Maduni sluice closes – to accelerate receding of water in MMA
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy, after informing President Donald Ramotar that the Maduni sluice could be closed today, even though the targeted 58.3 GD water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) has not been achieved, took the decision to close the sluice at midday today.
The action was taken in light of 36 hours of good weather and forecast for continued good weather in the next 24 – 72 hours and, to fast track receding of water from the seriously affected Mahaica Mahaicony Abary areas.
Minister Ramsammy said that this morning the EDWC water level dropped below 58.45 GD.
On January 31, the Agriculture Ministry opened the Maduni sluice to drain water because the water level in the conservancy had risen above the safe level, putting the integrity of the dams at stake.
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UG administration’s indolence and indulgence to be blamed for reckless actions on campus – HPS
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon today described what he termed the “spectacle on the University of Guyana campus” as unbelievable.
Dr. Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President in referring to the ongoing actions at the University attributed this to indolence and indulgence on the part of the institution’s administration.
He noted that the members of the UG Council had refrained from speaking about the Freddie Kissoon issue in adherence to the principle of confidentiality governing appointment committee meetings since they believed that the UG administration would have acted.
This failure to act in the face of misinformation and lies, the HPS stated, has led to the view that the UG administration is lacking in resolve to address the behaviour of the ‘extremists’ and in light of this, the Government believes that a more appropriate and forceful reaction by the University administration was and remains clearly needed and anticipated.
The University’s administration’s indolence has emboldened certain elements to seize the opportunity to promote actions on the campus.
“The descent into recklessness by the very elements at the University of Guyana …it is astonishing,” he said.
At a previous press briefing Dr. Luncheon had stated that the lack of aggression by the UG administration in dealing with the issue has allowed the matter to be “hijacked by partisan interests” and blown into a veritable protest action.
Kissoon who passed the age of retirement had his contract terminated in January after failing to meet the university policy with regards to retention of academic staff which is based on
having a healthy academic record with research and publications reviewed by academic peers and face a competitive process with other applicants.
The 14-member Council did not support his retention hence the termination of his contract.
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Road fatalities and murder rates down for 2012 - Police
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The Guyana Police Force has reported that the murder rate for January 2012 has been reduced significantly compared to the same period last year while in the road fatalities’ category, there has been a 38 percent decline.
Statistics released today by the police force show that while there were 17 murders for January 2011, for the corresponding period this year, there were only six recorded. This figure indicates a significant decrease of 65% in murders this year.
Meanwhile, robbery under arms has increased by 40%, with 74 reports in January 2012, compared to 53 during the corresponding period last year. An increase of 11% also shows more armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 113% increase in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.
The Traffic Department recorded a 38% reduction in road fatalities for January this year in comparison to same month last year. While eight persons died this year compared to 13 last year, there have been significant reductions in relation to the other categories of traffic accidents - serious, minor and damage.
Additionally, pedal cyclists have so far been the main category of road users affected, with five such persons having lost their lives on the roads during January this year. Speeding has again been identified as a major contributing factor to fatal accidents.
While the Force is working hard to continue its enforcement activities along with the use of breathalyzers and radar guns and traffic education, 6, 720 cases were made against errant motorists by the end of January this year, 1, 229 of which were for speeding.
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President pays final respects, as Robert Williams is laid to rest
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
President Donald Ramotar paid his final respects to the late Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Robert Mayor as his family, friends and work colleagues gathered in the compound of City Hall for viewing of the body before burial.
Williams died at age 62, on January 31 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was undergoing medical attention and the news sent the municipality into a state of mourning.
But even in a time of grief President Ramotar expressed the view that there should be comfort in the “full and useful” life which Williams lived.
President Donald Ramotar giving words of comfort to Gwen Williams the widow of late Deputy Mayor Robert Williams
“All of us who loved him, particularly his family, can be comforted by the fact that he lived a full and useful life and his life was lived in the service of humanity,” President Ramotar said.
