 |
The Guyana Update -- April, 1997. |
The ashes of the late President, Dr Cheddi Bharat Jagan, were scattered in the three main rivers of Guyana -- Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice. This act was performed by members of his immediate family.
A helicopter carried the late President's widow, Prime Minister Janet Jagan, their son Dr Cheddi Jagan Jr and daughter Nadira Jagan-Brancier who took turns in scattering the ashes.
Dr Jagan who died at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC on March 6, after suffering a serious heart attack, was flown back to his native land, where his mortal remains were cremated at the Babu John cemetery in Port Mourant on March 12.
His ashes were collected and flown back to the city from GUYSUCO's Albion airstrip on March 13. The grey ashes were first scattered in the Berbice River in the vicinity of Rosignol at 9 a.m. then in the Essequibo River near the island of Wakenaam at 10 a.m. and finally in the Demerara River in the Craig Village area at 10:35 a.m.
As the helicopter flew at very low altitude over the Demerara River, Cheddi (Jr) emptied the ashes which blew very gently in the wind before falling into the waters; and then with it he threw the container along with the bag which held the contents.
Mrs Jagan and daughter Nadira Jagan-Brancier looked on as everything sank into the river.
POWER SUPPLY DOUBLES
Even after 15 years of blackouts, electricity generation peaked at no more than 45.7 megawatts, or 50% of the Guyanese coastland's immediate requirements, when the PPP/Civic Government took office on October 9, 1992.
By March 22, less than four-and-a-half years later, that figure doubled with the commissioning of a 22-megawatt unit at the Kingston plant of the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC). This came on the heel of the March 15 commissioning of a 325-kilowatt set, bought from Machinery Corporation of Guyana (cost: US$183,000) and placed on the Essequibo island of Wakenaam; and the empowering of a 5.7 megawatt diesel generation set, installed by Japanese and Guyanese engineers under a US$8.5 million Japanese grant aid program to Guyana, at the GEC's Garden of Eden power station on March 18.
With power supply now at 90 megawatts, thanks to the addition of 39 megawatts of electricity into the system in
five months at a cost of US$37.2 million, industry is expected to increase plant capacity beyond the 45% to which it had limited manufacturing after the GEC's outmoded machinery began buckling to demand pressure in 1997.
The GEC dedicated all of the month of March expansion program to the memory of the late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan, who took a personal interest in alleviating the country's electricity woes, and who refused to have a line of continuously-flowing power installed at State House as a demonstration of empathy with the agony Guyanese have been experiencing over incessant power failures.
Government, meantime, is spending another US$4.4 million during 1997 on the installation of a new electrical system for Leguan, another island in the Essequibo river, and on electrification of 17 villages in East Berbice, one of the country's ten administrative regions.
Donald Ramotar was unanimously elected as the new General Secretary of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) at a meeting of the Party's Central Committee on Saturday, March 29. He succeeds the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan as leader of the Party.
He was nominated to the position by co-founder of the party, Mrs Janet Jagan who expressed her confidence in him, as a tried and tested party leader.
Mr Ramotar who is currently a member of Parliament, entered politics some 30 years ago when he joined the PPP but functioned in its youth arm., the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO). He later rose to become the PYO International Secretary. He worked under the late Dr Cheddi Jagan as Manager of the Party's Freedom House Headquarters and later, as Executive Secretary when Dr Jagan assumed the Presidency.
Mr Ramotar who is married with three children, underwent higher studies in Political Science in the Soviet Union and in Guyana. He holds a B.Sc Degree in Economics from the University of Guyana.
As a PYO and PPP leader and Central and Executive Committee member, Mr Ramotar represented Guyana at a number of international conferences in Guinea-Bissau, Libya, India, France, Italy, Poland, Greece and other countries. He was in South Africa in 1993 and attended the first conference of the African National Congress held in South Africa.
 |
|
|
President Samuel Hinds left Guyana on his first tour of duty overseas since assuming the presidency following the death of President Cheddi Jagan.
