pension for the new month will be payable on February 7, at post offices across the country.
She explained that normally, these payments are made on the first working day of the new month; however, due to the 14 percent increase that was announced last week by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, post offices had to receive the new stamp to reflect the amount of $7,500.
Pensioners and caregivers are asked to ensure that they receive the full amount that Government wants them to have.
“We apologise sincerely for any inconvenience that was caused by this delay, but there was very little the Ministry could have done to make sure that the money was paid on time. While many pensioners know, some would not have known how much it was , so we were concerned they might not have gotten all that Government intended for them to get so that is why there was a delay,” Minister explained.
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All Government projects driven by social impacts on Guyanese
-Minister Webster defends OP’s expenditures
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
The National Assembly today resolved into Committee of Supply to commence consideration of the 2011 estimates of expenditure, with the Office of the President coming first.
People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) member, Volda Lawrence wanted to know how many computers and equipment were serviced in 2010 at the cost of $4.5M and how many additional computers and Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPSs) will be serviced for 2011 under this year’s allocation for the Office of he President.
Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jennifer Webster in her response said that in 2010, 25 computers were serviced. However, there will be an additional 15 making a total of 50 to be serviced this year.
Moreover, three large UPSs and voltage regulators, stabilizers and photocopiers are slated for repairs under this year’s allocation.
“We are in a time where Information Communication Technology (ICT) is playing an increased role in our development and in the way we do our work in Government and it is with this in mind that the additional computer will be acquired and hence the need to make provisions for the maintenance for this equipment,” Minister Webster said.
An increase in the provisions for the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission was questioned by PNCR member, Aubrey Norton to which Minister Webster explained that prior to 2011, the Commission utilised its revenues for most of its operations. However, due to the decrease in payment for lands leased by the entity, its revenues were significantly reduced as well and as a result the subvention was being provided in this year’s budget.
With regards to the increase in the number of contracted workers under the various entities that fall under the Office of the President, Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford explained that all workers in Guyana have a democratic right to choose whether they want to be a pensionable or contracted worker and if they choose to fall under the latter, Government cannot question that decision.
As it relates to the provisions sought for the implementation of the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme, Minister Webster said that each Lenovo brand laptopplus installation amounts to approximately $295,000.
She explained that $1.8B will be expended for the procurement for the laptops. She added that the given the fact that the programme is a phased project, only 27,000 laptops will be purchased this year.
Responding to questions about the rehabilitation of State House and its environs, Minister Webster said that the projected cost for the works to be done on the official residence of the President is $10M, refurbishing of the Presidential Guards’ Barracks, $4.2M, and plumbing and painting of the southern villas and renovation of the Castellani House, $14.7M.
“All the projects undertaken by Government, the criteria we use are based on an evaluation of the beneficiaries and the social impacts it will have on Guyanese citizens,” she said.
All of the estimates listed under the Office of the President were passed.
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Transport and Hydraulics Minister successfully defends 2011 sector estimates
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn this evening had his Ministry’s budget estimates for 2011 approved by the National Assembly, amidst sometimes relentless questions from the opposition benches.
In the first of three days of considerations of the budget estimates for 2011 by the House’s Committee of Supplies, Minister Benn successfully defended the sector estimates, beginning by responding to questions about the estimates for Ministry Administration.
The Public Works Ministry was allocated $13.2B in the 2011 Budget, presented by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh on January 17.
People’s National Congress Member Volda Lawrence immediately questioned the allocation for technical staff noting that though the number of staff remained at one, the allocation increased considerably. However Minister Benn explained that the individual was employed in December 2010 and such the increase for this year reflects the salary of the technical staff.
Further the opposition members queried the increase in the allocation for security services, prompting the Minister to provide a comprehensive list of the areas to be provided for under the allocation including the head office at Fort Street, Kingston, the embankment, which has two locations, Water Street and some of the sea defences.
