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LCDS to receive support from Indian Research Institute 
          
Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) will soon benefit from implementation support through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Guyana and The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) headed by Dr. R.K Pachauri, Nobel Prize Laureate and Chairman of the Inter- Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Former President of Guyana Bharrat Jagdeo and Shyam Nokta from the Office of the President held discussions in Delhi with Dr. R.K Pachauri and TERI officials which will see Guyana receiving support from TERI in the implementation of its climate initiatives and the LCDS. Among the broad areas identified for assistance include support for long- term strategy development in the energy sector with focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency and establishing a partnership for the setting up of a Centre for Biodiversity Studies.               

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo and Head, Office of Climate Change Shyam Nokta meeting with Nobel Prize Laureate,  and Head of the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change,  Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, in India

Dr. Pachauri, who has visited Guyana on several occasions and more recently in 2011 has been a supporter of Guyana’s climate initiatives and the LCDS and through this has facilitated collaboration with TERI to support and share its expertise with Guyana in the area of climate change, energy, environment and sustainable development.              
Within the next two months, TERI will be sending a team of specialists who will be working with their Guyana counterparts on these priority areas.
Former President Jagdeo has been requested by President Donald Ramotar to attend, on behalf of the Government of Guyana the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2012 which is being convened by TERI in New Delhi, India from February 2-4, 2012 under the theme ‘Protecting the Global Commons: 20 Years Post Rio.’

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Cabinet gives green light to four contracts- in water, commerce sectors

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

At a post-Cabinet media briefing today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon advised that Cabinet at its January 31 statutory meeting, offered its no objection to contracts in the areas of water and commerce sectors.
            The approved contracts are as follows:

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GMPA’s perusal of Post and Telegraph Act would have ended misconceived assertions - HPS

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

In response to a recent press statement by the Guyana Media Proprietors Association (GMPA) with regards to concerns about issuance of radio licences, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon today at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing expressed umbrage at the innuendos and attacks on the Government contained in the release.
The HPS stated that while the Office of the President is heartened that the GMPA recorded some recognition of the recent action of the PPP/Civic administration to demonopolise radio, the release teems with ill informed content and can be deemed devious, misconceived and unbalanced.
He stated that the GMPA obviously is not familiar with the legislative framework concerning licencing however; perusal of the Post and Telegraph Act and its regulations, as well as the Telecommunication Bill would have avoided needless questions and ended GMPA’s misconceived assertions.
Thee HPS said, “The GMPA conveniently ignored the publicly known and uncontested fact that the leader of the opposition has thwarted the implementation of the important provisions of the existing legislation around which GMPA is moralising.”
He said that in its extensive writing on the subject, the GMPA focused on the state media and its presumed shortcomings and failed to mention the existence of profound and unprofessional behaviour among media practitioners.
At an earlier press briefing Dr. Luncheon stated that the issuance of radio licences is reserved for those deemed fit, proper and financially sufficient.
He added that the issuance of radio licences recently by President Donald Ramotar was done in accordance with the provision in the Broadcast Act.

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Private Security Services now regulated - Act signed into effect

Georgetown, February 2, 2012

A very important day in the history of private security in Guyana was achieved following the signing into effect of the Private Security Services Act 2009 by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee on Wednesday at the ministry on Brickdam.  The Act’s main function is to regulate and control the provision of private security services in Guyana.
Also present at the signing was Acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brummel, Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Angela Johnson and President, Guyana Association of Private Security Organisation (GAPSO) Norman Mc Lean.

