Hinterland Highlights Newspaper Issue#2 2016 Edition

Issue No: 2 / 2016

$230B Budget Passed

What’s in it for the Indigenous people? • Over 30,000 hinterland school children will benefit from uniform material • 7,000 more children to benefit from hot meals • 450 hinterland students to gain scholarships • $1 Billion to train youths (HEYS project) • Roads to be upgraded out of a sum of $6.72B • 211 Indigenous communities to get grant to fund eco-tourism projects • Two new radio stations to promote Indigenous languages, culture • $2 B for airstrips and aerodromes’ upgrade • Over $644M to expand housing sector Minister of Finance • $80M for hinterland teachers’ Winston Jordan accommodation “Budget 2016 represents the beginning of • $4B to support a Plan of Action for the fulfillment of our vision of transforming our national economy and providing a Hinterland Development Good Life to all Guyanese.” • $2B for physical infrastructure development • $4.2B to assist in advancing township status for four communities • Four mini-hydro power stations to be explored • $598M for agriculture - 4,000 acres of state lands to be developed in Region 9 • $195 M for hinterland water supply • $28M for preservation of Indigenous culture

Focus on Hinterland Development

INSIDE 23 years of damage cannot be fixed in eight months...

Page 3

Twelve hinterland communities to benefit from sustainable housing... Page 5

Budget 2016 caters for Indigenous development... Page 12&13

St. Ninian’s Primary in Region one to be extended... Page 15

Hinterland Highlights

MOUs signed to boost indigenous villages’ growth, develop viable mining practices

n keeping with Guyana’s green economy efforts, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Conservation International Foundation Inc.

development of Indigenous villages, and develop viable practices within the mining industry. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, and Vice President, Sydney Allicock, Minister in the Ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman,

those present at the signing. The MOU with the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry seeks to form the framework for collaboration between the two entities in areas of mutual interest, towards the enabling of green economic growth and development. Minister Allicock said that he was pleased to be associated with Conservation International, which he described as a distinguished association. “We are now confident that we have a partner that could help us to ensure that we have an environment that will be there for generations to come,” Minister Allicock said. The Minister explained that the environment is important to the indigenous people, and that they (the indigenous people) have many things to impart when it comes to the natural laws. “The natural laws are real, and I am happy that we can have an organisation that will allow us that opportunity to work together to find answers to the many issues that we have out there in the natural world,

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman with GGDMA’s President Patrick Harding, Conservation International’s Vice-President David Singh, and Senior VicePresident for the Americas Field Division, Sebastiann Troëng

Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn HastingsWilliams explained that the lack of local government organs such as Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) in Mahdia is hindering the May 26 deadline set out for the community to attain township status. “We’re putting Mahdia on hold for now because of these challenges,” the Min-

ister told GINA. “It is not that we’re going to leave them out, but they are going to come on board a little later,” she said. The lack of the Local Government system for managing and developing the community is hampering the administration in identifying and implementing needed projects such as roads, bridges, playgrounds, parks, and sanitary landfills, projects that are critical to the community’s transfor-

Mahdia, Region Eight mation into a town. She Not having the Local explained that the Ministry government system in place is awaiting the formation before this happens, will be of such councils to proceed a setback, as these councils with movement of the com- are important to the system, munity towards township. and their operations allow

for the citizens to participate in the decision-making process. It also allows for identifying the needs of citizens and delivery of services, Minister Hastings-Williams explained. She noted that in the absence of the systems, any decision made prior to completing the process, would have been made from some other body of persons that probably did not have the same interest or knowledge in the community’s affairs.

Over the past 10 years, a failing power supply system forced the radio station to broadcast for only six hours daily. This had severely affected the service to Annai, Wowetta, Rupertee, Surama and surrounding communities. The radio station serves 65 communities.

Last year, a direct appeal was made to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo for his intervention and he responded. This resulted in the purchase of the batteries and solar panels. In the medium- term, this radio station’s signals will be boosted to provide

coverage to more than double the number of villages it now serves in the Rupununi area. Prime Minister Nagamootoo who has responsibility for the information sector explained that specific emphasis will be placed on the far flung inte-

GGDMA’s President Patrick Harding, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock and Conservation International’s Vice-President David Singh sign the MoUs in the presence of Conservation International’s Senior Vice-President for the Americas Field Division, Sebastiann Troëng This signing, which Head of Conservation Interwas done at Conservation national, David Singh and International on Robb Street GGDMA’s Chairman Pataims to enhance sustainable rick Harding were among

he move to clear the way for the hinterland community of Mahdia, Region Eight to become a town, before May 26, 2016 may be delayed by the lack of a functioning local government system. The remaining three communities- Lethem, Mabaruma and Bartica however, remain on target and the Ministry has been visiting and holding consultations as the process progresses. In an interview with the

and more so for including the Indigenous peoples’ in national development,” he noted. Meanwhile, the MOU with GGDMA will see some US$5.7M funding from the Norwegian Society being split between Guyana and Peru to tackle the environmental challenges that come with mining. Three million dollars (US$3M) of the total amount will be invested in Guyana. Minister Trotman pointed out that apart from

the MOU, the GGDMA has been working with other bodies to improve mining practices to better their techniques and ensure that there is less damage to the environment. “At the end of the day, we are looking at preserving that patrimony of Guyana so that generations to come can enjoy the benefits in the same way that we are enjoying them,’ the Minister emphasised. Meanwhile Conservation International’s Head,

Mahdia’s township status to be delayed

David Singh explained that the signing offers the opportunity for linkages between the private sector and government, which are very important for the execution of the projects catered for under the MOU. There will also be round table discussions at the local level looking at integrated natural resources management. Subsequently, evidence based solutions will be developed to influence policy.

Radio Paiwomak now on air 24 hours daily - plans on stream to expand station’s reach

uyana’s only community radio station based at Bina Hill in Region Nine, Radio Paiwomak, is now on air 24 hours a day. This is as a direct result of the installation of nine new solar panels with accompanying highpowered batteries.

rior communities in the Rupununi and the North West District. The name Paiwomak was derived from the names of the three communities it was set up to serve — the Pakaraimas, Iwokrama and Makrapan. It was mandated to provide the lo-

cal communities access to national news and current affairs, school broadcasts, programmes on the environment and sustainable development and other education and/or training programmes, including public information programmes.

Hinterland Highlights

Budget Debate...

23 years of damage cannot be fixed in eight months – VP Allicock

inister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Vice President Sydney Allicock made a public apology to the members of the opposition for being unable, within the eight months he has been in government, to fix all the damage caused by the opposition during their 23 years

other side. These honourable members may have had their Damascus moment at the end of their journey to the opposition benches.” Addressing statements purporting that miners were awarded blocks in lands traditionally occupied, utilised and applied for as village lands by the Indigenous

peoples, the minister noted these were matters which his government inherited from the previous administration that now sits in the opposition benches. “These awards were made after Kangaruma and Tasserene for example, had applied for these lands to become their village lands…

these honourable members of the opposition were part of the team which participated in the handing over of worthless pieces of paper to Kangaruma and Tasserene suggesting to the leaders of these communities that they were being handed land titles,” Vice President Allicock disclosed.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock

Opposition buried in oblivion on Budget 2016 measures, policies - Minister Hastings-Williams

inister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams has accused the opposition Members of Parliament of being buried in oblivion with regards the budgetary measures and policies that will stimulate production and restore confidence, whilst creating wealth. Adding her contribution to Budget 2016 debate, Minister Hastings-Williams questioned the opposition members’ shortsightedness for not noticing any of the measures or policies in the budget which will stimulate production and restore

of government. Minister Allicock was at the time making his contribution to the 2016 budget debate in the National Assembly. The Minister rebutted statements which he deemed as not factual. He stated that, “I note well the presence of some born again indigenous members on the

confidence. “Is it that they are buried in oblivion?” the Minister asked. “Is the reduction in excise tax and fuel prices not creating wealth through the increase in disposable income? Is the construction of four mini-hydro power stations not creating wealth through reduction in production costs and increase in disposable income? …is the investment of $40.3 Billion on education, not creating wealth in the future by producing more productive citizens?” she asked. The Minister pointed out that wealth is created, through a combination of

specialised policies and measures that the Minister of Finance outlined in his Budget speech, and which are geared to stimulate the economy. “If these measures do not create wealth, then the members of the opposition are saying that money or knowledge is not wealth, something I find very obscure,” the Minister observed. During her address, the Minister also responded to what she termed other “frivolous and banal statements” made about Budget 2016, including the budget being ‘“repackaged.’

“I would like to ask the opposition members, “Is the construction of four mini-hydro power stations at Kamaira, Kuma, Tumatumari and Tiger Hill repackaged? Is the construction of the pedestrian overhead crossings at Sherriff Street repackaged?...Is the development of state-of-theart water front facilities at Kitty, Kingston, Stabroek, Vreed-en-Hoop, Supenaam and Skeldon repackaged?” These projects were strategically crafted and are all strategic projects designed to resuscitate and catapult the economy, she stated. The Minister there-

fore posited that when the opposition members spoke of a repackaged budget, they were referring to a budget that has a clear vision, and one that is free from ‘“pork-barrel-politics.’ The Minister also addressed the opposition members’ accusation of government ‘witch-hunting’, for initiating the process of recovery of the nation’s assets, and investigating corruption. She asked whether the opposition is then saying that government should concede to corruption. “The answer is a resounding no…. persons who are convicted of wrongdoing in our public

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams sector, should face the full brunt of the law,” Minister Hastings-Williams said.

Budget 2016 offers much hope for Indigenous peoples

uring the 2016 National Budget debate, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe said the budget caters for the long- term growth of all Guyanese. She described it as, ‘exciting’ and one that “speaks to development on a large scale.” Garrido-Lowe said that contrary to what was being insinuated by opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Yvonne Pearson, the Indigenous peoples have not lost confidence in the Indigenous Ministers. The junior Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister said she was pleased with the 2016 budgetary allotment for Indigenous people. “At long last the hinterland, home to our indig-

enous brothers and sisters is getting its fair share of the pie,” Garrido-Lowe said. She noted that apart from the $776.5M allocation for the Ministry’s current budget and $1.4B allocation towards the capital budget, the hinterland is further provided for within all five pillars of the budget. “This budget offers much hope to our indigenous brothers and sisters, the majority of whom have been living in poverty for too long,” Garrido-Lowe said. On education, Minister Garrido-Lowe noted that the government is working to bridge the gap between youths on the coastland and those in the hinterland. Development would not focus only on infrastructure such as roads and bridges but

also, on developing human capital. The Minister stated that youths in all communities are suffering from the lack of jobs, a situation that is of much concern for the government. Noting the absence of skills in the hinterland, Garrido-Lowe pointed to young people not being trained as mechanics to repair the village tractors when they become non-functional, and not having youths trained in carpentry and joinery to help make furniture for schools. “How can we expect them to become young entrepreneurs when we do not extend such training to them?” Garrido-Lowe questioned as she referred to what was taking place under the previous administration.

She reminded the House that the previous administration ended the Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) in April 2015 and questioned the number of jobs provided for persons who were engaged under that programme. According to GarridoLowe, under the YEAP, officers were receiving $30,000 per month for doing nothing, and were being used to push the PPP elections campaign. To eradicate poverty in the hinterland and avoid wastage of tax dollars, there needs to be training of young people which would prepare them to be entrepreneurs and leaders, she stated. “This is what our government through the Ministry of Indigenous Peo-

ples’ Affairs will be doing,” Garrido-Lowe stated. Pointing to the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme that was launched on October 1, 2015 in Region Eight, the Minister said it entails six months of classroom training followed by six months of practical training. In addition, trainees receive $30,000 per month and an additional $10,000 is set aside for them which they would receive on completion of the training. She said there are also opportunities for them to develop business plans and receive start-up funding for small businesses. According to GarridoLowe, six villages are now involved in the programme; 108 youths are receiving

Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe training in Math and English, and entrepreneurship training in areas such as eco-tourism. Computer science would be added.

Hinterland Highlights

Budget Debate... Minister Bulkan denies Executive usurping role of regional officials

inister of Communities Ronald Bulkan has labelled as ‘misleading’ claims by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) that the coalition government is usurping the role and authority of the elected officials in the administrative regions. He was referring to statements made by the opposition during the debate of the 2016 budget. Opposition MPs during their presentations, accused the coalition administration of taking control of the regions. The Opposition MPs claimed that the administration was appointing officials, namely Regional Executive Officers (REO) to usurp the role and func-

tions of elected officials in the regions. Minister Bulkan noted that as it relates to regional administration, in the past eight months the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) have been beneficiaries of the administration’s strategic vision of empowerment. He explained that, each region is being prepared to accept the challenge by the government, of beginning to take more control of their areas. This challenge is one that would empower them to use the endowments of their respective areas to attract investment, create employment and contribute to improved living standards of their residents.

“Our region must no longer see themselves as administrative regions, as vehicles to soak up the resources from central government…they must seek to leverage their resources to bring development to their regions,” Bulkan said. Minister Bulkan noted that this is what the constitution provided for, that is, “for each region to craft their own development programmes and this is what has been charged of the regional chairmen and vice chairmen by President David Granger; to craft plans of action for the development (PARDS) for their respective regions,” he told the House. “That is the nature of

the engagement that this administration is seeking to have with our RDC. So it is misleading for the Honourable Members of this House to be peddling a false narrative, accusing us of seeking to usurp the authority of the regions,” Minister Bulkan noted. Another of the Opposition’s lament during the debate was that approximately 20 percent of the capital allocation for 2015, for the regions was returned. Whilst, Minister Bulkan observed that this was regrettable, he noted that the reality is that a mere four months was available to execute the capital programme of the regions and this was as a result of the prorogation of the

Parliament. “When one considers the process of inviting public tendering, the evaluation and award of contracts and the bottle necks of the tender board and the need for the reconstitution of the regional tender boards, … these were some of the factors that were responsible for that unfortunate state of affair…If there is any blame to be cast, that blame belongs to those on the other side of the House,” he added. The Minister however, noted that for the 2015 current allocation, 98.5 percent was spent, and if taken as a whole (current and capital allocations for the regions 2015 budget), the sum of 97

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan percent was spent. He added that the tabling of the 2016 budget this early will allow for timely implementation and execution of the regions’ capital and current programmes.