President Ramotar recalled the many accomplishments Williams would have made in his life starting with humble beginnings as a policeman to a minister of Government and member of the municipality.
“He has been one of the persons who has been very open to try to help people who came to his assistance. I myself have sent many people to him when he came to me with problems at market areas,” President Ramotar said.
President Donald Ramotar speaking at the public viewing aspect of the funeral service for former Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Robert Williams at City Hall
His service as a Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was also acknowledged by President Ramotar, who graded it with distinction and above partisan politics in Guyana.
“I am sure that he knew of his value to the country in serving in that post and he did serve with distinction as all of us who happen to know his work can testify. He was fair, evenhanded and worked for the interest of our country,” President Ramotar said.
President Donald Ramotar joins the gathering at City Hall for the public viewing of the former Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Robert Williams
Williams played an instrumental role in the development of the new vendors’ mall, which now accommodates those sellers who once occupied pavements on Water Street and conceptualised and established the Guyana Association of Municipalities.
He was Mayor from 1987 to 1989 and then Deputy Mayor in 1998. Williams was in charge of several committees at City Hall such as market and public health, city works and finance committees.
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No spike in flood related illnesses – Minister Ramsaran
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The Administration has been proactive in its response to residents in flood affected areas as a result of the recent heavy rainfall. Over the last week end, President Donald Ramotar and other Cabinet members have been visiting and interacting with affected residents.
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran and Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh visited Essequibo and the Pomeroon, Region 2. From their assessment, it was noted that there was some amount of flooding, but no spike in water borne illnesses such as diarrhoea, fever and vomiting. Nevertheless, the Ministry will continue to be watchful, Minister Ramsaran said.
He noted that the response by the population was very good as they were aware of the increased rainfall, and urged the local officials to keep the region’s infrastructure in good shape.
Minister Ramsaran explained that the Ministry has been mandated by Cabinet to deploy medical teams to the flood affected areas and, in this regard the Regional Health Services Unit has sent several teams into the Regions.
He added that flood kits that contain medication among other items have already been prepared and delivered to health facilities to ensure that they are prepared to deal with persons requiring attention.
The Minister also noted that a team of Ministry officials including the Chief Environmental Health Officer will be visiting Region 2 to address the sanitary situation of some of the health institutions and schools.
The team members have been encouraged to communicate with their counterparts in the region so that interventions can be fast tracked.
He explained that while in Region 2, it was observed that garbage was affecting the drainage system however, the Regional Chairman has already taken steps to clear the blockage.
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President Ramotar to roll-out 2011-2016 plans
-during inaugural address to Tenth Parliament
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
President Donald Ramotar will be addressing the Tenth Parliament on Friday where the developmental plans and policies of his Administration would be laid before the House.
The Government’s intended policies, programmes and plans during President Ramotar’s tenure in office; 2011-2016, will also be highlighted, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon told media operatives today.
“The president’s address would also focus on body politic and the likely contributions to the goals that the PPP/C would be advancing,” Dr. Luncheon said.
On the agenda to be advanced in the National Assembly would include the tabling of bills including the Supplementary and the Local Authorities Amendment Bills.
The Members of Parliament (MPs), during the day’s proceeding will also debate on which party will control the Committee of Selection. This committee is responsible for deciding the members for all committees in the National Assembly. To date the matter has not been resolved as to which party will govern the Committee of Selection.
Government has been calling on Members of the Opposition to ‘rise to the occasion’ with respect to decision making, since this would impact on the lives of Guyanese.
Following the National and Regional Elections on November 28 last, the majority of seats, 32, was won by the PPP/C with A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) securing 26 and the Alliance for Change, 7.
The opposition members combined ‘heisted’ the Speaker and Deputy Speaker positions, with no regard for the precedent set in Commonwealth Parliaments where the party with the most seats gets the Speaker.
