The Guyanese Newspaper Issue #9 - January 30, 2015

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Issue No: 9

January 30, 2015

Elections Day is May 11 Page 3

GUYOIL commissions $250M Regent St. facility-adds to Guyana’s commercial landscape

INSIDE

President concludes successful trip to India -several delegations expected in Guyana for discussions Page 2

President speaks out on UK High Page 2

Commissioner’s

prorogation statements

Elections date: President Ramotar is a man of his word Page 4

Gov’t slashes fuel prices by 30 percent Page 8

The newly commissioned GuyOil facility, Regent Street

Weekly Digest & Development Digest Sundays 6:30pm - 7:30pm on Time Warner Cable Channel 96

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

President concludes successful trip to India

-several delegations expected in Guyana for discussions PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, in reporting on discussions he held with Indian sugar companies, while in India recently, and other companies that are research oriented, said these entities are very interested in Guyana.

The Head of State said several delegations are expected to visit Guyana very soon, to explore possibilities of working with the Guyana Sugar Corpora-

tion (GuySuco), and what investments, with regards sugar, can be made.

Speaking on one of the highlights of his recent visit to the Indian sub-continent, he described his tour to a sugar factory in Gujarat, as a revealing experience. He said that the factory is managed as a cooperative, with farmers and workers vested with ownership.

According to President Ramotar, the factory pro-

duces all the needed power for its daily operations, as well as it sells its excess bagasse to other industries in its home state, including companies that manufacture paper and cardboard.

Apart from producing several kinds of sugar, this factory also deals with the crop’s by-products.

He said he was informed that the factory had half of an hour’s down time over the last six months, President Donald Ramotar and an official, discussing the finer points of production, during his tour of the Valsad sugar factory

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar with two students, during a visit to a school for the differently abled in India

with all tools and Information Communication Technology being employed in its continuing efficiency.

President Ramotar opined that the method of ownership and other aspects of the factory’s operations are instances which can inform on Guyana’s situation.

Accompanied by First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, the president also visited the TATA Company, where he was updated on

the company’s varied interests. The First Couple also visited a Mahatma Gandhi ashram, and the First Lady added a visit to a centre for differently- abled children.

The Guyana Leader, early in his six-day visit, met with that country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several government officials. President Ramotar was able to secure a US$50M line of credit, for the construction of the East Bank-East Coast road

link, and US$8M for an ocean going ferry. Prime Minister Modi announced too that India will construct an IT centre of excellence in Guyana.

President Ramotar was bestowed with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by the Indian Government, for his contribution to the field of public service, and his role in fostering ties between Guyana and India.

President speaks out on UK High Commissioner’s prorogation statements PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar declared that he was very surprised at the position taken by the outgoing British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Andrew Ayre, over his last November 10 decision to prorogate Guyana’s parliament. He declared that the diplomat had overstepped his mark, and is “totally out of place.”

The High Commissioner recently stated that, “The United Kingdom is increasingly concerned as to what is the basis for the suspension of the parliament, and how long it is going to last for.”

Answering questions during an interview on January 17, the president said that the High Commissioner is aware that prorogation is within the Guyana Constitution, and is also part of the practice of parliamentary democracy, derived from

the United Kingdom.

The president said that he noted that there was no response from the British Government when the Canadian Government had taken similar constitutional action on more than one occasion, with the country’s national parliament. He opined that it is a clear case of one standard of judgment for some countries, as against another for others.

He described as very unfortunate, that Ayre should use his position to mislead persons, since whatever had been done in Guyana’s instance had been within its legal and constitutional confines.

President Ramotar also said that he welcomed CARICOM’S recognition that the British envoy’s statements amounted to interference in Guyana’s internal affairs. This is a vio-

lation of one of the cardinal principles of international relations.

The opposition had tabled a no confidence motion against the government, and had intended to debate it at the first post-recess sitting slated for November 10.

Because the opposition has the one-seat majority, this would have meant that the government was outnumbered; hence the president’s option was to prorogue the parliament.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, also condemned the soon-to-depart UK High Commissioner’s statements, noting that there seems to be something about Western foreign envoys, who are about to depart this country, that encourages them to comment on the government’s affairs.

The Cabinet Secretary

noted that the official, who has served for three years, took the opportunity to be “unusually remembered” by the government, further describing him as “terribly dishonourable” for attempting to depict President Ramotar’s actions as a constitutional crime. He added that the High Commissioner also attempted to portray the prorogation action, as one worthy of Commonwealth’s sanctions, and one that could result in the withdrawal of developmental aid.

It was further noted by Dr. Luncheon that the UK High Commissioner, “sinisterly and conspiratorially” revealed the European Union’s and the UK’s handiwork in the recent EU’s dishonouring of its agreement with the Guyana government on budgetary support.

“His attempts to damage

Guyana’s credibility and its economic prospects are considered by Cabinet to be unpardonable”.

It was pointed out by the Cabinet Secretary, that since such concerns are usually shared bi-laterally, the High Commissioner’s actions needed to be condemned, as they are “unacceptable in the realm of international diplomacy, as any concerns of the UK government can, and ought to be continued to be shared conventionally.”

Government has not been utterly silent about concerns expressed by the UK, but it noted that the resort to the media to air these are “unacceptable in the modern world.” Dr. Luncheon said it was “irksome” for western diplomats to be running around the world with the “S word” or sanctions, which seem to have assumed a very notable

role in the diplomacy, in the “soft or even the hard power” of these states.

The threat to withhold developmental aid was viewed by Dr. Luncheon as “most dastardly,” as “… it hurts … as not only have they been instrumental in organising … in contributing to developmental …I think the people would say that is really taking this matter totally out of proportion.”

The fact that prorogation is contained in the Guyana Constitution was reiterated by Dr. Luncheon, who said that the claims are “totally absurd” that the government wanted to hijack political and parliamentary democracy. Government’s sentiment is that the outgoing official be accorded the status of a “pariah” whose departure was eagerly anticipated.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Elections Day is May 11

THE eager anticipation is now over, as Head of State, Donald Ramotar has declared that General and Regional Elections will be held on Monday, May 11, 2015. The President made the announcement, during an address to the nation, on January 20, in which he recalled the circumstances that led to this eventuality.

He recalled that he prorogued Parliament on November 10, 2014 with good intentions, as he was opting to preserve rather than end the life of the 10th Parliament. “I was also attempting to avoid further political conflict and was seeking avenues of political accommodation, between my government and the Parliamentary Opposition parties.”

He explained that he had hoped that the period of prorogation would have allowed for ‘extant tensions’ to ease and for all of the parliamentary parties to constructively engage the government.

President Donald Ramotar addressing the Nation on January 20, 2015 Another important factor weighing in on the November 10 prorogation was “…to enfranchise those persons, through no fault of their own, who could not get on the voters’ roll at the last election…” the President explained. This lapse resulted from the lack of source documents, mainly for residents living in the hinterland.

President Ramotar also lamented the wasted op-

portunities that the prorogation provided for, that is for continued dialogue and engagements with the Parliamentary Opposition parties.

He intoned that “The Parliamentary Opposition adopted an inflexible position that they would not engage with me until parliament would have been reconvened.”

His hope was that “… they (opposition parties) would have reconsidered this unproductive posture and (so

would have) met with me, so that we could have discussed our differences and find solutions to advance the development of Guyana.”

The President prudently explained that he was at all times quite constitutional, as during the period, “(his) government paid strict adherence to the Constitution, in administering the welfare of (the) nation. He also showed the humane side of the government by recalling how “… there were regular interactions with national and international stakeholders, to keep them abreast with developments and my efforts to reach some level of political consensus.”

Ramotar detailed that meetings were also held with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), “… so as to emphasise the need for the readiness for holding free, fair, transparent and efficient elections.”

He explained that, “This was consistent with the intention to call general elec-

tions, should there be failure to find accommodation with the Parliamentary Opposition parties.”

He went back to December 2014, when he had alerted international observers to the possibility of elections in 2015. Also, there was a special Press Conference, where he assured the nation that he was going to announce a date for General and Regional Elections early in the new year, the reason being that he did not want to disrupt the Christmas holiday season.

co-hosted a press conference with Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

Minister RodriguesBirkett pointed out that some of the projects have already been discussed with Guyana’s neighbours. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the region in June 2013, he had announced that money would be available for countries of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) for infrastructure development.

The SG is proposing that focal points from each country indicate who would be responsible for a particular project. The minister indicated that meetings would be held to discuss the best ways forward. This means that the UNASUR Secretariat and the Secretary General in particular, would have a coordinating role in that aspect. It is felt that this would be the best direction to take in advancing the UNASUR infrastructure agenda.

Suriname has approached the Chinese for as-

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano, Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), and Guyana’s Ambassador to UNASUR, Audrey Waddle

-Secretary General

sistance on constructing the Corentyne River Bridge.

“The council of infrastructure for UNASUR has identified a long list of projects and the Secretary General has identified seven on that list,” she indicated.

The minister added that while “we will be working on those seven,” it was because the Heads of States have agreed that these are the priorities in terms of infrastructure.

It was noted that UNASUR is an area integrated in working on three agendas; based on improving competitiveness on topics such as economic ones, infrastructural technology and education was the first part of the agenda. The second agenda focuses on exclusiveness as one of the main problems the region is facing, while the third is to improve democratisation. These agendas were discussed with President Ramotar, Samper said.

He added that what is

President Ramotar also said that his commitment to “preserving and strengthening” Guyana’s democracy is unquestionable. “I made it clear then that I remained open to dialogue with the opposition parties … and it is a door that I did not nor do not intend to shut, (not) now or ever.”

However, he explained that the inevitable must unfold since the opposition took a posture of “sustained refusal” to engage the dialogue that the Ramotar administration was

Flash black: Elections Day November 28, 2011 Voters line up at the Houston Secondary School

UNASUR will help Guyana with infrastructural projects linking its neighbours

DR. ERNESTO Samper Pizano, Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and former President of Colombia says that among his list of priorities for UNASUR, two are for Guyana. These are aimed at promoting integration among countries in South America; the Brazil/Suriname/Guyana link which would include the Corentyne River Bridge, and the Venezuela/ Guyana link.

Dr. Samper, who was appointed to the post in August of 2014, on January 20,

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also of concern to him as a former president is what is happening in Colombia.

With the peace process as one of the main concerns of the UNASUR agenda, he believes it is linked to human rights and democracy.

He also pointed out that health is one of the social concerns of UNASUR and work is ongoing in an institute located in Rio de Ganado. He said the organisation is also working on one main problem, drugs in the region.

These drugs are used commonly and work is ongoing to negotiate a medium price and to produce generics in the region.

With regard to the prorogation of Guyana’s Parliament, he noted that UNASUR is also aware of the situation and that President Donald Ramotar has officially requested from UNASUR a Commission of Observers to monitor the elections that will be held soon.

anticipating.

“In the circumstances, I hereby announce that General and Regional Elections will be held on Monday, 11th May, 2015.” The accompanying readiness for elections was also addressed, as President Ramotar told his audience that he was “advised that GECOM would be in a state of readiness for these polls on that date.”

The President concluded by explaining what will obtain on the day. He said that he will do the expected, as he will invite international observers to be part of the elections process, and “I will expect the political parties, the security services and the people of Guyana to conduct themselves in a manner that would ensure continued peace and stability before, during and after the elections.” This he said is because, “We have a collective obligation (every Guyanese) to ensure the protection of the democratic gains we have made and for which we have endured so much as a nation to secure.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Elections date:

President Ramotar is a man of his word

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has exercised a constitutional prerogative, which he exclusively enjoys, under Article 60 of the Constitution and so has declared the date for general elections- May 11.

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall appearing with Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill recently on a live National Communications Network television interview stated that it is important to note that Article 111 of the constitution provides that “… this power, residing in the President means that he is exempted from pressure, or any form of compulsion, in the discharge of that particular function or the exercise of that power.”

This explanation rebuffs the claims that the President had been acting in total disregard for the constitution, as he recapped that the Prorogation of the 10th Parliament led to the now soon-to-be-held General and Regional Elections.

The Proclamation Minister Nandlall restated that “… there was nothing unlawful, undemocratic and nothing wrong with the Prorogation of the 10th Parliament, nor in the manner in which it was done.” He carefully detailed that “the President exercised a constitutional power; he acted in accordance with the ‘spirit and letter’ of the Guyana Constitution…”

AG Nandlall went further and stated that “An act cannot be unlawful, when it is provided for by a constitution (the Guyana Constitution) … and which is the supreme law of Guyana … and it is not a new power in this Constitution; it is a power which has been there since independence.”

In this regard, Nandlall cogently put to rest the recent ramblings from the soon-to-depart UK High Commissioner to Guyana Andrew Ayre, who sought to castigate the PPP/C government, even to the point of threatening the UK’s sanctioning. The minister explained that the ‘power

over the last few months, a belief, a feeling, an atmosphere, an attitude, a proclivity seeming to suggest that only one set of people can express their views and that the government’s people are not among the ‘chosen few’ who can speak on matters of national and international importance…”

He recalled recently that APNU’s General Secretary, Basil Williams, issued a blistering condemnation about the private sector, about the prorogation, deeming it is an unconstitutional power. He pointed back to the picketing at CARICOM headquarters and which was most disrespectful. He also reminded the audience about many degenerating and disparaging statements being made.

The minister explained that it seems as though no one has freedom of speech in Guyana except the opposition, and that is something that must stop as the “… thirst for power in the National Assembly is having an

courage dialogue and consensus building. Minister Edghill made it clear that “… the President did not close the door, (and) will never close the door and that his door is always open.”

According to the Minister, the President had clearly stated that he will not use that power, even though it is available to him as an option, even though it is a constitutional endowment.

Minister Edghill said all Guyanese are aware that “… the President has fulfilled his word … he had acted honourably, and upheld his word that was given to the nation…”

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall appearing with Minister within the Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill, on an NCN television interview to prorogue’ is one that was advantage to advance the ous philosophy of the oppoinherited by Guyana at Her welfare, if not of all Guya- sition continued with greater Majesty’s government. nese, at a minimum that of intensity as time went by and which culminated in He elaborated that in their supporters.” recent times that “Canada Nandlall declared that their coming up with this exercised this very power “… the opposition could ‘brilliant idea’ of a No-Contwice in a seven year period. have attempted to ‘extract fidence motion.

Clarifications He recalled that it was He detailed that the Head of (from) and exact’ out of Minister Edghill admonState of Canada is Her Maj- the government more … so really Moses Nagamootoo ished Parliamentarians that esty, the Queen of England, rather than have a budget of who came up with this government ministers and and that the power to pro- $200 B, champion, converse ‘bright’ idea to remove the ministries must continue to rogue always resides with and struggle for a budget of government by way of a Nocarry out their function, as the Head of State, so the more than $200 B, so that Confidence motion and then “All the roads that are being Queen of England, because there is more money to pro- someone in the press took built have to continue, the she is the Head of State of vide more goods and servic- advantage of it and made it schools that are being built the Dominion of Canada still es for the people of Guyana, very prominent. He believed have to continue, they have retains that power, and it was to do more in terms of job that “… it excited people’s to be managed, the project the Queen of England who creation, poverty alleviation, prorogued the Canadian Par- improvement of the health liament, acting upon the ad- care of our country, educavice of the Prime Minister.” tional status for our young AG Nandlall, however, people…” lamented that “We (here in However, he noted that Guyana) did not hear any hue the opposition used this ador cry over the (very) power, vantage to force the governwhen it was exercised by Her ment to do less, and that was Majesty herself, but when it and still is being manifested was done in Guyana, a cry in a number of ways: a cutof foul went up, and many ting of a budget rather than wrongfully deemed the act an agitation for an increase as inimical and antithetical of the budget; and the chopFlash black: Elections Day November 28, 2011. A polling clerk peruses to the spirit of democracy. ping of the national projects, Nandlall woefully admitted Amerindian hinterland dethe Official List of Electors at Timehri Primary School, as voters await in his interview, that he does velopment plans, and stutheir turn to cast their ballots not know “… if there are dif- dents’ loan at the University ego because they saw this intoxicating effect from the execution unit must be able ferent treatments meted out of Guyana. to different people … and if The minister explained grand vision of removing positions being taken by the to manage them, people there are different standards that the motif one sees is a a government from power opposition.” must get paid their salaof democracy…” “… thread running through and they can get the credit Buttressing the exhorta- ries, hospital must function, the government’s activities for that type of monumental tions of the AG was Minister school must go on, children Opposition’s otiose by the opposition … a con- accomplishment and they Edghill, who declared that must be able to write their AG Nandlall also ex- certed effort by the opposi- committed themselves to a “… both the President’s ad- exams.” posed the abysmal failure tion to get the government to course of conduct, getting mirers and critics can only The summation is that others to join with them…” come to one conclusion, the country must remain of the opposition from 2011 do less for the people…”

December all the way the This for the AG is an This he concluded is what President Ramotar can be normal, as “… an elecProrogation of Parliament. opposition’s policy be- precipitated the Prorogation trusted … he is an honour- tion was never meant to He explained that its mem- ing pursued so as to get the of the Parliament. able man and he keeps his collapse a country, an bers and supporters never government to look bad, to word and delivers on his election is an event that Dirty tactics put the welfare of the coun- make out that it is not doing promises. Both his admirers allows the people of the AG Nandlall explained and critics are forced to have country to give a review try as the paramount princi- enough, and it matters not to ple, guiding their actions and those who are the architects that in recent times there has that conclusion.” on the performance of the positions in Parliament. of that policy, that the people been a high degree of intolerMinister Edghill also government and deterHe intoned that the ex- of Guyana are the ultimate ance by the opposition lead- recalled how the President mine if they would like to pectation was that “… an sufferers from that type of ers in their public statements only prorogued the parlia- have a change and it must and sentiments. He pointed ment because he wanted to opposition which has an ad- policy.

See page 8 vantage in the National AsThe AG carefully noted out that “… there has de- preserve its life, and to ensembly would have used that that this insidious and invidi- veloped in recent times …

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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GUYOIL commissions $250M Regent St. facility-adds to Guyana’s commercial landscape COMPANIES both local and foreign, continue to take advantage of Guyana’s stable economy and conducive environment for investments. Mere weeks after it commissioned an aviation fuel facility, the Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) has opened yet another, the $250M Regent Street retail facility.

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh joined officials of the oil company to commission the facility. In lauding the company for its achievement, the Minister

highlighted the importance of creating a stable environment for the expanding commercial landscape of Guyana. Expressing his pleasure at being able to share in this milestone for GuyOil, Minister Singh noted the continued growth of the company over recent years.

In December of 2014 the Company commissioned its Aviation Fuel facility at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, while another facility was commissioned in Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara,

just over two years ago.

“I would like to compliment you on behalf of the Government, the Cabinet, on making this important investment, that sees our making of an important addition to the commercial landscape of down-town Georgetown.”

With these and other investments, Minister Singh said the company has defied the stereotype of public sector companies, showing that it can be competitive and provide leadership in the market place. The company and its Board were also lauded for their excel-

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Managing Director, GuyOil Badrie Persaud and other officials during the symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony to commission the GuyOil station, Regent St.

lent corporate governance, efficiency, outstanding results and continued excellence in service.

“I view this occasion within a broader context too because often time we see changes that are happening before our eyes and perhaps we take them for granted.”

Speaking of other significant investments and transformation, Minister Singh thanked GuyOil for being a part of Guyana’s transformation.