Regional, clinical services to be decentralised

uyanese across the country will benefit from the decentralisation of regional and clinical health services as the 2016 National Budget has made allocations for the sector that will ensure this becomes a reality. Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton informed the National Assembly that this ‘decentralisation’ will ensure that, “consistent and adequate quality health care is provided to all citizens across the 10 administrative regions, based on the sound values of equity, solidarity and quality health services as a human right.” Approximately $13.3B was allotted to this programme of which $11.9B is current expenditure. This, Dr. Norton said, will empower the regions, “through

training and increased human resources so that this ministry can be successful in its plan to decentralise the regional system.” As part of the improvements planned, the Health Minister indicated that a standard complement of staff for each region is being put in place to avoid the multi-tasking of the existing staff, “who in the past, under the PPP regime, have been called upon to function in disciplines outside of their mandate. This must be a thing of the past,” Norton stated. He added that each region would also benefit from the continued deployment of medical doctors and other personnel to hinterland regions. The Public Health Ministry already has a national plan to permanently place a physician in every health center, the

Health Minister announced. The sum of $1.5B was also appropriated as capital expenditure to complete all unfinished structures. These include, the Experiment Health Centre at Bath (Region 5). “Even though it cost the government $32M to build in 2013, it remains unfinished and unfurnished,” Dr. Norton said. A similar situation exists at Yawong Health Center (Mountain Foot) which remains incomplete even after $29M was expended. It was also revealed that the new x-ray unit at the Parika Health Center has not been used for three years and another at the Leguan hospital has been there for 10 years and not only unused, but unwrapped as well. Norton said these units would be put into service. “We have only last week put into func-

tion the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the West Demerara Regional Hospital with six brand new incubators, the fifth such unit now functioning in the country,” Norton said. According to the Minister, this unit was never used though it was declared open by the previous Minister of Health on August 6, 2014. Also, the spacious, air conditioned post- natal ward, which can accommodate as many as 15 beds has now become functional. Construction has started at the Leonora Diagnostic Centre which would see the maternity section fitted with beds and other facilities and equipment. Renovation work at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre has been allotted $30M; $15M identified for the construction of a solid waste

furnace for the Linden Hospital Complex; $20M to refurbish and upgrade a section of the old Linden Hospital building to establish a consultation room, a ten-bed surgical ward and patients’ waiting room, and $15M for the extension and remodelling of Kwakwani Hospital to house an operating suite. “We are also in the process of adding new health facilities within the regions such as a health hut in Yakashiba, Region Two and Semonie, Region Nine,” Norton explained. Adequate housing facilities will also be provided for the staff to be deployed to the regions such as a medex house in Fort Island, Region Three and Sand Creek, Region Nine. The Health Minister announced that for the first

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton time, $30M has been allocated for the acquisition of a fully equipped stateof- the- art river ambulance with a radio set. An amount of $10.5M has also been allocated for three All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). He promised that the Government will ensure adequate drugs and medical supplies are provided in all facilities.

All of Guyana’s productive forests given out by previous administration - Minister Trotman

inister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman has made it public that the previous administration had awarded 100 percent of Guyana’s productive forest in concessions.

Trotman made this disclosure in his presentation during the 2016 National Budget debate in the National Assembly. Questioning the rationale for handing out all of Guyana’s productive forests as concessions, Trotman asked whether

future generations of Guyanese are not entitled to share in Guyana’s patrimony. The Minister informed the House that the coalition government will be addressing this matter.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

Hinterland Highlights

Prime Minister announces plans to pave Linden-Lethem Highway, other initiatives - at Public Day forum in Lethem

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo announced a number of ambitious plans, which the Administration has in store for residents of Lethem, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). These include plans to pave the Linden/Lethem roadway and launch a radio station for Indigenous communities.

Security and Vice President, Sydney Allicock, for the firearms which were handed in during the amnesty period to be re-issued once the paperwork is completed... We will also look at the way the fees are charged,” the Prime Minister said. He also added that the Government has plans in train to set-up offices in the

A section of the large crowd at the ‘Public Day’ forum in Tabatinga The Prime Minister, at a ‘Public Day’, held at the Tabatinga Community Ground, Lethem announced that works on the Linden to Lethem Highway will soon begin, while an industrial zone will be established in Lethem to facilitate the influx of economic activity that is expected to take place once the road has been completed. Further, he said, the Ministry of Public Security has already started collaborating with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs to address the issue of gun licences for Indigenous communities. “I have spoken to the Minister of Public

region to facilitate the application process for passports or birth certificates. Prime Minister Nagamootoo, who was accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, said the meetings are being held to help realise the Government’s mission to provide a good life for all Guyanese. “Nine months have not even gone since we took office and in these months this has been a feature of the government; reaching out to the people to establish open Government partnerships,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister led a high-level team of Government officials including

Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Mr. David Patterson; Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence; Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix and Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Ms. Valerie Sharpe-Patterson to the region to give residents an opportunity to meet directly with the ministerial team. Before the start of the meetings, Minister Harmon remarked that the Administration is cognisant of the fact that not every individual has the means to meet with officials to have their matters addressed. As such these ‘Public Day’ activities are an opportunity to take the Government to the people. “We have brought the Prime Minister and five [other] Ministers to hear what your concerns are. You voted for a change and you are seeing the change. You have a Government that cares,” Minister Harmon said.

the backlog of house lot applications and address the related housing issues upon her assumption to office, brought relief to residents when she announced that the price for land has been reduced. Applications were even processed on the spot and residents were allowed to select their intended house lot numbers. A pregnant woman who was the first to pull a lot number was too overwhelmed to offer a comment. However, another resident, Ms. Madela LaRose, who had the cost for her land reduced by half said, “Last year I was asked to pay $300,000 for the land, but when I looked at the land I was confused because the price didn’t match the size. I came here this morning to clarify this and I am leaving as a grateful woman.” Ms. Brenda Camp-

House lots The issue of housing, which has been a major bugbear countrywide, has also been a source of anxiety for Region Nine residents. Residents complained bitterly that under the previous Administration there was a lack of responsiveness to calls to address issues related to housing and land titling. However, Minister Sharpe-Patterson, who had pledged to tackle

bell, a mother of six, said she applied for a house lot four years ago and never re-

better access to housing, but to improved potable water and sanitation. According to Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie SharpePatterson, four communities in Region One namely, Whitewater, Kamwatta, Haimakabra and Sebai and eight communities in Region 9;Katoka, Kwatamang, Massara, Karaudarnawau, Haiowa, Karasabai, Potarinau and Sand Creek are

set to benefit under the programme. It will cater for, either a full house or a roof replacement. Beneficiaries of the full house replacement in Region One will be presented with a one - storey elevated timber building, whilst those in Region Nine will receive a flat burnt brick building, Minister SharpePatterson said. Both styles of houses will measure 500 square

feet, she said, and they will comprise four rooms, front and back stairs with zinc roof, guttering, a 400- gallon water tank and a pit toilet, she said. The roof replacement intervention caters for zinc sheets for a house measuring no more than 500 square feet, complete with guttering, fittings and a 400- gallon water tank. The 2016 expansion of the hinterland housing pro-

Labour Meanwhile, Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence was able to immediately address a case of violation of labour laws, after a woman complained that she was owed pay in lieu of leave. On hearing the woman’s case, the Minister sent for the errant employer and was able to recover the $120,000, which was due to

A resident of Region Nine raising his concerns with Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

Twelve hinterland communities to benefit from sustainable housing project he over $644 million provided for in Budget 2016, will be utilised to expand the hinterland housing project, which will result in improved living environments for low-income families in 12 communities. The funding which will provide a housing subsidy for the construction of houses and the replacement of roofs in Regions One and Nine will not only support

ceived a response. However, yesterday she left the Tabatinga Community Ground, smiling. “I have six kids and I live in a rented house… I applied for a piece of land and up until today, I couldn’t get any response. But I came and I meet the Minister and now I am getting to pick my lot number,” Ms. Campbell said. These women were among the first 47 citizens to benefit from the Government’s revised housing plans.

the employee. At the close of the weekend outreach, residents were loud in praise

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo speaking at the Public Day forum of the activity. Regional Chairman and member of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party, Mr. Brian Allicock, also praised the initiative, noting that such an event with so many Government functionaries had never before been held in the Region. “This is the first time we are having something like this in this region. We must thank this Administration; this government, for this. You will be able to share your views and you do not have to be afraid to speak,” he said. This was the third Public Day outreach exercise hosted by President David Granger’s Administration. Supporting officers from the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Department of Public Service, the Ministry of Public Health, the Central Immigration Office, the General Registrar’s office and other agencies were also on hand to address issues.

One of the houses built in 2015 under the Second Low Income Housing programme ject is based on the lessons The Ministry of Comlearnt from the pilot project munities will implement implemented during 2009 to this 2016, sustainable 2015 under the Second Low housing project through a Income Settlement Pro- US$3.1M loan financed by gramme which saw houses the Inter-American Develbeing built. opment Bank.

Hinterland Highlights

Guyana - Venezuela border controversy...

Gov’t rejects Venezuela’s efforts to derail UN resolution process

oreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has categorically stated that Guyana totally rejects the backhanded attempts of Venezuela to despoil Guyana of her rights. Minister Greenidge said that the Coalition Government “repudiated in its entirety a statement made on February 4, 2016 by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.” During an address to the National Assembly, the Minister said these statements, “contained several falsehoods and innuendoes as these relate to the territory of Guyana.” The Statement to which Minister Greenidge referred was titled “Venezuela ratifies its rights over the Essequibo at the UN”. He said, “That statement is yet another example of Venezuela’s time-worn belief that falsehoods repeated often

enough may eventually lose their basic falsity. They do not.” He said the statement will be brought to the attention of the UN Secretary General, the members of the Security Council and the UN’s wider membership. Guyana’s Foreign Minister made it clear that rights over the Essequibo were settled by the Award of the 1899 International Tribunal of Arbitration established under the Treaty of Washington of 1897 whose decision the Government of Venezuela undertook to accept as “a full, perfect and final settlement” of all the questions referred to the Arbitrators. He added, “Venezuela did accept the decision – jointly with the United Kingdom, demarcating the boundary on the ground and drawing up a definitive map depicting the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela identifying the Essequibo as be-

ing within British Guiana in accordance with the 1899 Arbitral Award.” Minister Greenidge further stated that in Venezuela there were always elements who wanted more, and for whom the birth of an independent Guyana seemed to end their imperialist crusade, contending that the Arbitral Award of 1899 was ‘null and void.’ From the start, Minister Greenidge explained that Venezuela delayed pursuing their nullity contention; pursuing instead a policy of harassment of the new state, impeding its development by threatening investors. “It kept Guyana out of the OAS for 25 years. Contemptuous of international law, it has issued decrees asserting maritime claims progressively more and more outrageous. And it remains one of the few countries of the world to have excluded itself from the United Nations Conven-

tion on the Law of the Sea.” He explained that Venezuela currently, “seeks to move away from its “nullity” contention and to imply that the Geneva Agreement is about a ‘historical position’ and a ‘territorial controversy’ and to embrace the Agreement as it attempts to rewrite it. Last year, Guyana’s President, David Granger, called on the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to have Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is null and void and settled with finality by judicial process. By the Geneva Agreement, both Guyana and Venezuela have empowered him to do so. “Venezuela’s behaviour towards Guyana is a festering wound to peace and development in our region and an affront to the rule of law in the world,” the Minister told the National Assembly, “and it must be

healed by a process of law.” Despite, the UN Secretary General’s discussions with both Guyana and Venezuela and proposals for “The Way Forward”, the neighbouring country, however, seems prepared to derail the process, Minister Greenidge noted. “In this 50th anniversary of the Geneva Agreement which was signed on February 17, 1966, Venezuela should be seeking to fulfill the objec-

had witnessed the signing of the Agreement, Britain, Guyana’s then colonial masters, strongly resisted the claims by Venezuela because, “from their standpoint there was no question about Guyana’s move to become an Independent State.” He said that the British Government arranged for a meeting of representatives of Britain, Venezuela and the then British Guiana; which took place in Geneva, on February 16 and 17, 1966. The agreement was then signed on February 17 between Britain and Venezuela. The new Government, led by Forbes Burnham, had to be at the meeting because the independent Guyana would inherit whatever would be the conclusions of the meeting, Sir Shridath recalled. “It was a maddening occasion (the signing), because this (Venezuela’s claim on Guyana) was something so much of the

past, that it should have been of the past and should not have been even in our thoughts as we looked ahead but Venezuela was adamant, was threatening and had to be dealt with and the Geneva agreement was the results,” the renowned Guyanese diplomat explained. Fifth (50) years later, on the eve of the signing of the agreement and following the recent renewal of claims of Venezuela’s historical claims to Guyana, Sir Shridath said that the only way for Guyana to rid itself of this controversy is to have the matter settled by the highest international tribunal, the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “This matter has gone on for 50 years; we have tried all manner of means. They have tried all manner of deeds…they have not produced a shred of evidence, or even an argument that that award must be set aside… It is a legal issue, legal contention, and must be settled by the ICJ,” he said.