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Gov’t optimistic Hope Canal project will end flooding
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The US$15M Hope Canal, or the Northern Relief Channel at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC), which was embarked upon by the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), in October 2010, would be the answer to flooding in the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary areas.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon while updating the media on the flood situation being experienced during a post-Cabinet briefing today at the Office of the President expressed Government’s optimism with this project.
“The design of the Hope Canal is predicated in the one in a hundred years, of level of rainfall to allow the discharge into the Atlantic. The residents who know about flooding and have been repeatedly affected year by year, would cease after the completion of the conservancy,” he said.
The Northern Relief channel, has four components; the over 10–kilometre channel from the EDWC, a bridge across the public road, a conservancy head regulator with three gates, and outfall at the canal’s Atlantic end that will comprise eight gates.
The canal is being excavated by the NDIA while BK International, DIPCON Engineering and Courtney Benn Contracting Services were granted the contracts for the other three components.
Over several weeks, measures have been undertaken by Government to tackle the effects of La Nina weather phenomenon which has brought on heavy rainfall. This in turn has led to several coastal and hinterland communities being inundated. The NDIA has undertaken emergency drainage works inclusive of cleaning and desilting of canals to ensure that flooding is reduced.
“Since the advent of the rainfall, the Mahaica and Mahaicony areas remain the worst… in which flood waters from the EDWC have been emptied to protect the integrity of the dam, which was being threatened,” Dr. Luncheon said.
On January 31, the Agriculture Ministry was forced to open the Maduni sluice to drain water in order to ensure the conservancy’s dams remained intact. This sluice was, however closed today in light of 36 hours of good weather and forecast of continued good weather for another 24 to 72 hours.
President Donald Ramotar and Government Officials over last weekend fanned-out to various communities to interact with residents and farmers to ascertain what assistance would be given and interventions required to alleviate their situation.
This has seen the Head of State calling for more community level engagements, as he gave the Administration’s assurance that livelihoods would be protected.
Government had proposed a re-location plan for families within the areas that are usually affected every rainy season and to date only 70 households have opted in and were given houselots at Lusignan/Good Hope.
“I have heard criticisms that may have influenced others not to join those who were relocated. The response by the remaining families who knew and still know that those areas are prone to flooding during the seasonal rainfall, have been affected by such criticism,” the HPS said.
As of today, more than a dozen excavators are working in the Mahaicony/Mahaica Abary areas to assist in emergency works.
All agencies have since been collaborating to assist in the situation.
While, vaccinations, medications and feed for livestock will be provided to farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture is currently sourcing additional resources to support the Water Users Association and, the Local Government Authorities in their dam maintenance programmes countrywide.
The Hydromet Office has forecast that La Nina conditions will continue to be experienced until the end of March.
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Aerial and maritime surveillance to be beefed up
-in wake of pirate attacks
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The recent spate of attacks on fisherfolks while plying their trade has been a concern of the Administration and, today, it announced that law enforcement bodies will be boosting aerial and maritime security.
President Donald Ramotar in expressing profound sympathy on the issue has emphasised the state’s responsibility that it will be handled thoroughly, and that aerial and sea surveillance would be ‘beefed-up’, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon.
The HPS, addressing media operatives at a post-Cabinet briefing today said that the issue of appropriate marine communication was raised and addressed by Cabinet and, as such noted that more inputs from law enforcement officers are needed.
“With a renewed focus of the recapitulation, the re-entry into serviceability of the Bell 412 helicopter and the Cessne aircraft that was abandoned, both land and sea surveillance would become a fixed part of the air course mandate,” he said.
The enhanced means of surveillance to be implemented by the Administration would also include routine marine patrols by members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Coast Guard and the Police Force.
Recently, 15 boats with a total of 19 crew members were attacked by pirates in the Pomeroon while they were fishing.
The Rescue and Search centre was activated and the Coast Guard and Police force were called in. A helicopter mission spotted three of the victims while they were in their damaged boat in the river and they were subsequently rescued. All of the victims have since been accounted for.