The company was urged to continue in its effort to deliver quality service and the Finance Minister underscored the importance of world-class quality service, which he says goes hand-in- hand with modern technology.

Meanwhile, the Minister also noted that Government remains committed to ensuring that Guyana remain a place safe for investments and that a conducive environment be maintained.

“We need constantly to ensure that we remain an attractive place for doing business where investors are confident in putting their money, expanding

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh delivering the feature address at the commissioning their operation because it doesn’t redound to the benefit of one political party; (investments) it create jobs, (and) generate income for all Guyanese.”

The company’s Managing Director, Badrie Persaud, thanked the Government for its continuous support in the company’s effort to expand its retail facilities throughout the country.

Giving a brief history of the origin of the Regent

Street expansion facility, Persaud noted that the business had outgrown the capacity it had in previous years. Hence, there was the need for a new design and larger facility. It now has a storage capacity doubling what it was in the past, with a 20,000-gallon underground gasoline storage, a 10,000-gallon underground storage for diesel, and a 5,000 gallons one for kerosene.

Gov’t calls on opposition to immediately apologise to Norway and IDB

FOR several years, the opposition has revelled in spreading lies and distortions about Guyana’s development initiatives.

The sole objective has been to destroy the results of hard work, undertaken by Guyanese, over the many years to advance the country.

In its desperate attempts to destroy development projects, the opposition frequently resorts to false accusations of corruption, but is yet to provide evidence, in order to create a fog of mis-information that sows doubts and fears in the minds of the people.

In one of its latest forays, it has surpassed itself by suggesting that

the Government of Norway and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) are “colluding with the Government of Guyana to violate the Constitution of Guyana”.

The government does not intend to lower itself to engaging with such a preposterous assertion as has been made, but calls on the opposition to immediately apologise to Norway and the IDB. Both have long been supporters of Guyana in the global fight against poverty and the international community’s efforts to combat climate change.

Their motivation in assisting the people of Guyana is purely honourable. Moreover, the idea that such a conspiracy could be con-

cocted among the Government of Guyana, the IIDB the Government of Norway is simply ridiculous.

The government instead would like to repeat the following points: On October 24, 2014, His Excellency, Donald Ramotar gave an address to the nation, concerning Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, with a specific focus on Amaila Falls. The address is attached to this press release.

In this address, President Ramotar pointed out that of the US$150 million, received by Guyana to date, in payments for forest carbon, US$80 million would be invested as Guyana’s equity in the Amaila Falls project. This is the same

position that has been repeated for years, and which the opposition previously supported.

The President pointed out that in August 2013, “self-serving political games attempted to destroy the project that was about to benefit all Guyanese, by providing them with affordable, reliable, clean energy.”

His Excellency then proceeded to give the strong commitment that he would not give up in the face of such baseless attacks and that his government would remain steadfast in pursuing this transformative project.

The opposition refuses to acknowledge that government made more than

four presentations to its members, on the Amaila Falls project, starting in March 2012 through August 2013. In addition, the government shared the principal confidential agreements in the project and requested comments/ questions on these documents. No questions were received.

Instead of constructive dialogue and engagement, its members are now focusing on disparaging the government’s reputable international partners such as the IDB and Government of Norway-an ill-advised strategy, that assumes that the Guyanese people and the world will choose to believe the picture painted by the opposition versus the

rigorous standards that these institutions abide by.

The simple fact is the people of Guyana are paying too much for power that is too unreliable. The Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project (AFHP) offers the opportunity to address this critical need. It seems that since the government is committed to bringing the benefits of this project to the people, the opposition’s intent is to prevent its development. The government will persevere despite these narrowminded attacks and will continue to do what is in the best interest of all Guyanese.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Letter to the Editor Editor-In-Chief: Shanta Gobardhan Editor: Henry Singh Editorial: 592 227 0773 Web: www.gina.gov.gy Facebook: GINA Email: ginagovgy@gmail.com Area ‘B’ Homestretch Avenue, Durban Backlands, Georgetown,Guyana

EDITORIAL

Improved lives are witnesses to Guyana’s socio-economic development THE naysayers and prophets of doom abound in Guyana, with their particular line being that Guyana’s development is still stagnant, and its citizens still in a daily state of dire poverty. It is a refrain that has been as constant, as it has become worn and hollowed, for the simple reason that it emanates from a particular clique that never expected the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government to be so successful in its herculean task, of resurrecting Guyana, from its abject state of socio-economic collapse, and its offspring poverty, and utter hopelessness among the Guyanese people.

The credible fact is that there are evidential results of Guyana’s continuous advancement moving on to the transformative phase of national development, where numerous of the old and dissipated infrastructure have since been replaced, such as roads, bridges, water treatment plants that facilitate potable water to communities, schools, hospitals, health clinics, and community centres.

There are even new sporting facilities such as an aquatic swimming pool, a national stadium, and the nation’s first national athletic track.

Then there are the huge investments that signal undeniable confidence in the national economy, such as the construction of new hotels, new corporate entities, new business and commerce enterprises, inclusive of mining shops and hardware stores, restaurants and drinking bars, and ice cream and pastry bars.

Guyana’s success has been noted and lauded by all of the multilateral financial institutions, inclusive of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) President Dr. William Warren Smith. Not only did Smith commended the management of the country’s fiscal affairs, but also opined that Guyana can serve as a development model for other countries; for the emphasis, that declaration was an independent and candid judgment.

Our magnificent housing project, incomparable to any such, anywhere else, is a shining beacon of a model that is a tribute to the government, in bettering lives throughout Guyana. Owning a home was just a dream and a distant hope for so many of our low income and working class Guyanese. But twenty two years, since the PPP/C administration, tens of thousands of Guyanese have acquired one of life’s great necessities-a home of their own.

So impressed was the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, when taken on a tour of some of the country’s new housing areas, that he was moved to conclude: “I do not know of any pro-

Berbice River Bridge-a wise investment Dear Editor, What a wonderful difference it was, after so many years, travelling to the Corentyne. The crossing, of course, went like clockwork, compliments of the new Berbice River Bridge.

I last travelled over the Berbice divide, in the very early years of this new millennium; and, as I recalled then, it was a very slow and uncomfortable journey, because of the ferry system that was in operation at the

time. This common experience was shared by Guyanese through the decades, prior to the bridge.

Not this time around, for the journey from point of commencement to entering the grand county proper took a mere 8-10 minutes; and from conversations shared with fellow travellers, the bridge has brought about great changes in the social lives of residents, from both sides of the Berbice River, as well as to the

daily economics of both Region Five and Region Six. Indeed, it was a nightmare before the reality of the bridge, when many seriously ill persons died at the New Amsterdam Ferry Stelling, because of not being able to cross, for accessing further medical treatment elsewhere; and persons made to lose international flights, because of either technical problems with the ferry, or simply not sailing

as per schedule. Then there were the many farm producers, whose lorries, laden with perishables, were often stranded at both sides of the Berbice River crossing, because of a then chronic unreliable ferry service.

So for those who have been criticizing the toll costs for usage of the bridge ought to take into consideration the benefits being enjoyed.

Suraj Persaud

PPP/C’s track record augurs well for success at polls Dear Editor, I never doubted that President Donald Ramotar would have announced the date for the holding of national elections, despite all of the vituperations etc. that flowed from wellknown detractors.

In fact, the very early election date may have surprised those who were accusing the Executive of being afraid; but afraid of what! After all, the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s suc-

cesses stand out as a shining defence and reason, why it is not reluctant to seek another mandate from the people.

In fact, its numerous programmes of socio-economic successes that have given so much to so many, speak for themselves. Such achievements explain why governments such as the PPP/C are often re-elected, because citizens would be absolutely clear as to where their best interests lie.

gramme of this magnitude anywhere else in the Caribbean, in the Eastern Caribbean and in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).”

Now similar sentiments have been expressed by a recent, visiting high-profiled Surinamese delegation, during visits to housing, tourism and business places in Guyana.

Surely, these are visitors who are giving their honestly held views on what they have seen. So, can all these people be blinkered/blind? Certainly not! Except that their observations are no comfort to the daily Jeremiahs who lament and predict on Guyana!

There is a certain columnist, well known, whose criticisms, highly erroneous and harmfully prejudicial, seeks to convey the impression that Guyana has not even moved into the twenty first century, much less to being on the path to improved socio-economic life. But such a person and others of his ilk are grudging because of what this government has achieved and the qualitative changes that those socio-economic landmarks have effected on the lives of Guyanese. It has defeated their jaundiced expectations, envisaged for their country.

For in those advancements, lie the rebuttals to the columnist’s unceasing falsehoods and attempts to subvert the truth. It is only a mind, poisoned with unceasing fanaticism, dedicated to hate that will continue such a campaign against a government that has continued to do the best for the country.

Finally, the comforting significant, among citizens, is that there are beneficiaries numbering in the thousands, who know better, because of what the country’s development has done for them and their families. These are the credible witnesses to Guyana’s development.

All right minded Guyanese, when thinking about their children’s future, especially, will endeavour to see a continuation of the development that have im-

proved their lives.

I would be thinking along similar lines, on Election Day. Jason Fields

West Indies cricket steeped in problems at all levels Dear Editor, As a die-hard of West Indies cricket fan, my despair continues; particularly in the light of the South African world record 50-0ver total that saw us, offering a half-hearted and disorganized resistance. And for the first time, I must admit questioning whether or not there is any hope for our regional cricket. The fact that the world record for the fastest One Day century had been had been established twice in one year against the West Indies cricket team, underlines how badly in the doldrums our team has sunk.

The same must be said for the team’s supporters whose emotions have been on a see saw journey since our regional team was dethroned by Australia when the cricket team toured in 1995.

There is always the talk of how much talent there is; but, the trouble is that those responsible for managing our cricket have failed to hone such a pivotal element into a potent weapon, as

our former teams had been.

It is almost twenty years, and our succeeding teams have all become lost on the come-back journey trail.

There are many troubling aspects of West Indies cricket that can be identified; such as failure by the senior team members to bat responsibly. For as destructive as is opening batsman Chris Gale’s known reputation is, he needs to be responsible in ensuring that he will not self-destruct while at the wicket. He is our main anchor, as senior opening batsman. The same must be said for Samuels, whose talent is so much that it seems to help him to get out!

It is stressful as it relates to our regional side’s performance at the moment. I still believe that our team, with a better mental effort and strong leadership, can do much better than at the moment.

Nevertheless, we must continue to rally round our regional team.

William Meade

Email letters to: ginagovgy@gmail.com

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Gov’t will continue to invest in physical infrastructure, social sector

AS Guyana prepares for the tabling of the 2015 National Budget, many are not unmindful of the stance taken by the Parliamentary Opposition as regards their voting to disapprove critically needed allocations.

Government is prepared for any eventuality, and will be guided in its actions according to law.

This point was reinforced when Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh was recently interviewed on the National Communications Network’s “Political Scope.”

Referring to the opposition’s decision to cut the National Budget over the last three years, Minister Singh stated that the constitution is “clear” on this issue. “The chief justice has ruled on this matter, arising out of the 2012 budget cuts … that matter ended up before the court, and the Chief Magistrate handed down the ruling with us in 2013. It was quite clear that the National Assembly acted outside its institutional remits in imposing cuts to the national budget”.

Constitution-the guide Government will continue to be guided by the constitution, the relevant legislation and the chief justice’s ruling. He shared the view that has been expressed publicly by the Attorney General on the current action brought before the court, by the opposition leader as “frivolous and without merit” because the issue has been ventilated in the court already, and the court has pronounced.

The minister added that he is optimistic that the court will rule consistent to its previous decision, which stated that “government acted entirely with the constitutional and legislative mandate and remit, in managing the operations of government” as it restored the finances disapproved by the opposition led National Assembly.

As regards to the upcoming 2015 National

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh Budget, it was noted by the Finance Minister, that the constitution prescribes the tabling of the National Budget within the first quarter of the year under “normal circumstances, and of course, the constitution is also clear about what happens, in relation to the presentation of the budget, and in the event the parliament is dissolved before, in the expiration of the first quarter of the year.”

Government, he said, will be guided by the constitution as, “once the Parliamentary provisions exist, we will be ready to table a budget, in keeping with the constitutional prescriptions”.

Familiar cry Responding to claims that the Parliamentary Opposition was not considered during pre-budget consultations, Minister Dr. Singh said that the cry about “no consultations” is a familiar one, noting that this year, as in previous ones, “they, the Parliamentary Opposition, refuse to make themselves available.” The opposition has historically shown a striking unwillingness to engage with government, despite extended invitations, he added, saying that he was not surprised by the current posture.

Other stakeholders from the private sector, labour and other sectoral interest groups have offered their inputs, he revealed, and these have been of benefit. “We have policies for each sector, all have benefited from stakeholders’ input with the highest level

of integrity, feedback and input from nongovernmental stakeholders with policy making functions. We remain positive … to continue receiving feedback to inform the policy making functions”.

The actual budget will

contain measures, which the finance minister said will continue to maintain the focus on preserving favourable economic conditions and crafted within a framework that will see continued growth.

“Without pre-empting what is actually contained in the budget, whenever it is presented in Parliament, I would say that there are a few things that Guyanese can certainly look forward to. Our government will continue to invest in our country’s infrastructure, as we continue to believe that physical infrastructure is important to growth and prosperity. We will continue to place emphasis on things like ‘hard to reach’ areas, and the social sec-

7

-Finance Minister

tor, particularly in improving quality, and these are some things that one can look forward to in going forward”.

Undermining Commenting on the Parliamentary Opposition’s actions in recent years, the Finance Minister said, there should be no doubt in the minds of Guyanese, that they, the opposition, have indeed set about to undermine the strength of the economy. “They haven’t offered an apology for it … they have said openly that they have been taking actions designed to intimidate investors, to discourage

persons coming into Guyana … to delay and derail all projects…this has been their behaviour since the commencement of the 10th Parliament”, he noted, and described it as a challenge and very unpatriotic.

Notwithstanding the opposition’s behaviour, the minister said that government has still been maintaining a significant degree of investors’ confidence and optimism in Guyana, “We will continue to do this, but it will be a challenge from an opposition intent in undermining the economic gains of the country.”

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Gov’t slashes fuel prices by 30 percent

IN keeping with the dramatic drop in the world prices for crude oil, the Government of Guyana has moved to drop local fuel prices by 30 percent.

With effect from midnight, on January 20, fuel prices at GuyOil was reduced to $695 per gallon for gasoline compared with $995 previously, a 30% reduction.

Meanwhile, diesel was reduced to $694 per gallon, compared with the $985 previously, a 30% reduction as well, and kerosene to $496 per gallon as compared with $850 per gallon previously, a 42% reduction.

Speaking at a press conference on January 19, at the National Communications Network studio, Minister

Minister of Finance Ashni Singh, during the press conference at the National Communications Network

of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh said the prices are the lowest locally since May 2009, a period of almost six years. The excise tax has been increased to 50%, diesel to 45% and 0% for kerosene.

The providers of public transportation were also urged to consider immediately passing on the reduc-

tion in prices to their customers. Since government does not control the prices charge by transportation providers, that is, mini bus or speedboat operators, the minister noted that despite debates from some quarters, about regulating these prices, government is content to let the market function

as it should, and on occasion use “moral suasion” to persuade stakeholders to keep or reduce prices to an affordable level.

Asked about the delay in reducing fuel prices, the minister said that while there has been “tremendous volatility” in recent months and years, hence moving to adjust prices upwards or downwards at the first sight of an adjustment in the world market prices would be, in his opinion, irresponsible, and result in tremendous volatility in local prices. He explained that one has to see a sustained movement in that price before any response is made.

He alluded to wheat prices which fluctuate, but yet the price of bread, for example

remains steady for the most part.

The Finance Minister stated that government has had a mechanism for adjusting fuel prices. The tax rate is adjusted in an inverse relation to the movement of world market crude oil prices, and rates are adjusted downwards when international prices increase, and upwards when the afore-mentioned prices decrease.

This has been used to cushion prices to local consumers from international market volatility, he added.

“For example during the period from December 2008 to March 2012, the world market price increased by 184% and the price for a gallon of gasoline in Guyana only increased by 77%. This was

achieved by government’s lowering the tax rate during that period from 50% to 15%.

Conversely as prices started to subside on the world market, the tax rate was adjusted back up. This has been done automatically and without any contention, for the past several years”.

Prices are determined by the Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) cost of landing in Guyana, the world market prices for refined fuel products and world market prices for crude oil, he further explained.

Excise taxes in landed fuel and profit margins charged by local oil companies and retailers also influence prices, the minister added.

CDEMA Head meets President

-discusses Region’s Disaster Management Strategy even as he lauds Guyana’s CDC GUYANA’S role in the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) was the topic of discussion, when President Donald Ramotar and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon met with the Agency Executive Director Ronald Jackson, at the Presidential Complex on January 14.

In an invited comment, Jackson said it was his first opportunity to meet with Guyana’s president, and he used the occasion to discuss the comprehensive Caribbean Disaster Management Strategy. This is a 10 - year plan to achieve disaster risk resilience in the region, he explained. “I also shared with the president the main priorities of Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, for the next three years, and how those priorities are likely to support the people of Guyana

and their programme for disaster risk management.”

The two also spoke about CDEMA’s management, and he said, that given that it is an instrument of the 18 members of CARICOM, there were also discussions on some of the global issues, such as the post-2015 development agenda. He added that “the global framework of action, which is a global blueprint for disaster risk management and how those are likely to impact on Guyana.”

Guyana’s Civil Defence Commission (CDC) was described by Jackson as a one of the region’s “bright performers,” particularly over the last three years.

The CDC has done a lot of work, which he noted was a credit to its leadership, “in looking at its context in a very strategic way … and there have been various strides on both sides of the coin, looking at the

prevention side and setting the fundamental groundwork, to achieve that … but also strengthening the response coordination,” the CARICOM official further added.

Jackson also said the CARICOM region has to accept the fact, that especially in the areas of climate variability and climate change that “the region is still going to have to be responding to adverse effects of disaster events, not here in Guyana, but supporting the regional response.” CDEMA draws on capacity across its member states and to respond to their needs, and since the CDC is building its capacity, he explained this is going towards supporting a regional response.

The CDEMA head also met with CARICOM and CDC officials, during his two-day visit to Guyana.

President Donald Ramotar is greeted by Ronald Jackson, Executive Director, Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

Elections date: ...

From page 4

be done in a particular environment.”

He went further and stated that, “Development does not stop because election date has been made; we have to continue to develop goods and services.

There must be a difference between a government function and political party campaigning.”

The Minister closed by reminding those concerned that the officials who are part of the government will be carrying out government functions and at the same

time, they will have to be campaigning. The minister said that after all, it is the PPP/C which brought development, dignity and prosperity to the people of Guyana and this is what it intends to keep doing.

In wrapping up he explained that the manifestation and conduct of the opposition, at the level of the National Assembly is not winning them the admiration of the people. He stated that “… it is reasonable for Guyanese to have some fear, that if at the level of politics, the opposition par-

ties practice bullying, then what might they want to do during the run up to election?” He pointed out that the PPP/C has rejected that politics is about war, and that the PPP/C sees the opposition forces not as enemy, as “… they are our political opponents, and they share different political views … I believe that if there is anything that we can do over these next four months, it is to display to the Guyanese electorate that we are mature in conducting a campaign … that when we win the admiration of people, we will cause them to vote for us.”