He said that having closure to the controversy would mean a lot, “for the world; for the rule of law; for the sanctity of treaties, which is of importance to the whole world. It would mean everything for relations between Guyana and Venezuela.” As part of 50th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement, President David Granger met with United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon in New York, where he further pressed Guyana’s position for a juridical settlement of the decades-old border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela. According to the Geneva Agreement, which was made between Venezuela and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on February 17, 1966, just months before Guyana gained Independence, a Mixed Commission “of Guyanese and Venezuelan representatives would be established to

Sir Shridath Ramphal seek “satisfactory solutions the countries must choose for the practical settlement “one of the means of peaceof the controversy between ful settlement provided in Venezuela and the United Article 33 of the Charter of Kingdom, which has arisen the United Nations. Guyas the result of the Venezue- ana, on February 17, oblan contention that the Ar- served the 50th Anniversary bitral Award of 1899 about of the signing of the Geneva the frontier between British Agreement. On May 26, Guiana and Venezuela is Guyana will also celebrate null and void.” its 50th Anniversary of The agreement also Independence. states that if following the Nowhere in the Agreereport of the Commission, ment does it even suggest Guyana and Venezuela do that the 1899 Arbitral Award not reach an agreement then had been nullified.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge tives of that Agreement and not frustrate them under a cloak of righteousness. Guyana will not allow the deceptions being peddled by Venezuela to persist.” The Minister expressed the Coalition Government’s hope that the National Assembly will lend its full support to his statement as the nation continues in its collective endeavour to defend Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Sir Shridath touts juridical resolution to Venezuela’s outrageous claims to Guyana

he signing of the Geneva Agreement was the only available option of resolving peacefully, the conflict of Venezuela’s outrageous claims to Guyana. Sir Shridath Ramphal, recalls that with the signing of the agreement Guyana could move forward with its Independence. Speaking on a recent televised programme on the National Communications Network (NCN), Sir Shridath, the Guyanese diplomat who was present at the signing of the Agreement on February 17, 1966, said that the agreement was in a sense an essential part of the larger picture of Guyana’s Independence. He explained that Guyana was on the cusp of Independence, “we were about to be free and Venezuela… basically tried to stall Guyana’s Independence by agitating its claim to the Essequibo.” According to Sir Shridath, who today is probably the only person alive who

Hinterland Highlights

Region Nine village builds own road - PM, Minister Harmon praise community’s effort

he indigenous community of Hiawa, North Rupununi, Region Nine, came in for high praise from the Government for constructing a 340-metre road, which will significantly improve movement and trade among communities within that district. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo commissioned the “Perseverance Dam” during his recent visit to the Region, for the third Public Day forum. The road took more than two years to be constructed. Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of Social Protection, Ms. Volda Lawrence and Minister of Citizenship, Mr. Winston Felix, who participated in the outreach exercise, also attended the commissioning ceremony. The high-level Ministerial team commended the

initiative, noting that it was the result of such cooperation and community effort and came to fruition just days before the country’s 46th Republic Anniversary and Mashramani. “With your work in your community; every road you build, every dam you construct, you are sending a message to Venezuela that this is our territory, this is our motherland and this is the country. We know and we intend to make it better. It doesn’t belong to anyone else. This initiative shows that you want to develop your community, your county, your country,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo said. Minister Harmon was particularly pleased with the effort and expressed admiration for the community spirit displayed by the residents. “It is a pleasure being

here to be a part of this ceremony. It truly makes Mashramani a celebration after hard work. I am pleased and happy to be here to share this occasion with you,” he said. Minister Felix also expressed his appreciation for the community’s effort and said that the Government always welcomes and supports initiatives that promote the growth and development of communities. “We want to associate and build with you. We want to promote the development of Hiawa. Hiawa must be seen in three years or five years as an area which has grown and that is why we are here. We want to let you know that we are concerned [about] the physical development of the area, as well as the development of the people of the area and we want to support your

endeavours. We don’t want you to feel shy [about] your ideas because this Government will not only be sympathetic, but will also support developmental activities that you, the people would like to promote,” he said. Meanwhile, Toshao of the village, Mr. Ian David beamed with pride as he described some of the challenges the team of residents had to overcome to complete the project. “The workers will get up and start working at 05:00hrs. We would start work even when it was so dark. We would go for the stones and would encounter snakes in the pile, but we didn’t stop. The prophets of doom said that the project will never happen and many days we wanted to give up, but we didn’t. We persevered and today, it has become a real-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo commends Hiawa villagers for their spirit of cooperation and community pride in building their own road ity,” he said. about two miles. The travelRegional Executive Of- ling time, which was over ficer, Mr. Carl Parker said two hours-long, has now the regional administration been reduced to less than is proud of the village’s ef- half an hour, he said. Acfort and achievement, since cording to Mr. Parker, the what would previously have link is most important since been 42 miles of travel- the communities around the ling between villages such foot of the mountain depend as Moco Moco and Kumu, on each other for trade and situated at the foot of the cultural activities. mountain, and Lethem, has now been reduced to just

Moco- Moco hydropower station to be rehabilitated

he Ministry of Public Infrastructure is seeking proposals from appropriate firms to rehabilitate and operate the Moco- Moco Hydropower plant in Region 9. This is being done in line with the government’s plan to develop a ‘Green Economy’. The Moco- Moco Hydropower plant will be oper-

ated under the Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) arrangement. This aims to supply power to Lethem Power Plant under a negotiated and agreed Power Purchase Agreement. This move forms part of the administration’s overall effort to reduce dependence on fossil fuels for energy, and in so doing, the

country can save significant sums that are expended on the purchase and importation of such fuels. In 2003, the plant was significantly affected by a landslide and since then the project was abandoned. The coalition government intends to have hydropower generation facilities located in several areas

of the country. The InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) is currently in the process of assessing five of 69 possible sites, which are proposed to house these hydropower amenities. The five sites under scrutiny are Tiger Hill, Kamira, Tumatumari, Amaila and Kumu. It is expected that their assessment will be completed in

Housing department to correct faulty turn-key houses

ome owners are set to get some relief as the Housing Department’s, Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) is moving to correct the badly constructed houses provided under the turn -key homes project at Providence, East Bank Demerara. Over the years, beneficiaries have been complaining about the shoddy work which was done on their houses that cost $4.9M each ($4.4M for the house and $500,000 for the land). Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Sharpe-Patterson explained, during an in-

terview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that the houses have major problems. “There is verandah falling off… water coming into the homes, cracks in the walls and floors. Most of it has to do with the poor quality of materials used.” Minister Sharpe-Patterson has assured affected persons that all efforts will be made to correct the faulty work, as she has instructed the project’s team to investigate and provide a detailed report on the condition of the houses. However, from all indications, some persons will have to be relocated due to the state and level

of damage to the structures in Providence, while some other houses will be repaired. “Some of these people have fallen in love with their homes and they don’t want to be relocated. Even though many of them have been living there for up to four years and the warranty time is over, because it’s structural problems, we will have to do the repairs… it is unfair to those people, and they are paying bank loans,” Minister Sharpe- Patterson

stated. The Ministry will be tracking down the contractors that delivered the poor quality work, she added. The Housing Department is projected to build a number of houses under this project this year, in Perseverance, East Bank Demerara and other areas. Minister Sharpe- Patterson assured Guyanese that, “Any new homes that will be constructed under the APNU+AFC administration will be of high quality.”

May of this year. To promote additional financial aid for the hydropower and renewable plan, the coalition government is partnering with the Brazilian government. Also, to carry through with this plan of a Green Economy, the government will be using $80M from the Norway fund. This money was allo-

cated to renewable energy development. Interested investors as well are welcomed in this area. Because Guyana is a tropical country, there is a high potential to invest in renewable energy. This energy while untapped, will soon be harvested to its maximum and provide Guyana with a growing industry.

$300M budgeted for Jubilee celebrations

he sum of $300M has been budgeted for Guyana’s 50th independence celebrations, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan announced during the reading of the 2016 National Budget in the National Assembly. Minister Jordan noted that President David Granger has asked that all members of the National Assembly “open avenues of cooperation and agreement so that we can join hearts and hands for the common good.” Guyanese were urged to reminisce on all that Guyana has achieved over the past 50 years as an independent country. “We

call on all Guyanese to reflect on the journey of the past 50 years, taking into account the people and experiences that have shaped our history and the lessons learnt, while mindful of the opportunities we have missed,” the Minister said. In addition, Minister Jordan noted that during the reflections, the tools must be in place for young people to continue growing. “This is a time of reflection and celebration, even as we provide inspiration and tools for our young people to dream bigger and reach higher over the next 50 years,” Minister Jordan explained.

Hinterland Highlights

National water coverage to increase - hinterland by five percent

esidents on the coast and hinterland can expect a three and five percent increase in water coverage respectively. These are expected outcomes of government’s 2016 investment in the water sector. Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Dawn Hastings-Williams, during the 2016 Budget debate explained that government expects those outcomes from the $4 B it has allocated to the water sector, as well as the achievement of a five percent reduction in non-revenue water. The construction of six new potable water wells, three new water treatment plants, installation of 5,000 new water connections and 25 kilometres of transmission and distribution mains are targeted for 2016. According to Minister Hastings-Williams, more than 128,000 people will benefit directly from interventions made under

the Coastal Water Programme. This programme has been allocated $585M to complete the construction of wells, water treatment plants and distribution mains at Esau and Jacob, Port Mourant, Eccles, and Timehri among other locations. Interventions under this programme also include other civil works such as the installation of a water supply system and distribution network at Yarrowkabra and Waikabra and the rehabilitation and upgrading of Cotton Tree and Bartica water treatment plants among others. Meanwhile, more than 14,000 citizens will benefit from interventions expected to be executed under the Hinterland Water Supply programme, Minister Hastings-Williams explained. This year, approximately $195M will be expended and the administration will be targeting the completion and upgrading of water supply systems at Mahdia, Port

Kaituma, Mabaruma and Paramakatoi. In Linden, the administration will be focusing on completing the interconnection at MacKenzie Bridge Crossing and mains on East and West Bank of Linden, the completion of construction of treatment plants at Wisroc and Amelia’s Ward and the reduction of non-revenue water among others. The Minister said that the sum of $229M, targeted to be spent on these interventions, is expected to directly benefit 27,200 residents in Region Ten. In Georgetown, more than 135,000 residents will

A hinterland water system benefit from the $226M to initiatives, another area of be spent on completing the critical concern to be addistribution and transmis- dressed this year will be the sion mains, and well and reduction of non-revenue storage reservoirs at Al- water, which is essential for bouystown, West La Peni- the company to break even, tence, and Meadow Bank the Minister explained. among other areas. The National Water Approximately $2B Council, along with the will be expended for the National Water Agency, the commencement of construc- operational arm of the countion of new water treatment cil, will be resuscitated. Toplants at Uitvlugt, Diamond gether, these two initiatives and Sheet Anchor, to benefit will seek to provide policy more than 31,500 people. level advice to the MinisMinister Hastings- try of Communities on all Williams noted that this is matters related to the manan overall investment per agement of Guyana’s water capita of more than $11,915 resources. per person. Key activities planned In tandem with these for 2016 also include a re-

view of the legal mandate for Integrated Water Resources Management, as well as establishing baseline hydrographic basin information for Regions 9 and 10. The Dakoura Creek Watershed Management Plan will serve as the first real pilot of the implementation of an Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for Guyana. This creek is the main source of water for the newly built treatment plant at Wisroc, Linden and due to the increase in mining, logging and farming activities; it is becoming more challenging to sustain the creek’s integrity.

GWI addresses water Region 8 youths being equipped with skills issues at Mabaruma Regional Hospital

new arrangement between the Regional Health Authority in Region 1 (Barima- Waini) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has resulted in 8,500 gallons of water being pumped daily from a special overhead tank to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital. The assistance by GWI was made after efforts to rectify the problem by the technical personnel on the ground were unsuccessful, Director of Regional Health Services of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Kay Shako explained. She said the hospital well stopped working on December 15, 2015. The pump was discharging sediments which caused the water to become contaminated. The hospital reservoir, which can accommodate approximately 54,000 gallons of water, was not full at the time of the breakdown

Dr. Kay Shako and the purchase of water for the doctors’ quarters’ commenced on December 18, 2015. According to Dr. Shako, the purchase of water for the entire hospital complex, which included hospital and staff quarters, commenced on December 19, 2015. In the meantime, the hospital’s reservoir was washed and prepared for refilling during the period of December 27 – December 28, 2015. The private arrangement for the purchase and transport of water was discontinued as a result of the new arrangement with the GWI.

ver 100 Indigenous youths are benefitting from skills training through the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme. These youths hail from Paramakatoi, Mountain Foot, Bamboo Creek, Monkey Mountain, Tuseneng and Taruka. The students are being trained in areas such as tourism and hospitality, mechanical engineering, plumbing, garment construction, entrepreneurship, event planning and bookkeeping, cake decoration, and agriculture. The HEYS project was launched in Paramakatoi, Region 8, by Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido- Lowe. During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), Minister Garrido-Lowe explained that the programme is being implemented successfully in those communities. “The children actually learned some skills already

because they produced clothing that can be worn, very decent clothing…They are happy, not only to learn a skill but also to earn money because we know that money hardly circulates in some of those areas,” Minister Garrido-Lowe explained. She posited that when these students complete their training, they can secure employment within their community; hence the communities must identify their needs before registering the youths. In addition to the skills training, students are undertaking classes in remedial Mathematics and English where they have the opportunity to interact with each other while learning. “We will be pushing eco -tourism and agriculture and these two subjects will come in very handy, because from the eco-tourism will spring a tour guide company then you have some doing catering service, and we will need desk operators,” Minister Garrido-Lowe added. In terms of the skills

Two young ladies registering for the programme training programme, the Information and CommuMinister said she has been nication Technology (ICT) in discussion with the Insti- reaching the villages so the tute of Applied Science and residents can readily market Technology (IAST), to de- some of these products. termine what possible supThe HEYS programme port they can provide in the targets 3000 indigenous area of food processing and youths in 100 villages. packaging as the intention is Minister Garrido - Lowe to pursue this aspect. explained that it will be Paramakatoi, for in- launched in the remaining stance, grows a lot of organ- communities shortly. ic food and the freight cost The Indigenous Peofrom that area to George- ples’ Affairs Ministry will town is very costly. collaborate with the village The Ministry also took councils to supervise the a lapidary expert (a per- training. The students will sons who cuts, polishes or receive a stipend of $30,000 engraves gems) to Monkey to fulfill their basic needs, Mountain to assist in the and at the end of the traincrafting of jewellery from ing, they will either be emsemi-precious stones. The ployed or will be assisted to Minister said that she was create a business. also looking forward to

Hinterland Highlights

First tax concession ‘hearing’ with miners held activity to continue on a fortnightly basis

he Ministry of Natural Resources in collaboration with the Tax Concession Review Committee (TCRC) started its first series of hearings for applicants for duty-free concessions in the mining sector. Ten miners appeared before the Committee, which comprises Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman, Technical Officer-Mining, Euliene Watson and two staffers of the Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GGMC). During the meeting, the miners were given the opportunity to present their

cases for the concessions, even as they answered questions about their operations. At the close of the reviews, they were assured that a decision would be taken and communicated to them within ten days. The Ministry’s directive to establish the Tax Concession Review Committee was prompted by complaints by miners about sloth, and allegations of impropriety in the process for the approval of the concession. According to Minister Trotman, Government was also concerned that in some instances, the privi-

lege of tax waivers it extended was not always respected by miners. To this end, he informed the miners that in considering the granting or refusal of the tax concession, much deliberation would be given to areas such as the amount of gold and diamond declared, health and welfare practices, mine construction and safety record, and environmental management, including land reclamation. On its assumption to office in May 2015, the new Government, through the Minister of Finance, partnered with the Guyana Gold & Diamond Miners Asso-

PM extends olive branch to PPP

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

rime Minister and First Vice President Moses Nagamootoo, continues to call for unity talks with the political opposition, in an effort to achieve a more unified National Assembly. The Prime Minister, who is also leader of the House, is spearheading the unity talks’ initiative. The administration believes the National Assembly should be one where there is less confrontation, less arguments, and less expressions of animosity, hence this olive branch extension to the opposition. During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), the

Prime Minister explained that it is envisaged that both the government and opposition benches will work in harmony for the greater good of Guyana and its peoples in 2016. Therefore, he has reissued his call to the political opposition. “Come on board, let us talk, let us make 2016 the year when we put aside our squabbles, when we stop ‘cussing’ each other, and this bickering must stop. I want to say that I will not spare any effort in pursing this goal, whether they ‘cuss’ me up today, and they reject me today, I believe that it is unsustainable to do so forever.” The Prime Minister has advised that the wave of the future for Guyana is one of national unity and one where the nation embraces itself in oneness. “For me there is no such thing as an opposition in a House. We are all partners, and the old concept of our old majesty’s loyal opposition does not work anymore. We are all nationalists, we are all driven

by one agenda, the love of our country, the love of our people, the love of our environment to see that we have a productive and healthy environment, and that we could all be proud,” the Prime Minister said. He stated that the olive branch which was extended to the PPP, a party which he was associated with for 50 years, is not an idle offer, and it should not be brushed aside. “… if you take that path that Guyana’s future can be realised by confrontation, then you are inviting others who have their eyes on our country to exploit our division, and it has always been said that division in the face of an enemy is always a poor strategy. It is not even a strategy, it is a blunder, a mistake of monumental proportion,” he stated. The Prime Minister also called on Guyanese to recognise that in harmony and unity, national development can be achieved at a faster rate, and urged that they make a solemn undertaking to put their country’s image first.

Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman and some members of the Tax Concession Review Committee ciation (GGDMA) to comFrom this arrangement, (GRA). pile a list of mining equip- the Minister of Natural ReThe Ministry of Natument and spares that would sources is required to rec- ral Resources will continue qualify for tax concessions; ommend the names of the to meet with miners applywhile establishing a mecha- miners who would be granting for tax waivers every nism for consideration and ed the concessions to the fortnight. approval to be given. Guyana Revenue Authority

Ituni, Kwakwani loggers to benefit from new market, fee waiver

mall loggers in the Ituni and Kwakwani, riverain bauxite mining and forestry communities in Region Ten will soon benefit from new markets to supply wallaba poles. Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson informed residents and small loggers of Kwakwani that the chairman of the Jamaican Electricity Corporation is currently in Guyana and is looking to source wallaba poles. “I will notify him that there is a community here with wallaba poles,” Minister Patterson explained. At the time, Minister Patterson who was accompanied by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, and Permanent Secretary of the Natural Resources Ministry, Joslyn Mc Kenzie and team were on an outreach to the Ituni and Kwakwani communities. This new market has a demand for 30, 40, and 50- foot wallaba poles to be utilised by the Jamaican

A section of residents gathered to express their concerns in the Ituni Community Centre Electricity Coporation. do not expect illegal logAdditionally, Minister ging or to have to waive Trotman informed small fees for the same persons loggers that after an assess- next year,” Minister Trotment is completed, they man emphasised. will be given at least 50% “In 2016 we are not waiver of penalties on wood looking backwards at who and fees owing on logging did what wrong, we are concessions which they looking forward, so if we have been unable to pay due are going to say you get to the unavailability of mar- your release, you get your kets for their produce. freedom, you get a new “ With every bit of re- start, we expect you on the sponsibility comes an ex- other hand to abide by the change so as we do the road laws of Guyana,” Minister we expect you to care it, if Trotman emphasised. we waive fees this year, we

reduced, even with lowered fuel prices. “What we have done, the fuel subventions have remained the same level and what that has done is move it from eight to 14 hours a day for Mabaruma, Mah-

dia,” Minister Patterson explained. The Minister pointed out that the reason for not reducing the subventions is to ensure that the generators can run for longer periods. Minister Patterson also confirmed that the pro-

Six more hours of electricity daily for Mabaruma and Mazaruni

esidents of Mabaruma, Region One and Mazaruni, Region Seven will now benefit from 14 hours per day electricity through the Hinterland Electrification Programme. The disclosure was made

by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson after he was questioned by opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Ganga Persaud about the provision of 24 hours electricity for the said areas.

Minister Patterson, during the recently concluded 2016 budget estimates noted that even though the programme will not provide 24 hours of power, the subvention each of the two areas receives has not been

gramme caters for Amerindian villages in Regions Four, Five and Six. The Hinterland Electrification Programme was awarded $110.9M and will benefit over 135 Amerindian villages.

Hinterland Highlights

Mining firms urged to clean up their camps - as efforts against Zika heighten

iners and owners of mining camps within Guyana’s mining districts have been urged to clean up their camps and ensure that they are sprayed to prevent any cases of Zika. This call was issued by Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman. “We are also calling on mining companies, large and small, to play their

inister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman has mandated the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Closed Areas Committee (CAC) to urgently release higher yielding lands to small miners. The Minister told stakeholders of this development as he was addressing the inaugural Small Miners’ Conference held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. The conference, organised by the Ministry in collaboration with the GGMC, provided a forum for small miners to talk to officials about the challenges stymieing their ability to ply their trade, with a view to crafting policies and legislation that will address them holistically. Minister Trotman noted that mining has been in the spotlight lately for all the wrong reasons and the forum was aimed at remedying the most pressing problems. “It is for these reasons that the Government of Guyana is committed to working closely with all stakeholders in the mining sector to ensure that its continued contribution to the local economy is sustained. In this regard, the Government intends to fulfil its mandate in ensuring

part in ensuring that their mining camps are sprayed and particularly the larger mining companies to take care of their camps and contiguous communities, and mining camps that are nearby,” the Minister stated. “We are not acting alone,” Minister Trotman advised as he pointed out that a collaborative effort is being employed in

monitoring the Zika virus. The Ministry of Natural Resources convened a meeting with all heads of agencies during which emphasis was placed on monitoring the hinterland communities. “We are working with the Ministry of Public Health to ensure that we play our part as well…there is a shortage of vehicles for example in Region One, so

that miners - small, medium and large scale, can ply their trade to maintain their livelihoods and secure their fair share of Guyana’s national patrimony,” he said. To this end, the Minister said that he has mandated the GGMC Board and the CAC to urgently release lands with known occurrences of minerals and accessibility to small scale miners in each of the six mining districts. “The new administration is cognisant that many persons can acquire lands that are without any minerals or with occurrences too low to ensure viability. We are also aware of the significant amount of lands abandoned by medium-scale miners alone over the last year, for one reason or another; these lands are ideal for small-scale miners who are more likely to bear fruitful prospects. I, therefore, want to ensure that access to these lands is given to genuine small-scale miners who can … make effective use of [it] and more importantly, that this process be completed within three months,” Minister Trotman said. Additionally, it is expected that with the transparent and equitable distribution of lands, the agency will also be required to pro-

vide infrastructural development, make mineral data available to the miners, provide technical support in recovery methods, provide support to ensure mine safety and occupational health, establish demonstration sites to train miners in best practices, provide geotechnical services and resolutions to land tenure disputes within the areas allocated. “In the past, miners were primarily male, but this is now changing. Today we can find many women actively engaged in mining activities. In the past, the pork-knocker, as the itinerant miner was called, has been the pioneer to most major mineral finds. However, he has not had access to land and resources to develop the finds on a fair and transparent basis. In fact, whenever a significant find is made, the land was generally taken away and given to persons with resources to develop the mineral potential, and the porkknocker would then have to begin the cycle all over again,” the Minister said. In this vein, he commended the miners who make their declarations at the Guyana Gold Board, noting that while several large-scale mining companies came to Guyana last

year, it was the small and medium- scale miners who accounted for approximately 411,000 ounces of the 451, 490 that was recorded.

ica Exploration Director, Mikel Erquiaga explained that the company has to drill a well, but had been delayed by several stumbling blocks, including its legal battle with CGX Energy Incorporated in 2012

over exploration activities in the Georgetown Block. This matter was resolved in 2014. REPSOL needs an extension to complete the necessary preparatory work for drilling to begin. “We want

a short extension in order to continue working in the Block and eventually drill a well,” Mr. Erquiaga said. REPSOL, which is based in Spain, is one of the first oil companies to discover oil in Guyana.

we will be providing a vehicle to the Ministry of Public Health to move around.” Minister Trotman also reported that, “in some in-

stances we have fogging machines to be used in some mining districts, as old mined out areas are breeding grounds for mosquitoes.” The Minister explained that all areas are being monitored as all actions taken by Guyana at this stage are consistent with international or regional standards and that include the chemicals used and

Small miners to benefit from higher yielding lands

Occupational Health and Safety Meanwhile, Minister Trotman said the Administration remains concerned about key occupational, health and safety issues, including the incidence of mining pit cave-ins. “Last year alone, mining pit accidents resulted in a number of fatalities, the worst occurring at Mowasie, Region Eight, which claimed the lives of 11 miners. The Government of Guyana will not condone haphazard mining practices that put people’s lives at risk. One life is one too many, negligence is like suicide. Minister, the Honourable Simona Broomes has been tasked with the specific responsibilities: to oversee aspects of the occupational health, safety and protection of the rights of miners, workers and practitioners within the mining and forestry sectors; to ensure compliance by mining workers and practitioners, of the laws and regulations within the mining and forestry sectors,” he said. Mining safety and

environmental sustainability will, therefore, be a high priority for the regulatory agencies and the Ministry, Mr. Trotman said. “The Mining Industry therefore needs to adhere to proper mining practices, which must be based on knowledge of what is in the ground. Systematic exploration allows us to determine the quantity of minerals available for exploitation and gives us a good idea as to what level of investment will allow us to make a profit after mining and reclamation work is done. This must become the standard by which the industry operates,” the Minister said. Diversification Minister Trotman also encouraged the miners to explore for other less known minerals and stones, particularly now that gold prices have dropped on the world market. Some of the issues which were raised by the miners included land titling, tax concessions, landlordism and the sloth of GGMC in dealing with issues under its purview. The Minister assured the miners that a collective and swift approach will be taken in addressing the issues raised to bring relief.

the manner of dispersion. The Zika virus infection is caused by the bite of an infected Aedes Egypti mosquito. The most common symptoms of Zika virus infection are mild fever and skin rash, usually accompanied by conjunctivitis, muscle or joint pain, and general malaise that begins two to seven days after the bite of an infected mosquito.

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, addressing the Conference Among those present at the Conference were Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ms. Simona Broomes, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, incoming Chairman of the GGMC, Mr. Stanley Ming, acting Commissioner of the Newell Dennison, Commander of the Guyana Police Force’s ‘F’ Division, Ravindranauth Budhram, former President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’Association (GGDMA) Mr. Patrick Harding, representatives from the Ministry of Social Protection, the GGMC and the Guyana Gold Board (GGB).

REPSOL seeking extension to continue work at Kanuku Block

fficials from global energy company REPSOL, recently met with President David Granger to seek an extension to continue exploratory work in the Kanuku Block. REPSOL’s Latin Amer-

President David Granger and Minister Raphael Trotman with REPSOL officials

Hinterland Highlights

Improved quality of life promised to Kwakwani and Ituni residents Residents of Ituni and Kwakwani, Region 10 declared that their villages will turn around for the better as a number of interventions are being made which would improve their lives and livelihoods. Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman and Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson visited both communities and addressed concerns of residents.

no running water from the tap for the past 30 years; the need for assistance with transportation so that children could get to Linden for secondary schooling; the absence of a Neighbourhood Democratic Council and a Community Development Council to provide leadership; the lack of an ambulance to transport patients; the sanitary blocks for the primary school in an appalling condition; government buildings poorly staffed; the

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman interacting with a staff of the Kwakwani Forestry Station, where he gave an undertaking to have the office fully air-conditioned, providing comfort to workers Approximately $100M need for a resident doctor; has been earmarked to ex- the need to have house lots ecute critical maintenance allocated to residents of the work to the Linden- Ituni/ area; lack of job opportuniKwakwani corridor. Efforts ties; the acceptance of new are also underway to finalise members into the small loga loan with the Inter-Amer- gers association and; the ican Development Bank grant of shotgun licenses to which would see the road farmers. network being paved. Minister Trotman apolAdditionally, the edu- ogised to residents for the cation, health and agricul- undignified life they have ture allocations will further had to endure, as a result of see development in those the last government not payareas. ing attention to their needs. “Now that we are in Ituni meeting government, I sincerely At the meeting held in apologise. I’m sorry. The Ituni, residents raised many concerns raised says you deof their concerns including; serve better…government

is duty bound to provide a dignified life which you ask for…we are sorry for what you have been through,” Trotman told the residents adding, “As a new government we will bring you the relief you deserve and do our best for you.” The Natural Resources and the Environment Minister, who is also responsible for the Forestry sector, committed his ministry to providing more access to viable species for loggers. Residents who are loggers with concessions will received at least a 50% waiver of penalties and fees after an assessment is completed. “This will come with responsibility…care the road you will get, be responsible when you log, do away with illegal logging…this is the new start and fresh approach as it is our country’s Jubilee which says it is a release from bondage…don’t look back but look forward to what can be done,” Minister Trotman emphasised. Minister Patterson indicated that before the end of 2018 work will be done to deliver an all-weather road as US$5M will be used from a US$63M IDB loan, while simultaneously, an assessment into renewable means of providing electricity carried out. He added that his administration will be placing more emphasis on the development of communities in the hinterland. “However, when you are given substandard work object to it since that is your right as taxpayers,” the Minister explained. Patterson noted that

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman inspect the unacceptable sanitary block in the compound of the Ituni Primary school

A resident of Kwakwani raising an issue at the meeting with Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman the law directs for 20% of community. Residents were inall contracts to be given A Board of Directors formed that the Minister to small contractors hence drawn from the community of Social Protection will the need for the villagers would be installed to man- meet with workers to disto organise themselves so age the Kwakwani Electric- cuss the RUSAL matter and they can bid for projects ity Company which will be that Prime Minister Moses which would will bring given back to government Nagamoottoo is working to employment directly to the from RUSAL on March 1, deliver full television stacommunity. 2016. tions to the entire Region Kwakwani meeting At the meeting held at the Kwakwani Workers’ Club the concerns raised by residents were: having a stable price for wood and the possibility of being awarded government contracts; lack of a logging representative on the Board of Directors for Forestry; a lack of communication with Georgetown as only one television station could be seen and this was not a local station; the state of the road causes dust pollution and it is unsafe for children; clogged drains; lack of hospital facilities and the need to have health care services such as x-ray; the need for street lights; the need for proper drainage and irrigation; transportation assistance for children to get to school in Linden and furniture for the schools in the area; the need for a labour union office to represent the rights of RUSAL workers; the need to have a Berbice River ferry as this would provide another transport system for logs; the need for a domestic centre for young girls and; concession for small loggers. Minister Patterson committed to ensuring that there is a blend for the supply of materials to maintain the Intuni/Kwakwani road which will see some materials being taken from the

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, pays keen attention to residents of Region 10 Small loggers in the area will also benefit from access to a new market which will absorb 30 to 50 feet of wallaba poles. Additional commitments were given to residents by Minister Patterson. These include; an investigation into the operations of the barge by the Maritime Administration; the establishment of the resource centre; a Berbice river ferry and the feasibility of road tolls will be examined. Residents were also urged to consider having a sawmill as a community project which will add value to their wood. Minister Trotman reassured residents that the Forestry Commission has been mandated to review all penalties owed with a view to applying waivers and extensions to those in default.