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee signing off on the Private Security Services Act 2009

Minister Rohee said that the emergence of private security agencies was a welcome development towards the country’s security and that the umbrella organisation, GAPSO under which the security services function is also welcomed as it signals the security industry’s desire to regulate itself.
Minister Rohee said that the operation of the Private Security Services Act will respond to the required needs.
 “The Act envisions the appointment of the Commissioner of Police by the Minister of Home Affairs as the controlling authority for the purposes of implementing and carrying out the clauses of the Act,” and that under the Act, a security agency has to be first and foremost registered as a company under the Company Acts, Act No 29 of 1991 before it can carry out security services.
“ The Act also provides that after the expiry of 90 days of  its commencement, a person or company who desires to begin or to carry on the business of a private security service, must obtain a licence from the controlling authority,” Minister Rohee said and any private security service established before the commencement of the Act will be allowed to operate for a period of six months once application is made for licence within the 90 - day period and that within the 60 days of the receipt of the application, the controlling authority has to decide whether to allow or refuse the granting of the licence.
The license is valid for one year from the date of its issue and an application for its renewal has to be made to the controlling authority not less than 30 days before expiration.
 A disciplinary code governing the supervisors of the service agency must also be lodged with the controlling authorities one month within the licence being granted to the agency for the purposes of review by the controlling authority.

GAPSO President Norman Mc Lean signing the Private Security Services Act in the presence of Police Commissioner (ag) Leroy Brummel and Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee

The agency will also need to maintain a register containing information with respect to persons employed by the agency, the persons or establishments to which the agencies have provided or is providing security services and the arms or ammunition in its custody, Minister Rohee said.
Private security services will also be compelled to issue to every employee an ID with a distinct number, special uniform, badge and cap with the agency’s logo. The controlling authority is responsible under the Act for approving the logo or emblem of the agency, cancelling or suspending licences or inspecting the place or places of business.
“The aim of the Government is neither to inhibit the daily operation of the private security agencies in Guyana nor to be seen as an exercise of unwanted interference with this vital sector,” Rohee said, “rather it is to ensure that workers are not exploited and that unsuspecting clients are protected from deceitful practices.”
 He added that, “it is expected that the private security sector will welcome the act as an attempt to engage in its best practices and to provide a better service both for those employed by the agency and those who benefit from such services provided.”
“We are prepared to work and live by what is involved in that document and we are happy to have it signed at last, because it gives us a certain legitimacy, a certain legality in terms of our operation,” President, GAPSO, Norman McLean said.
“We represent about 10,000 members and we always say that we are an arm of the police …the police cannot be every where, the police numbers do not match ours, we are there to supplement the police,” McLean said.
McLean added that GAPSO is committed to working with the ministry and the police towards ensuring the full implementation of the Act.
Any one who carries out the business of a private security agency without being licenced under the Act will be liable for summary conviction for a fine of $500,000 and in the event of a second or subsequent offence face imprisonment of not less than two years or more than five years.

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Youths should be treated as invaluable assets-Min Anthony tells COHSOD meeting

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony has highlighted the importance of youth participation to society; noting that they must be treated as invaluable resources and important partners in national and regional development.
            Addressing the 22nd Caribbean Community Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD), meeting today at the CARICOM Secretariat, Liliendaal, the Culture Minister stated that while youths need to be integrated in the work of the Caribbean Community, renewed commitment to the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme is also necessary.
            The two-day meeting which was held under the theme, “Culture, Youth and Sport: Strategic Repositioning for Human Development and Economic Growth” saw several Government Ministers, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Regional and International Institutions and Ambassadors gathered to iron-out important issues regarding the future of youths.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (right), in discussion with CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRoque at the 22nd COHSOD meeting at the CARICOM Secretariat

