Cunha Canal rehabilitation, Amaila Falls Hydro access road among LCDS priority projects in 2012
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
Government intends to advance projects in sync with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) even as efforts are underway to ensure that the Amaila Falls hydro project access road is completed.
Upon completion, the project will remove 99 percent of the country’s energy related emissions and provide a reliable source of energy in Guyana.
The Office of Climate Change (OCC) in a press release issued today, outlined among the LCDS priority projects for 2012 the Amerindian Land Titling and Demarcation programme; establishment of the Amerindian Development Fund; the Biodiversity centre and the rehabilitation of the Cunha Canal.
The Cunha Canal rehabilitation is the first adaptation project under the LCDS which is aimed at increasing the canal’s discharge capacity and reducing the risks of the embankment overtopping and flooding along the East Bank of the Demerara.
These projects are in addition to the hinterland electrification project which will see the installation of 11,000 solar home systems in 150 hinterland communities; the One Laptop Per Family project and the E-Governance Fiber Optic Cable which will serve as the backbone of a larger ICT strategy to improve and lower the cost of access to information and essential government services.
Guyana and Norway are working jointly to improve the effectiveness of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) mechanism with the establishment of a GRIF Secretariat to support the facilitation of this mandate and serve to hasten the release of the Norway funds.
The Guyana-Norway partnership is the second biggest Interim REDD + agreement in the world and, according to the OCC; Guyana’s performance for 2011 will be conducted in the following months in accordance with the agreed requirements of the Joint Concept Note (JCN) and Memorandum of Understanding between Guyana and Norway.
The level of support depends on Guyana’s delivery of results as it relates to performance against a set of REDD+ Enabling Activities and REDD+ Performance Indicators.
Guyana has successfully met the performance requirements for two consecutive years, earning approximately US$70M which has been transferred by Norway into the GRIF and, which will be used to support LCDS initiatives.
The OCC aims to continue wide stakeholder awareness and engagements on Guyana’s climate initiatives and the LCDS.
Meanwhile the Multi-Stakeholder Committee for the LCDS will convene its first meeting shortly.
The MSSC comprises national stakeholders including indigenous and conservation Non Governmental Organisations, the private sector, labour, youth, women, and civil society whose collective input and representation contributed one of the pillars of the LCDS’s successes.
The level of support to the GRIF depends on Guyana’s delivery of results as measured against two sets of indicators; performance against a set of REDD+ Enabling Activities and, REDD+ Performance Indicators. Guyana and Norway are continuing to work in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank on the delivery of GRIF financing to support LCDS Initiatives.
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Health Minister lauds work of East Coast renal centre–providing cost effective dialysis treatment
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran during a visit today to the Doobay Renal Centre Inc., located at Lusignan commended the institution for its work which he said is up to international standards, is well organised and aids capacity building for the public health sector with the attachment of nurses from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Patients receiving dialysis at the Doobay Renal Centre Inc.
Minister Ramsaran noted that the institution has donated two dialysis chairs to the GPHC whose dialysis unit is expected to become functional this year. “That means that the staff we have seconded here for experience and training will benefit,” he said. The Minister noted his anticipation of a continued relationship with the institution which reflects a good private/public partnership.
Minister Ramsaran explained that many of the acute patients at the GPHC, and other hospitals, when stabilized are referred to the clinic for renal treatment. He also expressed appreciation to the 5G dialysis centre, in Georgetown, for their pioneering efforts.
Dialysis is specialized treatment that can be costly depending on the level of renal failure and in light of this, Government has been providing part-funding, of up to US $5000, to patients who were sent overseas for this treatment. As Guyana builds its own capacity in the public health care system a lot of that money can be saved with similar assistance for patients to access treatment at home.
Minister Ramsaran explained that for the patient to get financial assistance he/she would have to present the relevant (medical) paperwork indicating the need for the treatment. The Minister emphasised that as more specialized medical care becomes available in Guyana, the cost for such will decrease.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran interacting with former Commissioner of Police, Laurie Lewis who was receiving dialysis at the Doobay Renal Centre Inc.
In 2008 Guyana was enabled to provide kidney transplants and in 2009 several such surgeries were conducted at the GPHC following the successful initial operation. These surgeries are spearheaded by overseas medical teams, assisted by local doctors and nurses.
With the advent of the specialty hospital that will be built, Guyanese will be able to access specialised medical care that is cost effective.
The opening of the Doobay Renal Centre Inc., in Lusignan, last September offers people who have experienced renal failure a new lease on life particularly since the institution which is a registered not for profit company provides dialysis at a reduced cost. Apart from the cost factor, patients praise the institution and its staff for making them feel at home while receiving their treatment which takes up to four hours. Dialysis treatment is done thrice weekly.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran sharing a moment with the staff of the Doobay Renal Centre Inc.