However, tragedy struck for four men as they proceeded to render assistance to the attacked fishermen when the boat they were travelling in capsized as a result of heavy rainfall and rough waters in the vicinity of the Suddie Coast, Essequibo River.
Speaking on the issue, Dr. Luncheon put to rest speculations by sections of the media that if there were timely interventions by the relevant authorities such a disaster would not have occurred.
“I don’t believe it was a lack of effort by the relevant authorities in mounting both timely and appropriately search and rescue operation. They jumped in their boats, did not put on lifejackets which we discovered were there and went out to sea and the unfortunate occurrences took place,” he said.
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NDC overseers’ transferral in keeping with legal framework-Local Gov’t Minister
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2011
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has spoken out on the issue of rotation of the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils’ overseers stating that it acted within the legal framework.
Speaking to the media this afternoon at the Ministry’s Kingston office, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud, along with Minister in the Ministry Norman Whittaker and Permanent Secretary Collin Croal, said the Local Government System over the last few months has been engaged in a number of reforms from the level of the NDC and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) to effect better services.
To this end, there has been some rotation of Regional Executive Officers (REOs,) Regional Engineers and NDC overseers. The REOs and the regional engineers would have all to date assumed duties in their assigned regions.
Minister of Local Government Ganga Persaud (centre) flanked by Minister in the Ministry Norman Whittaker (right) and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Collin Croal at the press conference to update the media on the transferral of NDC overseers
There have been some concerns raised pertaining to the Ministry and the Minister’s authority as it relates to rotating the NDC overseers. Opposition Leader, David Granger had written to the President on the issue pointing out that the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was concerned over the transferring of the overseers outside of their duly appointed areas of jurisdictions. Granger had also expressed concerned about the overseers affected suffering grave inconvenience as well as financial loss and questioned whether the law permits the minister such authority to exercise the rotation.
Minister Persaud said contrary to the views, “the ministry of local government and regional development being conscious of public opinion and views sought the guidance of the honourable Attorney General Anil Nandlall with regards to an interpretation of the laws, (as it relates to the ministry’s rights and authority with regards to rotating the overseers.)”
He further said, “We were assured that the minister has acted in keeping with the legal framework and that there is no issue as it regards to the minister’s authority vested in the legislation,” he said.
Minister Persaud said that the ministry would have also received a few correspondences from persons outlining their concerns with the overseers’ rotation and said that the ministry has since noted and responded to these correspondences, giving assurance that “no overseer will receive less benefit than he/she would have been receiving prior to the rotation” and that “ the decision with regards to the rotation of the overseers have remained the same and that the ministry is expecting full compliance as soon as the necessary record keeping would have been completed.”
Persaud said that the ministry was happy to report that even amidst the seeming controversy, all the overseers in Region 2 have assumed duties in their new locations and a similar situation exists in Region 6. There have been some movement in Region 3 and 4 and significant movement in Region 5, he added. The minister said that some overseers are still in the process of handing over and balancing records and bringing books update and this has delayed the completion of the rotation cycle.
“It is regrettable that whilst overseers were notified before hand of the rotation that some did not take the proactive approach to do the necessary record keeping in time, so that the movement could have been smooth across the board and they could have functioned as of today in their new environment, all in service to the citizens across the coastland,” Minister Persaud said.
He however, reiterated that the ministry’s rotation of its staff is part of its effort to motivate its workers. “We feel that if an officer is placed in the same situation to operate over prolonged period that certain joy which are derived from within the working environment based on challenges, new situations and new scenarios will be lost to that individual.” He added, “We see motivation as a management tool, if used positively can add to workers’ motivation, thereby enhancing their effectiveness and efficiency in executing their job descriptions.”
The minister said that the ministry will seek to rotate other categories of workers to provide that “motivational pull” to effect better delivery of services.
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Kuru Kuru Training Centre receives vehicle and computer systems
-60% of vehicle funding derived from chicken project
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The Culture Youth and Sport Ministry in collaboration with Food for the Poor today handed over a vehicle (wagon) and computer systems to the Kuru Kuru Training Centre (KKTC), Soesdyke for the students’ benefit.