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana-Suriname Trade Mission is an important step … President

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar has welcomed the high-level Suriname Trade Mission to Guyana, describing it as an important step, not only for business, but for the integration of the two nations.

Addressing members of the local and Surinamese private sectors, at a welcoming reception at the Princess Hotel on January 15, the president said that some have often expressed disappointment with the pace of integration, but stated that it not just the job of governments, rather it will be achieved when real links are forged in the economy.

The development of the two CARICOM neighbours who share a border, he added is important to “developing the quality of life for our people.” The private sectors of both nations can build not only partnerships, but also new links and expand their businesses and strengthen them.

The president expressed the hope that more initiatives such as the trade mission could occur across the region. The fact that both countries have large expanses of lands and natural resources, and have achieved a measure of food security, could be used to their advantage, he explained.

It was noted that CARICOM’s annual bill estimated food import bill of US$4 billion is one area that could see mutual cooperation. He said that during his recent trip to Cuba for the CARICOM-Cuba Summit, this estimate was mentioned to President Raul Castro. “I mentioned that if you add Cuba it would be US$5 billion and President Raul Castro said “No, put two” and thus making it US$6 billion that we import in food”.

This is but one area where Guyana and Suriname could pool their resources to impact on the region as a whole.

A suggestion was also made by President Ramotar for some of the trade regimes to be unified; for example to cut down on smuggling and maximise the benefits for the people of both countries. This, he

Surinamese Minister of Trade, Don Tosendjojo, President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, at the welcoming reception held at the Princess Hotel said, could be done for re- resenting a growth of almost He added that the partsources such as gold, which 300%. nership should be based on is non- renewable.

He added that the two cooperation, rather than In closing, he indicated countries share a good re- competition between the that the initiative was indeed lationship, which can be two countries, given that welcomed by government, reflected in the growing the markets are “so small.” and expressed the hope that number of tourists arriv- This would create the comit would grow from strength ing in Guyana, through the petitive edge against many to strength. crossing at Moleson Creek. others.

The two-day meeting, In 2013, more than 28, Also, highlighting the at the Guyana International 000 people visited Guyana fact that Guyana is moving Conference Centre (GICC), through this port of en- towards a knowledge-based Liliendaal on January 16, try, and close to 26,000 by also witnessed the input of the end of October 2014.

Minister of Tourism, In- Minister Ali expressed his dustry and Commerce (ag) disappointment over the Irfaan Ali. He highlighted fact that this information the steady growth in busi- is not being highlighted in PRESIDENT Donald Ranesses between Guyana and any documentation that has motar was on January 20 Suriname, pointing out that been used to promote trade invited to become a speboth countries depend on its between the two countries. cial representative of the natural resources, while also Further, emphasising Union of South Amerinoting that a lot of invest- the significance of this fact can Nations (UNASUR). ments in Guyana are cen- in the tourism industry, the The invitation came from tered on rising fuel and gold minister said that, “At a the organisation’s Secreprices, but due to the current mere minimum of each of tary General, Dr. Ernesto global situation, the country those persons spending a Samper Pizano, who was has to now move towards minimum of US $300, you on a visit to Guyana. an efficient equilibrium of are talking about US $8.3M During a session at the production. This means to in 2013… it is equivalent Office of the President, Dr. minimise wastage and inef- to 63% of the total export ficiency, and instead max- of goods and services.” Samper stated that his disimise productivity, to create He added, that as regards cussions with the Guyana the capacity to produce at a the benefits for Suriname President included topics highly competitive price. “whatever is coming here is that are currently on UN“For the past five years, greater in Suriname,” noting ASUR’s agenda. He added there has been a tremen- that almost 65% of Guya- that with Guyana’s being dous increase in business nese living in the Diaspora an important country in a between Guyana and Suri- who return home, do visit strategic part of the region, they also discussed social name” said the minister. Suriname.

In 2008, Guyana exported This market is important inclusion. This, Dr. Samper approximately 7000kg of for tourism in Guyana, as explained, is a topic in goods to Suriname. In 2012, most of the small hotels are which the president is very this figure was almost tri- filled up by persons trave- interested. pled, seeing close to 26,000 ling from the country. It is The UNASUR Secrekgs being exported. This also important for access tary General also observed saw a trade value of ap- to markets such as Holland, that the discussions focused proximately US$3.6M in and for Suriname, northern on international projects 2008-$13.9M in 2012, rep- Brazil.

economy, one that is innovative, proactive, preemptive, preventative and positive, there has been a lot of interest in the country’s education sector. He pointed out over the next three years, three new medical universities will be established. Also there has been a growing interest in biodiversity.

He added that the size of country’s economy has increased by over 25% to $650B, attracting more than US$629 in foreign direct investment. He also said that credit must be given to the private sector, as it has also grown, increasing by 41.5% to 190.5B. Total deposits in the commercial banks have grown by 22.1% to $334.6B. Contributing factors to investments include adequate and expanding infrastructure, cost and availability of finance and stable macroeconomic fundamentals. General incentives for investors include zero rates on customs duties and consumption tax on most plant, machinery and equipment,

9

as well as raw materials and packaging materials, unlimited carryover of losses from previous years among several others.

Despite all these successes, the minister added that there are challenges which include Guyanese minibus operators taking passengers all the way and vice-versa. He emphasised that this must be corrected and the markets be respected and any agreement that has been made must be honoured, in order to have a successful partnership.

Another problem is the fact that a lot of tourists from Holland visit Guyana through Moleson Creek without re-entry visas. This is very critical because there is no selling of re-entry visas and Guyana’s Suriname Embassy closes before 4:00 pm on Fridays. To curb this issue, the minister proposed that the embassy extend its hours on Fridays, to facilitate these visas or establish the selling of them at Moleson Creek.

President invited to become a Special UNASUR Representative

President Donald Ramotar greets Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano, Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), at the Office of the President and how to deal with those of interest at the multi-lateral level.

H.E. Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano, a former President of Colombia, was appointed for a twoyear term in August, 2014,

as Secretary General of UNASUR. He also met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn RodriguesBirkett on important issues related to Guyana and the larger world.

10

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Economic growth achieved despite serious challenges

THE government will continue to pursue prudent fiscal measures to ensure economic growth in 2015 and beyond, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh stated on January 10, as he explained that the development that the country has experienced over the last nine years was achieved against the background, not only of the complicated, domestic, political reality, but severe world economic troubles.

The minister, during an interview on the National Communications Network’s “Political Scope” programme said that along with the complications of the domestic, political situation, it was a most commendable achievement that growth over nine years was sustained.

The minister pointed out that the PPP/C government has worked hard to “create the conditions that are necessary for achieving and sustaining growth, and for improving the quality of life.” This was due in part

-Finance Minister

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh with Host, Indira Badal on “Political Scope”

to the diversified nature of the local economy.

“The economy is more diversified now than it was, or has ever been in history. Today our people have more access to social services than they ever had … physical infrastructure is more expansive than it has ever been, and I would say that certainly, at the start of the 10th Parliament, investors’ confidence in Guyana was at the highest point that it has ever been in our country’s history.”

Commenting on the strong investors’ interest displayed in Guyana, Minister Singh said there have been very significant inflows in the capital, through foreign direct investment, in addition to very significant volumes of domestic investments, “both by the corporate sector and household sector.”

Guyana’s strong economic performance needs to be applauded by all Guyanese entrepreneurs, who have worked hard to make

the economy grow, he emphasised, “and hundreds of thousands of Guyanese workers, who have contributed to this economic growth, being achieved … their contributions are to be recognised.”

The continuous economic growth has inevitably resulted in the lives of Guyanese being improved, the finance minister added, as he cited the fact that thousands now own their own homes, have more access to social services,

and more young people are completing secondary education, achieving university education, and working and earning an income. He acknowledged that the government has to continue working for more improvements, but individually, Guyanese also have to continue to work to improve their own circumstances.

“Government will do what it has to do, but significant efforts have to be expended to continue to achieve prosperity.”

Referring to the Parliamentary Political Opposition’s decision, over the last three years, to cut the National Budget, Minister Singh stated that the constitution is “clear” on this issue. “The chief justice has ruled on this matter, that arising out of the 2012 budget cuts … that matter ended up before the court, and Chief Magistrate handed down the ruling in 2013. It was quite clear that the National As-

sembly acted outside its institutional remit, in imposing cuts to the National Budget”.

Government will continue to be guided by the constitution, the minister added, and shared the view that has been expressed publicly by the Attorney General on the current action brought before the court by the opposition leader as “frivolous and without merit” because the issue has been ventilated in the court already, and the court has pronounced. The minister added that he is optimistic that the court will be consistent with its previous ruling, which stated that “Government acted entirely within the constitutional and legislative mandate and remit, in managing the operations of Government” as it restored some finances disapproved by the opposition led National Assembly.

Economy’s growth determines social welfare interventions

CABINET Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon has stated that because of work done by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration, in stabilising and sustaining a growing economy, Guyanese have been able to enjoy several welfare interventions.

During an interview with the Director of the Government Information Agency, Neaz Subhan, on the National Communications Network (NCN), Dr. Luncheon said that many of the interventions have been taken for granted, but these are different elements of welfare practices, that occupy much of the government’s attention.

“It is actually a response to social reality, and in many developing countries, and Guyana is no different, the social reality harkens on the past.”

The Cabinet Secretary stated that Guyana’s current day social reality has changed from what it was before 1992. “(In) 2015 Guyana’s social reality is quite different from what it was at the time of emancipation … or even at the time of independence, but still they are lasting …”

He said poverty and the kind of social ills warrant and legitimise the interventions that are captured in the rubric of welfare interventions.

While noting that in today’s society there is the reality, which he blames on the past, he did not shy away from the fact that there may still be current factors contributing. “I’m not saying that contributions are not currently being made, but fundamentally it is a persistence of what we inherited, what we have not yet adequately built with, but is our social reality today and that is what legitimises.”

Dr Luncheon added that “… any caring government would have great difficulty if it does not embark on programmes … aggressive programmes to deal with those aspects of the social reality.”

Speaking of some of the social realities which face the society, Dr. Luncheon said that one simply needs to examine poverty and its origin, its perpetuations, and the culture of poverty and what it breeds. The Cabinet Secretary said Guyana’s economy caters more for the interests that have been

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon on the NCN programme

preserved in the economy than those that deal with the modern demands of the people and the society.

Notwithstanding all this, Dr. Luncheon said that there is no question that when it comes to welfare, the state of the country’s economy therefore matters.

“If your economy has grown at a good clip, there exists lesser chance that you will not have enough money to make aggressive interventions in implementing welfare interventions, if economic growth is anemic or in the reversal and the growth of the economy is constrained like what happened in the financial crisis in 2008.”

Noting the importance of a stable economy in rolling out welfare interventions Dr. Luncheon said a

country’s social policy also depends on tax revenue collection, the wealth that a growing economy creates.

He added that it would then be fair to say that it is not common practice for any government to offer welfare interventions that are not supported by a buoyant economy.

“In other words, were I to be a government that is fundamentally attracted to economic principles and development along sustainable levels, I would have a difficulty in offering welfare interventions that I can’t sustain.”

To this end, he added that while the needs may very well exist, and may be carefully and authentically demonstrated, the question that should be asked is whether the interventions can be sustained.

Citing an example of one such intervention, which the PPP/C administration has been able to sustain over the years, Dr. Luncheon pointed to the non-contributory old age pension.

“Now if you go back to where we were in 1992 and go back to today and look at the difference at what

-Cabinet Secretary

was offered then and what is being offered now, this is because the economy today could sustain the payment of over $13,000 a month non-contributory to Guyanese over 65 (years).”

While acknowledging that after assuming office in 1992 it was no easy task to recreate wealth and the country’s social fabric at large, there is still more to be done, “But 1992 we had the zeal and the conviction and the ideological clarity of what needed to be done, and I must say that with the support of external and internal stakeholders, we were able to turn the situation around.”

He noted that from the inception, social policies were high on the agenda of the PPP/C administration.

“The economy had to be attended to … it had to grow … one had to collect revenue and from the wealth that was being recreated and properly redistributed, and that is why, the modicum of successes that we have had in addressing welfare and welfare interventions.”

Further the Cabinet Secretary said that many of

the interventions were also made possible by constitutional provisions that speak to the welfare orientation of the society. “…The government imposes on the administration, the executive, certain norms that address welfare, so yes we have been better at instituting that constitutional provision.”

He said when it comes to the law, there have been crafted in almost every sector, more particular in the social sector, legislative provisions that secure the state’s commitment to these welfare interventions.

“So what we have brought together is an amalgam; you have constitution, the law and the executive, all collaborating in ensuring that what is done in terms of intervention is indeed appropriate and is suitable, responsive to the situation that actually existed at the time an intervention is made.”

Even more evident that the country’s social welfare is being catered to is the yearly budgetary allocations of which the social sector takes the largest chunk.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Nagamootoo’s ‘fly by night’ statement seeks to discredit President Ramotar’s contributions MINISTER of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali has questioned whether or not the Alliance For Change (AFC) Executive member Moses Nagamootoo is so caught up in political negativism, that he ignores facts, available information, and truth in a spineless effort to denigrate the invaluable contributions public officials make in propelling Guyana’s development.

Responding to Nagamootoo’s statements in relation to the construction of a new road, linking the East Bank and East Coast Demerara, through an Indian Government line of credit, Minister Ali said Nagamootoo seems divorced from the realities, from national priorities and ongoing developmental debates.

Minister Ali in an issued statement, said, “In his anti-developmental antics, Mr. Nagamootoo said that the project was a “fly by night’ idea and that proper consultations and feasibility study are needed. Sometime ago I spoke of political maturity and leadership, (and) it is this type of immaturity that will not take our country forward.”

The Housing Minister, in his statement reminded Nagamootoo that this subject formed the discussion of many debate presentations in the 2014 National Budget, and in the debate that ensued after that presentation. Many members on both sides of the House spoke on this subject matter and all of them supported the idea.

“So, Mr. Nagamootoo’s sly comment of a “fly by night’ idea is baseless and was only aimed at discrediting the enormous contributions of President Ramotar, in finalising this line of credit from the Government of India during his recent visit.” The President secured US$50M for the road project, as well as other forms of assistance, during his

six-day state visit to India recently.

The Minister said, (as was outlined in debate presentations in Parliament, and answering questions of the Opposition) that in addition to the countless articles in the national media on this subject, it was made clear that a detailed feasibility study was completed and submitted to the Indian Government for approval.

“It is very naïve for Mr. Nagamootoo to believe that a project of this nature can just be approved without a detailed feasibility study.”

Minister Ali said he was bothered that the details of this project, through constant updates in the National Assembly and the media, seem to have avoided the notice of the AFC Member, and “In an effort to throw cold water on this tremendous accomplishment, Mr. Nagamootoo side-stepped the courtesies of acknowledging the hard work of employees in the public sector.”

Also the minister took the time to congratulate the team from the Ministry of Housing and Water, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), independent stakeholders, community planners, and community leaders who assisted tremendously in the finalisation of the project document and feasibility study, that led to the approved financing for this project.

Knowing the vital importance it has for not only linking the East Bank and East Coast Demerara, but also the opening up of many opportunities, new land, and linking the Ogle International Airport with major population zones, Minister Ali said President Ramotar has constantly pressed the technical team to work assiduously in securing the approval of this project.

“There is an exciting future ahead for Guyana,

but it requires maturity, vision and commitment to be realised. It is these characteristics that saw this major accomplishment between the Government of India and the Government of Guyana.”

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn also lambasted Nagamootoo for statements about India’s recent aid package to Guyana. “Disappointing, confusing and tragicomic” is the description that the Public Works Minister gave to the statements attributed to AFC Vice Chairman.

Also, responding via

ister explained that Nagamootoo continues to deliberately mislead the public as to the reasons the Government of Guyana accessed (China Exim Bank) Bank Loan funds for the CJIA project. The reason was (and still remain so) that it was sorely needed and that the China-CARICOM Summit in Port of Spain Trinidad presented a final time bound opportunity, to fund it on advantageous soft loan terms.

Minister Benn recalled the AFC’s own ideas on an airport expansion project came from its lead person on finance and infrastruc-

Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali letter, Minister Benn said that any “balanced read of the very article which contains Mr. Nagamootoo’s statements, along with the experience of the traffic situation which the OgleEccles project will address speaks volumes as to the urgent necessity for the project’s intervention. It is, therefore, disappointing and confusing that Mr. Nagamootoo, an experience and ‘veteran’ politician would condescend to describe, as quoted directly” … fly by night ideas that are being floated,” the very idea that he too deemed as necessary in paragraph 6 in the said article.”

In the letter, the min-

ture, Gerhard Ramsaroop, who suggested that the CJIA be abandoned and a new airport be constructed on the West Bank of Demerara, at Sandhills. It was noted that this would result in the loss of investment funds sunk into CJIA, and the replication and extension of the airport’s infrastructure. This would also see a new road and a new upstream Demerara River Bridge, which would also have to accommodate oceangoing river traffic.

All of this would likely result, Minister Benn noted, in a project that is five more expensive than the current US$150 authorised project.

The opposition’s ob-

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-Minister Ali

jection to the acquisition of a new ferry to complete the current fleet was also criticised. He emphasised that no one should argue with the need to secure a new Northwest ferry. “Besides the fact of the current fleet assets, being quite old, the accommodations and enroute times are very unsuitable and tedious, respectively, for this service.

This discussion has been oft repeated, both in the media and in the National Assembly, where Mr. Nagamootoo was an active participant.”

Minister Benn expressed his hope that the AFC is not now again setting its sights on “shooting down another vital project, which provides the life line transport link to Amerindian communities, as occurred with the opposition’s refusal for Budget 2014, where Hinterland Aerodromes and the Amerindian Development Fund amongst others fell victim to the Combined Opposition’s hatchets.”

Minister Benn reiterated that funding obtained from the BRICS grouping (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) has very advantageous and concessional terms, and that “these projects by their very nature in transiting the funding and project cycles, require feasibility and engineering design studies all of which involve consultation.”

He also reminded of the fact that the AFC had initially voiced support for the same CJIA expansion project. “Mr. Nagamootoo may wish to intimate, that why after having been consulted and provided with all the feasibility and engineering studies for the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project and having benefitted from the debates and interventions in the National Assembly, the Combined Opposition, of which the

AFC is a very vocal member, refused further funding for the project in 2014, after having approved the project… What discovery propelled the attempt to hold up or kill a vital national project that would see cheaper airfares, efficient travel and an opportunity to enhance our tourism and transport networking attractiveness?”

Minister Benn also recalled what he said was the “visceral negative criticisms from sections of the media and opposition circles, when Guyana undertook with Indian Government funding, to build a new cricket stadium, at Providence, to International Cricket Council Standards.” He further noted that the stadium fulfilled its intended mission for Cricket World Cup, “combined with the reality of an exemplary facility that is enjoyed by all, for a variety of cultural and social events, is a testimony to the fact that what Nagamootoo deems as “fly by night” PPP/C government projects result in solid, viable, enduring projects, on solid ground, benefitting all Guyanese”.

In closing, the minister said that as regards to the seeming uptake of additional public debt, Nagamootoo should recall when, as a minister of the first PPP/C government in 1992, he was amongst those at the Cheddi Jagan Cabinet, who wrestled with the seemingly hopeless problem of having to spend 93 percent plus of all revenues to service debts.