10 which will keep residents updated and informed on what is happening in Georgetown. Minister Trotman further committed to delivering within two weeks, 10 streetlights funded personally which will be handed over to the village and the residents would decide where to install them. “This is jubilee year… we will be working to ensure that you live a much improved life…the works will commence this year to refurbish the worker’s club building …we will be looking to ensure the loggers association supply lumber and lesser used species and President David Granger will be notified of the need for transportation assistance for school children” Minister Trotman told the residents.

ollowing five days of questions and answers that were preceded by five days of presentations that formed the national budget debate, the National Assembly at 02:31 hours on Republic Day passed the 2016 National Budget.

$230B Budget passed Finance Minister Winston Jordan rose to report to the Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland that the estimates of expenditures for the year 2016 were approved as printed. The $230 billion estimates include the sum of over $17B

statutory allocations. With quite a few unoccupied seats in the Opposition side of the House, the Appropriation Bill #1 of 2016 was passed clearing the way for the government to get on with its developmental programmes.

Unlike last year when the examination of the estimates was concluded in three days, the estimates for 2016 were examined over a period of five days which started on February 15 and saw the House taking a three -day break

with interest in enrolling in institutions of higher learning. There is also support for the Bina Hill Institute and the procurement of buses for the transportation of school children. The President’s Three Bs’ (Boats, Buses and Bicycles) initiative will be expanded in 2016 to include books and breakfast. Further, to ensure children are adequately outfitted for school, 28,000 pairs of footwear will be distributed in the first quarter of this year,

ing Programme. This year’s programme has been increased to $1.9 billion to cater for a hot meal to be given to over 7,000 additional hinterland students. New schools will be constructed at Tabatinga, Pai Pang and Baishainidrun and Akawini while numerous others are to be repaired and living quarters built and or repaired. Solar systems will be provided as well. Further, additional satellite centres in Kwakwani, Kamarang, Moraikobai

tises the construction of four mini-hydro power stations at Kamaira, Kumu, Tumatumari and Tiger Hill. Government has also invited expressions of interest from firms for the rehabilitation and operation of the Moco Moco hydropower, under a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement, to supply power to the Lethem Power Company Inc. The Tumatumari Hydropower Scheme is also being re-developed by a private company, Tumatumari Hydropower Inc. (THI). The company is seeking to supply Mahdia with electricity through a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Mahdia Power and Light Inc. The Government is currently in discussions with THI for the completion of a hydropower development so that consumers at Mahdia can enjoy the lowest possible electricity rates. Meanwhile, during the year, the electricity systems in St. Cuthbert’s Mission, in Region 4; Orealla and Siparuta, in Region 6; and Culvert City, in Region 9, will be extended.

February 22, 2016. During the five days that the Committee of Supply went through the estimates, the Government was called on to provide details for each line of expenditure. In most instances the answers provided were satisfactory.

Hinterland Highlights

In a few cases, the Government agreed to provide the answers in a few days or the very next day. The budget was presented under the theme ‘Stimulating growth, Restoring confidence: the good life beckons’.

Budget 2016 caters for Indigenous Development

ajor developments are expected in Guyana’s hinterland regions, as significant sums of money have been approved in the 2016 National Budget. These developments will see jobs being created, hope restored and village economies improved. Plan of Action for Hinterland Development Budget 2016 provides $4billion, in support of a Plan of Action for Hinter-

The Kato Secondary School complex at Region Eight is to be completed land Development, with in excess of $280 million allocated to promote economic prosperity, tourism development and preserving cultural identity. The allocation also provides for grants for 211 Indigenous communities that will build village economies and fund eco-tourism projects specifically for the country’s 50th Independence celebration. It also includes support to women’s groups, the construction of community centres and the procurement of musical instruments, sports gear and sewing machines. Education Budget 2016 makes provision for the design of a new dormitory at Liliendaal, to accommodate students

primarily within the hinterland and riverain areas. Additionally, nearly $1 billion has been budgeted for the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) project. In 2016, the project will provide training for more than 1,000 hinterland youths in areas such as garment construction, carpentry, joinery and entrepreneurship. Education assistance for hinterland students will be fortified with the provision of school uniforms for over 30,000 school children at a cost of over $89 million. Over 450 hinterland students will benefit from the Hinterland Scholarship Programme. In 2015, a sum of $1.3 billion was expended on the National School Feed-

and Charity will be established to increase the number of trained teachers in the hinterland and riverain areas. Further, in an effort to ensure access to quality education in the hinterland, over $80 million has been allocated for the provision of adequate accommodation for hinterland teachers. A sum of $4.3 billion has been allocated to continue infrastructure construction, rehabilitation and repairs. Included in this programme is the completion of Kato Secondary complex, which is intended to ease the overcrowding at Paramakatoi and provide full secondary education for many students in primary tops. Electrification Budget 2016 priori-

Agriculture Budget 2016 provides

Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, First Lady Sandra Granger, and other government officials stand among the students as they proudly display their bicycles received under the President’s Three Bs programme. in excess of $598 mil- through the development of lion to enhance diversified a milk pasteurisation plant. agriculture in the hinterAdditionally, plans are land, riverain communities underway for the developand the Intermediate and ment of 4,000 acres of state Rupununi savannahs. lands, situated in Region 9, Research, training and for the purpose of constructextension facilities are to ing an agriculture station. be established in such lo- This station will serve as cations as Ebini, Hosororo, a pilot for the sustainable Manari and Bina Hill to harvesting of surface wapromote sustainable food ter for agriculture in this production systems that region. The land will be can help maintain the eco- utilised for rearing of catsystem and strengthen the tle and small ruminants; capacity for adaptation to for aquaculture; and plantclimate change, drought, ing of rice and vegetables. flooding and other disasters. The development of Roads a milk pasteurisation plant A total of $6.72 billion is also intended, to re-en- has been approved in Budgergise the cattle industry et 2016 for the improve-

Research, training and extension facilities are to be established in such locations as Bina Hill

Hinterland Highlights

Budget 2016 caters... ment of hinterland, rural and urban community roads in Bartica, Mahdia, Ituni/ Kwakwani, Puruni/Itaballi, Mabaruma and Port Kaituma/Baramita among others. In collaboration with the Inter-American De-

two,

semi-new vessels. To complement spending on the new fleet of ferries, emphasis will be placed on navigational aids and improving stellings and wharves. To this end, the Government has started

2015 undertook to prepare a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD) in all of the administrative regions. In 2015, significant advancement was made in the completion of the pilot draft PARD for Region 10,

Bartica Stelling, which is to be rehabilitated velopment Bank (IDB,) the Government has also proposed to commence activities to facilitate the complete rehabilitation of the 47 year old Soesdyke/Linden Highway. In the meanwhile, critical works will be undertaken to preserve its upkeep. Concurrently, maintenance works will be undertaken on the Linden/ Kwakwani corridor. An alternative link to Bartica and other hinterland communities would also be created. River Transport To vastly improve river connections between

preparations to access the UK–Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (CIF), to upgrade and reconstruct several facilities in Georgetown, Parika, Port Kaituma, Kumaka and Bartica, among other areas. Meanwhile, an amount of $1.3 billion is budgeted for works to commence on the rehabilitation of the Bartica stelling. Airstrips Earmarked in Budget 2016 is over $2 billion, for hinterland airstrips and aerodromes’ improvement. Alongside, Government will also be pursu-

which outlines a development agenda over the next 10 years. In 2016, this process will be replicated in two additional administrative regions drawn from the coastland and hinterland. Water Budget 2016 provides for approximately $195 million to be expended, on improving Hinterland water supply, this year. This sum provides for the completion and upgrading of water supply systems at Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma and Paramakatoi. Upon completion, these in-

Remains of the historic Tumatumari Hydro plant. The plant is being redeveloped by a private company this project, 12 communities tablishment and upgrading hinterland regions which in Regions 1 and 9 will ben- of critical infrastructure. will enable access to qualefit from the delivery of Full ity ICT training and House Replacement SubHealth e-services. These services sidy. Four (4) communities Budget 2016 supports include distance learnin Region 1 - Whitewater, preparatory works to begin ing, with particular foKamwatta, Haimakabra and on the modernisation of pri- cus on vulnerable groups. Sebai, and eight in Region mary health care facilities 9 – Katoka, Kwatamang, including at Bartica, and Two more radio stations

The Port Kaituma Hospital is to be completed Massarra, Karaudarnawau, Haiowa, Karasabai, Potarinau and Sand Creek).

Suddie. Money has been catered for the completion of the Port Kaituma Hospital.

New towns Budget 2016 has earmarked approximately $4.2 billion to assist in developing the four communities identified to be upgraded to township, namely Mabaruma, Bartica, Mahdia and Lethem. This investment will realise the decentralisation of key Government systems into these communities, as well as provide for the es-

ICT in hinterland Budget 2016 also supports the hinterland’s, Poor and Remote Communities project and this programme will benefit from about $3.1Billion from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Access and EServices. This will provide infrastructure, equipment, hardware and software to

The provision to the National Communications Network has been increased to cater for the establishment of two new communication stations at Lethem and Mabaruma. The intent is to extend the frequency of national radio and television to target persons in far flung areas. New stations will help to promote Indigenous languages, culture and way of life while bridging the divide between the coast and the hinterland.

A hinterland airstrip. Several airstrips are to be upgraded or rehabilitated the coast and riverain areas and remote regions, the ageing fleet of vessels must be replaced. In this regard, the Government expects to conclude arrangements, soon, with the Government of India, for financing to procure new river transport vessels. In addition, private financing is being explored for the purchase of at least

ing financing, to upgrade hinterland airstrips at Eteringbang, Annai, Paramakatoi, Kurupung, Kato, Kopinang and Monkey Mountain among others. Sustainable Communities In keeping with the philosophy that strong regions will lead to a strong nation, the administration in

terventions will benefit in excess of 14,000 residents. Housing Government will spend over $644 million, to expand the Hinterland Housing Project, this year. This project will be financed through an USD$3.1M loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. Under

The Linden-Soesdyke Highway, targeted for interventions

Hinterland Highlights

Village spotlight - St. Cuthbert’s Mission

Bathing in the river at St. Cuthbert’s Mission

A benab in St. Cuthbert’s Mission

t. Cuthbert’s Mission or Pakuri was formally established on March 21, 1889 by British Missionaries of the Anglican Church. Prior to being officially recognised as an Indigenous community, Arawaks had lived along the Mahoca, Mahoca-kani and Abaro area for what is estimated

at over five thousand years. Mahaica is derived from the Arawak word given to a specific plant that stains the river a dark colour. Kani means like in Arawak and thus Mahocakani became Mahaicony. St. Cuthbert’s Mission is the third largest indigenous community in Guyana, accounting for 242 square

A resident of St. Cuthbert’s Mission using a matapee miles in area. Geographi- erned by Chieftaincy becally, it is larger than many fore it became a demoisland nations. It is found cratically elected council. 65 miles up the Mahaica The main source of River to the main landing. income is logging, but The population is some people are engaged roughly 1500 and well in small scale farming, over 99% are of Arawak and some are working in origin. Up until the early various parts of Guyana 1970s, it was always gov- in mining, and forestry.

Having been chosen as the Heritage Village for 2016, it will be the second time in history having this honour. St Cuthbert’s has always been the first village where Amerindian Heritage was formally celebrated on a larger than community scale. The village has made a standing petition to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’

Affairs and Parliament to revert to their traditional name, Pakuri, and a formal request for their land to be titled. Pakuri - St. Cuthbert’s Mission, will be celebrating its 137th anniversary this year on March 19 and 20 even though it is significantly older than that. It will mark the first indigenous community to do so.

Region One students get bicycles, shoes and books to boost access to education

hirty students (30) of Region One (Barima-Waini) received bicycles, while more than 500 received shoes and other school gear, under President David Granger’s ‘Boats, Buses and Bicycles’ (‘Three Bs’) initiative aimed at ensuring that all school age children are able to attend school. Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger presented the bicycles to students of the North West Secondary School.