The vehicle would be stationed at KKTC and be utilized for driving lessons offered without any hindrance while the computer systems would allow students to be more aware of the technological advances in society.
Alicia Pompey Rosime, Executive Officer (ag) PYARG receiving the computer systems on behalf of the students from Executive Director, Food for the Poor, Leon Davis
Previously, the centre had to make use of vehicles from various Ministries to facilitate the full driving course.
“We said to ourselves that every student that comes to Kuru Kuru Taining College, by the end of their stay with us they would be able to write the test, do the practicals and be able to get a drivers’ licence,” Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport said,
While 60% of the vehicle purchase was made possible through the chicken project, the remainder of the money was procured through project designs, sales and other small projects done by students and teachers.
Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport handing over the keys for the vehicle to Monita Williams, student of the Kuru Kuru Training Centre
KKTC’s administrator, Jagnarine Somwar said the chicken project started in 2009/2010, through acquisition of some funding from Food for the Poor Guyana Limited and the centre constructed a 30 by 60 foot chicken coop with the necessary equipment.
“We are going to work out a proper strategy, what the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport could do for the youths in Guyana and on behalf of the chairman for Food for the Poor, Management and staff, it is always a pleasure to be working and doing something for this Ministry,” Davis said.
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Health Ministry holds two-day blood drive at Fogarty’s
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
Cognizant of the ever present need for blood, the Ministry of Health Ministry has been partnering with several private enterprises to boost its stock of this vital component. Today, the Ministry collaborated with its National Blood Transfusion Service and Laparkan Trading Ltd, at the Fogarty’s Department store on Water Street for a two-day blood drive.
A Fogarty’s employee having her blood pressure tested as part of the donation process
Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran who was present at the store this morning for the exercise’s kick off said that since Laparkan is such a big establishment it makes such activities very cost effective. He said that the ministry is optimistic of getting about 30 blood donors for each day of the exercise.
Thanking the company and its staff for taking the initiative to join the blood donation effort, Dr. Ramsaran promised the participants that the procedure would be easy and satisfying.
“It is a satisfying knowledge to know you are helping your fellow Guyanese through this donation,” Minister Ramsaran said. “One unit of blood can be broken down into different fractions and each one of those can be used to fight a specific disease,” he explained. “When then, you donate blood one unit of blood, it can be used to safe the life of more than one person.”
Employee of Fogarty’s donating blood
The blood drive is the third phase of Laparkan’s community outreach programme partnering with the Ministry of Health, Vice President, Fogarty’s Department Store, Babita Rambirich said. The company in collaboration with the ministry would have hosted VIA and eye screening exercises for its employees and the public recently. Over 80 women benefited from VIA screening and 420 persons received free eyes screening as a result of the collaborative exercise.
“We are moving on to the voluntary blood drive… This is part of our community outreach programme whereby we will partner with agencies to bring services to members of the public, to our employees, to our suppliers and their families,” Rambirich said.
Laparkan workers have been avid continuous blood donors and Laleta Sivanan, one such worker was in full agreement of the company’s effort.
“I’ m absolutely pleased to be associated with our company and our efforts in reaching out to the public.”
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LaRocque challenges CARICOM council to be open-minded to call for structural changes
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
CARICOM member states have been calling for the Regional body to “do things differently” in order to deliver on its duty, however, its members must be prepared to welcome these changes, Secretary General, CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque remarked whilst addressing the Community Council members at the opening of the Twenty-Ninth meeting of the council on Tuesday.
LaRocque said the Community recognized and heard the urgent call and, its staff is fully geared towards this change but warned that the member states must be ready to deal with them.
With regards to these changes, the Secretary-General cautioned, “Changes will have to be managed, it will not be easy; it will definitely required a new mindset; a new way of doing things.”