            “We need to redouble our efforts to address the scourge of youth gangs, and violence across our region, and we will spend some time discussing collaboratively approaches to addressing this issue…we also need to ensure that physical education and sport is compulsory in our school curriculum,” he told the Heads.
            Dr. Anthony in calling for a renewed commitment to the implementation of a new model for CARIFESTA, said that while this will aid in the festival meeting the expectations of artists and audients, it will also help to develop vibrant culture and creative industries.
            Once agreed upon, the new model would be in keeping with the Strategic Plan written for the festival in 2004 and which was only being implemented in parts.
            Minister Anthony in calling for renewed action in addressing the issue of free movement of artists, cultural workers and sportspersons in the region, said that while this will ensure hassle free travel; it will enable them to play an integral role in promoting integration.
             “We now have an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and we need to increase our efforts to realise the potential benefits for the artistic community in CARICOM,” he said.
            The Surinamese Government is in the process of establishing a Regional Sports Academy and while lauding this effort Minister Anthony expounded on the importance of developing a Regional Sports Tourism Strategy which he said will help in the generation of income for a country.
            In 2008, following a meeting with Heads of Government, a Regional Task Force was developed, to make recommendations for appropriate incentives and financing mechanism for cultural industries to be addressed.
            This was highly lauded by the Culture Minister, as he noted that it has significantly created an enabling environment to facilitate targeted support for the sector.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and CARICOM Secretary-General Irwin LaRoque (centre), flanked by representatives of CARICOM Member States

            CARICOM Secretary-General, Irwin La Roque said that while the COHSOD meetings have been a critical vehicle for examining and assessing development of human resources within the region; said that they continue to provide dynamic leadership for national and regional development.
            While noting that continual strategising is imperative if the region is to develop, the Secretary General said that Heads need to be cognisant that the development of each new method and programme would bring higher expectations among youths.
            “The COHSOD focus on Youth, Culture and Sport is a recognition that the success of the integration movement hinges in large measures on the successful empowerment of youth…We therefore cannot remain oblivious to the reality that failure to harness the potential of our young people is tantamount to failure to safeguarding the future of the community,” the Secretary General stated.
            Ambassador La Roque while pledging to work with youths in the region with the aim of making their dreams become a reality; said that CARICOM should adapt communication methods, tools and technologies to meet the needs of youth audiences with the aim of communicating effectively.
            Highlighting the importance of youth to a society, he said that the Task Force recognizes CARIFESTA as a valuable platform for development and harnessing of cultural potential in youths. He encouraged the delegation to continue to nurture and develop the festival, not only to celebrate the Caribbean cultural identity, but to also see it as an opportunity for promoting cultural products.
             Meanwhile, Co-Chair of the Regional Task Force on Cultural Industries, Adrian Augier in presenting the Draft Regional Development Strategy; said that the underserved and underfinanced cultural industries continue to be a concern of the Task Force.
            “Relatively little has been done on most Member States to incentivise and attract investment to the sector, to make them more competitive. As a region we are in the business of culture, but fail to recognize fully that this is so,” he said.
              Augier also called on countries to further develop the infrastructure and services which are necessary to support major artists, in order for the region to benefit from the lucrative value chain which is available.
            “The Task Force feels strongly that measures are urgently needed to bring the value chain back to the region. We also need to offer bigger incentives and breaks to our top earners to attract their wealth to the region,” he said.

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President urges REOs to be timely, transparent in their duties

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

Appointed Regional Executive Officers from the 10 administrative regions of Guyana were reminded of their obligation to perform their duties in a transparent, effectively and timely manner during a meeting with President Donald Ramotar today.
            The charge came after the President congratulated the officials on their appointments in the presence of Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Collin Croal.

President Donald Ramotar meeting Regional Executive Officers at the Office of the President. Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Collin Croal are also in photo.

            REOs often serve as the intermediaries between the community and the government and in this regard the President implored that they develop a people-centred approach, with an ear for the concerns of the residents and providing updates on the work of the administration.
Conflict resolution was part of the President’s charge acknowledging that this is an inevitable factor at the community level.  
With infrastructural projects being a regular feature of Government’s developmental programmes, the President told the REOs to police such activities and ensure that contractual agreements between the regional administration and contractors have the necessary safeguard mechanisms and punitive measures in accordance with the contract in the event that a contractor is found culpable.
As he did in his new year’s message to the nation, the President stressed value for money in the delivery of services and an end to corruption.
The President had also promised quality in the social services, improvement in the physical infrastructure, and higher standards of living for every Guyanese.