Most of the patients at the institution are Guyanese who were referred from hospitals including GPHC and Diamond.
Apart form caring for Guyanese patients, the centre is open to persons visiting Guyana and need treatment.
Work is currently on-going on another building in the centre’s compound which will see care being administered to people with heart conditions and those who have suffered from stroke. Laboratory services will also be made available.
The centre is scheduled to be officially opened on January 29.
Renal (kidney) failure
Renal failure is a medical condition in which the kidneys fail to adequately filter toxins and waste products from the blood. The two forms of renal failure are acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. A number of other diseases or health problems may cause either form of renal failure to occur.
Kidney malfunction include abnormal fluid levels in the body, deranged acid levels, abnormal levels of potassium, calcium, phosphate, and (in the longer term) anemia as well as delayed healing in broken bones.
The Doobay Renal Centre Inc. located at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara.
There are three primary and two secondary types of dialysis: hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, hemofiltration, hemodiafiltration and intestinal dialysis.
At the Doobay Renal Centre hemodialysis is the type of treatment used. This method sees the patient's blood being pumped through the blood compartment of a dialyzer. The machine is made up of thousands of tiny synthetic hollow fibers. Blood flows through the fibers, dialysis solution flows around the outside of the fibers, and water and wastes move between these two solutions. The cleansed blood is then returned via the circuit back to the body.
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President in discussion on “new frontier” relations
-meets Guyana’s Middle East Envoy
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2012
There is still a brewing interest to reinvigorate the ties which the Guyana Government had initiated with countries on the new frontiers and a task ahead for the newly elected President Donald Ramotar to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor on this diplomatic agenda.
Cognizant that that political volatility and turmoil which had hit the Arab World, had halted Guyana’s quest for new frontier relations, President Ramotar today met the Honorary Envoy to the Middle East Ambassador George Hallaq for talks in this regard.
President Donald Ramotar and Honorary Envoy to the Middle East Ambassador George Hallaq in discussions at Office of the President
Ambassador Hallaq in an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that bureaucracy between the two sides had been in the combination of factors that impacted on the pace of the relations.
He noted nevertheless efforts at present to build relations with countries in Europe and North Africa along with the Middle East quest and spoke of the mechanism that supervises relations.
“Countries in the Middle East, are interested…we have to follow up and continue… and in the end we will succeed…” Ambassador Hallaq said.
Guyana’s former President Bharrat Jagdeo had set the precedent, venturing off on the new frontier quest in 2009 for relations with countries that were either immune or not heavily impacted by global financial crisis.
This, he had noted, was premised on the need for an aggressive approach at the world level to raise money for Guyana and the fact that in the Middle East, there are major investment aims.
State visits were made to Syria, Libya, Cyprus, Jordan, The United Arab Emirates, Qatar Kuwait and, Iran where bilateral relations and avenues through which these relations could be strengthened were explored.
In Cyprus the country’s President Demetris Christofias and former Guyanese President endorsed the appointment of ambassadors to both countries and the granting of scholarships to Guyanese students in the areas of Forestry and Tourism while in Jordan export markets were brainstormed.
In Iran two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed in the areas of political and visa services and Iran’s development assistance to Guyana.
The former President’s diplomatic engagement led to visits by a Libyan Trade and Investment Agency team to Guyana on a fact finding mission, a visit by a delegation from the Geological Survey of Iran for mineral mapping, the appointment of a non-resident Cyprus and Kuwaiti Ambassadors to Guyana and a state visit by His Highness Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmed Al-Jaber Al Sabah, Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait to Guyana in July 2010.
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Winfield James unveils innovative Mash concept to President
Georgetown, GINA, January 24, 2012
Popular calypsonian Winfield James introduced President Donald Ramotar to concepts he invented for Mashramani 2012 that symbolise Guyana in the near future.
The artiste and designer showcased replicas of costumes that he themed “Fantasy of Projections,” depicting mining, hydropower, roads, infrastructure and agriculture.
Calypsonian Winfield James showcasing a replica of his new costume designs for Mashramani
James told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that President Ramotar is the first to get a glimpse of his new ideas and that after having taken a break from the cultural festivity, he is eager to return.
“ I want to get back in and do something … I won band of the year, years ago and I stopped doing mash to concentrate on calypso and mother’s day show but the feeling is there to do mash again this year,” James said.
His ideas were endorsed by President Ramotar who referred him to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony for further discussions.