President Hinds attended the inauguration of fellow Head of State A.N.R. Robinson in Trinidad and Tobago. Robinson was sworn in as President of the twin-island republic on March 19. In President Hinds' absence from Guyana, Mrs Janet Jagan acted as President.
World leaders joined a stream of civic organizations welcoming the appointment of Janet Jagan as Guyana's new Prime Minister.
John Major, Britain Prime Minister, said in a message: "I send you my congratulations on your appointment as Prime Minister of Guyana. I am only sorry that this came about as a result of the sad death of your husband. As members of the Commonwealth, our two countries have much in common on which we can continue to build. I look forward to working with you to promote further the productive relationship which we enjoy."
India's Prime Minister Deve Gowda, in his congratulatory note, said: "I have great pleasure in extending hearty felicitations and greetings. I wish Your Excellency all success in carrying out your new responsibilities. India and Guyana enjoy very warm, friendly relations. I am confident that under your leadership these relations will be enhanced and strengthened further."
Many non-government organizations have pledged support and full cooperation and have welcomed the appointment of Mrs Jagan.
Brazilian President, Dr Fernando Henrique Cardoso recently sent a message to President Sam Hinds on his assumption to office as President of Guyana.
"As Your Excellency takes office as President of the Republic of Guyana, I have the pleasure to convey to you my most sincere compliments, as well as my best for the success of your important mission. Highest consideration," the message read.
President Hinds was sworn in on March 6 following the death of Dr Cheddi Jagan in Washington.
President Samuel Hinds, has decided that with effect from March 31, Guyana's International Airport at Timehri would be designated the "Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri."
This designation is in honor of the memory of the President of the Republic, Dr Cheddi Jagan, who died on March 6, 1997.
The relevant authorities are being notified of the President's decision with a view to implementing same.
Since the death of President Cheddi Jagan many groups in Guyana, including the Berbice Chambers of Commerce have been calling on the Government to rename the airport in memory of the late President.
Nanda Gopaul has withdrawn his party, the Guyana Labour Party (GLP), from the Guyana Democratic Party (GDP), led by presidential candidate Asgar Ally.
The GLP last year merged with Ally to create the GDP but soon after there were indications that all was not too well between the GLP and Ally.
A statement from the GLP recently listed three main reasons for the withdrawal from the GDP: "His (Ally's) failure to implement the terms of amalgamation in keeping with the memorandum of understanding dated July 17, 1996; his conduct in treating with organizational matters is considered unprincipled and unethical; and his lack of accountability for funds received on behalf of the GDP."
"Accountability and trust are sacred principles in the smooth functioning of any organization, especially one which hopes to govern this nation. As a consequence, members of the GLP, who comprise the majority in the amalgamation, have expressed a loss of confidence in Mr Ally as Presidential Candidate, and have decided to immediately withdraw from the amalgamation," said the release from the GLP.
"Consequently," the release stated, "we have reverted to our original organization, the Guyana Labor Party. The GDP therefore stand dissolved."
Charles Ceres, who claims to be Chairman of the GDP, said the charges against Ally are "unfounded". Ally was out of the country at the time.
Meanwhile, The United Force campaign manager Lionel Peters said he was pulling out of the TUF party, led by Manzoor Nadir.
Recently, Omai Gold Mines Limited donated items worth more than $400,000 to Commissioner of Police Laurie Lewis for distribution to community policing groups.
The gifts include 50 tee-shirts and 50 vests with 'POLICE' printed on them; four Mossbery shotguns, 400 rounds of ammunition, 12 Maglite torchlights and 250 batteries.
The items were handed over by Omai Human Resources Manager, Mr Norman McLean. Commissioner Lewis said Omai has shown itself as a good corporate citizen, stressing that the firm has always been a friend of the Police Force.
Omai Gold Mines Limited (OMAI) is preparing to expand operation in Guyana's mineral-rich hinterland following its signing of a prospecting accord with the Government of Guyana on February 18.
The agreement, the first reached with a mining company since Government released its Exploration and Development of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Policy on January 11, 1997, gives OMAI the licenses to carry out pre-prospecting studies at Quartz Hill and the Omai River, two adjacent properties 150 miles south-west of Georgetown believed to be glittering with enormous deposits of gold.