The bicycles were donated by an Essequibo resident. Meanwhile, students from the Mabaruma, Hosororo and Barabina Primary Schools and the Koberimo Annex, along with children in the surrounding areas of Wainaina, Coomacka and Mabaruma Settlement, received shoes, books and clothing. Additionally, in fulfilling a promise, which was made to the residents of Wainaina late last year, Minister Ally handed over a brush-cutter to the

This shy First Former of the North West Secondary School holds on to her new bicycle as First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, places a comforting hand on her shoulder

Students of the Barabina Hill Primary School display their new shoes residents to assist them that it must serve to strengthin ensuring that their sur- en their resolve and drive roundings are well kept. to pursue their education. The Three Bs initiative “This is to ensure that started in July 2015 when children get to school, that President David Granger you don’t get to school celebrated his 70th birthday tired, that you can access an and made a call for support education because Guyana for the initiative that aims needs educated, enlightto ensure that transportation ened persons to take it foris provided so that children ward,” Mrs. Granger said. can get to school safely and Meanwhile, Regional comfortably. Since then, Chairman, Mr. Brentnol there has been a tremen- Ashley, thanked the Govdous national response, ernment on behalf of the with private citizens and region, noting that educabusinesses donating buses, tion is indeed the key to deboats and engines and bi- velopment and that the gescycles to the programme. ture will help to ensure that First Lady, Mrs. Sandra the students can perform Granger, in brief comments, to the best of their ability. charged the students to take Meanwhile, the shoes, care of the bicycles, noting which were donated under

Students of the Mabaruma Primary School who received shoes. the ‘Rethink Initiative – it is expandable. The shoes Kind Soles Project’ started are estimated to be able to by Mr. Ernie Ross, Guyana’s fit each child for a period Honorary Consul in Trini- of about four to five years. dad and Tobago, in support To date, five boats, of the President’s efforts to a number of bicycles ensure that all children are and hundreds of pairs of able to attend school, were shoes have been handed given to more than 500 stu- over to school children dents, many of whom had in several communities been going to school bare across the country. Buses feet or wearing slippers. were also commissioned. This is the second colRecently, twenty-one lection of shoes that has students of Bartica, Region been distributed, from an ex- Seven received bicycles pected total of 30,000 pairs from the Government. Two that will be given to students boats and a 30-seater bus are over the coming months. also expected to be added to The shoes, referred to this complement before the as “the shoes that grow” are end of the year, to provide specially designed to en- transportation assistance to sure that they can still fit the the children of the Region. children as they age, since

Hinterland Highlights

Public Security Ministry launches US$15M crime fighting project

he US$15M Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), a project that will target the reduction of crimes and violence in Guyana was launched by the Ministry of Public Security in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). This project aims at bringing crime and violence to a minimum, and will be executed under the theme “Building Capacities, Strengthening Security”. Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan at the programme’s launch at the Marriott Hotel, expressed his gratitude towards the IDB for its commitment towards aiding Guyana’s crime prevention efforts. He noted that the CSSP has come at an “opportune moment” that will certainly help bring a reduction to crime in Guyana. With crime on the rise over the last decade,

Minister Ramjattan recognises that it has become a major concern for everyone. He noted that there is a need for citizens to play their role in government’s crime fighting efforts. “While it is obligatory for government to address problems related to public security, in an effort to safeguard their rights and wellbeing of their citizens, the emerging trend in successful crime prevention show that governmentcitizen partnerships are most effective in tackling crime and violence,” explained Minister Ramjattan. One of the causes for the rapid rise in crimes over the years is linked to the fact that there is “low level of trust in law enforcement agencies,” Minister Ramjattan pointed out. However, he noted that it is improving. He stated that gov’t will continue to work with Non-Governmental Organi-

sations, community groups, international organisations and government ministries to help supplement the IDB-funded programme. He said the strength of combined efforts will tackle and help solve crime. IDB Representative,

to environmental management guidelines, adequate planning and procurement to avoid time delays. Singh also urged the contractor, to engage local workers and support local businesses. The contractor is responsible for the construction and furnishing of a single storey teaching block and external sanitary block which will include male and female bathrooms, with facilities for the disabled. Additionally, the contractor will provide benches, desks, teachers’ tables, and chairs and cupboards to adequately furnish the teaching block. The proposed structure will be linked to the existing one by a covered reinforced concrete

Basic Needs Trust Fund’s (BNTF) Project Manager, Michael Singh, the contractors and officials of the CDB walkway. The total sum of tion can increase to 150. gaged the services of E&A St Ninian’s Primathe contract is $31,727,325. The project’s duration Consultants Inc., to provide ry School, was initially With the construction of is six months and is sched- architectural and engineer- constructed in 1961 at the new block, it is pro- uled for completion on July ing services for design and Red Hill, Barima River. jected that student popula- 26, 2016. The CDB has en- construction supervision.

During the 2016 National Budget Debate, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe explained that the Ministry has been collaborating with the Education Ministry’s Department of Culture Youth and Sport to pro-

mote sport in communities, including in the schools. Last year, for the first time, the Ministry in collaboration with private sponsors supported three Indigenous swimmers to attend the Good Will Games in Trinidad. Swimming and ar-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan (4th from left) with IDB Representative Sophie Makonnen (4th from right) with other officials at launch of the crime fighting project Ms. Sophie Makonnen noted that the bank remains committed to providing financial and technical assistance to Guyana in the battle against crime. Specific objectives of the programme are: to improve behaviours for non-

violent conflict resolution in target communities, increase the Guyana Police Force’s effectiveness in crime prevention and crime investigation nationally, and improve the Guyana Prison Service’s effectiveness in reducing offenders’ recidi-

vism at the national level. The five-year Citizen Security Strengthening Programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Public Security Project Implementation Unit, and will be managed by the IDB through direct supervision.

St. Ninian’s Primary in Region One to be extended

ne hundred and eighteen (118) students and teachers of St. Ninian’s Primary school in Region One will benefit from a new teaching block within the next six months. The fully furnished block will be made possible through a grant agreement of US$154,768 from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This agreement was signed, at the Ministry of Finance. Basic Needs Trust Fund’s (BNTF) Project Manager Michael Singh signed on behalf of the Ministry. He advised the contractor, Builders Hardware and General Supplies to ensure that keen attention is paid to quality, adherence

Sport gear to be procured for hinterland communities

ndigenous youths from 11 communities in Regions One, Eight and Nine, are to benefit from sport gear. This will aid sport development in hinterland communities. The sum of $2.5M was allocated in the budget to support this venture.

chery were also introduced to the Indigenous Heritage Sports and this Jubilee year, Minister Garrido-Lowe said that the Ministry is looking forward to adding athletics to the games. In 2015, the Ministry collaborated with the Guyana Football Federation

(GFF) to promote football in Region Nine. Thus far, that region has benefitted from a Regional Football Conference that was held in Lethem at which four young men, representing the four districts in the region were chosen to become coaches. Among other sport dis-

ciplines, are football, volleyball and cricket, strong points among hinterland youths. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs is in the process of developing a plan which will see qualified Indigenous youths participating in sports nationally and internationally.

Hinterland Highlights

ExxonMobil likely to have growing presence in Guyana - President Granger

resident David Granger has expressed Government’s full support for the United States oil and gas giant, ExxonMobil, after the company reported that it will continue exploratory work in Guyana. The President made these comments following a meeting at the Ministry of the Presidency with President of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, Stephen Greenlee and other top executives. Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge also attended the meeting. President Granger said that ExxonMobil’s President provided him with an overview of the company’s operations in Guyana. “Exxon continues to be optimistic and positive. It is too soon to make pre-

s part of on-going efforts to improve the safety and sustainability of miners, a programme will launched to have them certified. Minister of Natural Resources Raphael Trotman said, that this move aims to improve the safety of those who earn a living through mining activities. The loss of lives by those in the mining sector is of major concern to the Coalition Government, he said. He recalled the mine

dictions. They are still in exploratory stages, but what I can say is, so far, the results have been very favourable,” the President said. Meanwhile, Greenlee said that with the expansion of the company’s operations in Guyana, it was necessary to provide an update to President Granger. He added that the company is likely to have a growing presence in Guyana in the coming months, and indicated that he is confident in their ability to bring value to the country. “I wanted to talk to the President about our progress on the (Stabroek) Block as we have gone out and acquired seismic data and are preparing for a second drilling campaign. We wanted to share with the President, our commitment to the project. We also wanted to update him on our future activities both on the discovery that

we made and future exploration. Finally, I wanted to talk to him about some of the work that is getting underway on our community programs and socioeconomic development opportunities,” Greenlee said. According to him, the company was especially happy with the discovery made in Guyana and as such it remains committed to advancing exploratory work here. “Last year, we made a discovery offshore Guyana and it is very promising… so we want to follow up with data collection, to understand the size and the commerciality of the discovery. We want to acquire new data so that we can fully assess the potential of the Block offshore Guyana for the value that it will bring to Guyana and ExxonMobil in the future,” he said. ExxonMobil began oil

Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; President David Granger and Stephen Greenlee, President of ExxonMobil and other officials following the meeting and gas exploration in Guy- water Champion had made vessel designed to conduct ana on March 5, 2015, drill- a significant oil find in the high resolution geophysical ing offshore in the Liza-1 Block, about 120 nauti- surveys and sea floor mapwell in the Stabroek Block. cal miles offshore Guyana. ping. This is expected to On May 20, the company Last month the com- continue until March 2016. announced that its explora- pany contracted the Fugro tion drill ship, the Deep- Americas, a multi-purpose

All miners to be certified

collapse which claimed the lives of 11 miners at Mowasie Creek. This incident which occurred soon after the Coalition Government took office raised serious concerns about the sector. Minister Trotman explained that the aim is to have the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) develop a mandatory training programme for those already involved, and for those entering the mining sector. All persons will be certified, according to

Minister Trotman. “Before they are allowed to mine, they will be trained in first aid, as first responders”. In nine out of 10 times where these mining pits collapse or accidents occur, the Minister noted that there is not any ambulance or medical facility nearby, “and so just the recovery of these persons could be the difference between life and death.” The aim of the Ministry is to make it mandatory for these persons to be certified in the maintenance and con-

struction of mining pits, the Minister added. “Of course in case of an accident which we hope there are few to none, that they (the miners) are trained in the recovery of the bodies or the person. At that time it is still a rescue and recovery operation, and stablising and transporting them to either a health hut or regional hospital.” Mining operators will also be given training in the financial aspects in managing mining operations. Minister Trotman said that too

often, miners borrow financing from banks or institutions such as the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) and are unable to repay their debts. “They will take an excavator and after four or five payments, they are unable to continue payments”. He emphasised that while some of difficulties were as a result of the downturn in mineral prices, many were as a result of poor financial management. A compliance unit is being set up to ensure min-

ers are certified, it was explained. The unit will operate in conjunction with the Inspectorate Division and assist all the agencies within the Ministry, the Minister said. “These include the Protected Areas, the Wildlife Division, and Forestry etc. This will be a ministerial function and they will go to check all areas.” The incoming Board of the GGMC will be mandated to make this certification training a priority before the end of 2016.

New drug procurement system to address shortages and wastage

rugs and medical supplies will be centrally procured and distributed to the respective regions in order to have a more efficient system with less wastage. The new system will also allow more bidders to tender. This was announced by Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton. The Minister, speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Public Health, Brickdam, explained that each region will be given an alloca-

tion for the procurement of drugs and medical supplies. However, an agreed sum will be sent back to the Ministry along with a list of needed drugs, which will then be pooled together and used for their procurement. “The allocations have been distributed across the regions as a first step in improving the programme budgeting of health costs at a regional level even as work is advancing on a costing exercise to determine the total costs of drugs expended in each re-

gion to address the disease profiles of the particular region…procedurally, the monies will be warranted back to the Ministry…, to facilitate centralised procurement and the benefits of economies of scale and requisite quality control,” Minister Norton explained. Further, he noted that, “the drug supply system is far from perfect and to date there has been no administration that has had a situation free from shortages of drugs and medical supplies in some parts of the country.”

In addition, the Public Health Ministry is working to create a more transparent procurement system which will allow individuals to bid on portions of the tenders since the supplies will be separated by lots and tendered as such. Over $280M worth of medication expired in 2014. The Ministry is determined to ensure this situation is not repeated. Hence, in December a large cross-section of medical suppliers benefited from a workshop which was held in light of efforts

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton addressing the press conference in the presence of CMO, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud by Government to have dures necessary for bidders, more transparency within for the supply of medical the procurement process. It drugs to the local system. entailed a session on the basic requirements and proce-

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US DEA office opens - aims to destroy crime networks

he coalition government has tangibly demonstrated the much canvassed hardline approach being taken to tackle the scourge of crime; corruption and all other related ills, as the United States’ Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) office was declared open on February 10. Prior to the opening, the US DEA agents were working closely with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) from its office in Trinidad and Tobago. However, after lengthy overtures were made over the years to have such an office set up, it was discovered that better support could be given to Guyana with the presence of a local office. Whilst the presence of a DEA office locally is expected to have a deterring effect, information will also be shared with local authorities on other areas such as gold smuggling

and money laundering. It is therefore expected that this will be used to disrupt and dismantle crime networks with the vast array of information that will now be available to local law enforcement agencies. Speaking at the opening of the office at the US Embassy in Kingston, Georgetown, US Ambassador Perry Holloway indicated that the private sector and the public have to both commit to helping the process for it to work as intended. He explained that the DEA agents that will be based locally do not have the authority to arrest, more so they will not be kicking down doors or dragging people into their cars. “They are here to advise and assist. Their primary focus is on cases with a US nexus that has something to do with a crime that is happening or will happen in the US…in the course of doing their work they may come across lots

of information that may not have a US nexus, but may speak to a crime going on locally and that information will be shared,” Ambassador Holloway explained. Ambassador Holloway informed media operatives that the US Embassy will be hosting future training sessions for them on how to report on narcotics issues and crimes since they are of a sensitive nature and police officers, judges and prosecutors cannot share critical information for cases being worked on. DEA is known globally for conducting investigative works on cases which involve financial crimes, smuggling, tax evasion and those that include drugs and weapons. Hence this move by the APNU+AFC administration will see agencies beyond CANU and the GPF being involved in the fight against corruption and crime. Minister of Public Secu-

A section of the high-profile gathering at the opening of the DEA office in Guyana at the US Embassy