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Timely completion of Hope Canal to end flooding- HPS
- Recent rainfall would have seen more dire consequences in previous years

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet press briefing today at the Office of the President, while speaking in reference to the above average rainfall recorded during the period January 29 to 30, said that the extent to which mechanical and gravity drainage can move flood water off the land is sometimes exceeded by the volume of rainfall.
            He explained that if and when the volume of rainfall exceeds the capacity of mechanical and gravity drainage, then the result is flooding.
            Due to the threats against the integrity of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) dam as a result of rising water level that exceeded the safety margins, the releasing of water into the Mahaica River was inevitable. 
            Over the past few days, Cabinet members joined with regional officials in visiting many flooded areas to assist in assessments and to utilise the processes established by the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).
            Dr. Luncheon said that considerable data has been accumulated over the last decade with regards to heavy rainfall and flooding in Guyana by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) which has been enhanced by interventions at the level of Central Government; however, he noted that the data also brings to the fore, the unpredictability of the rainfall.
            “The Administration has worked to ensure that mechanical drainage is maximally facilitated at the onset of the short and long rainy seasons and, that gravity drainage is enhanced to deal with inter-locking drains in communities and outfalls through which the flood waters are discharged,” the HPS said.
            He added that the country’s ability to drain flood water has over the years of the PPP/C Administration, been steadily increasing as a result of the construction of more drainage canals, desilting of canals and outfalls, and procurement and installation of more pumps.
            “The limit today is not the same that existed a year ago…if this volume of rain had fallen in 1992 or 2005, the consequences were likely to have been dire; because the limit then is less than it is today,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
            The Hope Canal is one of the most notable interventions made by Central Government to enhance the removal of flood water. An inordinate burden has historically been placed on the communities to the east of the conservancy during heavy rainfall.
            Dr. Luncheon said that Government’s decision to have an additional outlet to get rid of accumulated water into the Atlantic Ocean rather than into the Mahaica and Mahaicony Creeks was a very incisive one.
             Work on the Hope Canal including the earth moving component to bring the canal from the conservancy to the coast, bridges, interruption of the road and the installation of structures to house the control mechanisms, are all moving apace.
              “The 2011-2012 rainy seasons may be the last that cause threats to the communities once the operation and construction of the Hope Canal is completed,” the HPS said. 
Works are being undertaken by the NDIA with assistance from the project consultants, CEMCO. SRKN Engineering and the UK-based company Mott MacDonald have jointly undertaken consultancy work with CEMCO. Another outlet from the EDWC assumed great urgency following the Great Flood of 2005 which was attributed in part to the conservancy.
The project is viewed as not only a technical solution to the problem of flooding but one which would change the lives of people who have suffered for decades.
 The $3.6 B relief channel is intended to drain the EDWC into the Atlantic Ocean, serving as a more efficient and less destructive means of releasing water from the conservancy.
            Only last year, Government spent over $40M to compensate families in Region Nine who were affected by severe flooding. Moreover, when the current La Nina phenomenon is over (by the end of March), a more holistic assessment will be conducted to determine the type of interventions that best suit the situation.  

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List of GCB’s wrongdoings being investigated by police- HPS
-IMC’s remit expected to be discharged sooner than expected   