He stated emphatically that the initiatives of the kind being undertaken are “designed to energise the national economy,” and urged Nagamootoo not to turn his back on the “only certifiable success he has had in politics, that is, the period when he was a PPP/C stalwart”.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Opposition is anti-growth and anti-development

THE argument that the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion project is not really needed in Guyana is an untenable one, as no society can move towards modernisation, unless certain things are in place.

Thus stated Presidential Advisor on Community Development, Odinga Lumumba, during the programme “Political Scope” aired on January 19 on the National Communications Network Inc. He noted that proper roads and health care are among these elements for modernisation, and added that if Guyana were to be a tourism hub, the airport would have to be expanded.

The moving of persons from the airport is what the opposition is against, Lumumba pointed out. He noted that in Trinidad, when the issue arose to move persons from the airport, it was done with their being given alternative places to live; and the same obtains here. He intoned that “… no sound opposition would be against this; they are anti-growth and anti-development, and they want people to squat.”

Lumumba observed that Guyana is moving towards the development of the airport, because of the necessity.

The distributing of state resources across the country is another issue on which Lumumba expounded. He stated that “… it is not electioneering that is being done when notions of empowerment come up here in Guyana,” as “… many others have spoken about empowerment, but only in the philosophical approach … and in Guyana the thoughts and ideas are implemented.”

He further elaborated that, “In Guyana, a committee looked at various aspects of empowerment.

However, at first there was nothing to distribute at any level, in any sector (as), everything was disabled and out of ‘whack’, so it had to begin from scratch.”

The special advisor highlighted that “... three things had to be looked at: water, housing and roads. With X amount of state resources, whatever was distributed was done fairly.”

The first distribution of

house lots, under the former Housing Minister Henry Jeffery, was done, looking at the needs, as opposed to race and geography. Mothers alone with children were the first to qualify for house lots in the course of the distribution, and they were the first to benefit.

Lumumba remembered the distribution in Non Pariel and his earlier understanding that it was poor and leant towards East Indians.

However, when he checked, it was equally balanced and did not slant towards a particular race.

Eventually, he became the Ministerial Advisor on Housing to Minister Jeffery, and there was a big push in the Diamond area. He noted that many afro Guyanese approached him and he told them to go to Diamond, but were reluctant, since they wanted houses in Georgetown. His response then, was that there were no house lots in Georgetown and they eventually went to Diamond. The process has always been based on need, followed by the middle and upper class and the rich, where the cost is a little higher, he said.

Lumumba said that the other aspect was development for housing areas, and that in the 15 to 18 years of the Desmond Hoyte administration, there was no distribution of house lots. Only about 20 lots were given to Afro-Guyanese.

After the 1992 elections, when the new distribution began, it was essential that persons received lots. As time went by, the administration found contractors and resources to put up lights and build roads in those communities. As such, there were roads, water, lights and other things for the housing areas, including schools and health centres. Even those areas, which started out without infrastructure, now have these things, so “Empowerment is making people feel human, living with these things, moving from one level to another,” he stated.

Citing Linden as an example, Lumumba noted the political differences, but stated that “… even so, billions of dollars was put in towards development. (For example), in Amelia’s Ward, there is housing with water.”

- Presidential Adviser Lumumba

Presidential Advisor on Community Development, Odinga Lumumba He invited the viewers to go the roads were terrible. Toback 30 years and examine day, he noted, that 90% of those areas, as “Where they the community roads were were desolate, there are now done and that there was no hundreds of houses with racial priority given to this. clear water running … betNobody fetches water potable water with new ter today, he noted too. schools, and the one which Through empowerment, the was burnt is being rebuilt.” government has resolved all He noted too that the those issues. In the struggle Linden Hospital was rebuilt for the working class, even and the administration is in the communities where supplying it with nurses and the PPP/C has the largest doctors. The only complaint support base, he does not he noted is that there needs detect any race bias. Howto be more efficiency. This, ever, far more is being done he pointed out, is natural for in Amerindian communismall countries where these ties, where government is flaws exist. building dozens of schools In Buxton where he and dormitories.

This grew up, he pointed out that would see livelihoods being

brought up to standard, so that all can be “One people, One nation, One destiny,” he emphasised.

With new projects, the argument is that the resources should benefit people who are in need of help.

With the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, Lumumba pointed out that this will reduce the electricity price for all. Regardless of race, colour or creed, this will also increase the potential for manufacturing to expand, and will thus create employment opportunities, when the economic upscale will slant in that direction.

This would mean that with cheaper power, new manufacturers coming on board will employ local staff.

With the Specialty Hospital, he stated that all surgeries will be done in Guyana. “These things can only be done by the rich now … who can pay to go abroad and have these surgeries done on their heart, lungs, kidneys etc.” The reason for the Specialty Hospital is to cater for poor people to have health services.

Improving the lives of

Guyanese, from 1992 to now, the new Guyana today can been seen in communities. Changes in housing, roads, and services in development can be seen, Lumumba observed. “In the most backward part of the world, this can be seen differently. There are no hospital services, but maybe a health centre and a Voluntary Service Officer (VSO) visiting from America or somewhere else. In Guyana in each village today, there are health centres available or persons can go to a hospital. There is proper housing with transports provided, proper schools with roofs, teachers, books, and furniture and school uniforms. Teachers don’t have to sell whilst working anymore. Each community also has sports facilities, where the sports minister helps.”

In terms of moving forward, Lumumba suggested that “…the opposition members need to stop being so meddlesome … (they must) come up with sensible positions and be more mature.”

GPHC, Subei People’s Hospital sign friendship agreement IN an effort to further enhance the delivery of health care services, and to develop a stronger relationship between Guyana and China, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), and Yang Zhou-Subei People’s Hospital, located in Jiangsu Province, signed a friendship agreement, which will see the two hospitals, benefiting from each other’s services.

The agreement was signed on January 15, by the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Michael Khan, and Secretary of the Party Committee, Yang Zhou-Subei People’s Hospital, Sun Jie, at the GPHC’s Resource Centre. Present at the signing also were a sixmember delegation from Jiangsu Province and other local health officials.

During brief remarks, Khan said that this agreement was established, following a visit by a team of Guyanese medical officials, to the Yang Zhou-Subei People’s Hospital. He said

CEO of GPHC, Michael Khan and Secretary of the Party Committee, Subei People’s Hospital of Jiangsu Province, Ms. Sun Jie exchanging agreements that the agreement is in the process of being developed and will soon be finalized.

However, he anticipates that the GPHC will benefit from additional equipment from the hospital, and will eventually be able to facilitate more surgeries. Moreover, Khan revealed that the agreement will see Guyana’s expanding its surgical capacity, as it relates to spinal surgery, which is already being done at GPHC. He said this agreement will also pave the way for a stronger relationship with the Yang Zhou-Subei Peo-

ple’s Hospital in the future, since it is more equipped with up to date technology.

Meanwhile, Jie underscored the importance of such a relationship, noting that it will see a more enhanced health service delivery.

She expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Health for the support they have given to the sixmember delegate and the Chinese medical brigade.

“We want to invite your side to share with us your views on how the medical

team’s work can improve.

Eventually we will be looking at improving the friendship between Guyana and China, so that we can better serve the people,” Jie noted.

Jie further stated that the friendship between the two hospitals is a good start to future cooperation, adding that, “with our sound foundation of cooperation, we can look at ways in which we can establish other fields of cooperation.”

Prior to the signing, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran also met with the Chinese delegation, after which he unveiled a plaque to commemorate the partnership between the two hospitals. He said that Chinese medical brigades have brought new skills in Guyana, over the years they have been coming. “For example, this team has brought spinal surgical skills, something we did not have in the past.”

The Health Minister expressed the hope that more aspiring Guyanese doctors will be trained in China.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyanese can be proud and optimistic of national economic performance

IT is something any government should be proud of-economic growth! So the government of Guyana and its people have every reason to be proud and optimistic. Guyana has been witnessing economic growth for almost a decade now, with almost every sector showing significant and steady increases.

Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance, in a recent interview, maintained that “this government will continue to implement measures to ensure economic growth well into the future.” The economic policies and practices of this government have attracted regional and international recognition. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, during a visit here, lauded Guyana’s housing programme. He emphatically stated that he did “… not know of any programme, of this magnitude, anywhere else in the Caribbean, in the Eastern Caribbean nor in the OECS.” During his address, at the 32nd meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government conference in St Kitts and Nevis two years ago, Gonsalves said that Guyana “… appears to be a bright growth prospect even amidst the global economic meltdown from September 2008 … (Guyana) has agricultural commodities to sell, in which the country still has some competitive advantage… marine resources and gold… also Guyana has abundant hydroelectricity (potential).”

So Guyana has every reason to be proud and optimistic. Dr. Singh explained that notwithstanding the challenges encountered in the parliamentary process, and the inevitable consequences that these challenges have posed for the political and by extension the economic environment, Guyana still continues to experience economic growth.

The Finance Minister said recently that sustaining nine years of consecu-

CEO of the Massy Holdings Ltd., Gervase Warner greeting Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh at the opening of the US$10M Massy distribution center at Montrose, East Coast Demerara in November 2014 tive economic growth is Ltd., (NICIL), Winston not easy work, and that Brassington, attested to extending it remains high the minister’s sentiments. on the agenda of the PPP/C “We have been witnessing administration. Why? “We a lot of foreign investment (the PPP/C) take very seri- and this itself is an indicaously our responsibility for tor that the fundamentals to ensuring that the economic attract investment are in the environment in Guyana right place.” continue to be attractive,” NICIL, a government he explained. holding company, that According to Dr. Singh, manages, monitors and dethe local economy con- velops government assets tinues to be one which is and investments, works conducive to attracting directly with local and forinvestors, both local and eign investors.

Examples of foreign foreign. “We have pursued relentlessly the objective of direct investments are eviensuring that the conditions dent in the international exist for steady improve- companies that have chosen ment in the quality of life Guyana as their respective investment destination. Exfor all Guyanese.”

The minister pointed amples of such companies out that the government’s include Guyana Goldfields policy is to provide the (Canada), Troy Resources same incentives to local (Australia), Exxon Mobil and foreign investors, who and CGX (internationare interested in investing ally recognised oil compain Guyana. “If you look nies), Qualfon (Mexican across the spectrum, you’ll call service provider), and see a very strong track re- Massy Group of companies cord of investors from (one of the region’s largest every jurisdiction, respond- conglomerates). ing to the environment that Proud accomplishment we have created. We have The Finance Minister today, companies (local noted that the nine years and foreign) in the natural of consecutive growth was resources sector, in gold, in achieved despite non- supmanganese, in bauxite and port from the Parliamenin new and emerging industries. In others words, ir- tary Opposition, which respective of the investors’ can only be deemed as a being local or foreign, this concerted effort to stymie government will support development.

He noted that Guyana them.” could have achieved much Executive Director more, if many of its pivotal of the National Industrial projects (such as the Amaila Commercial Investments

Falls Hydroelectric and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion) had not been obstructed by the Parliamentary Opposition.

In addition, the minister noted that the global economic environment has also been faced with its own problems and has impacted many of Guyana’s trading partners negatively.

Given these internal and external challenges, Minister Singh said that Guyana’s economic performance is worthy of applauding. “It is most commendable not just to government, but indeed to the investors, the entrepreneurs, and the workers, all of whom have contributed to this growth.”

The Finance Minister noted that the economy was able to perform as well as it did, because of investor friendly policies and prudent fiscal management by government.

It was also noted that in recent years, the banking sector has been able to provide more loans for a higher number of Guyanese, and now there are more banking locations. This redounded directly from the country’s economic solidity and growth.

Foundation Stressing that “economic growth is essential for improving the wellbeing of the people of Guyana,” Minister Singh emphasised that the government will therefore continue to maintain policies, aimed at securing the country’s economic growth, notwithstanding the present and emerging challenges.

“There was a time when the economy was dependent on one or two key sectors, but the country is now at a point where it is sufficiently diversified to be resilient to shocks experienced by any individual sector,” the Finance Minister noted. Even though this is what now obtains, the minister charged that the government will not become complacent, and will continue to work assiduously to ensure that the main sectors remain com-

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President Donald Ramotar being briefed on Guyana Goldfields Operations petitive and continue to expand.

Detractors Expressing his belief that the Parliamentary Political Opposition is all about injuring the economy, Dr. Singh said that the political challenges cannot be ignored, “The Joint Opposition, the AFC and APNU, have not been shy of flaunting their tactics for all and sundry to see, and these tactics have been aimed at scaring investors away, intimidating investors, (and even) threatening (them).”

He recalled when the opposition members went so far as to threaten that they would not honour contracts entered into with investors.

Minister Singh then stressed that in a democratic environment, these ‘opposition actions’ are not deemed as acceptable behaviour, “since all leaders are supposed to act in the country’s best interest, regardless of which side they represent.”

Referring to the AntiMoney Laundering Bill, the minister expounded that

this was “the starkest example … that the opposition parties have made it quite clear, that they have no interest in the consequences of an adverse review by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the other external bodies that are responsible for reviewing Guyana’s financial actions.”

Resolve Dr. Singh stated that the PPP/C government will continue to place strong focus on the building of key infrastructural projects such as the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project, as “… these have the potential to cement the nation’s long prospects for economic growth.”

He further emphasised that, “We (PPP/C) are persevering with Amaila … we continue to work with international partners … notwithstanding the opposition’s attempts to stymie and stultify these projects (other transformational projects mentioned above), it is (still) very much our intention to ensure that these projects be realised.”

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Education Minister clarifies issues raised by GTU

EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickchand clarified several issues facing the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU), regarding the Brickdam Secondary School and duty-free concessions for teachers.

However, before she addressed the questions, she observed that the Ministry of Education (MoE), has over time, enjoyed a very good relationship with the GTU, in relation to the welfare of its members.

Pointing out that the use of the media is extremely unhealthy to raise issues, the minister cautioned against this strategy. Minister Manickchand also observed that the MoE’s doors are always open to the GTU, and expressed surprise that the topics raised were not taken to the MoE first.

Duty-free concessions Regarding duty-free concessions, she noted that if the report was correct as published, it must

Education Minister Priya Manickchand be disputed. In 2009, be- observed. cause of miscommunicaThere were about a doztion between both the min- en teachers who were eligiistry and the union, there ble in 2009, and they have were some teachers who all received their conceshad become eligible for sions. She added that at the this, but did not get their time they made the appliconcessions. cations, they did have the While accepting re- required eligibility condisponsibility for the minis- tions, with five years on the try, Minister Manickchand job and having served for noted that it was not the three years. Given the fact ministry’s fault alone, but that the teachers were not also the union’s and its ex- at fault, she saw it as unfair ecutive body’s. To say that and took the decision to it was the ministry’s fault Cabinet, which agreed and is highly misleading, she passed all the procedures.

Salaries The placing of the issue of salaries at the door of the ministry, the Education Minister stated that this was wrong. In 2010, a joint committee was set up to deal with it, and on the ministry’s side were Jacqueline Simon and Reginald Brotherson, with Lancelot Baptiste and Genevieve Allen on the side of the GTU. A memorandum was sent to all head teacher members of the GTU, and after one year, only 10% response was received. In 2011, another memorandum was sent to the membership of the union, and by mid-2012 about 90% response was received.

As a result of this, a salary structure was created for the de-bunting exercise, with a costing done, based on revised salaries for 2011. In 2013, a copy of the proposal was given by the Committee to Bap-

tiste, for discussion with the union executives. In February of 2014, Baptiste was advised that the union was satisfied with the plan.

Government then sat and entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the union. To lay the blame at the ministry’s door is less than honest, the minister stated.

Brickdam Secondary School It is really unfortunate that this issue was raised by the GTU as the MoE has identified two schools, Central High and Brickdam Secondary, to be moved. However, there is the need to find space and to ensure that they be state of the art. This is something which has been addressed, during a meeting in December at the Ministry of Finance.

Violence in schools Addressing the issue of violence in schools, Chief

Education Officer Olato Sam said that it is an area which is of great concern and it should have a wider discussion. Parents should be engaged to formalise arrangements, on who could or should monitor the behaviour of students. This would mean that with an early indication, the issue of student behaviour could be addressed. He added that this would soon be addressed nationally.

Teacher and conflict resolution Sam also stated that while all teachers are qualified, they may not be for the issues with which they are confronted. He noted that in their training, they may not have been prepared for them. To do this well, there is going to be the need for a more broadbased approach, which would make teachers responsible.

Friendship swine development project commissioned

MINISTER of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker, on January 21, cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Friendship Swine Development Project at Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara, under the Caribbean Local Economic Development (CARILED) initiative.

According to CARILED’s country coordinator, Dhanraj Singh, the project has four components, namely the construction of the facility, training, start-up assistance for farmers, and assistance from both local and Canadian experts, who will be aiding with the maintenance.

The project which was established at a cost of US$42,000 saw consultations commencing 13 months ago. Singh noted that after meeting with the farmers, it was realised that the area is well positioned for livestock development, and it could mould swine development.

The country coordinator also pointed out that Guyana once exported pork and beef and still has the potential to do so. It was on

Minister of Local Government & Regional Development, Norman Whittaker along with beneficiaries, and officials cutting the ribbon to commission the Friendship swine facility this basis that the project was conceptualised.

The project is a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP), and will see community members’ benefiting from 15% of the new born stock for approximately three years.

Also the waste from the pen will be used in a biodigester to create energy, while its nutrients will be used to make duck weed to feed the pigs. This will result in low production cost.

Singh noted that these

communities have a lot of potential and the project was completed in a timely manner.

Meanwhile, Minister Whittaker in his remarks, pointed out that the country depends a lot on its agriculture sector, not only for putting food on the table, but also to provide job opportunities, thus creating revenue for the country and income for citizens.

He pointed out that this is the kind of investment that government wants to

see, as it has been continuously speaking of diversifying and investing in various types of agriculture.

He also lauded the private partners (farmers) for their confidence in themselves and the government.

He added that development takes place with its people, adding that citizens cannot depend on government solely and that is why such partnerships are important.

He said he was very happy and challenged the

farmers to ensure that the project will not fail.

Parsaram Persaud, beneficiary of the project, said that he was very happy to be a part of the initiative.

He also pointed out the facility has a capacity to house approximately 240 pigs.

Also present at the ceremony was Local Government Ministry’s Deputy Permanent Secretary Abena Moore, the Region 4 Chairman, Clement Corlette; and Chairman of Caledonia/ Good Success Neighbourhood Council, Dwarka Nauth.

In May 2012, the Ministry implemented the CARILED programme, which is being funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, with in-kind contributions, from Caribbean and Commonwealth countries.

The six-year programme targets the development of businessfriendly environments in which micro-small and medium-sized enterprises can prosper.

Other projects that have been successfully

completed under this initiative include the Tapakuma Women’s Project, the Canal Polders Green Initiative and the Mara Agricultural Enhancement Project.

Also under this programme, 29 Local Government personnel were trained in Local Economic Development, while 61 participants benefited from local exchange of knowledge and local economic development practices, as well as two studies, which were completed in identifying improvement on women in business and access to micro financing.