The Secretariat would have been responding to challenges faced by its member states by freezing its budget from 2008 to 2010 and having it cut in 2011, Ambassador LaRocque said but given the demands by CARICOM Heads advocating the structural changes to effect better the Secretariat efforts and responsibilities, then there will not be any further budget cuts without prioritizing mandates, as this would weaken the efficiency of the Secretariat towards enacting the changes.
Ensuring an adequately resourced Secretariat is essential against the backdrop of this demand by CARICOM Heads, LaRocque said.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Suriname, Winston Lackin, advocated structural changes in attitudes and ideas as the way forward for the community and its member states. “It is time for the organisation to do things differently; we need to change our ideas and our attitudes,” Lackin stated and added that it was incumbent on the Council to “think outside of the box” in developing ideas for CARICOM enterprises which will guarantee the financial sustainability of the Secretariat and CARICOM Institutions.
Lackin also emphasised the need for the Community to intensify its efforts to implement decisions, as a matter of surviving in the current global environment and expressed hope that the meeting would arrive at decisions on mitigating the current difficulties faced by the Community states. “The situation looks bad, but it is a challenge for the Region to join forces to find solutions for the survival of our Region,” Minister Lackin stated.
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Interventions continue to alleviate flooding in affected areas –Minister Alli Baksh visits several areas
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The Ministry of Agriculture continues to support farmers and residents countrywide as actions are being taken by the Ministry’s National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) to assist farmers and residents in areas where concerns have been raised about high water levels or flooding.
Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alli Baksh and team from the Ministry, NDIA and Regional Democratic Council visited Pomeroon recently and several interventions were taken. These include: deployment of a pump to Devonshire Castle; CDIP workers manually cleaned sluice channels at Devonshire Castle and Lima to assist in facilitating drainage through the outfall channel; excess water was discharged from Tapacuma, Somerset, Berks, Ituribisi at Good Hope and Riverstown; and the NDIA excavator cleaned drainage channels in Three Friends, Anna Regina, Lima outfall channel and Devonshire Castle.
Minister Alli Baksh meeting the pump attendant at the Strathspey pump
The Ministry stated that in Region 3; flood conditions are reported mostly in farmlands in Canals Polders, Parika Back and Ruby Back; however, all sluices and pumps are operable as the NDIA engineers are monitoring the situation closely. The inlet channels at Canal No.1 were cleaned by dragline; NDIA excavators undertook works on low sections of the Boerasirie Conservancy between Canal No.1 and 2, while breaches were sealed in C Line Dam in the latter and a mobile pump and dragline were deployed to Canal No.1.
Other interventions the Ministry would have made since the onset of the floods are: in Region 4; all sluices and pumps were put into operation; NDIA excavated the channel at Triumph pump basin and has undertaken cleaning of Mon Repos main drain and dredging of Hope outfall. The NDIA deployed excavators at Hope Middle Walk, Vryheid’s Lust/ Better Hope and is cleaning the main channel leading to Montrose. It has installed a pump at Helena No. 2 and tractor pumps at Foulis and Supply south, Mahaica. The NDIA cleared Vryheid’s Lust east and west canals; installed irrigator pumps , two at Hope main road, one each at Enmore, LBI and Strathspey while the CDIP group undertook maintenance works at Success.
Minister Alli Baksh speaking with Strathspey residents, East Coast Demerara
In Region 5 all sluices/pumps are operable and sluices are continuously being opened to bring relief to the flooded areas. Drainage tubes are closed off on the right bank of the Mahaicony to cut off the inflow of rising water. A Hymac cleaned Fortitude/Chance road side drain, No. 9 Village, Experiment/Waterloo areas and the MMA/ADA is clearing outfall channels at Bath while an excavator was deployed at Mahaicony/Abary to facilitate the cleaning of internal drains. NDIA excavators built the embankment at Branch Road and Gordon Table Mahaicony while MMA/ADA heightened the dam at Baiboo and undertook works at Wash Clothes.