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

Just as the resort to a cricket Interim Management Committee (IMC) was re-justified, another legal challenge was mounted by the discredited Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). 
            Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President today said that the courts have rejected the pleadings of the GCB which have been made in the face of some incontrovertible truths, that was attested to by the disclosures of the list of wrongdoings by this corrupted body in the exercise of its mandate.
            “Cabinet felt that GCB’s foray into the court was an apt recognition into the jurisdiction of the State. The GCB was characterised as an unaccountable, irresponsible lot with little probity, particularly after the disclosures that dealt with individual and collective wrongdoings,” Dr. Luncheon said.
These wrongdoings have been brought to the attention of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), CARICOM, the Prime Minister Sub-Committee on Cricket and the International Cricket Council (ICC) and are currently being investigated by the police.
The Cabinet Secretary said that incidentally, neither the WICB nor the ICC responded formally to those disclosures.
Cabinet is aware that it is now test match season and although the outcome of the T20 tournament was encouraging, new challenges are surfacing; principal among which are possibilities of loss of matches by Guyana, threats to financial well-being and occurrences of breach of contract affecting Guyanese players and, overall impact of the situation on the local economy.
Cabinet recognised the talented and committed members of the IMC and was reassured that their remit would be discharged in a shorter time then predicted (six months was the proffered life of the Committee).
At a recent press conference, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, in response to the ICC’s statements condemning the Government of Guyana for dissolving the GCB said the ICC was fed “one-sided’ information.
In this regards, Government will be chronicling all that have transpired in Guyana with regards to the administration of cricket prior to the formation of the IMC and, will send that to the ICC to be taken into consideration and inform future discussions.
The Sport Minister added the WICB was well aware of the state of cricket administration in Guyana prior to Government’s involvement and took no part in resolving these issues.
He added too, that Government wants to fix the state of Guyanese cricket and will work with ICC and WICB in this regard; however, no threat of removal of matches from the country will stand in the Government’s effort.

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Comprehensive engagement with Gov’t, stakeholders would enable UG to move forward – Dr. Luncheon

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

The misconceptions surrounding the situation at the University of Guyana (UG) would have been cleared up if the institution’s principals had spoken on the issues earlier instead of remaining silent on the basis of the confidentiality agreement at the level of the Appointment Committee and the Council.
This seems to be the general perception even as the issue was raised at the post-Cabinet media briefing today at the Office of the President.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon stated that the issues arose subsequent to interventions made at the levels of the Appointment Committee and the University Council about specific matters affecting the institution, employees and students.
Dr. Luncheon stated that some of the issues to which the recent protest action was attributed by the university antedated the current matter and ‘were probably introduced in the process to give content and to even legitimise the process’.
“Many of the issues that are now before us that have been identified for interventions … involve issues of long standing, many of which antedated the current matter dealing with decisions made at official levels of the university at the Appointments Committee and the Council,” Dr. Luncheon stated.
Cabinet is of the view that the lack of aggression by the administration in dealing with the issue has allowed the matter to be “hijacked by partisan interests” and blown into a veritable protest action that threatens to get out of hand impacting on students and on the welfare of administrative staff and members of those bodies.
Cabinet’s outlook is that with resolute action by the university administration in the matter and even those unrelated that have been brought into the fray, if addressed comprehensively in engagement with Government and all stakeholders should enable the university to move forward with the pressing task of addressing concerns at the institution.
Among the issues raised during the UG protest is the rescinding of the contract of Freddie Kissoon, a Lecturer 11, who has passed the retirement age.
 Kissoon has failed to meet the university’s policy with regards to retention of academic staff which is based on the following:  having a healthy academic record with research and publications reviewed by academic peers and facing a competitive process with other applicants.
The Council did not support his retention hence the rescinding of his contract.

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Minister Anthony champions support for CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme

Guyana’s Minister of Youth Culture and Sport, Hon Dr Frank Anthony made a strong plea on Thursday to Member States of the Caribbean Community to pay greater attention to the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme (CYAP).
Minister Frank Anthony used the platform of the opening ceremony of the 22nd Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) in Guyana to impress upon his colleague ministers and other delegations from Member States, the need for “renewed commitment to the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Programme to ensure that it realizes its fullest potential in developing a cadre of young leaders, committed to regionalism.”
The CYAP is the Community’s primary mechanism for leadership development and youth participation. The Youth Ambassadors (CYA’s) are the Community’s focal points for deepening the regional integration and development process through advocacy and peer education initiatives. However, recently the sustainability of the program has been severely threatened because of a paucity of financial resources to support the program.
Minister Frank Anthony who is chairing the COHSOD Meeting, noted that the CYAP was an important tool to facilitate youth development in the Region and should not be allowed to lag: “We need to ensure that youth are treated as invaluable assets and important partners in national and regional development and that they are fully integrated in the work of the Caribbean Community,” he stressed.
Minister Anthony told the Meeting that there was urgent need for the Community to redouble efforts to address the scourge of youth gangs, and violence across the region and asserted that the CYAs provided valuable peer leadership in this area. 
He also called on the COHSOD to renew their commitment to follow-up on the recommendations of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development and the Declaration of Paramaribo on the Future of Youth in the Caribbean Community, made in January 2010 in Suriname. 
In remarking on the importance of sports to youth development, the Guyana Minister of Sport spoke to the need to ensure that young people pursue healthy and active lifestyles, and at least ensure that physical education is compulsory in the school curriculum. This he stated would help to “stem the rising tide of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases” the region.
            He pointed to the importance of sports as a development tool and told his audience that the time had come to explore how the Community can leverage an area of comparative advantage for the region; upgrade and make better use of sports infrastructure to generate income for our countries. He referred to the establishment of the Regional Sport Academy in Suriname as a “well-needed initiative that would help to further develop human resources in sports.”
            The Guyana Minister of Culture whose country staged CARIFESTA X in 2008, also made a strong plug for the region’s premier festival of the creative arts, calling upon Member States who are hosting this mega event to implement the new model. This he stated, was necessary to ensure that the Festival met the expectations of both artists and Caribbean audiences, and served as an important platform for developing vibrant cultural and creative industries. 
Minister Anthony also noted the challenges that regional artistes faced under the free Movement of Skills Regime of the CSME, and called upon Member States to pay more attention to this issue.
“We also need renewed action and attention to the free movement of artists, cultural workers and sportspersons in the region, to ensure that they travel hassle-free and are enabled to play an integral role in promoting integration, identity and wealth creation.”
            “We now have an Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union and we need to increase our efforts to realize the potential benefits for the artistic community in CARICOM,” the Minister concluded.
Meanwhile, Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Program, Grenada’s Kerry Frank thanked Minister Anthony for his “renewed interest” in the CYAP and added that while he did not expect the Meeting to find solutions to all the problems affecting youth in just two days; he was expecting the COHSOD to advocate for strategies that would ensure greater youth involvement at the highest decision making level of the Community. Mr Frank referred to the Conference of Heads of Government, advocating for youth participation in both its regular and inter-sessional meetings.
“Heads of Government meet twice per year but never on those delegations do we see youth represented. I believe … this is one area that needs to be improved as we move forward,” Mr Frank concluded.

(CARICOM) Secretariat)

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$3.4B invested in sugar industry in 2011

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012  

The European Union (EU) in December transferred $3.4B to support the Government of Guyana in its efforts to improve the competitiveness and viability of the sugar industry.
        A release from EU stated that 12.5 million Euros was transferred in December 2011, part of its Multi-annual Sugar Programme 2007-2010.
        “From 2006, when the programme started, the European Union has already made available € 72.5 million to the sugar sector in Guyana, equivalent to GYD $19.3 billion at today's exchange rate,” the release further noted.
         In addition to this, the release also noted that a further amount, up to € 24.9 million, is scheduled to be disbursed in 2012 once the Financing Agreement is signed between the EU and the Government of Guyana, which is expected in the near future.
        This, the EU said will be part of the second Multi-annual Sugar Programme for the period 2011-2013.
        This EU assistance is provided through a direct budget support mechanism and the disbursements are made based upon the achievement of performance indicators that monitor the implementation of the sector policy on sugar, the release stated.

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Minister Whittaker meets West Coast Demerara NDCs, residents
-urges closer collaboration for community development  

Georgetown, GINA, February 2, 2012

Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker along with a team of officials from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Three visited two Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) along the West Coast of Demerara where residents were told of the need to work closer with NDC officials.
            Today’s visit to the Hydronie/Good Hope and Hague/Blankenburg NDCs is a continuation of his outreach to NDCs countrywide.