Further, 50 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils across Regions 2, 3, 4 and 6 received training and completed funding packages, with the necessary tools and materials for increased access to finance, while 34 Local Government personnel, from these regions benefited from training in basic internet application, by means of electronic communication, in order to locate and source funding for CARILED.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Celebrating a Proud History -Mashramani and Guyana Homecoming 2015

GUYANA- South America, Undiscovered- EVEN as revellers anxiously prepare for Mashramani 2015 celebrations, ‘Mash’ Bands across the country are wooing visitors to our shores to experience the country’s premier , annual cultural festival, under the theme, “One People, One Voice, One Celebration” Guyana’s “Mashramani,” with its name rooted

The meaning of the celebrations is etched into the consciousness of all Guyanese, irrespective of race or creed, as over the last 45 years, the general creative imagination and skills of the people have combined to help in the democratisation and popularity of Mashramani’s coming of age, as Guyana’s premier month-long celebration of “unity in diversity” by the six peoples of one nation.

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expected to take to the streets, to showcase Guyanese diversity in their costumes and displays.

There isn’t a more festive time to be in Guyana, and for those visiting, the lure extends beyond the frolicking and festivities ...blessed with thousands of fauna species, Guyana is an exciting destination for wildlife spotting. We boast the largest and most unique species of snakes,

A scene from Mashramani 2014

Revellers at Mashramani 2014 in the culture of its indigenous Amerindians, draws to a climax with Republic anniversary celebrations on February 23; transforming Mashramani, into a genuine national cultural event, has evolved as an outstanding success story of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Rousing steel pan contests, calypso and soca concerts, parades and intellectual competitions, art exhibitions at Castellani House and a lecture series dubbed, “The Republic of Guyana,” are among the myriad of activities during this period; some 45 ‘Mash’ bands are also

rodents, monkeys, cats, frogs, lizards, mammals and many more.

Take a journey by boat, foot or vehicle, in the day, or better at night, and get a glimpse of several giants of the rainforest, such as the Giant River Otter, Emerald Boa, Boa Constrictor, Black Caiman, Capy-

Mashramani attracts tourists to Guyana

bara, the fearless Jaguar, or the world’s largest fresh water fish, the Arapaima.

Guyana’s rich cultural fusion is truly unique and full of energy, life and diversity. In an era poised by explorations, voyages, slavery and Indentureship, many nations came to Guyana, bringing with them their ethnic values and their own unique cultures.

Over hundreds of years, their diverse cultures found a way to interrelate, form-

ing a never-broken fusion, that now stimulates Guyana’s cultural dimension, through festivals and other diverse cultural events, like Mashramani.

With the diverse comes a wide array of finger-licking foods. There can be found many influences in the Guyanese cuisine, due to our rich history and our various backgrounds. The most important cooking styles have been adopted from the East Indian, Caribbean, African and Chi-

A typical mash float Parade scene

nese cuisines, but there are also many European influences, as Guyana is basically a harmonic blend of these all. This is yet another reason to come to Guyana in 2015.

Travel to Guyana this February and experience this public holiday, celebrated by all Guyanese at home and abroad, which truly reflects our motto ‘One people, One nation, One destiny’...HAPPY MASHRAMANI

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed�

Region Four The East Bank Corridor-A Modern Hub

Guyana National Stadium at Providence

Park Vue hotel at Farm

Eccles Water Treatment Plant

Unicomer (Courts) new storage bond at Farm

Taking shape, a completed section of the East bank four-lane road expansion in the vicinity of Diamond Princess International Hotel at Providence

Diamond Secondary School

Diamond food court

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed�

East Bank Demerara morning traffic congestion

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Diamond, East Bank Demerara Hospital

Turnkey homes, Providence Diamond Fire station

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport which is currently being upgraded to a modern international facility Branches of three commercial banks located at Diamond

The Diamond/Grove Police Station

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Circumstances in a modern society justify use of National Intelligence Centre

HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon has justified the existence of the National Intelligence Centre (NIC) by explaining that it is an unavoidable compromise in the protection of national interest in a modern society.

Speaking on the ‘Political Scope’ programme on the National Communications Network on January 18, Dr. Luncheon said, “I do believe it is an element of trust, between the citizens and its government that is put on the table here.”

He said that, “One has to concede that in protecting national interest, in the pursuit of national security, indeed there will be instances where issues like safeguarding rights, protecting rights, (and) invasion of privacy, these issues will be

compromised.”

Dr. Luncheon, who is also Secretary of the Defence Board, noted that if done as prescribed, and if there are checks and balances that the citizenry respect and rely on, then like in most modern societies, agencies such as the NIC are recognised as “a necessary accompaniment of the enjoyment of the trappings of a modern society”.

“You cannot get the benefits of a secure state and national interest being protected indeed, in locking ourselves up in a cocoon of constitutional rights and guarantees,” he opined.

He noted that the issue therefore begs the question about the common good, of the pursuit of matters from a national interest perspective.

He noted that the administration is cognisant of the

new threats that have to be responded to, which were not within the mandate of the other disciplined services, and recognises that it would have been inappropriate to thrust them in the existing structures, hence the movement to establish the NIC, he said.

Dr. Luncheon pointed out that if the Government of Guyana wanted to be recognised and be treated as a state party whose national interest must be respected, it means that the Government has the responsibility of so doing and ensuring its protection. “You have to be out there 24 hours a day, and all over the world the convention of agencies dedicated to the acquisition of information, the programming analysis and recommendation on interventions based on those recommendations, all over the world such agen-

cies exist,” he noted.

Dr. Luncheon noted that over the years, the PPPC Administration has established a government that has presented itself as the basis for enduring trust between the citizens and its government. He thinks that it is in that context that citizens, where ever, should keep examining the question of an invasion of their privacy. He said that it is probably inappropriate to select isolate concerns about trust when dealing with national security issues, when there is a bigger picture.

“As your administration addresses issues in a trustworthy way, not only national interest but the entirety of engagement with the people and leaders … that should be the picture that is taken into context.”

He added that this is where the administration

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-Dr. Luncheon

stands in the context of its ‘comprehensive address of this issue of trust’.

“I want to believe that this administration, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) has earned over the years the trust of the Guyanese people to adhere to the constitution, the rule of law and indeed to have made a primary responsibility of retaining the confidence of the Guyanese people that we are doing the right thing, and making available the information on the right things.”

The Cabinet Secretary noted that even if it comes to examining the issue of national security, it is on the background of an enabling environment, one that clearly establishes this as a trustworthy administration and encourages the citizens to concede that which is ev-

idenced in the other realms is more than likely to be applied in this particular one.

The NIC was set up by Government intended not to replicate, displace or undermine the existing disciplined sources involved in similar national security, but in a comprehensive way, and particularly in a consistent way, garner national security information, in a changing modern world.

The Cabinet Secretary also explained that national security is a never ending cycle that has to be attended to, at every second of every hour, of every day. “We have to respond to national security interest, equally important we have also to acquire information to help us to identify what those interests are, what the threat is to those interests, and what would

Culture Ministry well geared for Mashramani activities

THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has announced that it has a packed calendar of activities, to commemorate Guyana’s 45th Republic Anniversary. Mashramani 2015 is being celebrated under the theme “One People One Culture One Celebration.”

The children’s activities are being streamed, through the Ministry of Education for all schools to be fully involved. This year’s activities commence on January 19, in schools across the regions.

The final Mashramani competition for the children is scheduled for February 12 to the 14. The Dance and Masquerade competition will be held on February 12, Calypso and Dramatic Poetry on February 13, and the Costume parade is slated for February 14. The rehearsals for the competitions are well underway among the participating schools.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony noted that Mash festivities will feature the traditional calypso, soca and chutney competitions.

The Calypso competition comprises two categories; junior and adult

-Minister Anthony

competitions. The junior calypso competition is expecting to field 11 contestants, while the adult competition will feature 20 participants.

The semi-finals will be held at Bartica, while the final competition is slated for Thirst Park. The National Music School band will perform for the junior calypso contestants, while the Mingles Sound Machine band will accompany the adult performers.

In addition, the Mashramani Chutney Competition will feature 19 contestants, who will be guided by the Shakti Strings band. The competition has been slated for Anna Regina Centre Ground on January 31.

A scene from Mash 2014 The Mashramani Soca Monarch competition is expected to be the highlight for Mashramani celebrations. The competition comprises two categories; the semi-finals will be held at Berbice, while the final competition has been slated for the National Park. The competition will feature performances from the Heat Wave band.

The minister said that over the years, the ministry has been working to resuscitate steel pan music in schools. This has been evident through part-time music teachers, who were placed at various schools, to teach students to play the steel pan.

The Mashramani 2015 steel band competition has been divided into two categories; school band, which has been divided into a small and large group, and the customary category.

These competitions will be held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

In addition, this year’s competition will feature an open contest of solo and duets, comprising six bands and a number of solo artistes will be performing.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been working with persons to develop masquerade bands over the years. Dance steps recorded on discs and manuals have been procured to educate persons on

masquerade.

In addition, Minister Anthony said that the ministry will continue to work to encourage masquerade performers, so as to ensure that this art form be carefully preserved.

A masquerade competition will be held in Essequibo, due to the increased number of masquerade bands present there. Bands from Regions Three, Four, Five and Ten are expected to participate in the masquerade competition.

Meanwhile, a new activity has been added to this year’s calendar of activities; this includes a literary street fair. This fair will feature an exhibition of books on Guyana’s history and the reason for Mashramani celebrations. This event will be held in front of the Ministry of Culture on Main Street on February 20, and it aims to encourage reading among the populace.

A flag raising ceremony will also be held at Parliament Building, to commemorate Guyana’s Republic Anniversary.

A national art exhibition will be held at the Castellani House that will depict infor-

mation on Guyana’s history, as well as Mashramani souvenirs, while the National Museum will also portray an exhibition to showcase Guyana’s history.

Further, a lecture will be held on the Republic of Guyana; it will be hosted by prominent professors and writers.

An elderly concert will be held for senior citizens at the Promenade Gardens, and this will feature a cultural programme.

The annual Mashramani Costume Float parade is slated for February 23, and it promises to be bigger and better. The parade will traverse from Camp and Church Streets to the National Park.

A safety committee will be implemented on the day of the Costume Float parade to ensure that the safety of patrons.

In addition, the ten administrative regions will also be hosting their annual Mashramani activities, parallel to the central Mashramani programmes.

Minister Anthony lauded the private sector, for coming onboard to support Mashramani celebrations.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

AG reports successful meeting with Hugh Wooding Principal

ATTORNEY General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall met with the Principal of the Hugh Wooding Law School (HWLS) Miriam Samaru on January 16, and several issues were discussed, in particular those affecting the Guyanese students at the institution.

It was a very fruitful meeting, and many of the issues raised were successfully addressed, according to the AG. The AG then met with the Guyanese contingent of students on January 17, and briefed them on the discussions he had with the HWLS Principal, and the decisions which were made.

The AG had before met with students from the UG’s Law Society (UGLS) to hear their concerns and abate their fears, as to whether or not the current batch of top 25 graduating law students, from the University of Guyana (UG) would be given automatic entry, into the HWLS. The students’ concerns stemmed from the fact that last year some difficulties were encountered, in securing the established automatic entry of 25 Guyanese, from the faculty of Law at the UG, into the HWLS. Those difficulties were however resolved,

Attorney General Anil Nandlall with Guyanese students, at the Hugh Wooding Law school, St Augustine, Trinidad due to the intervention of is adequate accommoda- of which he is an executive the Guyana Government. tion at the law schools in member, they are currently The Attorney General the region to house the addressing this issue, as reminded the students that continuous increase in the a fundamental matter. He a decision was taken at the numbers of students show- told the students that he level of the CARICOM ing an inclination to pursue will be attending a meeting Heads of Government, to studies in the area of law. of the Council in Grenada, write to the Council of LeThe next decision to be on February 6, 2015, and gal Education (CLE), and made, Minister Nandlall this matter will be on the address the issue of contin- explained, is the source of agenda again. uing admission of UG law funding. “To undertake The minister articulated students, to the Council’s what the Heads of Govern- that there is currently an law school, as well as to ment were recommending, impasse between the UWI undertake a comprehensive which is a review of the and UG, in relation to a review of legal education system, is a very costly ex- continuation of a collaboin the region, with specific ercise, and an estimation of rative arrangement, which emphasis on revising the the cost was submitted to has been in place for the syllabus, revising the role the Heads of Government, last two decades. He said the Council is playing, with discussions on rais- that UG has put forward whether or not the Council ing the money.” Guyana, some proposals, which are should continue to be the he said, signalled its com- being considered by UWI, provider of legal education mitment to contribute fairly and it is expected that the in the region, or if it should and equitably to meeting two universities will arrive reassess its role, as simply this expenditure, and that at a solution of mutual acadministering a system, that a common cost would be ceptance. That collaborawill deliver legal education borne by the entire region. tive arrangement, the AG in the region. In addition to According to the minis- is hoping, would crystalise ascertaining whether there ter, at the level of the CLE, into an agreement, which

would be brought to the CLE for its approval. “We are hoping that this would be done within the shortest possible time,” expressed the minister.

He admitted though, that the review process would be a long and protracted one, which is more suited as a long-term goal, to rectifying the issue at hand. However, he did indicate, from a short term perspective, that the 25 law students will continue to gain entry at the HWLS, on the basis of automatic entry, while those outside of the 25 limit, will continue to have to write the entrance examinations if they want to attend the HWLS. The AG noted that as a representative of Guyana, on the CLE, his preference is and has always been a continuation of an arrangement, which will continue to associate UG’s LLB programme with that of the UWI’s, “because I believe that it is important for the integrity of the degree programme … and it is important for the quality control mechanism to continue to be in place, to ensure that there be no dilution of standards at the University of Guyana.”

Issue of Space According to the AG, there continue to be space

problems at the current configuration of the CLE, because of the proliferation of new institutions, which are doing LLB programmes within the region.

Those new facilities, coupled with the existing institutions providing those programmes are producing many law students, who are expected to be accommodated at the HWLS. “It simply cannot continue like that,” said the AG. He also mentioned that there is a Law School in the Bahamas that has the space to offset the growing number of graduates, wanting to acquire their LLB and practise at the Bar, but the cost of travel, living, and the tuition fees, at the institution are very high, and these are significant detriments to persons wanting to go there.

According to the Nandlall, an offer was extended a while back, from the AG of Bahamas, for students to go there, should the need arise. He said that there was an indication that an arrangement can be worked out, which would result in a reduction of the tuition fees, dependent however, on the number of students, who would have first indicated a willingness to attend that law school.

Minister Westford debunks claims that contracted workers earn super salaries THE perception that contract workers are receiving ‘super salaries’ was recently debunked

by Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, during a recent interview on “Political Scope” on the National Communications Network (NCN) Inc. The minister was at the time highlighting some of the functions of the Public Service Ministry. These include the running of a competent management of key public institutions,

Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford

developing the human capital, and ensuring a peaceful industrial climate.

The Political Opposition and some sections of the media are of the view that contract workers are earning ‘super salaries,’ but Minister Westford explained that the difference between a contract worker and one on the pensionable establishment is that the latter will work until age 55 or 60 years and receive a pension, while the contract worker receives a contract gratuity every

six months. This payment is based on the same pension scheme’s calculation of 22.5 % of the contracted worker’s salary.

Minister Westford said that according to the public service law, “any public service staff can decide whether he/she wants to be a ‘pension worker’ or a contracted one.”

However, there is a category of workers employed, based on foreign funded projects and these are paid based on what the projects provide.

“You have a category of contracted employees, working in the public sector, and who do not hold a position in the public service. Those people are on foreign-funded projects and the projects determine the salaries of those persons…some of those projects are coming to an end; so the salaries are adjusted because they would now be on the public service payroll,” Minister Westford stressed.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Several initiatives assist in Keeping children in school EDUCATION in Guyana is provided largely by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Education and its arms in the 10 different administrative regions of the country, and it is also subsidised from nursery all the way to the secondary level. The local education system is a legacy from British Guiana, and is similar to that of the other member states of the Caribbean Community, affiliated with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

It has been recognised that the provision of free education, and constant interventions would enable the raising of the bar, where education is concerned, and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) has been doing just that.

Literacy The knowledge that a child’s ability to read is positively related to opportunities for academic and vocational success and has resulted in a revised literacy plan, targeting children’s reading skills.

The ultimate aim is to have all children be able to read and fully learn by the end of the fourth grade.

Learning to read by that grade is a key force in determining whether a student will go on to graduate from high school, attend and graduate from col-

lege, and achieve future success in the work force.

It is important to note that not only does grade level reading have a significant impact on students’ educational career; it has broader ramifications for their economic livelihood, in an increasingly competitive economic environment.

Nutrition Nutrition is a major influence on physical and mental growth and is a main factor in promoting lifelong healthy eating; hence the government commenced its National School Feeding programme in 2010, which targeted all the nursery and primary schools in most of the regions. The programme consists of biscuits and juices, which are both locally made.

Schools such as those in Annai, Karasabai, Aranaputa and St. Ignatius, receive a daily nutritious snack of cassava bread, peanut butter and fruit juice. After its success, the hot meal project was later implemented in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine. It was developed since it was recognised that students travel long distances to attend school, which in some cases was costly and resulted in low attendance rates and ever increasing school dropouts.

Billions of dollars has been expended on the Na-

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tional School Feeding programme, in an effort to ensure improved attendance and attentiveness in the classroom.

Providing uniforms nationally The provision of school uniform vouchers to children, residing on the coastland and in riverain communities, along with the provision of uniform materials to hinterland communities, is also another means by government, to provide assistance to parents, to ensure that children attend school and complete their education.

The School Uniform programme ensures that one school uniform be given to every child, attending a school in the public education system, from nursery to Grade 11.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is responsible for the programme in the hinterland and it procures school uniform for communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. This programme has positively influenced school attendance and performance in the hinterland, and has created job opportunities for residents, as the women are given the task of sewing the uniforms for the various schools, and for which they are paid.

Nursery level children in a hinterland location decked out in their uniforms. The material was provided by the Education Ministry of their knowledge base, and this is another avenue whereby the administration has been providing students of all stages with assistance. This precludes the need for parents to purchase the expensive books.

In an effort to make all children literate by the end of Grade 4, and because of the prohibitive price of books, two new series have been written: the Roraima series for nursery aged children; and the Atlantic Readers for primary aged

Core text books for Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science have been procured for every child in all public primary schools. Additionally, relevant Mathematics and English texts were procured for each student from Grades 7 to 11.

Because We Care The recent “Because We Care” cash grant initiative is meant to provide more support to parents with school aged children

ditional support to parents with children, attending a nursery, primary, or secondary school, in the public education system. This programme targets 188,406 families. This grant can be used to meet such costs as transportation, and will provide added impetus to raising enrolment and attendance rates, in addition to having the effect of increasing the disposable income of the parents of school aged children.

Free text books Text books are essential to students’ developing

A parent signing for a uniform voucher

Students and parents reading

children.

The Roraima Readers include readers, work books, writing skills workbooks, flash cards, charts, and assessments.

This series is currently being used; the Atlantic series is currently being worked on and will be introduced this year. These books were written by local experts and they may even be used internationally, even though they were written with the Guyanese/Caribbean children in mind.

and so increase their disposable income. This is in fact the first programme of its kind in the Caribbean and indeed anywhere else in this part of the world, where every public school child is entitled to this benefit.

The Ministry of Education has distributed 135,969 vouchers, each valued $10,000, since the launch of this programme October 2014. The initiative is meant to provide ad-

HEIP The launch of the Hinterland Education Improvement Project (HEIP) has seen the ministry’s seeking ways in which to improve the results of education in the identified regions. This is being done through consultations, which would enable residents to tell of their needs and give suggestions to improve education results in students in hinterland regions.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

North Ruimveldt Multilateral to become an A-list school -as first quarter plans unveiled for education sector

THE North Ruimveldt Multilateral School in Georgetown will be commissioned as an A-list school, early this year, even as work will continue towards achieving Universal Secondary Education in Guyana. This was among announcements

by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand on January 16, when she revealed plans for the first quarter of 2015.