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, US Ambassador Perry Holloway and DEA’s Matthew Donahue share a photographic moment after unveiling the DEA Emblem in the US Embassy rity Khemraj Ramjattan said trained, as well as Prison that the DEA will bring an having a local DEA office in officers will also be under- international perspective to Guyana will bolster and be taking training in Maryland, Guyana’s operations which an asset to the Guyana Po- so all parties can work in will serve as an opportunity lice Force, CANU and the unity of purpose, Minis- to demonstrate what can be Guyana Revenue Author- ter Ramjattan explained. accomplished with Guyana ity’s (GRA) enforcement The tightening of and the DEA working toand drug interdiction unit. measures, the passage of gether. “We don’t focus on He added that the the Anti-Money Laundering just a small time drug trafDEA’s presence in Guyana and Countering the Financ- ficker, but on an internawill also provide additional ing of Terrorism (amend- tional trafficker who is gobenefits in the form of train- ment) Bill along with the ing to be bringing the drugs ing programmes which will establishment of the local into the country and who reinforce the operation ca- DEA office, are measures is taking the drugs out… pacity of crime fighting in- put in place by the coalition We’re not just coming here stitutions and the judiciary. government to bring crime to support the police, we’re Speaking of training and corruption to an end. going to bring a lot of trainunder the Caribbean Basin DEA’s Regional Direc- ing and experience, historiSecurity Initiative (CBSI), tor, Matthew Donahue said cal knowledge, and people he stated, “Guyana now that the agency has offices who have been around the has the equipment at the in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Do- world and worked everypolice academy…we can minican Republic, Guyana, where,” Donahue explained. now have video conferenc- all the Islands and soon The DEA’s office will ing and teleconferencing for Cuba and the Bahamas. The focus on organisations purposes of training.” There opening of a local office that are not just drug trafare also a number of train- will see Guyana benefitting fickers as those who trafing programmes out of El from coordinating activities fic drugs are the same who Salvador which offer skills for upcoming investiga- traffic humans, engage in in leadership and training tions which will see a host illegal gold and mineral in drug interdiction. Mag- of information being shared. mining and assassinations. istrates and judges will be Donahue emphasised

Work to achieve social cohesion Minister Ally urges at Supenaam/Good Hope ‘Unity Fest’

inister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally called on residents of Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam to renew their resolve to fight inequality and division, even as she reiterated Government’s commitment to ensuring that every citizen is afforded a good life. The Minister was at the time speaking at the first ever ‘Supenaam/Good Hope Unity Fest’. She praised the initiative, saying that such activities are needed for the development of the young people of Guyana. “You have demonstrat-

ed a will to be organised because in many communities we have young people who are not organised. Guyana is in good hands, the hands of the young people because you are the ones who are going to help to chart our destiny,” she said. Minister Ally noted that while the Ministry of Social Cohesion will be playing its role to ensure that the lives of all Guyanese are improved and division and segregation become a thing of the past, every citizen must also ensure that they participate in rebuilding the nation.

“In our country, we have a lot of differences; we have ethnic differences, we have a lot of inequalities, poverty, and some people enjoying a better life than others and so this ministry was established to bridge the gaps between the rich and the poor, to reduce inequalities, to reduce poverty, to give you a better life. You must be able to enjoy what people in Georgetown are enjoying and this Ministry if going to work with you to bridge those gaps…. Regardless of your race, your religion, your gender, learn to live

together, to work together so that you can build yourselves and your communities,” Minister Ally said. To this end, she said that her Ministry has already begun implementing tangible programmes that will vastly improve the lives of those in the region, especially the children. “To date, through the Ministry of Social Cohesion, President David Granger has been able to put boats on the Pomeroon River for children to go to school… It is the President’s initiative to have the ‘Three Bs’ Programme

(Boats, Buses and Bicycles) and that is to ensure that our young people go to school because he believes that every child must be in school and every child must have a proper education. We are a young Government, but we will do more,” the Minister promised. According to Manager of Cosmos Promotions, Jennifer Jeffrey, the Unity Fest was organised with the aim of fostering unity among the young people and communities in the area. “This event seeks to bring together persons from various ethnic groups

Minister Amna Ally and not ruling out religion, since my community is a diverse one, in the exhibition of cultures and talent, local produce and more. I believe this is a tangible way to reduce division among the people and to restore the pride of my community,” Jeffrey said.

The Little Gingerbread Man Written and Illustrated by Carol Moore

nce upon a time there was an old woman who loved baking gingerbread. She would bake gingerbread cookies, cakes, houses and gingerbread people, all decorated with chocolate and peppermint,

Kids’ Corner

caramel candies and coloured frosting. She lived with her husband on a farm at the edge of town. The sweet spicy smell of gingerbread brought children skipping and running to see what would be offered that day. Unfortunately the children gobbled up the treats so fast that the old woman had a hard time keeping her supply of flour and spices to continue making the batches of gingerbread. Sometimes she

suspected little hands of having reached through her kitchen window because gingerbread pieces and cookies would disappear. One time a whole gingerbread house vanished mysteriously. She told her husband, “Those naughty children are at it again. They don’t understand all they have to do is knock on the door and I’ll give them my gingerbread treats.” One day she made a special batch of gingerbread men because

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they were extra big. Unfortunately for the last gingerbread man she ran out of batter and he was half the size of the others. She decorated the gingerbread men with care, each having socks, shirt and pants of different colours. When it came to the little gingerbread man she felt sorry for him and gave him more colour than the others. “It doesn’t matter he’s small,” she thought, “He’ll still be tasty.”

Connect the Dots Colour the PICTURE

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Gov’t to support Indigenous women to start business ventures

ndigenous women in Regions One and Eight will be supported to create viable business ventures, through the Indigenous Women’s Small Business Initiative under the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. Two women’s groups in Regions One and Eight will benefit from $4M to fund their projects. Additionally, 20 women in Monkey Mountain will be supported with small grants, from the Small Business Bureau for starting kitchen gardens. These projects will be executed in support of green and sustainable initiatives, and will support the schools’ hot meal programme by providing fresh vegetables

and fruits and other food items on a daily basis. Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, explained that besides earning an income for their families,

these women will also profit from cookery and nutrition classes. Consequently, their families will also benefit from flavourful and nutritious homegrown food. She further noted that scoping missions will be

Amerindian handmade craft

An Amerindian woman selling her jewellery One, Two, Three, Four, Seven, Eight and Nine. Additionally, through the Women of Worth (WOW) programme under the Ministry of Social

Protection, single parent women in Regions One and Nine will have access to funding to support income generating projects and to sustain livelihood.

Region Nine communities to get GWI assistance as El Niño conditions continue

he Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) recently wrapped up a six- day visit to Region Nine to analyse the effects of El Niño weather condition with a view to determining the necessary interventions. According to GWI’s Hinterland Engineer, Cleon French, the team visited 18

communities in the North Rupununi, Deep South and South Central Rupununi. The team met with toshaos and residents of the various communities and visited water wells and sources to get a firsthand look at the situation. “Some of the areas, they have low levels of wa-

Officials of the Guyana Water Incorporated speaking with residents of Wowetta, Region Nine

ter, and we made a commitment to have our regional engineer and technician Mark Jeffrey, along with the other crew members assist in the course of the next week to lower some of the wells that have to be lowered and also to give various forms of assistance where possible,” French reported. The team has advised that residents still have access to water in some areas, but in the areas where water is not accessible, GWI is working to resolve this issue. “We are asking persons to conserve water as much as you can, you cannot use water indiscriminately. The dry weather is causing an adverse effect on our aquifers; we observed that the static level has dropped

Gastro outbreak under control in Baramita - no new cases

carried out to assess the resources available in Regions One, Seven and Nine that can be turned into business ventures headed by the women. A Situation Analysis for Indigenous women and children will be carried out in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the first time. The results will provide valuable information, which will influence the design of better programmes for the empowerment of women and girls, Minister Garrido-Lowe said. During 2015, under the Indigenous Women’s Small Business Initiative, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs supported 14 small businesses in Regions

he Ministry of Public Health has reported that there are no new cases of gastroenteritis in the Region One community of Baramita. This was related to the Government Information Agency (GINA) by Coordinator of Indigenous Peoples’ Communities at the Ministry, Michael

Gouveia. Gouveia told GINA in an invited comment on February 24, that the Ministry and the health workers in the region continue to monitor the situation. He stated that all the reports thus far indicate that the situation is under control. Earlier in the year, Min-

ister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton reported that the community was affected by an outbreak of gastroenteritis which claimed the life of a child. Since then, the Ministry has put preventative measures in place to avoid a recurrence or cross infection.

Low water level in one of the channels in Region Nine so we are asking persons not only in affected areas, but particularly in central Lethem to conserve on the use of water,” the engineer

stated. GWI continues to work with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, the Civil Defence Commission

(CDC) and all other relevant stakeholders to bring relief to the affected hinterland regions.

Community Radio Stations for Mabaruma and Lethem

wo new community radio stations will soon to be established, on in Mabaruma, Region One and the other in Lethem, Region Nine. This comes as the administration moves to bridge the communication gap between hinterland and coastal. This was disclosed by

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, in the National Assembly as he rose to defend the 2016 current and capital expenditure for the Office of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Nagamootoo who holds ministerial responsibility for the public information and communication sector, ex-

plained that the two community radio stations will boost Radio Paiwomak which serves mainly communities in the Rupununi. Currently, Radio Paiwomak is Guyana’s only community radio station broadcasting in the Rupununi. It serves over 65 Indigenous communities.

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Renowned Worldfolio highlights: Guyana is open for business!

he Guyana Government has issued a pellucid message to residents of the United States; this English-speaking South American nation, ideally located and suited to investors, is open for business! Worldfolio: World News, a globally renowned content provider, recently published an interview titled ‘ Fresh approach to Governance, Resource-rich Guyana ushers in new investment incentive push’, with Guyana’s Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. In that interview, his message was unequivocal. The Worldfolio in its introduction to the interview published, said ‘Guyana is facing a historical year and its people have elected a new government after a 23year grip on power by the PPP.’ It said the Government is moving away from traditional industries and is initiating a programme of diversification and value-added. Minister Jordan, was asked how he would like Americans to perceive Guyana. He responded thus; “What I want Americans to know is that Guyana is open for business.” The impression the Minister said that he wants Americans to have is that the new APNU-AFC government is a friendlier one that is a friend of the United States and all peace-

loving people of the world. “I would like to encourage all American investors, non-investors, whether they are coming for tourism and so on to come see what they have been missing,” he urged. The interview with Jordan also appeared in US Today. Following on the same question, the Finance Minister was asked to highlight some of the opportunities for Americans in the country. Dubbing Guyana a ‘mini United States’, he explained that this nation has almost every resource that one can think about, “Whether it’s oil, bauxite, manganese, rare earth metals, gold, diamond, extensive forest, rich agricultural land, or warm people who speak English as their first language.” Apart from Guyana being bestowed with numerous natural resources, another factor in its favour is that it is critically linked to other countries. “… we might be small relative to most of the other countries in South America, but we are an important bridge between the Caribbean and South America. Add to that our historical links to North America, and we have a country that is ideally situated and suited for investors,” the Minister asserted during the interview. He said, “We wel-

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan come investment of all nese and rare earth metals. kinds to help us develop Speaking about the these resources, and ul- country’s fiscal incentive timately, our country.” regime, Jordan told the Worldfolio that it is highly Attractive sectors competitive and attractive. He identified sectors Jordan admitted that the such as Information Com- country’s infrastructure still munication Technology needs to be upgraded and (ICT) eco-tourism, minerals, transformed, but this does alternative energy and agri- not take away from what the culture as some of the areas country has to offer. In fact, that investors can tap into. he noted the country offers There is a wealth of as compensation friendly land for agricultural purpos- people, non-hostile clies, and on which any type of mate, and easy accessibility. exotic crop can be grown. Plantation agriculture could Ease of doing business be done utilising crops The Worldfolio insuch as oranges, corn, and terviewer asked Minister soya bean, he explained. Jordan about how Guyana The mineral sector, can improve with regards Jordan underscored holds ease of doing business, and an ‘abundance’ of oppor- in so doing raise the bar on tunities, and while there international investors’ conis heightened interest in fidence. He acknowledged gold, diamonds and baux- that the state of the country’s ite, other minerals could be infrastructure, the level of exploited including manga- bureaucracy and corruption

Workers, employers’ rights to be upheld - Minister Scott

orkers in both the public and private sectors are assured that their rights will be upheld, conditions of work improved and their remuneration fair. This is the foundation on which Minister Keith Scott is working to overhaul the labour sector in Guyana to the benefit of both employees and employers. In a recent interview with GINA, Minister Scott explained that the Ministry intends to promote a balance between employer and employees. “My overall vision for labour is for Guyana to be seen as a place

where business can be done, where there is a stable labour force, where there is no problem of industrial unrest at the same time workers must be able to feel that they don’t have to go to the stage of arbitration.” He added that his department is focusing on ensuring that workers, as well as employers’ rights are upheld. The Minister is of the view that Guyana has always been plagued by a number of strikes, as well as a certain amount of uncertainty in terms of labour relations. It is the intention of the

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott Minister to move the department of labour into a more progressive mode, “as we feel that we are properly positioned to pursue that goal.”

and governance issues have affected the country’s image. He cited that what is required is “another generation of reforms to modernise the financial sector, improve our laws relating to, for example, acquiring and transferring land investment promotion. In other words trying to give the investors the confidence ….based purely on a transparent incentive investment legislative regime. These are some of the activities we will be pursuing to improve the ranking.” The interview, in a preamble to another question on what were the contributory factors for the slide in economic growth in 2015, said that Guyana is one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and the Caribbean with an annual growth rate of over 4 percent in the last eight years. Jordan cited tumbling oil prices, political uncertainty brought on as a result of the closure of Guyana’s Parliament, falling remittances and Guyana’s dependence on primary products with little value-added among the factors that affected the 2015 growth. He further expounded that around elections, investors tend to withhold investment decisions. Economic diversification

Economic diversification is the government’s vision and to achieve that goal, he said over the next few years, the government will focus on diversification to lessen its vulnerability to external shocks. “There are existential challenges, including the poor state of the infrastructure and the high cost of fossil fuels that we use to generate electricity,” he stated, even as he explained that Guyana will begin exploitation of oil in another few years. This will significantly boost the country’s economy, and aid the diversification process. Some of the oil proceeds, he said will be used to modernise the country’s infrastructure- roads, transportation system and building of a deep water harbour. Water resources will be used to develop small to medium hydro-power facilities, solar farms and other forms of clean energy that include wind and bagasse. “For too long we have depended on the primary sector. We need to get rid of some of the impediments to investment and growth in the economy,” he acknowledged. In concluding, Minister Jordan expressed that Guyana still remains “an undiscovered gem, a paradise in the making.”