James, who is also a contender in this year’s Mashramani calypso competition, sang an excerpt from his entry for this year which focuses on domestic violence.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has promised to bring uniqueness to Mashramani 2012 with lectures, cultural discussions, workshops, folk concerts and an art exhibition that balances the carnival aspect with educational values.
Along with the calendar of activities that culminate with the costume and float parade in the city, Mashramani 2012 will include the Inaugural Republic of Guyana Lecture, shared perspectives by Professor John Rickford from Stanford University various workshops to showcase ‘culture relating to growth of development’, folk concerts and an art exhibit held at Castellani House.
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EPA says no mining ongoing in Haieka River
-further investigation into gastroenteritis ongoing
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has today maintained that representatives from the agency, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Ministry of Health have visited Chinoweing and Wax Creek, Region Seven where investigation were conducted into the outbreak of acute gastroenteritis on November 4, 2011.
The EPA’s response came in light of a letter published in the Stabroek News, January 21 edition titled, “There is no report of what test were done on the water of the Haieka River”.
According to the EPA, there are currently no mining operations ongoing within the Haieka River, Chinoweing or Wax Creek locations, as stated in the article.
“Furthermore, the closest mining operation is located downstream in the Mazaruni River. Given that river pollution generally travels from upstream locations, and there are no mining operations above Chinoweng, the investigating teams did not test for mercury,” the release said.
Tests were however, done for dissolved oxygen; chemical oxygen demand; pH; conductivity; turbidity; total dissolved solids; salinity and cadmium. The results garnered by the team stated that dissolved oxygen was below acceptable limits; while chemical oxygen demand and cadmium were slightly above normal level for consumption.
The EPA is currently working closely with the University of Guyana (Centre for Study of Biological Diversity) and the Ministries of Health and Amerindian Affairs to determine the cause of fish deaths within the Kako; Kamarang; Quebanang; Waramadong; Jawalla and Phillipai communities.
“During these investigations, further testing, including that for mercury will be conducted towards determining the cause of the fish deaths of the single fish species in these areas.”
The team which conducted the investigations was headed by Director of Environmental Health Unit, Ministry of Health Dr. Ashok Sookdeo. The team treated approximately 110 persons inclusive of children above five years old who were found with symptoms of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea).
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Caribbean region gets UK support
-in areas of climate change, security
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
The Caribbean’s capacity to respond to climate change will be strengthened with an injection of £ 4.9M from the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Department for International Development (DFID).
According to a CARICOM release, Minister of State, DFID, Alan Duncan signalled his organisation’s commitment to give more support to the Caribbean in its fight to mitigate the effects of climate change primarily because the Caribbean gives value for money, as well as assist with job creation in the region. Duncan was at the time speaking at the closing press conference of the 7th UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum.
He applauded the Caribbean for the strong role they played in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations in Durban, South Africa, last December and for its strong voice on climate change in the international community.
The £ 4.9M forms part of the £ 75 M development programme that the UK government will be supporting in the Caribbean, this year.
Meanwhile, Minister of State, Home Office, UK, James Brokenshire told journalists that his government would work with the Caribbean in devising an effective response to crime and violence.
Security was among the issues which were given comprehensive treatment at the UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum. The Foreign Ministers agreed to establish a coordination mechanism (UK-Caribbean Expertise Exchange Mechanism) to promote security best practices in both Regions.
To this end, an agreement was reached to collaborate with the United States (US) in building capacity in land-based interdiction and law-enforcement units to counter drug trafficking and organized crime.
There was also an agreement to work towards the establishment of national prosecution services to enhance the contribution of the justice to law enforcement, according to the release.
Brokenshire added that the UK remained committed to developing tangible actions to fight crime and violence and is prepared to do so within the framework of what already existed in the Caribbean.
In this regard, the UK Government will collaborate with the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) in supporting the Caribbean in boosting its capacity to keep its people safe and secure.
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No breach of financial rules in storage payment for Lindo Creek victims remains- Home Affairs Ministry
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
The Home Affairs Ministry has disclosed that the Jamaican Force Constabulary submitted a report of a partial analysis that was conducted and will be tendering the full report by the end of this month.
This disclosure came in response to an article appearing in the Kaieteur News January 17, captioned ‘Payment for Lindo Creek remains described as flawed financial oversight.’
The Ministry in a release stated that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in honouring its obligations, commenced an investigation into a report in 2008 at the Arokium Mining Camp, Lindo Creek, Upper Berbice River, where Cecil Arokium and seven other miners were suspected to have been murdered.
Evidence found at the crime scene suggested that the persons were burnt beyond recognition along with the camp. Suspected human remains inclusive of feet, bones and skulls among other body parts were found.
Subsequently, the GPF received the assistance from members of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago and Major Investigation Task Force of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in investigating the matter.