North Ruimveldt upgrade Evidencing Guyana’ s progress as a country and particularly in the education sector, the education ministry will be declaring the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School an A-List school early this year.

The school which began as a B grade has been achieving excellent performances from its students, at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) examinations, over a period of three consecutive years. This solid history has now qualified it to be an A-List school.

2014-2018 Education plan The Ministry of Education is dedicated to ensuring that all citizens be given the best possible opportunity, to achieve their full potential. This is possible via equal access to quality education. This is defined by the standards and norms outlined by the ministry and the commitment to quality and equity in education, with no barriers in access to anyone.

The 2014-2018 National Education Sector Plan covers all levels of education, except university.

It consists of the detailed action plans of each unit or department that must be taken in order to meet the targets of the strategy. This plan continues the focus on improving the quality of education that was outlined in previous ones. However, it places much more emphasis on accountability, by continuously monitoring results throughout the plan’s period.

Professional Standard for Teachers

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and Chief Education Officer Olato Sam at the press conference The ministry had undertaken to establish a draft professional standard for teachers, and consequently it conducted countrywide consultations with all key stakeholders. More than 55 consultations were held, where teachers, parents, students and other stakeholders provided their views on the contents of the document.

The report is that the consultations were extremely useful, in bringing personnel to the point where they are preparing to officially publish, sensitise users and potential users, and implement the Professional Standards for Teachers, within a matter of a few weeks.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam noted that the professional standard document was revised, to indicate the attitudes teachers should exhibit, adding that the appraisal system will now measure the overall structure.

Text Books The ministry continues to place emphasis on the equitable provision of learning resources to students. Much effort has gone into creating and developing its own learning kits and packages and quite importantly, its own text and work books.

In 2013 and 2014, the Roraima Readers Series and Atlantic Readers series were developed and written. During this quarter, it is anticipated that these books would be published with their accompanying workbooks, and that students would begin using them on

a national scale, in September 2015. It is important to note too that these books were developed by a group of dedicated Guyanese educators.

Secondary level improvement project The objectives of this project are to strengthen the capacity of secondary school mathematics teachers, and to increase enrollment in general secondary schools in targeted regions.

This is a US$10M project that is expected to be implemented over the next three years.

Approximately 800 secondary level mathematics teachers would benefit from in-service training.

The direct project’s beneficiaries would be 2,600 students profiting each year, as long as the schools are built, from new secondary school facilities in Regions Three and Four. The project would also benefit students at eight schools, with “Technology-assisted Learning in Mathematics” pilot programmes.

In addition, the ministry would benefit from improved capacity in Education Management and Information System (EMIS).

This project will help to get the ministry closer to its goals, and this will be in keeping with the PPP/C manifesto’s promise, of obtaining Universal Secondary Education. It will be officially launched in the first quarter of this year.

Portuguese The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) will be offering Portuguese at the Caribbean Certificate

of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC), which will be written in nine territories for the first time in 2016. Portuguese will be eventually offered in all the territories.

Additionally, CXC will offer Portuguese as a

subject at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) in 2017. It was the ministry which piloted Portuguese, formally in the secondary school’s curriculum, and its staff who developed Curriculum Guides, and resource materials to deliver this new, but increasingly useful and important language.

National Report Card Day and Parent Day In an effort to increase the information available to stakeholders, especially Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs) and parents, about the status of their schools and the progress of individual children’s progress, and in order to increase the lines of communication and collaboration between parent stakeholders and the schools, the

ministry will be instituting a National Report Card Day and a monthly Parent Day. Report cards offer insight into a child’s learning progress and also help parents ensure that their children are being challenged and assessed. Report cards also help parents to identify those areas, where a child may need additional support.

This year, the ministry is designating the last Thursday or second-tolast day of every school term as National Report Card Day. Across the country, parents will be able to go into the schools and receive their children’s report cards, or children could receive them and take them home.

North Ruimveldt Multilateral School

CRMA secured employment for 2,385 job seekers in 2014

THE Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) has embarked on a project aimed at providing information upgrade, software development and technical support services to enhance the responsiveness and productivity in the department.

Visits to Regions Three, Five, Eight, Nine and 10 have seen mechanisms put in place to extend the services of the agency in these administrative regions.

This has helped to collect and store relevant data with available positions to be filled, as well as matching of potential employees to available jobs.

In 2014, there were 2,911 persons registered with notifications at 3,400, while requests from employers and submissions aggregated 3,857. Of that

number, the CRMA was able to place 2,385 in jobs.

The CRMA and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), which also falls under the Ministry of Labour, hold annual job fairs and registration exercises for persons between the ages of 18 and 25 years, who are seeking employment and for those who are seeking skills training.

Government has been making it easier for unemployed persons and those seeking jobs to be provided with job placements, facilitated through the agency.

This office was established by the government, through the Employment Exchange Act of 1944, which defines employment exchange as “any office or place, established under this Act and used for the purpose of collecting and furnishing information, ei-

ther by keeping of register or otherwise, respecting employers who desire to engage workplace and people who seek engagement or employment.”

CRMA’s mission is to contribute to the social and economic development of the country, by providing effective and efficient employment services to job seekers and employers. The objective of the CRMA is to place individuals, seeking jobs, in suitable employment and to provide career counselling and guidance.

The agency registers applications for employment, taking specific note of applicants’ occupational qualifications, experiences and desires, and then interviews them for employment and evaluates, if necessary, their physical and vocational abilities.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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Sea defence is critical to coastal protection but greater public awareness and empathy needed

THERE is a need for greater empathy amongst the general public, to recognise the importance of local sea and river defence systems, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn said.

During an interview on the National Communications Network “Political Scope” programme on Friday, the minister, who has responsibility for the defence of nation’s sea and river, said that the issue of garbage disposal is one that needs to be addressed, as it has serious ramifications, in addition to the now routine clogging of drains, canals and outfalls. He pointed out that in some areas, garbage has accumulated into rafts of debris, which, due to wave action, scour the banks of embankments and sea defences, wearing away and weakening them.

Stakeholders will have to come up with an approach to remove squatters and attendant garbage, especially in poorer parts of the capi-

tal, he said.

“A plan will have to be worked out and it will have to come about in a change in spirit and will, at the level of the City Council, to deal with this problem which is now intractable and which will only get worse as we go forward.”

Government eventually may have to address these issues, since City Hall is not performing as expected, it was further noted.

Minister Benn recalled that when the PPP/C government took office, most of the sea defence structures along the coast were in a state of disrepair. Government has, over the years, he said, embarked on a programme to first rebuild these structures, then rehabilitate and maintain them as needed. It was noted that miles of coastland has already been lost to the sea, as evidenced by the presence of kokers. The challenge has been further compounded by the loss of mangroves along critical sections of the

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn coastline. Launched under the Public Works Ministry and now under the Agriculture Ministry, a project is underway to mitigate this.

The last two decades of work undertaken by government has resulted in the coastline now being secured, the minister explained.

The impact of global warming is being felt and this has necessitated a move towards the construction of higher stretches of sea defence. These are between half of a meter to one meter higher in many places; this

to offset rising sea levels.

Minister Benn stated that flooding, along the coastal belt is often as a result of overtopping, or heavy rainfall and not breaches within sea defences. He explained that once rainfall exceeds the drainage system’s capacity, flooding will occur. This, he indicated is between 35 to 40 mm of rainfall in a 24-hour period, and once this is surpassed, flooding would result. The filling in of several main drainage canals in Georgetown has further reduced drainage capacity and there is now a greater reliability on pumps, to effect faster drainage.

Guyana has been, and continues to be assisted in its sea and river defence efforts by the European Union (EU) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

These agencies were described by the Minister Benn as “reliable” partners.

He revealed that the 9th EU Development Fund has resulted in the spending of 18

-Public Works Minister

million Euros to boost the local sea defence.

The 10th phase of the fund will see the expenditure of 14 million Euros within the sector. It was important to note, Minister Benn said, that the financial agencies are now funding the programmes and projects, by allocating monies to government, directly, rather than standalone projects, which were overseen by the EU. This move signals confidence in government’s ability to manage and execute these works, in a transparent and fair manner.

The CDB’s US$24 million loan and contract being worked out at present will encompass the Sea Defence Resilience Project.

All these interventions are part of efforts to ensure that Guyana continue to be an export driven economy, particularly for agricultural products such as sugar and rice, Minister Benn said.

The region’s food security

“Clean-Up My Country” programme in its final lap

THE Government of Guyana’s “Clean-Up My Country” programme, which commenced in July 2014 and which is being implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development (MLGRD) is nearing completion.

Four communities that are currently undergoing cleaning in Georgetown and Linden will commence general community clean-up, by the end of January.

Initially, this Clean-UpMy Country campaign was scheduled to be wrapped up by December 31, 2014.

However, the month of December saw a peak in the number of communities being attended to, and some of these are still ongoing.

There were also some late submissions of proposals for communities to be cleaned.

Workers loading debris in a truck Under the Georgetown aspect of the Clean-Up My Country programme, 63 communities from Agricola to Atlantic Ville were engaged in community cleanup activities. In fact, a total of 75 groups signed on to the “Capital City Clean-up” project, which saw 2,239 Community Enhancement Workers’ gaining employment for the massive drive.

According to Mr. Collin Croal, Permanent

Secretary MLGRD, “due to the size of communities such as Albouystown, Meadow Brook Gardens, Alberttown, North East La Penitence, Kitty, Tucville, (Phase 1 & 2), South and North Cummingsburg, those areas were divided into phases, which resulted in multiple contracts being signed for their cleanup. On the other hand, for the majority of the communities, which submitted

proposals for community clean-up, only one was signed for each.

To wrap up the CleanUp My Country programme, communities in Georgetown will be provided with residential garbage receptacles and bags, with the aim of encouraging persons to dispose their garbage in a more responsible manner. This is because there are critical issues of residents, dumping garbage in public spaces and in water ways. In addition, metal skip bins will be distributed to the Georgetown Municipal Markets to assist with the maintenance of healthy sanitation and to encourage proper garbage disposal.

Under the regional aspect, Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Nine already benefited from the regional programme, which gave residents the

opportunity to get rid of their bulk waste. Region 10 (Linden) will experience similar benefits from the community clean-up and sanitation improvement programme, by the end of January, 2014. Community clean-up activities for Regions One (Mabaruma Port Kaituma, Mathews Ridge) and Eight (Mahdia) are being finalised.

To assist in the ministry’s Regional Solid Waste programme, Regions One, Two and Six benefited from constructions of access roads, while Region Nine will benefit from construction of a fence, around the landfill site, which is now being awarded through the Regional Tender Board.

Moreover, 45 tractors and trailers will be handed over to various NDCs to aid in community See page 28

is assured by the local export of rice, sugar and other produce to regional markets and further afield, he added.

Lessons have and are being garnered by local engineers, by visiting overseas locales such as the Louisiana and Mississippi Delta, in the United States, Holland’s sea defence and even further afield to Bangladesh. As a result of these visits, it is understood that the current sea and river defence structures can be built much higher eventually, Minister Benn explained. He referred to the notion that Guyana’s coast should be abandoned and residents move to higher ground such as Soesdyke, Timehri and Linden.

“The investment that is already in place on the coast is an enormous one, and it will take a very long time to replicate the fertility or the investment to be able to move people to that area… we don’t think that it is necessary, we know that at the engineering level we can build higher, incrementally, as we have been doing as we go forward.”

Some 6 mm of annual sea level rise is being catered for by the ministry, with respect to sea defence works, he added, and if building is done continuously at those levels, and better engineering methods be employed, this will reduce cost per linear meter for the infrastructure put in place. It would be critical to work with other interventions such as using cheaper, but still effective methods, he stated.

As the ministry goes forward, Minister Benn said that local engineers are more confident and capable in their abilities; hence they will be doing “greater things with respect to this area, out of our own efforts, not necessarily by importing efforts.”

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Over $37M invested in Masakenari over past five years -Minister Sukhai pledges Gov’t’s continued support

LIKE any other community, Masakenari has received tremendous support from government, and over the past five years, this very remote village has seen $37M being expended in various support areas to further develop the community and its people.

Masakenari, a Wai Wai community, located in the Deep South Rupununi, has a population of about 280, and is equipped with a school which houses over 56 nursery, primary and secondary students, a health centre, benab, women’s centre and water systems, and an airstrip located nine kilometers from the village.

During a recent visit, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai, lauded the residents for the successful completion and excellent management of their community projects. “ In a very short num-

ber of years, more than $37M has been expended in various support areas to Masakenari, and that is more than any other village and that is not because you are special, but in the past this village has not had much support and we have to bridge that gap,” Minister Sukhai noted.

She said that while government would like to do more, over the last three years it was faced with tremendous challenges at the level of Parliament, and all Guyanese, more so Amerindians, their livelihood, development and support interventions by government have been greatly threatened.

She acknowledged that it has been a struggle where Amerindian development is concerned, since the Combined Opposition slashed monies, earmarked for the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF). “This government has taken a

bold step to ensure that all the legal requirements will be in place and even though we have been told that we ought not to take monies from the treasury to invest and spend on Amerindian communities for the betterment of Amerindians, this government has said that we will continue to develop Amerindian villages,” Minister Sukhai stressed.

Masakenari is also one of the villages that are currently in the process of being demarcated under the ministry’s Land Titling and Demarcation project.

Minister Sukhai mentioned the importance of demarcating Amerindian lands which will conclude the titling process, thereby granting ownership to the area that Amerindians occupy. This will also allow for better management, to deal with encroachment, and assign lands to residents and for investments.

“Therefore demarca-

The Masakenari community, Region Nine.

Happy youths of Masakenari tion is an important aspect of titling and this government has over the years provided the funding to complete demarcation in many communities. The demarcation has begun; there are some procedures that have to be followed…. the villagers will accompany the surveyors with respect to the demarcation,” the Minister noted.

While there will be challenges, Minister Sukhai urged the community to collaborate with the surveyors in this regard.

There will be about 16 villages benefiting in this regard, during the first quarter of this year.

“I am happy that there was no objection by Masakenari because there are groups of people who claim to represent Amerin-

dians and who continue to try to influence Amerindians that demarcation is not a good thing, and that is because they do not want Amerindians to be true owners of their lands,” the Minister added.

Minister Sukhai presented financial assistance to the Village Toshao Paul Chekema towards the development of the trail that leads to the village.

The community has also applied to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a portion of its land to be a protected area.

Masakenari can be classified as having a subsistence economy; the primary economic activities in the community being farming, hunting, and fishing. Through funds pro-

vided by the government, this community benefited from a tractor and trailer along with an all-terrain vehicle, to assist in transporting goods and services. Residents now receive electricity via solar panels provided by government.

The hot meal kitchen was completed and the ministry provided utensils, while the computer hub is currently under construction.

This community is one of many in Region Nine, maintaining its rich culture. The community will be embarking on the establishment of a museum as the earmarked Community Development Plan, to further preserve the culture of the people.

Masakenari gets $10M from Gov’t to develop trail MASAKENARI has received $10M from Government, through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, to further develop the trail that leads to the remote community, in the Deep South, Rupununni, Region Nine.

The cheque was handed over to Toshao Paul Chekema by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, during a recent visit, where she met and interacted with the residents.

This project, which came as a result of a request by the community, is part of government’s continued effort to improve road networks within Amerindian communities, hence allowing for better connectivity.

Minister Sukhai reminded the residents of gvernment’s commitment to their development.

Roads, she said are important communication links, for any community, noting that government will con-

tinue to provide the necessary funds to further develop Masakenari’s trail.

“The government continues to support you to ensure the trail be pushed further. While many may ask why the government doesn’t build the road, the position of the administration is that the residents benefit directly from this investment, because if you tender out the project, the village council may not win

and others will come and benefit instead,” Minister Sukhai stressed.

She emphasised that this project will create employment in the community, and the works will be done to the standard of the community, since its people will have a direct hand in it.

She also pledged the ministry’s support as regards the construction of a road, to link Masakenari and Parabara.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai handing over a cheque to Masakenari Toshao, Paul Chekema for the development of the trail to the village

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Youth and opportunities for their advancement

FOR the thousands of youths across the country, who for whatever circumstance did not get the opportunity to complete their secondary education, the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) programme, has become a critical component, to their realising their full potential, and living a meaningful life.

For youths like Sharon Joseph, who hails from Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven, this programme will enable her to acquire much needed skills, that her village is at present without.

Joseph is among the current batch of 215 students completing the 2014-2015 programme, at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre.

“I am here doing Business Studies, because in my village there are hardly any business people around, so that is the main reason why I had to choose the area, (and) right now I am studying and trying my best, so when I finish, I can be a successful business woman,” Joseph told the Government Information Agency (GINA) during a recent interview at the centre.

The Government of Guyana has focused on moving the country to a developed state, as over the years, much emphasis has been placed on education, as a tool to build

the workforce, to take the country there. Skills training was long recognised and rolled out, to ensure that every Guyanese is able to contribute to the future development of the country, including the youths who did not complete or maybe did not excel at the secondary school level.

YEST became a unit under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in the year 2000. The unit emerged from what was formerly the Guyana National Service, utilising the resources available

This programme offers remedial Mathematics and English for the youths, technical skills training, apprenticeship attachment for a period of four weeks, and a stipend of $ 4000 per month. Over 3000 youths were trained since the birth of YEST.

The programme is offered at the Kuru Kuru Trainig Centre (KKTC), Sophia Training Centre (STC), Smythfield Dropin Centre/Vryman’s Erven and the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). KKTC and the Sophia centre are the two main training

Students in the Welding/Fabricating class doing practical work at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre to combine skills training and entrepreneurship, as one way of enhancing the employment potential of young people, who had left the school system and needed to be gainfully occupied.

institutions.

KKTC and STC The programme is offered as residential at KKTC for a period of 10 months and non-residential at the STC for six months.

A Police Officer teaching students about driving at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre

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YEST students in classroom working Students between the ages 16 to 25 years must apply and complete an entry level test for admission to this programme, which caters for 250 students at KKTC and over 100 students at STC. Students at KKTC learn a variety of technical skills including in the areas of Business Management and Information Technology, Welding and Fabrication, Carpentry, Motor Mechanics, Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Garment Construction, Furniture Making, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and Masonry, while additionally Handicraft, Home Management and Catering are offered at the STC. The students have the benefit of drama classes, and the opportunity to visit places of interest at the STC, while they participate in a number of cultural and sporting activities at the KKTC. One 18-year-old, Region Three youth, Zeikel Hinds expressed his views on receiving this opportunity to fulfill his dreams.

“I have been here for four months, studying business, because it was my dream to design software.

From KKTC, I will go to the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and then attend the University of Guyana (UG), to get a degree/diploma in Computer Science,” he said.

A Plumbing and Sheet Metal Student, Stephanie

Jeffery, shared her experience at the KKTC. “I have been here since October 2014, and the experience is great, because coming here, I am learning to be a plumber, and it has changed my life pertaining to classroom … it is wonderful… at least I have something to remember about the KKTC and something to take back home, to teach and share with my community. Also I would encourage anyone to come here, because it makes you a better person for tomorrow; my future plan, when I finish here, is to go back home and get a good job,” she said.