Minister in the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker flanked by Region Three Chairman 3 Julius Faerber, and Senior Community Development Officer within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Puran Persaud at the Hydronie/ Good Hope Neighbourhood Democratic Council

            At the Hydronie/ Good Hope NDC, which has the responsibility for seven villages and more than 5,000 people, Minister Whittaker lauded the residents for their continuous efforts to support the NDC’s work, more so for their outstanding assistance which saw the recent construction of a new NDC office.
Residents of the Hague/ Blankenburg NDC, which has responsibility for four villages and more than 3,000 people were urged to pay their rates and taxes.
            “Government through its budget allocates $3M to each of the 65 NDCs…this is just a subvention…the NDC cannot execute all of its developmental projects without the input of more finances…as residents pay their rates and taxes, the NDC would be in a better position financially to undertake other critical development projects that are needed in the community,” Minister Whittaker said.
            Local government, he said, is about the involvement of people towards making decisions on issues that affect their everyday life, therefore, government has realised the need to establish a ‘contract’ with residents to ascertain the necessary programmes and activities needed to be catered for in its policies.

Residents at the Hydronie/ Good Hope Neighbourhood Democratic Council at a meeting with Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker and a team from the Regional Democratic Council of Region Three

           “Whilst the President and Cabinet make broader decisions at that level, the input of residents are needed to best guide them as to the critical areas that need to be addressed in their communities…NDCs and RDCs engagement in forums that allow residents to voice their concerns forms part of government’s interventions,” Minister Whittaker said.
            Despite local government elections not being held with the frequency that the laws stipulate (every three years), he told residents that he has been visiting the NDCs to listen to their concerns.
            “Elections were not held because a number of Acts and by laws that govern the existence and running of local government bodies, particularly the NDCs are in the process of being re-formed via amendments to the constitution…during the Ninth Parliament which concluded last September, a number of these amendments were successfully tabled, however there are two critical areas that are yet to be addressed when the Tenth parliament convenes…these reformations to the legal instruments will see a more effective and efficient running of the local government bodies,” Minister Whittaker said.

Residents at the Hague/Blankenburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council at a meeting with Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker and a team from the Regional Democratic Council of Region Three

            Among the concerns raised by residents at today’s outreach are; the need for proper drainage and irrigation systems, better community roads, and access to potable water.
            In response to their concerns raised, it was realised by the team that drainage and irrigation workers who are mandated to execute works in the varying villages do not execute their duties in an efficient manner. The team believes that this may be attributed to the NDC not having the authority to supervise these workers when they are in the fields. As such Minister Whittaker and Regional Chairman Julius Faerber said that recommendations will be made to have these workers fall under the ambit of the NDC so they can be better supervised.
            Faerber reminded residents of the need to pay their rates and taxes which allows the NDC to undertake more development work in the community and charged them to work together with the NDC as it is the body’s responsibility to provide services such as health care, education, roads, and drainage and irrigation amongst others.

Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker addressing residents from the Hague/Blankenburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council at a recent outreach

            Minister Whittaker, since his ascension to office late last year, has embarked on a series of outreach programmes to interact with residents, NDC and RDC officials, as he believes in so doing, greater cohesiveness would be brought about, thereby paving the way for increased levels of support by residents for programmes and activities being implemented by the government, which will help in the development of their community and themselves.

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JOINT STATEMENT, February 2, 2012