Minister Broomes in charge of mining sector workers’ rights

ignalling his support for the appointment of his Cabinet colleague, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman stated that Minister within the Ministry Simona Broomes,“a recognised champion for workers’ rights”, brings with her a wealth of knowledge of the natural resources sector particularly, mining. Minister Trotman added that it is the intention of this Ministry to fully utilise Minister Broomes’ passion in areas, “that require active attention to curtail abuses within the mining sector and ensure the enforcement of regulations”.

Cabinet, he said has approved the role of Minister Broomes’ portfolio to be as follows; to oversee aspects of the occupational safety, health and protection of the rights of mining workers and practitioners within the mining and forestry sectors; to ensure compliance by mining workers and practitioners, of the laws and regulations within the mining and forestry sectors; and carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Minister of Natural Resources. Minister Trotman described the task ahead, for the Natural Resources Min-

Minister within the Ministry of Nautral Resources, Simona Broomes istry as tremendous and expressed his confidence that his“team with its additional support is more than capable of addressing the issues within the sector, and creating an environment of which we can all benefit and be proud”.

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Regional MPs agree - Budget 2016 will benefit all Guyanese

he Regional Members of Parliament (MP) for the Government side all agree; the 2016 National Budget is one which will see all Guyanese benefiting, as the Coalition Government implements its manifesto promises. “Budget 2016 needs no selling…it brings vision, where ignorance and arrogance looms,” Region Ten and Government Member of Parliament (MP) Audwin Rutherford said as he stood in support of Budget 2016 in the House. Rutherford said he has every confidence that together with the Plan for Regional Development (PARD) that is being piloted in Region Ten, the region would strive and lead the way in the good life for all Guyanese. “Without Region Ten what would Guyana be? A land without a middle, and limited access to our interior?” Yet the Regional MP noted that the region was singled out for hardships under the previous government. “It is this government that made budgetary allocations to give us the good

life,” Rutherford noted. Also from Region Ten, MP Jermaine Figueira is of the view that the 2016 financial allocations “contain all the ingredients needed to propel us as a people and a nation, to achieve our true developmental apex.” Addressing the House, he challenged that no honest, fair and true Guyanese, will deny that “Guyana for consecutive years has yet another budget that meets the expectations of countless Guyanese...” The regional representative sought to substantiate his claims by citing several extracts from the print media. He put to his fellow Parliamentarians that he was in ‘utter dismay’ as he listened to the contributions of members from the opposition. “Their contributions took my intellectual being and my spirit to an abject low and had I been prone to the phenomenon of depression, I would have been depressed today, Sir. But you see Mr. Speaker I am a product of the community of Linden, blessed with resilient people. Hence, we are built with a certain

mental buffer to reject confounded statements.” “We shall create development with this budget,” Michael Carrington stated, refuting claims of there being nothing in Budget 2016. The Region Four, MP assured that the 2016 national budget will drive development. He argued that the now opposition while in Government for the past 23 years, failed to create any firm and sound economic plan to sustain the country’s development, as he contended that the measures outlined in the 2016 national budget will definitely create and stimulate development in Guyana. MP Charrandas Persaud also pointed out that the budget will see all Guyanese benefitting, regardless of their race or background. Persaud, who is representing Region Six, noted that significant allocations were included in the budget to further the advancement of the lives of residents and communities in Berbice. Meanwhile, Regional One, MP Richard Allen furthered that the Government is showing the people that

Social Cohesion will be achieved - Minister Ally promises

ivision, disharmony and disunity will be curbed as the Coalition Government will work towards the achievement of social cohesion, even though it will be a long process, Subject Minister Amna Ally reiterated in the National Assembly, during the Budget 2016 debate. “Our diversities as well as experiences from our colonial past have caused some fractions in relations and mistrust amongst us,” the Minister of Social Cohesion stated. Current initiatives Public education will allow the Ministry of Social Cohesion to prepare and disseminate advocacy and strategic communications products. These include brochures, posters, fact sheets and information on social

cohesion and related issues, Ally explained. There will be further meetings and consultations with communities in all 10 administrative regions, to lay the foundation and sustain the momentum to allow longer term social programming. Organising additional sensitisation networking meetings with strategic stakeholders will also be done. Training and capacity building programmes will be dedicated towards advancing social cohesion countrywide through training of trainers’ initiatives, core government officials and training of staff in regional administration among others. Furthermore this “would assist to achieve the objective of formulating and implementing a strategic framework for more effective advocacy, strategic

communications and outreach programme on social cohesion,” Ally explained.

Past initiatives During the past eight months of governance, there were several programmes to push social cohesion. To date, over 300 bicycles have been distributed in Regions 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 9 to children who travel long distances to and from school. Six boats have been distributed in Region 2, in the upper and lower Pomeroon, Moraikobai (Region 5), and Baracara, Berbice and Demerara Rivers. Six buses have also been earmarked to provide service in Regions 4, 5, 6 and 7. International bodies have reached out to the Ministry to support and foster social cohesion. Ally further explained that, “they have provided financial and

it cares for them, not only by talking, but also with the plans and programmes outlined in the budget. Reference was made to the $2B allocated in the budget for the upgrading and development of airstrips in the hinterland. This, Allen explained is a critical aspect that will aid in the improvement of the lives of Region One (Barima-Waini) residents. Also speaking in support of Budget 2016 was Region Five Parliamentarian Jennifer Wade, who told the National Assembly that the government will clean up the mess it inherited from the former administration, as it strives to bring a better life for the people of Guyana. The MP criticised the former administration for neglecting Region Five residents. Region Three, MP John Adams noted the growth experienced in every sector in the past eight months of the Coalition Government, and the fact that this will continue with the measures provided for in the 2016 National Budget.

technical support to the Ministry, particularly as it relates to the holding of the social cohesion round table on September 3 to 4. From the roundtable, main contributions for developing the Ministry’s strategic plan were compiled and the development of that document has begun. The Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) has collaborated with the Ministry in the soap production project in North Rupununi, Region 9. This project is picking up speed. Additionally, Ally stated that the Ministry assisted the communities of Aranaputa and Parishara to expand their use of peanuts and this would continue. “At Parishara, we have been able to refurbish the mill and the entire building of that peanut factory.”

Region 10 MP, Audwin Rutherford

Region 10 MP, Jermaine Figueira

Region 4 MP, Michael Carrington

Region 6 MP, Charrandas Persaud

Region 1 MP, Richard Allen

Region 5 MP, Jennifer Wade

Region 3 MP, John Adams

Minister Allicock delivers keynote address at Int’l Conference

ice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock delivered the keynote address at the 40th Annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering at Trent University, Canada on Sunday, February 28, 2016. The Annual Elders and Traditional Peoples Gathering was held under the theme: “Rekindling the Fire: Reconciliation and the Way Forward.” The Minister spoke on: “The Developmental Trajectory of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples and their Indispensable Role in Nation Building.”

Whilst there, Minister Allicock also visited the Trent University’s multiple centers of excellence with a view to further deepening the relationship that already exists between the university and Guyana. The Minister also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Indigenous Studies and the Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research for the establishment of a new institute focused on the development of personal care, and nutraceuticals (specially treated foods, vitamins, herbs etc that are used to improve health) and pharmaceutical products inspired by Indigenous knowledge.

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Makushi Research Unit among 12 groups awarded for outstanding service to Guyana

welve groups were, on Guyana’s 46th Republic Anniversary, conferred with the insignia of the Medal of Service by President David Granger at the 2016 Investiture ceremony, held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. It was the first time that an Investiture ceremony has been organised to specifically honour organisations and groups for their outstanding service to the nation. Delivering his address, President Granger, who is the Chancellor of the Orders of Guyana, said that a better day could not have been chosen to confer the awards, since it is this date, 46 years ago that Guyana ended the incongruity of having the Queen of Great Britain as the Queen of independent Guyana. He noted that the ter-

Ms. Bernadette Allicock from the Makushi Research Unit receiving the Medal of Service from President David Granger at the Investiture ceremony. The group was awarded for its efforts in reviving the culture of the Makushis. mination of the imperial “It is fitting, therefore, tion... They are the greatest system provided the oppor- that this day – the anniversa- gift that a grateful nation tunity for the initiation of a ry of our Republic – should can offer. Awards are the national system and national be selected as the day on embodiment of the spirit of awards serve as the supreme which the State honours cit- our people; a spirit, which is symbol of that statehood. izens and groups of distinc- manifested, similarly, in our National Anthem, our National Flag and our inspirational National Motto – One People, One Nation, One Destiny,” he said. President Granger noted that national symbols, like national awards, are ordained by the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and these should be cherished and never devalued or taken for granted. “The Medals of Service, which you received, will not depreciate with the balance of trade. The parchTheatre Guild’s oldest surviving member, Ms. Daphne Rogers is all smiles ment with which you have as the organisation is awarded for its work in the Theatre Arts field been presented will not

disintegrate with age. The acclaim of this congregation is not to be discredited. National awards constitute an important institution of the state. It is my personal obligation, as Chancellor of the Orders of Guyana, to discharge my duty to our deserving citizens and to pay respect to those to whom respect is due,” he said. However, the President noted that while receiving an award is a prestigious national honour, it is merely a token that cannot measure the magnitude of selflessness and dedicated service that citizens have given to their country. “National awards, it must be iterated, have not been conferred capriciously. They have been ordained by the Constitution of the Orders of Guyana. The Medal of Service, the award of which this investiture ceremony celebrates, acknowledges the achievements of groups – that is, of collectives, cooperatives and communities. The Medal of Service honours associations, corporations, organisations and other groups. Their sacrifice, selflessness, success and service to their communities, country and society have been consistent and of a high quality. The Medal is an acknowledgement of your service,” he said. The President told the groups that the National

Awards serve as a reflection of the respect and reverence of a grateful nation, stating that their years of labour and hard work have been noted and recognised. “We know that you have laboured over a long period of time. These Awards, indeed, were reserved for those who have distinguished themselves in the service of the nation. We applaud your accomplishments. We appreciate the outstanding service that you have rendered. We commend you for your commitment to the common good. Guyana encourages you to continue, through precept and example, to serve your country and community,” President Granger said. The groups, which received awards were the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA), the Central Assembly of God Church, the E.R.Burrowes School of Art, the Guyana Islamic Trust, the Guyana Veterans Legion, the Makushi Research Unit, Mings Products and Services Limited, the National Dance Company of Guyana, Roadside Baptist Church Skills Training Centre Inc., the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, South Central Peoples Development Association and the Theatre Guild of Guyana.

Mangroves, carbon levels to be monitored - Gov’t gets drone from Texas University

he Ministry of Agriculture has received a drone which will be used to help combat climate change. The drone was donated by Dr. Anthony Cummings on behalf of the University of Texas, Dallas, U.S.A. This handing over preceded the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the university and Guyana. The drone will be used to manage the growth of mangroves along the coast, measure the amount of rainfall in Guyana’s forest while

at the same time gauging the amount of carbon in those areas. The drone is to be utilised by the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) for their Restoration of Mangroves project, and also by the Hydro-Metrological Department of the Ministry of Agriculture for rain measurement. Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock who received the equipment, applauded the efforts that are being made to bridge the gap between

the coast and the hinterland. “Mangrove coverage and being in the interior is the way to go. This programme will also be able to give the hinterland communities the ability to plan better in terms of cultivation,” the Minister said. During the handing over, NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Oudho Homenauth noted that monitoring of mangroves is a very tedious process, but with the use of the drone, it will become easier. Dr. Homenauth also pointed out that the use of the equipment will not only

be limited to the monitoring of mangroves, but also will soon be used to observe rice fields and fishery. Training will be done to help officers using the drone to understand and interpret the data collected. The project is set to commence at Greenfield on the East Coast, and Surama and Wowetta in Region Nine. The drone costs an estimated US $1,200 to be assembled. Dr. Cummings noted that government can expect more drones in the future as they are ‘definitely needed’.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock (second from right) receives the drone from Dr. Anthony Cummings (first from right).

Hinterland Highlights

Scenes from the 46th Republic Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony

Ranks of the Guyana Defence Force during the parade

The Golden Arrowhead hoisted on the country’s tallest flagpole, which stands at 180 feet above ground

Students of the Music School playing ‘Oh beautiful Guyana’

The Woodside Choir singing ‘Hymn for Guyana’s Children’

The crowd at D’urban Park

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Reconstruction of the Umana Yana progressing nicely. An estimated 500,000 leaves are to be used on the benab.

Guyanese impressed with Republic Day celebrations

he newly developed D’urban Park in Georgetown came alive on the afternoon of February 23 as Guyanese turned out in their numbers for the 46th Republic Anniversary Flag Raising Ceremony, greeting the arrival of President David Granger and First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger with thunderous applause and loud cheers. The President and First Lady joined Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and

his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, Government Ministers and members of the diplomatic corps to witness the military parade by the Joint Services officers. The officers marched to melodies of Guyana’s national songs in a brilliant display that was cheered on by the large crowd. A hush descended over the crowd as the 65 × 35foot Golden Arrowhead, the largest one ever created, was hoisted on the coun-

try’s tallest flagpole, which stands at about 180 feet above ground. As the flag billowed in the breeze, loud applause arose from the packed venue as the crowd was very impressed by the skills displayed by the military officers and the overall tone of the ceremony. As the flag neared the top of the pole the crown began to chant, “Go Guyana, go!” Ms. Wendy Thomas, an overseas-based Guyanese, said that watching the Gold-

en Arrowhead being hoisted and listening to the National Anthem were enough to awaken the spirit of patriotism in anyone. “It was real touching. I felt very moved, not being here for such a long time and witnessing the flag-raising ceremony. It was really heartening to see so many Guyanese in attendance and to see both the President and Prime Minister. I will never forget this feeling,” she said. Similar sentiments

were expressed by Mr. Al Grimmond, a Guyanese who resides in Canada. He commended the Government for transforming the D’urban Park area into a recreational facility where citizens can exercise or just relax with their families. For Ms. Michelyn Wilson, the scenes at D’urban Park evoked nostalgic memories of her teenage years when she first witnessed the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead about

50 years ago at the National Park. “It brought back those feelings of national pride and it is very fabulous to see all these people come out in support of this national effort,” she said. Meanwhile, Mr. Thomas Daniels said he was overwhelmed by the large crowd. “This is one of the largest crowds I have seen for a very long time and this is the first time I’ve seen a flag as big as this,” he said. See pictures on Page 23