Even the decreases in the allocations were viewed with some amount of suspicion as was evident in the question posed by Committee Member Sheila Holder on a decrease in the budgetary allocation for items under the “other” heading. The Minister noted that with the rationalization of the telephone and other services within the Ministry, comes the decrease in the allocation of resources.
Under the umbrella of Public Works, Minister Benn provided the names of the roads to be rehabilitated under the Miscellaneous Roads programme, explaining that the repair works will only encompass declared public roads, which include, the Railway Embankment, Vlissengen Road, Irving, Sheriff and Duncan Streets. Rehabilitation works are also expected to be carried out on UD Road, JB Singh Road, Water and Barrack Streets and Ramp Road, noting with reference to the Embankment that provision was made for the bridges, with the responsibility resting with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation.
In response to a question posed by Committee Member Aubrey Norton on the qualification of the engineers on any given project, the Minister volunteered the profiles of all the engineers in the employ of the Minister so that he can judge for himself their proficiency, noting that “all our engineers are qualified and are sound.”
On the question of the maintenance of other infrastructure posed by a member of the opposition benches, Minister Benn noted that this was an additional cost related to the maintenance cost for additional street lights and traffic lights, highlighting that there have been issues with the damage to traffic lights, and therefore the amount reflected the work required.
On the issue of Transportation and Communication similar questions were raised and Minister explained that the other infrastructure under this line item related to the maintenance of aerodromes in the interior, and questions pertaining to the one contracted employee under this bracket referred to the Senior Aerodrome inspector, who relied on support from the Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry. He noted too, that the services of the locals in the areas where the aerodromes are located are also utilised in the process of the rehabilitation.
The Capital expenditures attracted many questions ranging from the projects relating to the Demerara Harbour Bridge, the repairs of stellings, the rehabilitation of Government buildings, and especially the repair of the Bartica/Issano/Mahdia Road, expertly answered by the subject Minister.
Minister Benn outlined the nature of the emergency works to be done on the river defence at Leguan and Wakenaam, underscoring too the works that will be done on the airstrip at Leguan.
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Human Services Minister lauds completion of country’s first paper committal
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand today lauded Acting Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, who completed the country’s first ever paper committal proceedings at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
“I think that is historic moment for Guyana as it relates to sex offences… I want to commend the magistrate who is acting chief right now and the Defence Council, Gregory Gaskin as well as the police prosecutor for having not only made history by doing this but, having played their part in supporting women and children,” the Human Services Minister said.
She explained that this is what the whole Stamp It Out campaign and the sex offences law are aimed at achieving. She said that prior to this paper committal, preliminary inquires took years and this makes a terrible situation even worse for the victims.
“The whole intention of the paper committal to address these matters speedily is not only the complainant and victim that benefits, it the defendant too where defendants are claiming that they are not guilty,” she said.
Minister Manickchand is urging other courts to emulate the efforts that led to this historic achievement.
The proceedings for this case were completed in a record two sittings which were held over an eight-day period, at the end of which Dharampaul, also known as Ramesh, 50, was committed to stand trial in the High Court. He is accused of carnal knowledge, allegedly committed on a nine-year-old girl.
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Budget estates for agriculture sector approved by National Assembly
- capacity building to be immensely boosted
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
On the first day of the consideration of the 2011 Budget estimates, the Ministry of Agriculture’s expenditure of $9.1B was approved by the National Assembly, following intense questioning by the members of the Opposition.
Following a question posed by the People’s National Congress Reform Member of Parliament Mervyn Williams, as to the reason for the increase in the number of contracted workers, Minister Persaud stated that this is as a result of the closure of the Livestock and Crops Department.
To facilitate this, the employees which include clerical and office support staff and crop reporters, will now fall under the Ministry’s administration.
The Agriculture Minister in defending other projects which fall under section 6294 pointed out that the majority of the allocations will go towards the operations of the Rice Assessment Committee in several regions.
“And under this heading, this is where we finance the operations primarily of the rice assessment committee. There is also a small allocation which would be utilised for emergencies, particularly, when farmers face hardship especially during the extreme weather seasons,” Minister Persaud said.