The investigators advised that the identification of the persons murdered could only have been determined via DNA analysis. As a result, samples of the human remains recovered from the crime scene were taken by the Jamaican team (which included a forensic pathologist) to the Jamaican Forensic Laboratory for analysis; while the remainder was stored at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour.
The release stated that the remains stored at the Lyken’s Funeral Parlour at the expense of Government, forms a vital part of the evidence collected.
It is usual for remains of deceased persons in murder investigations to be disposed of after a post mortem examination is concluded by handing over the body to relatives of the deceased for funeral.
However, this case was an exceptional one, since the remains were not identified and therefore could not have been handed over to anyone nor disposed of by the State due to emotional issues normally associated with relatives of murder victims.
“Because of the controversy surrounding the Lindo Creek incident, the GPF sought to exercise caution in the storage of the remains of the victims, there was no viable option available at the time to facilitate storage of the remains neither did the Force anticipate that it would have taken a long period of time to obtain the results of the DNA,” the release stated.
The Ministry maintains that none of the financial regulations was breached and the expenditure was charged to the correct line item ‘6294 -Other’ in the current allocation of the GPF.
This line item caters for payment of expenses relative to cases of unnatural death where the Force had to intervene, which invariably leads to situations where they have to engage the services of funeral parlours for the transportation and storage of dead bodies prior to the disposal, by way of burial by relatives of the deceased or the State.
Moreover, appropriate efforts are made at all times to ensure that money allocated to the Ministry and its departments is expended in such a manner that value is received for such expenditure.
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Natural Resources Minister meets with Region 7 mines officers and rangers
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud during a visit to Region Seven over the weekend, met and engaged the staff of the Guyana Gold Board at Bartica and the mining officers and rangers at the Guyana Geology Mines and Commission’s (GGMC’s) substation and check point at Itaballi, Mazaruni.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud tests the operations at the GGMC checkpoint at Itaballi, Mazaruni, Region 7
The Ministry has responsibility for forestry, mining, environmental management, wildlife, protected areas, land use planning and coordination and climate change.
Minister Robert Persaud has begun meeting with natural resources stakeholders to ensure a ministry that is responsive to the challenges and opportunities of the different sub – sectors under its purview.
The visit allowed the minister to assess the procedure of action of the two offices and to be enlightened on the areas that need to be dealt with to better effect their functions.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud checking the daily operations diary of the GGMC checkpoint at Itaballi, Mazaruni
The personnel were also made aware of the Government’s vision for the modernisation and complete development of the natural resources sector commencing with upgrading and capacity building at the level of their agencies.
The workers were told that better office facilities will be constructed at Bartica for the staff of the GGMC and the Guyana Gold Board and the ministry will be boosting its monitoring staff by 100 at the end of this year and establishing 12 stations across the mining districts.
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud, staff of the ministry and the GGMC at the Big Hope Quarry, Mazaruni
Whilst in Region Seven, Minister Persaud also stopped over at Big Hope Quarry, on the right bank of the Mazaruni River and conducted an inspection of the plant’s operations. The quarry is one of the crushing plants under the operations of the Baracara Quarries Inc and Guyana Sawmills.
Minister Persaud on Saturday met with miners and told them of the ministry’s vision for the sector and addressed their concerns.
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CSME operating at 64 % compliance-CARICOM Secretariat
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2012
Based on a series of studies commissioned by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat over the last three years, the findings point to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) operating at a level of about 64% compliance overall.
A CARICOM press release stated that the five core regimes that were examined during the studies include; the Free Movement of Skills, Free Movement of Goods, Free Movement of Services, Movement of Capital and the Right of Establishment.
The release said that the CSME regimes are functioning but not at the level of effectiveness anticipated by CARICOM.
The CSME functions on the basis of a number of central legislation, institutional arrangements and administrative processes which form part of the foundation elements from which compliance is determined and measured.
According to the findings, Free Movement of Skills is operating at 66 %, Free Movement of Goods, 80 %, Free Movement of Services 37 %, Movement of Capital 72 % and, the Right of Establishment 64 %.
The study also identified several deficiencies including in the areas of Free Movement of Services and the regime on the Right of Establishment.
“In addition there is need for improvement with the regime for the Free Movement of Skills regarding the level of efficiency and effectiveness of administrative transactions between government authorities and CARICOM Nationals,” the release noted.
The CARICOM Secretariat said that the studies were designed to help create the capabilities within member States to deliver the rights conferred under the body’s agreements and, to further enhance CSME’s effectiveness.
The studies were facilitated through the CARICOM Trade and Competitiveness Project (CTCP) via an arrangement between Canada and CARICOM.
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