A new course has also been added to the KKTC which is driving. Students can now acquire their Driver’s Licence, as two police officers are attached to the school, to instruct in the driving class. In 2014, 28 students received their Driver’s Licence in 2014 from the KKTC. Additionally, a CUSOVSO volunteer from Canada is also working along with the staff and students, to create a strategic plan, in order to improve the quality and standards of the centre. CUSO-VSO is one of North America’s largest development agencies that work through volunteers.

Assistant Director of Youth (ag) Brian King said the children are being trained in entrepreneurship. Representatives from

the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED) are lecturing them on how this will help them to lead a more successful life.

At the Smythfied Dropin Centre/Vryman’s Erven Centre, New Amsterdam, youths participate in short programmes, done in collaboration with NGOs and other social organisations.

The nature of these programmes requires no entry level test, since they are primarily practical courses. Also here, a six month course is offered in Information Tecnology, for out-of-school youths, and a monthly stipend is also paid to these students.

At the NOC on the Essequibo Coast which is a full time training centre for juvenile offenders, vocational skills-training is available in Electrical Installation, Handicraft, Tailoring, Information Technology, Welding and Fabrication, Carpentry, Masonry and Joinery. Academic classes are held here too, and selected students attend school in the community.

Certificates are awarded at the conclusion of training courses.

The objective of all training is to primarily prepare participants for entry into other institutions of learning; employment in private or public sector; and self-employment in their communities.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Public Works sector performed creditably in 2014, despite challenges-Minister Benn

THE hard and diligent work of staffers of the Ministry of Public Works and other sister agencies were lauded by subject Minister, Robeson Benn, who stated that the achievements in 2014 were creditable amidst challenges.

During a press conference at the Ministry’s Work Services Group, Kingston, to review the Ministry’s 2014 performance, Minister Benn said in spite of the many challenges faced, the ministry and its other agencies were able to execute their work at a satisfactory level.

“On balance, we have had a creditable and satisfactory performance in spite of certain great challenges we had in 2014.”

Speaking of some of the challenges, Minster Benn noted that there were discussions on shortage of materials including stone, steel and many of the aspects associated with works carried out by the ministry and contractors.

“The rise in prices of those materials, the impact of weather and all those issues, but I would say at the overall level, I have to thank the President and the Cabinet in terms of working with us.”

Noting that there were criticisms from every section of society including some sections of the media, consideration must be given to what was achieved even in the face of the budget cuts.

“There was a period when there was an all pervading sense of indecision, doubts and lack of assertiveness with respect to the work that the ministry and it agencies do, and I believe that right across the government and the country too.”

Minister Benn added that the fact that the ministry and its agencies were able to carry out most of the work speaks volumes for the workers.

He noted that there were additions during the year in terms of the works

carried out by the ministry as its portfolio was increased in terms of the money to be spent.

“In spite of the cuts, in spite of the increase of the work load, and in an environment, where there was an imposition of doubt and lack of willingness to execute, and a sense of maybe not proceeding, arising out of the issues in the National Assembly, which occurred, I think our performance has been creditable and satisfactory.”

In 2014, at the policy level, particular attention was paid to the issue of developing national capability in all the things that are undertaken by the ministry and its agencies.

“This is a policy position that we have taken. It has resulted in our training and encouraging and taking on as staffers. At all agencies, we have trained in all sectors, but critically with respect to creating, developing and facilitating a thorough going, safe, efficient sustainable national heavy construction contracting capability.”

He added that there were some difficulties with respect to national contractors, those who are involved with sea defence and major road projects including, the East Coast and East Bank road projects.

“We have been wrestling, giving all the other issues with respect to developing our contractors and having Guyanese contracting firms do the work which otherwise would have been put out there in the international market for foreigners to do.”

The minister noted that when Guyanese firms develop the capabilities and are facilitated, it redounds to the benefit of the nation, as the money is spent locally and provides a stronger stimulant and energises the economy.

“So the policy position we have taken with respect to fostering, facilitating, and developing our national contracting capability is a significant one, and one which we have been pursuing.”

Along with that, Minister Benn said the Min-

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn and heads of the various departments under the Ministry’s purview at the press conference to review the progress of the sector in 2014 istry had the challenges those contracting firms, to the Ministry’s Permaof working along with the with respect to undertaking nent Secretary, Balraj Balnational contractors with these projects because we ram, the Ministry received respect to executing in the have taken the leap of faith a budgetary allocation of way the Ministry wants and we intend to make sure $17.483 B and incurred an projects to be done in an that Guyanese contracting expenditure of $15.041B. internationally recognised firms at the level of major This figure he said way, with respect to safe- projects, will continue to represents an 86.3% of ty, quality, efficiency, and do most of the work with overall expenditure with timely delivery. respect to developing our capital expenditure at “We will continue to national infrastructure for 83.745 % and current at work in relation to improv- public works.”

99.78%. ing the learning curve of Meanwhile according

Amaila Falls access road 95% completed

TECHNICAL Adviser to the Amaila Falls Access Road project, Walter Willis, has reported that at the end of 2014, the road works to the hydro project site was 95 percent completed, and if all goes well, the road will be handed over by March of this year.

During the Ministry of Public Works’ 2014 yearin-review press conference, Willis said a total of US $28.9 million has been spent thus far, since the project’s inception in 2010, this out of an overall cost of US $43.5 million.

According to Willis, since the project started, there were some challenges, including having to change contractors, and in some instances, the contract for some contractors had to be terminated.

Nevertheless, the project, which was divided

Technical Adviser to the Amaila Falls Access Road, Walter Willis giving an update on the Road project which he announced was 95% completed into seven sections, went on with section one being dropped. This part, Willis explained included works to a stretch of road from Linden to a turn off, heading to the Essequibo River.

He said that this section was taken off as it came under the routine mainte-

nance work of the ministry, under the hinterland road projects.

Section 2 caters for 19.6 kilometres (km) of road from Mabura to the Essequibo River; section 3, for a stretch measuring 37.5 km; section four, 20.3 km; and section 5, which in-

cludes a bypass of Kaburi Village, is13 km. Sections 6 and 7 catered for 18.5 km and 50 km respectively Willis explained that the by-pass had to be built, after stakeholders and donor agencies for the project were against construction traffic going through the village for safety reasons.

This project also saw the construction of several timber bridges in the various sections, as well steel bridges in some instances.

However, there are some delays in the projects with Ivor Allen and Toolsie Persaud Quarries, still to complete works in sections 6 and 4.

Other contractors, who have worked on this project, include Mekdeci Machinery and Construction, and China Railway First Group.

Meanwhile, works are currently ongoing at two

pontoon crossings at Butukari and Kuribrong, but the sections of roads which have been completed are being used.

The Amaila project involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of west-central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet.

Electricity produced at the plant will be delivered to Georgetown and Linden, through a high-voltage 230-KV transmission line that will be built along with electric substations in Linden and Georgetown.

A new road approximately 65 km long will be built, connecting the project site to the existing Bartica-Potaro Road.

Another new road, approximately 20 km long, will be constructed from the existing Mabura Hills Highway to the Essequibo River.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

CJIA collected in excess of $1B in revenues for third consecutive year

THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), for the third consecutive year, has collected revenues in excess of $1B. The CJIA’s income for the year 2014 was $1,017B. In 2013, the airport recorded an income of $1,077B, and it was $1,120B for 2012.

Presenting the CJIA’s 2014 performance, during the recent Ministry of Public Works’ press briefing, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramesh Ghir noted that the airport’s income collected in 2014 was almost double that for the last six years. In 2009, the airport collected $599M compared with the $1,017B in 2014. The airport collected $633M in 2010 and $748M in 2011.

Ghir said that expenses for 2014 amounted to $678M as compared with the $588M spent for the same period in 2013. He explained that this was mainly due to the increase in staffing during 2014, from 146 to 171, and this pertained to recruitment in the Aviation Security Department.

He said that International Passenger Arrivals for

2014 was 236,851 or 1 percent higher than the 235,967 in 2013. The total number of passengers flown in 2014 counted 478,092.

Imported Cargo for the period under review amounted to 3,296,000 kg; this represents a 44 percent increase over the previous year, Ghir said. He explained that 25 percent of the cargo was industrial supplies, while 21 percent was personal effects; another 21 percent for hatching eggs and 33 percent consolidated cargo.

Meanwhile, exports amounted to 2,852,000 kg or a 16 percent increase from that of the corresponding period in 2013. According to Ghir, 88 percent of the cargo was agro-industrial products and livestock, while 12 percent was consolidated cargo.

International Aircraft Landing was 3,696, and this was lower than what obtained in 2013. Ghir said. He noted, however, that Jet Aircraft Landings increased from 2,523 to 2,933, due mainly to the introduction of additional flights from COPA, CONVIASA, FLY Jamaica, INSEL AIR and DYNAMIC

Airways. Turbo Prop and Smaller type aircraft landing reduced due mainly to the reduction in LIAT’s flight.

According to Ghir, the following training sessions were undertaken to build

tested two components of its ‘communications and response’ equipment from various other agencies, as was directed in the Airport Emergency Plan, Type of Exercise, 7.3, ii, Partial Emergency

Image captured from a CCTV camera at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport staff capacity and capability in 2014: Health and Safety Training; Food Handlers Training; Fire Extinguisher Training; Basic Conversational Spanish Training; NIS Seminar; Customer Service training; HIV/AIDs seminar; and Financial Management for non-financial managers.

Meanwhile focus in safety saw a partial exercise held in December 2014, where the airport

Exercises.

Further, a massive programme was also undertaken by the CJIA in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Works, in the setting up of facilities to administer health care to any passenger with Ebola. The CJIA also donated a number of items to the Port Health personnel at their office, attached to the airport.

An Airside Vehicles

Operator’s Permit (AVOP) training programme was also conducted by CJIA Operations Superintendent Manmohan Balram.

It focused on a number of important aerodrome techniques that should be adhered, to when operating on the aerodrome.

Other training programmes, conducted during the period under review was a Driver’s Safety Training and a Refresher Instructor Training, which reinforced the basic skills and competencies required

by CJIA’s experienced instructors and exposed new personnel to the demands of instruction preparation, delivery and assessment.

Other training focused on quality assurance, airport risk mitigation, self defence, airport risk assessment, narcotic recognition and traffic warden.

Ghir noted that focus, on Security in 2014, saw the installation of 51 new cameras within and around the terminal building, and Vito De Palma from Naan and Sergio Gonzalez, Manager for the South America Region (On-Net Surveillance System Inc. On SSI), conduct a four

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day software training, with selected staff from CJIA and the Criminal Investigation Department. The training was conducted in the recently acquired I.P C.C.T.V room at the airport.

The beginning of the year also saw the Aviation Security Department staff of 56 ranks being increased to 80.

Projects for 2015 Ghir listed some of the projects for 2015: the completing of Emergency Operational Centre (EOC); conducting a full scale emergency exercise to test the Emergency procedures, upgrading of the executive lounge, crack sealing on the surface of Runway 11-29, resurfacing of the airport’s public car park, modifying and upgrading the water system and constructing a new pump house, procuring and installing lighted aerodrome signs, installing of additional perimeter fence lighting, and the establishing of a modern training room, equipped with computers, to be used for internal training/ online training.

Demerara Harbour Bridge recorded increased vehicular traffic in 2014 THE Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) recorded a 5.1% increase in vehicular traffic in 2014; in fact, during December, a total of 11, 555 transited in one direction, this being the highest number ever recorded.

According to DHB’s General Manager Rawlston Adams, marine traffic saw a decline from 1,279 in 2013 to 1,191 in 2014, which is a 6.6% decrease. Adams was at the time updating the media, on the agency’s accomplishments, which he described as outstanding for 2014.

Marine toll for 2014 amounted to $20,266,000 as compared with $20,532,000 in 2013, a 1.30 percent decrease, while vehicular toll went up to $462,446,099 in 2014, as against

$412,270,181 in 2013. In the case of other revenues, the DHB saw a total of $50,517,283 being generated in 2014, as against $29,331,724 in 2013, which brings the overall total amount of income generated to $71,095,477 for 2014.

The total expenditure for the DHB was $437,070,603 in 2014, as compared with $369,468,166 in 2013, an 18.3 percent difference, according to Adams. He said that the DHB was contracted by the Works Ministry to conduct maintenance works on bridges on the railway embankment, Moleson Creek and the Essequibo coast. These contractual works resulted in a 95.17% increase in the DHB’s income.

The harbour bridge expended a total of

$337,324,874 on its capital works for 2014. These works include the fabrication of three pontoons and 10 transoms, servicing of 18 pontoons, fabrication of connecting posts ( 30 pairs ), supplying of sheaves and shackles (120 snatch block), fabrication of 60

Demerara Harbour Bridge buoys, and the rehabilitation of one tug.

The bridge has expanded to incorporate the asphalt plant, which ran a total revenue of $1,776,868,981.

Works executed at the asphalt plant, during the year 2014, include the refurbishing of the main of-

fice, guard hut, workers’ section and scale room; also the acquiring of a new backhoe and the repairing of a front end loader, installing a new generator, installing new totaliser and probe sensors on plant, the relocation of transformer, installation of communica-

tion tower, replacing asphalt plant trunnion tyre and roller, mixer fan, exhaust fan, flights and gear boxes and the servicing of all AC and DC motors There were also major components replaced for 2014; these include ropes to anchorage- 153; sheave-55; connecting posts-59; buoys, 68; pivots, 6; deck plates- 478; A frames-2; and transoms-7.

A total of 48,408.88 tons of asphalt concrete was produced for the year 2014, a 4,034.07 tons average monthly.

For 2015, the ministry is hoping to rehabilitate cluster piles (high span north), supply wire rope; fabricate connecting posts; and supply chord bolts servicing of pontoons.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

ASL and Trans Guyana accounted for 89% of domestic passenger traffic in 2014 -17 domestic operators granted licences to expand

AIR Services Limited and Trans Guyana Airways are the leading operators in the domestic market, accounting for 89% of the industry’s passenger traffic, with market shares of 49.89% and 39.14% respectively.

There were similar percentages for cargo (88.06 %) with 60.54 % and 27.52 % market shares respectively.

The overall total of domestic passengers numbered 144, 842 for 2014, with 16, 576, 429 pounds of cargo and 100% market share.

This was revealed at the Public Works Ministry’s Kingston office, by Director of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulficar Mohamed, who updated the media of the agency’s performance for 2014.

Mohamed said that the GCCA recorded a fairly good year, as it was able to carry out its regulatory oversight functions through safety, security and economic oversight and provision of air navigation services.

Mohamed revealed that there was a reduction in passengers and cargo movement through the Ogle International Airport. Domestic passengers and cargo movements declined by 2.60% and

2.48% respectively. A total of 144,842 domestic passengers and 1,582,005 lbs of cargo were transported as of November last year, as compared with 148,707 passengers and 16,997,675 lbs during the same period in 2013.

New international operators Economic Licences were issued to several operators for scheduled services: these include, Insel Air Aruba N.V between Guyana and Aruba, Insel Air International B.V between Guyana and Curcao, Copa Airlines between Guyana and Panama and Suriname Airways for all-cargo services on the Paramaribo /Georgetown/ Miami route.

Meanwhile, economic permits were issued to Laser Airlines to operate 10 charterd flights between Guyana and Venezuela, and Dynamic Airways to operate charter flights between Georgetown and New York.

During 2014, seventeen domestic operators were granted permission to expand their capacity with additional aircraft: these include Air Services Ltd, Trans Guyana Airways, Jags Aviation Inc. and Domestic Airways Inc. Mohamed also noted that several Air Services Agreements were negoti-

“Clean-Up My Country” ....

From page 23 maintenance work and to assist in maintaining the aesthetics of public spaces across the regions, while mini excavators will be handed over to the RDCs of Regions One, Seven Eight, Nine and 10, with the expectation that they will be deployed within the regions, wherever and whenever the need arises, with a priority being their respective NDCs. Metal bins will be distributed to specific locations within the NDCs,

in an effort to address the issue of indiscriminate dumping of waste. In 2014, 11 standard fogging machines were handed over to each Regional Democratic Council, along with the Georgetown Municipality, to aid in fogging campaigns to help eradicate mosquito borne diseases.

According to Mr. Croal, “the tender and procurement process is completed and full delivery of all items is expected in January.

Jags aviation’s new sky truck ated between Guyana and other countries. Guyana also participated at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)/ International Commission for Air Navigation (ICAN) event in Bali, Indonesia and commenced Air Services Agreements with China, Kenya, Curaçao, Singapore, Ghana, United Kingdom, Norway, Netherlands, Iceland, Qatar, Canada and Nigeria. With the exception of Norway, all of the above Air Services Agreements are provisionally applied until signing at the ministerial level, where they will take full effect.

Negotiations have commenced with Chile, El Salvador and Brazil with the expectation of concluding these in the first quarter of 2015.

Security During 2014, Mohamed said that the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) continued its routine regulatory oversight activities, which saw aviation Security Audits being conducted by the GCAA on Suriname Airways Ltd., COPA, Insel Air, Dynamic Airways, Secure Innovation and Concepts, Timehri Handling Services, Roraima Airways, CJIA and Travel Span. Inspections were also done on Caribbean Airlines Ltd. (CAL), Laparkan Cargo, Amerijet and Vision Airlines.

During the first quarter of 2014, Caribbean Air-

lines (CAL) flight BW-484, which operated from Guyana during February was monitored, after CAL’s office in Barbados received a call, which suggested that the flight will be sabotaged.

Appropriate security agencies in Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados were alerted and monitoring of CAL BW-484 flight was conducted until its departure.

Additionally, a team from the Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority, along with representatives from Piarco International Airport and CAL visited Guyana to discuss measures for intransiting passengers at Trinidad Airport. Recommendations were made and a Memorandum of Understanding will be signed

by Guyana and Trinidad, once security measures are deemed to be acceptable at CJIA. Air Navigation Services Despite challenges, the Air Navigation Services Directorate was able to accomplish many of its goals.

Intense coordination was done to facilitate the flight inspection service with COCESNA (Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services) along with extensive coordination with aircraft operators to continue uninterrupted services, while the new VOR/ DME (refers to combined radio navigation station for aircraft) was commissioned for use.

Routine flight inspec-

tion of the Instrument Landing System was successfully completed while the PAPI at Ogle International Airport existing instrument approach charts were revised and new charts designed for the new VOR/DME. An Aeronautical Telecommunication Network of the South American Region (REDDIG II) node was installed. The equipment will be commissioned on completion of installation in all the South American countries.

There were 71,009 aircraft movements in the National Airspace up to December 15 of last year, as compared to 70,903 at the end of 2013.

There were also some challenges with respect to the suspension of three licenses.

Air Safety Regulations The directorate continued its routine task during the year with respect to the Renewal of Certificate of Airworthiness, Aircraft Spot Inspection, approved Training Organisation Audit, ATO Training Programme Audit, Approved Maintenance Organisation Audit, Air Operator Certificate Holder Organisation Audit, Aircraft Records Inspection, and Aircraft Ramp Inspection.

The GCAA was assisted with its flight operations functions by CASSOS, and to Foreign Operations Specifications was issued

to Copa Airlines, Insel Air Aruba N.V and Insel Air International B.V. Two new aerodromes were licensed, and licences for six private domestic aerodromes were renewed, while licences for 57 government owned aerodromes were renewed.