Continuing efforts by the Ministry to bring relief to those affected by flood waters saw the following being done in Region 6; repairs to seawall sluice, the winch at No.67, pumps at Sheet Anchor village and the sluice at Cumberland; cleaning and clearing works at Vryheid main drain, excavation at 52-74facade, No. 67 Village, drainage channel at Vryheid and Bushlot outfall; while a pump was put in at Whim and Irrigators at No.19 village.
Whilst water is receding around the city, pumps were installed at Herstelling, Little Diamond and Craig South sluice on the East Bank Demerara.
Meanwhile, there are reports of flooding in Yakusari and Black Bush Polder, Region Six, however all sluices and pumps are operable.
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Guyana presses its security agenda with European Union
-new areas of cooperation to be discussed
Georgetown, GINA, February 8, 2012
The Guyana Government in continuing the development of a security strategy which will aid significantly in delivering a transformed justice sector. Today, it pressed its initiatives when Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee met with a European Union (EU) team at his Brickdam office.
The strategic objectives of cooperation between the EU and Guyana deals with; the development of a strong mutually beneficial partnership on the international scene where the two partners will work together towards the shared ideals of democracy and human rights in the fight against poverty and global threats to peace, security and via EU’s assistance, enhancing Guyana’s reform and development agenda to strengthen progress towards the achievement of Guyana’s national goals and objectives.
Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee and Ambassador Robert Kopecký, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Guyana
Ambassador Robert Kopecký, Head of Delegation, Delegation of the EU and Rune Skinnebach, International Relations Officer, European External Action Service to Guyana who is in the country paid a visit to Minister Rohee pertaining to Guyana’s security strategy with the body.
“My colleague Mr. Skinnebach is the Caribbean expert with the European External Action Service who is starting his programme mission to key Caribbean countries starting with Guyana and continuing to Barbados and Trinidad …he will be fact finding, identifying areas for cooperation between the European Union and each member state of CARICOM in the areas of crime, security and drugs…there are funds for lots of these activities but we are at a fact finding stage,” Ambassador Robert Kopecký said.
The Ambassador said that the EU this year, is identifying new areas of cooperation which continue to be important, not only to the EU but, also to the Caribbean Region, as past programmes have seen successful completion, and budgets have been approved for support in other areas such as health and education.
“This will be something very new and this confirms our enjoyment of the partnership shared with Guyana,” Ambassador Kopecký said.
Rune Skinnebach, International Relations Officer, European External Action Service in discussions with Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee
Skinnebach said that the nature of the mission is primarily security in nature.
“There would be an outlining of a joint European Union- Guyana crime and security strategy…on the regional agenda, crime and security is high and it is not only a main challenge to the Caribbean Region but also to the European Union…it’s an issue of shared concern and is therefore an area we would be happy to be here to advance the agenda and to see how we can optimize the impact of the funds which have been programmed in this field back in 2008,” Skinnebach said.
He also said that in the past, the regional programme focused on integration, as it was then a political priority; however this visit serves to address the programme of a future development fund.
“We are here now, managing our dialogue with CARICOM and CARIFORUM people to launch the relevant programme…it will be the start of a good relationship which will grow and gradually increase in importance to the field of security…the agenda is a joint one which was defined in close collaboration between the EU and CARICOM member states…at the top of the agenda is drugs and crime coming from drugs which includes money laundering, violence and undermining of resources…there is a host of criminal and social issues covered in this field,” Skinnebach said.
Minister Rohee in welcoming Mr. Skinnebach to Guyana said that it has always been a privilege to cooperate in security matters on the international level.
“We are prepared to listen to the good news which has been brought to us, after which we will consider how we will move from there,” Minister Rohee said.
In enhancing Guyana’s reform and development agenda, the objectives of the EU’s approach are based on three dimensions; shaping a political partnership based on shared values; addressing economic and environmental opportunities and vulnerabilities; and promoting social cohesion and combating poverty.
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