The representatives of the Alliance For Change and A Partnership for National Unity met with His Excellency President Ramotar and his delegation as agreed on Monday, January 30, 2012 at the Office of the President.
The meeting agreed to the establishment of 3 inter-parliamentary party committees as follows:
i)  the Governance (non- parliamentary) Committee which would focus on state boards, GECOM, Advisory Committee on Broadcasting and the public and private media and identified security concerns;
ii) the Parliament /Constitution Committee would address issues regarding composition of parliamentary committees, status and implementation of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee’s report on the Sir Davies’ Report, appointment of the Public Procurement Commission, and conclusion of the local government reform as well as a policy on statutory commissions; and,
iii) the Economic (Non- Budget 2012)Committee would focus on Old Age Pensions, housing incentives for specific categories of workers and the poor and vulnerable.
The members of the APNU and the AFC representatives to meet with Minister Dr. Ashni Singh and Minister Irfaan Ali on Budget 2012 were identified as Mr. Carl Greenidge and Mr. Winston Jordan and Mr. Prakash Ramjattan and Mr. Gerhard Ramsaroop, respectively.
Several key issues were selected for plenary discussions whilst others were considered within the remit of the Tax Review Committee. The AFC and APNU expressed their interest in meeting with and presenting their views to the Tax Review Committee appointed by the President to review the entire taxation system. There was no objection to this request and efforts would be made to facilitate this.
In addition there were some issues that the meeting decided required further discussion. One such related to the AFC proposal to review major projects such as Amaila Falls Hydro-project and others and have these sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economic Services; alternatively the APNU preferred the establishment of a Task Force that would carry out a review. The President cautioned the meeting on the sensitivity of this issue and stated that this required further discussion at the plenary. The meeting agreed to continue discussion on this issue at the plenary level.   
Much of the meeting, however, focused on prioritizing the issues that each committee would examine and the parties committed to name their representatives to each at the next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, February 7, 2012.
Specific issues were extracted for discussions between the President and the Leader of the Opposition in accordance with the constitutional provisions at a meeting to be held next week.

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Message on World Wetlands Day by Hon. Robert M. Persaud, MBA, MP Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment

February 02, 2012


Today, February 02, is World Wetlands Day. This day marks the date of adoption of the Convention on Wetlands, 41 years ago, in the Iranian City of Ramsar. Every year since 1997, people at all levels of society, including government agencies and NGOs, take advantage of the opportunity to raise awareness of the values and benefits of wetlands and the Ramsar Convention.

Although Guyana is not a party to the Ramsar Convention, we recognize the value of our numerous and expansive wetlands, such as in the North Rupununi and the Northwest, and therefore we join with the world community in observing World Wetlands Day.

This year the theme focuses on "Wetlands and Tourism" in recognition of the role of wetlands and their wildlife in global tourism and cultural travel experience. Tourism represents both a threat and an opportunity to wetlands.Unsustainable tourism has been called a "devourer of landscapes" as a result of extensive changes it causes in land use and to local economies and
cultures. At the same time, if planned and implemented according to international best practices, it can provide political and financial support for conservation and sustainable (or wise) use of wetlands and related ecosystem services.

Sustainable tourism means putting the principles of sustainable development
into practice by ensuring that tourism protects the environment, conserves biodiversity, respects local communities and their cultural heritage and values, and provides equitable socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders, including by contributing to poverty alleviation. The Government of Guyana has, over the years, recognized the importance of not only sustainable tourism, but sustainable development, in general, and has put tremendous efforts in its initiatives for the progress of its lands and peoples.

World Wetlands Day is an opportunity for us to focus tourism in and around wetlands, highlight the value of local wetlands to tourists and local communities, and create awareness of the benefits of sustainable tourism on wetland ecosystems. We can use this opportunity to highlight the contribution of tourists to local economies, conservation goals, education,
and raising awareness about benefits of wetlands. We can look at ways in which local NGOs can partner with wetlands managers for best practices to maintain or increase biodiversity and ecosystem health, and how we can integrate sustainable tourism and recreation into well-managed wetlands.

This year, as we examine the numerous opportunities our wetlands have for our thriving tourism industry, let us ensure that we practise sustainable tourism so we can reap the long-term benefits that wetlands provide to our  people, wildlife, biodiversity and our economy. As Guyana joins with the world community in celebrating today in recognition of the importance of wetlands and tourism, we, the Government of Guyana, will continue our efforts to ensure stronger economies, sustainable livelihoods, healthy people, and thriving ecosystems.

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