Three operators were issued with Air Operator’s Certificate: Hinterland Aviation Inc., Domestic Airways and Golden Arrow Airways, while six aircraft were imported and placed on the Guyana register with certificates of airworthiness issued to them. These included a new Cessna 208 Grand Caravan, which was added to JAGS Aviation.

Meanwhile, the CJIA and Ogle International Airport were inspected, and their licences renewed, while the Caribbean Airlines Accident Report was completed and released during 2014.

The project to achieve compliance with the requirements of ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) has commenced and the target is the achievement of an acceptable level of effective implementation (70%) by December 2015.

Projections for 2015 The GCAA will continue to improve and develop aeronautical surveillance, using the Automatic Dependent SurveillanceBroadcast System (ADSB), which will increase the efficiency and capacity of Guyana’s airspace, to accommodate a larger volume of traffic/aircraft operations in the airspace, and also to track aircraft movements in real time.

The agency will also seek to review the organisation’s structure and to increase staffing to enhance the oversight functions of the Authority, and acquire new Air Traffic Control Simulator, for training of air traffic controllers in Guyana.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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Director of the Government Information Agency (GINA) Neaz Subhan explores his inner being and creative self in “Journey with Neaz.” The GINA Head uses the column (the first of a series) to revisit people and places, but with an interpretive and poetic flair. His goal transcends the biographic, as his desire is to shed light on what ‘used to be’ versus ‘what now obtains.’

His reflective style does not impose on the readers, but allows them their own ‘room for interpretation.’ Why? He remains consistent with actualities; then and now.

M

ANY memoirs have been penned from journeys, and many more will be.

Most, if not all, have generally and authentically chronicled various aspects of authentic recollection of the author. These aspects may have included, personal encounters, pleasant or unpleasant; advancements or lack thereof; human endeavours witnessed; transformation both humanistic and environmental; nature; cuisine probably, and a host of others. Whatever their premise, all by and large interestingly capture various facets of life.

I endeavoured sometime back through the column, “Dis time nah lang time”, to share aspects of personal experiences from growing up on the East Bank of Demerara.

Remaining steadfast to that principle, I feel a sense of stimulation to continue that journey, but not neces-

sarily confined to my own familiarities. In this new undertaking, or any such for that matter, it would not be unusual to naturally harbour optimism regarding interest it may generate. One can only hope that it would. Of course, that doesn’t constitute the primary aspect of this particular journey, but if it does, it would be heartening.

Interest aside, this journey in many ways, is the journey of the land over a period of time. Like any journey over a specific time frame and area, the related memoirs constructed would generally reflect one of two scenarios; either an impacting positive transformation; or the opposite, an impacting negative regression. Therefore, the time frame becomes an important variable among what constitutes the journey’s formula. Specifically, the timeframe for this journey encompasses the advent of the PPPC Administration in 1992 to current, with reference when needed, to the time

Director of the Government Information Agency (GINA) Neaz Subhan prior.

Every journey obviously begins at a point.

In constructing the memoirs, cognisance of what obtained at the point of departure, in this case the realities of 1992, must be foremost. While vast amounts of literature have accurately chronicled this

point of departure, it would be useful to briefly remind in the interest of contextualisation; more so, to better appreciate current comparisons. While many are imbued with the knowledge of the point of boarding, some conveniently try to divorce themselves from such awareness; some may

be victims of poor recollection, while others basically have no idea, as in the case of the most recent generation.

That’s the realistic composition of the reservoir, or lack thereof, of the specific and localised knowledge for a particular period. History therefore becomes the vindicator. In that context, any assessment of the situation in 1992 would reveal a bankrupt Guyana, classified internationally as a heavily indebted poor country, denigrating it to the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, behind Haiti. That consciousness was an amalgamation of the country’s harsh realities at that point; embarrassing, but undisputed. That discomforting classification was a manifestation of the pressures that oppression and abject poverty brought to bear on the masses.

The oppression was rooted in the engrained characteristic of that regime to muzzle any form

of dissent. In some cases, fatalities resulted among those who sought to break the shackles of authoritarianism. The endemic abject poverty was precipitated by financial mismanagement and its related dire consequences. A casual examination of those two conditions, oppression and poverty in the current port of 2015, would unmask the immeasurable distance travelled since the departure from such in 1992, dissipating any related semblance in the process.

The evidence now of freedom, self sufficiency in food and advancement to a middle-income developing country, are overwhelming and further reiterate that much distance has indeed been covered. Unfortunately, it may have been taken for granted by some even to the point of denial!

Sheriff-Mandela Roadway expansion among several critical road projects for 2015 THE Evaluation Report for the selection of a contractor, for the SheriffMandela Roadway expansion has been completed, and forwarded to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for its no-objection for the award of contract. This is according to Coordinator of the Works Services Group, Geoffrey Vaughn, who has listed the road project amongst major ones set to commence in 2015.

Speaking at the ministry’s 2014 performance review at the Work Services Group building, Kingston,

Vaughn explained that the road projects are expected to commence in the first quarter. They will see residents benefit from the upgrading of two traffic lanes, from Sherriff Street to the National Cultural Centre, and from two to four traffic lanes, from the Cultural Centre, to the junction of Banks DIH, Thirst Park, The overall length is approximately seven kilometres and the contract is valued US$24M. Contracts are also set to be awarded in 2015, for a number of other road projects: East Bank Berbice

Road Expansion project; Canal #1; Canal #2; West Bank Demerara; and East Bank Demerara (Grove to Timheri).

The East Bank Berbice Road Expansion project has two components. Under Phase One, which falls under the Government of Guyana (GOG), works have commenced already in terms of the contract’s mobilising. This contract is from the Everton to Mara area, according to Vaughn.

Phase Two is from Stanleytown to Everton, See page 30

Sheriff Street at night

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana Tennis Association records impressive year

SEVERAL players and supporters were recognised for their splendid performances in 2014, when the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) held its annual award ceremony, at the Georgetown Club on January 9.

In the Junior Category, Jordan Beaton and Nicola Ramdyhan were rewarded for outstanding performances; and in the senior category, Anthony Downes and Nicola Ramdyhan were recognized. While the senior category criterion is based on tennis performance, in the junior category, points are rewarded for academics, attendance, discipline and local and international competitions.

One of the high-points for the GTA in 2014 was the Tennis 10s Primary School programme. The GTA, in 2014, continued to promote mini-tennis in primary schools in Georgetown, under the International Tennis Federation (ITF) School Tennis Initiative. This program is ongoing and forms a core part of the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s

tant. Importantly, Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago are reported as the only two countries in the region, that have fully embraced such a programme and that have been submitting regular reports to ITF. Another high point was the junior clinics and training programmes, held during 2014. These programmes were the P&P sponsored Tennis Camp, which attracted 81 children in 2014. This Camp has been a huge success over the last ten years with continued sponsorship from Mr. Bish Panday and the P&P Insurance Brokers.

Many of the top juniors have initiated their tennis through this camp.

Other training camps were hosted by the Diamond Tennis Club (sponsored by GBTI), the Park Players Tennis Club (the largest junior program), the New Guyana School, Georgetown International Academy, Marian Academy, and Non-Pariel Tennis Club.

Additionally, Shawn

Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and members of the GTA Executive land Leacock also attend- the facility include the re- ceremony was Mr. Bish ed the ITF’s 1st Regional surfacing of the courts.

Panday, who has given unCoaches Conference in Besides the structural wavering support over the Grenada, during October. improvements, Minister years to the association.

All coaches were financed Anthony recognised the President of the GTA, mainly by sponsors. need for a body to accredit Grace McCalmon, in her Members of the Executive coaches in Guyana. He remarks, recalled that “… attended the Sports Man- added that while the ap- in 2003, after a few years agement Course conduct- proach to tennis has been of being defunct, there ed by former Olympians recreational, this should were several articles in of Jamaica, Trinidad and be relooked, so as to foster the paper such as “Action Barbados at the Research better management. needed to save tennis from Centre.

Minister Anthony noted sudden death.” Being an In his remarks, the the need for a massive edu- avid player at the time, I Minister of Culture, Youth cation drive and hence re- remember developing an and Sport, Dr. Frank An- alising the purpose of the interest and collaborating thony, commended the as- resource center. This year with Colin Sawh, Rawle sociation for the strides it the ministry is scheduling Sue-Ho and Jolyon Wilhas made over the years, several seminars, including liams, to prepare accounts towards the development another one anti-doping. for 4 years, to help spearof tennis in Guyana. He Several Guyanese ten- head activities for an internoted that while there nis players have secured im committee to set up for would always be chal- scholarships overseas to an AGM. I remember golenges, what makes an advance their skills; the ing ‘door to door’ with 100 association/organization most recent being Gavin letters. The interim comstand out is how those Williams. He is set to leave mittee eventually comchallenges are faced. The Guyana shortly. In recog- prised Dr. Joseph Haynes, minister emphasised that nition of his achievement, Roy Rampersaud, Fritz the GTA has found a way the GTA presented him McLean, Suresh Singh and to do just that. with a token, to help with myself.”

Minister Anthony his expenses. Also receivTen years later the GTA posited that unless there ing mention at the award has stood its ground and is a strategic vision there will be challenges, and it is easy to see those associations that are progressFrom page 28 Meanwhile, the feasibiling. The GTA has a good and this upgrade is be- ity studies are on-going and model that can be shared ing done under the Inter- are expected to be completwith the other sports American Development ed by February 2015, for the associations.

(IDB) part of the contract. rehabilitation of the West While highlighting Vaughn explained that Bank Demerara and Canal some of the key areas that the ministry has submit- Polders 1 and 2 roads. The need to be looked at, Minted the documentation feasibility study is completister Anthony explained in terms of the feasibil- ed and the ministry is awaitthat the master-plan for ity study for that area, to ing final submission by the racquet center is not the IDB and that it is cur- Consultant CEMCO/EXP. yet complete. There exrently awaiting the bank’s Once this document has ists space for table-tennis, no-objection for tendering been submitted, the ministry badminton and the conand awarding. According will go out to tender for this struction of four additionto Vaughn, there is also road, Vaughn said. al tennis courts. He noted Meanwhile, the Caribbeanother area from Stanthat discussions will be an Development Bank-fundleytown, going back to the held with the stakeholders New Amsterdam area that ed West Coast Demerara to complete the facility. is being studied right now. (WCD) road project from The minister expressed Vaughn explained that Vreed-en-Hoop to Hydronie the hope that flood-lights at present, the ministry is has been awarded to BK Insimilar to those at the synfocusing on the New Am- ternational, in collaboration thetic track and the Albion sterdam to Stanleytown area with Surrey Contracting of Cricket Ground in Region in terms of road works, but Jamaica. This contract was 6 can be installed at the later works will progress in awarded in late November, racquet center. Other an2014. Vaughn said the ministerms of other areas. ticipated improvements to

Sheriff-Mandela Roadway...

Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony presents an award to the Junior Female Tennis player for 2014, Nicola Ramdyhan (GLTA’s) five year plan, to develop tennis in Guyana.

While the intent is for this programme to accommodate schools outside of the city, the association is hampered by the limited number of coaches and Physical Education (PE) resources.

This peculiar programme has been ongoing since 2006, and is being supported by the ITF, through equipment donation and subsidies for the National Junior Development Coordinator, Ms. Shelly Daly, and her assis-

Cummings, College Coach of the USA, visited Guyana to do clinics during December. Mr. Cummings is impressed with the talent here, and having Guyanese roots, he intends to partner with the GTA for the development of the sport.

As regards to coaches’ education, Coach Leyland Leacock attended the 2014 Guyana Olympic Association Sports Administrators Course. The National Junior Coach Shelly DalyRamdyhan, and Coaches Carol Humphrey and Ley-

maintained a professional approach and commitment towards steady progress, for the development of tennis in Guyana, despite the apparent chronic limitation with facilities.

Despite its modest track record in winning tennis on the international scene, the GTA has relished a healthy local tennis environment, where several children are able to start their tennis experience, through their primary school PE and at tennis camps each year.

He explained that once sustained, this medium creates the pathway for young players with talent, to enter the sport, through competition rather than affordability, a feature that makes Guyana stand out in the region.

The GTA’s plan for the New Year includes primarily its persistent effort to have better facilities. “We will seek new avenues for erecting a proper tennis facility, with at least four courts in one compound. Another critical area is enhanced coaching, in quality, such as comprehensive revision of techniques, and in quantity, such as giving support to new or struggling club programs,” McAlmon said. To this end, we will be assisting the National Tennis Coaches Association to become more effective.

try is hoping for full mobilisation on this project to take place this year.

He also disclosed that with regards the LindenLethem road, nothing has been worked out for this project. He explained that the government is still looking at a way forward, in terms of moving that project, and that the ministry is hoping that this year it will be finalised.

The ministry will also place focus on an urban transport study. Vaughn explained that this study will develop a specific diagnostic of the urban transport situation, problems and trends, and provide recommendations on matters of public transport infrastructure, operations, financing and institutional organisation.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Mosquito Hall, Mahaica and Rotterdam, West Coast Demerara benefitted from critical sea defence interventions in 2014

Out of an allocation of $1.802B for sea and river defence, the Ministry of Public Works’ Sea and River Defence Division expended a total of $1.502B; $1.3B on capital programmes and $202.83M on maintenance. This is according to information provided by Coordinator, Work Services Group (WSG,) Geoffrey Vaughn, at the recent Ministry of Public Works’ press briefing on the sector’s 2014 performance.

Vaughn explained that the unspent money, $300M was provided under donor funded projects. In 2014, this sum was budgeted for project activities under the Caribbean Development Bank/Government of Guyana (CDB/GOG) Sea and River Defence Resilience project. It covered, estimates for payments on consultancy services and works. Though major advancements were made with the procurement process, no contracts were initiated in 2014 due to delays in the finalisation of administrative arrangements and official

approvals from the CDB and the GOG. However, contracts for planned activities are expected to be finalised during the first quarter of 2015, Vaughn said.

Of the $1.3B expended in the area of sea defence construction in 2014, the Sea and River Defence Division was able to exceed all its 2014 projects targeted. The division achieved 3.195kilometres (km) of new sea defence construction (3.06km was programmed,) rehabilitated 10.29 km (2.805km was programmed,) and provided for the maintenance of another 45.4km (20.7km was programmed.)

The year saw reconstruction of critical sea defence in areas such as Onderneeming, Essequibo, Region Two; Cane Garden, Leguan, Rotterdam and Greenwich, East Bank Essequibo, Region Three; Mosquito Hall, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara and Glasgow/Heatburn, East Bank Berbice.

The intervention at Onderneeming, Essequibo was an intervention of

Essequibo Coast, Region 2 after construction $107.88M. It catered for the provision of 584 metres (m) of slope protection worked carried out from January 15, 2014 to August 15, 2014 by contractor, Deowdat Singh.

For the contract sum of $43.8M, contractor Roopchand Maraj, completed 420m of rip rap river defence at Cane Garden.

During the period January to June 2014, contractor, Eman Reasat, completed 90m of rip rap sea defence at Greenwich Park to the tune of $42.3M. The work at Rotterdam was provided for under a contract sum of $61.1M. B.K International Inc., com-

pleted 250m of emergency work in this area.

Mosquito Hall, Mahaica saw the biggest intervention for the year. A contract sum of $275.5M was expended towards the construction of river defence; this project, which is currently in Phase One, commenced on June 2014 and is scheduled to be completed in February of this year.

Thus far, 540m of work has been completed by contractor, M&B construction.

The contracted sum of $116.66M was also awarded to M&B Construction to construct rip rap sea defence at Glasgow/Heat-

Mosquito Hall, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara after Phase 1 construction burn. Work to this effect commenced on September 15, and thus far, 150m has been completed.

Meanwhile, in Georgetown, the rehabilitation of the Fort Groyne at Kingston continued in 2014, as part of the Sea and River Defence Division’s featured sea defence rehabilitation project. Contractor M&B Construction commenced work in this regard on August 22, 2014, and to date 117m of work was achieved. The contract sum on this job is $11.65M. The Sea and River Defence Force Action Unit

also carried out installation of geotextile tubes along the Georgetown Sea Defence.

In 2014, the main constraints to the effort of the division was ready availability of rock materials for sea defence construction, limited number of experienced contractors with the capacity to implement major contracts and limited technical staff and resources within the Sea Defence Districts. There were also staff deficiencies in specific skill areas, according to Vaughn.

Guyana’s upstream oil and gas policy launched

THE Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment continues to work towards creating a viable oil and gas sector, but to have a feasible sector, there must be a policy that caters for its development. On January 21, the ministry launched its upstream oil and gas policy at a national stakeholders’ forum, held at the Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown.

Giving a comprehensive overview of the policy, Dr. Epken Omonbude, Economic Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat, pointed out that the draft of this policy was discussed on October 2013 and accepted by Cabinet around the same time in 2014.

He noted that it is to ensure a transparent and effective upstream of oil and

gas legislations and implementation in Guyana.

The strategy focuses on the broader picture of the upcoming sector, as this is the framework that provides the answers to what will and can be done, when and if oil is found in Guyana.

According to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, this is to prepare the country for the eventuality of a significant amount of oil being found, more so, for commercial purposes.

He said that “in 2011, when the ministry was established, (it) had a review of how … we oversight, manage and plan for the eventual development of an oil and gas sector. We recognised that we needed to be prepared for the eventuality, and I want to be an optimist, not a blind optimist … not

Dr. Epken Omonbude, Economic Adviser, Commonwealth Secretariat an unreasonable optimist … but (I see) the eventuality of a significant commercial oil and gas discovery in our country.” This strategy is a step in preparing the country for this eventuality.

The minister added that when they reviewed the existing framework and legislation, they tend to focus primarily on exploration and promotion of oil and did

not efficiently deal with the issue of upstream.

He further noted that the reason for this is to prevent any consequences when this discovery is made, as a result of the country’s not being prepared for such a sector. He also pointed out that the ministry is working with a number of bilateral partners in order to improve other areas of this sector in “looking at how we can have the right environment, the right framework, the system, the right arrangement, that will do justice to the people of Guyana in terms of how do we manage the sector going forward.”

A lot of emphasis is also being place on human resources; the mining school has offered and will continue to offer some training programmes in gearing and

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preparing Guyanese to work in the oil and gas sector.

The minister also acknowledged the fact that numerous employees are currently overseas, pursuing advanced training, some with support from oil companies themselves. A lot of work has also been done on transparency.

Further, there are still some areas to be addressed, such as managing resources, in terms of what would accrue, from the eventual development of such a sector, and ensuring its contribution to lasting prosperity, the minister pointed out.

This is to ensure that the sector be not only a viable one, but sustainable financially and that it will take into account environmental, as well as social obligations in this regard. This is the reason for developing a ro-

bust and forward-looking framework, such as this.

The minister also expressed gratitude to the Commonwealth Secretariat for aiding in this process.

Country Manager of Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd, Jeff Simon, was also given the opportunity to share some comments and suggestions on the policy, as the company ExxonMobil will begin drilling for oil in March.

Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Samuel Hinds, who was also present at the ceremony, said that he was “very pleased that this day has come…. and by the end of this quarter to have some deep drilling.”

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

Issue No: 9

January 30, 2015

Guyana Postcard The East Bank Corridor-A Modern Hub

From a geographical space that was once a farming area, the East Bank Corridor now boasts such features as modern housing areas, a system of interlocking roads, several commercial banks, businesses and branches of city businesses. This transformation, in which, Government has invested heavily, has enjoyed much support from the private and public sectors.

See pictures on Page 16-17