Alliance for Change member Sheila Holder also inquired about staff training and the Minister cleared the misconception by explaining that the internal training is to further enhance the capacity of junior staff. However, this does not fall under the scholarship programme of the Public Service Ministry.
The Minister was further asked by Williams, under what grounds senior technical officers are employed and in answering this question, the Minister stated that it is particularly skills that are needed for the fisheries department, especially in the area of animal biology.
“We are currently looking for a specialist marine biologist. It is a skill that unfortunately is not widely available and in Guyana I cannot point to one marine biologist that is available. We have even sought the help of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, and they too have found that this is limited,” he said.
Security services
With regards to an increase in security services and locations to be covered, the Minister said that the intention by Government is to seek a wider cross section of service providers, so to be able to be able to receive value for money.
He added that this is also aimed at enhancing the security at several posts since the Ministry has in the past faced tremendous difficulties with larceny, especially at the Satayadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos.
Farmers and staff will also be exposed to training this year, in the areas of aquaculture rearing, farm preparation, data collection and species identification, to not only build capacity with departments but, to also widen their knowledge and skills.
As it relates to the services of the Hydromet office, he added that a number of weather stations will be installed this year to complement the existing features that are already available. These will be done within the context of the country’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), so as to capture real time data.
Several automatic weather stations will also be established this year, including the hydrological basin in the context of obtaining hydro-power, as well as hinterland communities.
Under the capital expenditure, Minister Persaud said that one new excavator will be procured by Government to complement the pool of approximately 38 which are deployed across the country, to address emergency drainage works.
In respect to the Hope Canal, Minister Persaud added that this will drastically improve the way farming is done, since this not only will address the pressure of water released off the land but will also enhance the capacity of new farmlands.
In conclusion the agriculture Minister also slammed accusations by Williams that the Agriculture Diversification Project is a failed seven-year project. He noted that the programme which has only been established last year has made quantum leaps and reaped many benefits especially for small farmers and producers.
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Budget estimates for education sector approved
Georgetown, GINA, February 1, 2011
Education Minister Shaik Baksh this evening responded to several queries posed by the Opposition as it relates to allocations in the current and capital expenditures regarding services provided at the main office, national education policy, ministry administration, training and development and education delivery. The sector has been allocated $24.3B in the 2011 budget.
PNCR Member Amna Ally questioned the necessity of additional staff (contracted) and their positions in the education ministry.
Minister Baksh indicated that the ministry was in need of an additional driver while three senior school welfare officers, five guidance counsellors and four senior guidance counsellors were employed. These additions are expected to boost the service provided to students throughout the country.
He further pointed out that of the 39 temporary staff taken on by the Ministry, 15 are binders attached to the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), to ensure efficiency in the materials production. Additionally, nine part-time lecturers are stationed at the Cyril Potter College of Education along with 15 supervisors for the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) programme.
Minister Baksh also expressed the need for a civil engineer and an analyst attached to the ministry in aiding effectiveness in executing duties.
Ally posed a question relating to increases in allocations for security services to which Minister Baksh responded that there is need for better supervision while the security service at CPCE is being enhanced. Several schools are receiving 24 - hour service a well.
Minister Baksh was questioned about the specific training programmes catered for in the budget estimates. He pointed out that programmes will be executed for the development of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which will be done by the TVET Council, school health and nutrition and accreditation.
As it relates to questions posed relating to the provisions for the Practical Instruction Centres, as outlined in the capital expenditure, Minister Baksh indicated that monies are being spent for the civil works at the two new centres at Leonora, Region 3, and Mahaicony, Region 5; while significant funds will also be spent on re-tooling the technical institutes in Georgetown, New Amsterdam and Linden.
Mervyn Williams, PNCR member questioned Minister Baksh about provisions to be made for establishing libraries particularly in hinterland communities and the possibility of providing up-dated editions to books that already exist.
Minister Baksh indicated that work will be commencing soon on construction of several such facilities particularly in rural communities including Buxton, Mocha and Hague. These facilities will also receive new learning materials.
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