If the feasibility inquiries at Quartz Hill and Omai River by its exploration geologist yield fruit, OMAI will likely extend its 15-year mine life to allow for the extraction of gold from those fields. That would increase cash flows to OMAI shareholders - The Government of Guyana and two Canadian companies, Cambior and Golden Stars Resources Limited - and generate additional revenue to the national coffers.
Omai Gold Mines Limited began operations in 1991, producing 254,950 ounces of gold in 1996. The company envisages producing 330,000 ounces of the 450,000 ounces of gold projected for the industry this year.
A US company, Symons Financial Group of Florida, is likely to pitch in with 60,000 ounces. Symons has just set up a subsidiary, Guyana Metals and Jewelry, through which it plans to invest US$4.5 million in gold prospecting and jewelry manufacture in its first year of operation.
With "safeguard measures" by the European Union ending Guyana's levy-free exports of rice to Europe, rice industry operatives have begun wooing purchases from Latin American importers in a bid to wiggle their way deeper into the region's 20 million-tonne grain market.
Of the 262,265 tonnes of rice exported by Guyana in 1996 at a value of US$93.7 million, compared to an export of 200,543 tonnes at US$76 million in 1995, only Guatemala (272 tonnes) and El Salvador (231 tonnes) bought any rice from Guyana.
But a 35% levy plus cutbacks in exports to Europe, restricted by the European Union to just 42,650 tonnes for the first four months of 1997, as against 68,009 tonnes for the corresponding period last year, have prompted Guyanese exporters to begin taking a closer look at penetrating Latin America's highly-competitive market.
The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), which directs Government's efforts at facilitating private investments in rice production and encouraging strict adherence to international standards, said Venezuela, Columbia and Nicaragua have so far made enquiries, with Nicaragua and El Salvador offering to buy Guyana's white rice at US$365 per tonne.
The privately-run rice industry projects exporting 260,000 tonnes of rice this year, 150,000 tonnes of it going to the still-important EU market and the remainder to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries and other destinations.
Another $15 million contribution was added recently to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Institute of Applied Science and Technology building, University of Guyana Turkeyen Campus. This contribution was made by Omai Gold Mines Limited.
It followed the undertaking of the mining company of a complete rehabilitation of all infra-structural works, including installation of air conditioners, power generators, office furniture, computers and printers and laboratory equipment.
Intensive training was also provided by Omai, as well, through the expenditure of a further $2 million for EPA and related personnel at its mine site laboratory, and a special workshop held in Georgetown, with tutors from the Canadian Center for Minerals and Energy.
Another promise made by the late President Dr Cheddi Jagan, is being fulfilled just days after his cremation. A new Caterpillar power-generating unit arrived in the country to be installed at the interior hub of Lethem in Region Nine. Because of the run-down generator, the area is plagued by irregular supplies of electricity. Replacement of the new unit will commence shortly, as arrangements are being put in place to transport the new Caterpillar plant to the site.
Anglican Bishop Randolph George and Georgetown City Councillor, Mrs Philomena Sahoye-Shury on March 21, condemned a statement by the Minority People's National Congress (PNC) on the appointment of Mrs Janet Jagan as Prime Minister of Guyana.
Bishop George in a press statement said he was "dismayed and deeply saddened by the vicious attack" on Mrs Jagan, while Mrs Sahoye-Shury stated that Guyanese are "truly disgusted" by the tone and content of the PNC missive.
After the appointment of Mrs Jagan as Prime Minister, the PNC said it was "appalled" at the appointment claiming Mrs Jagan was the "worst possible candidate to have in this position at this period of our history."
It further stated that Mrs Jagan was "wholly unacceptable to a wide cross-section of the Guyanese people" and suggested that appointment would not allow the PNC to have "any kind of constructive relationship with the PPP regime."
Racial accusations were also made against Mrs Jagan by the Minority Party.
Bishop George said "decency is the first step to unity. May I plead with our leaders and all fellow Guyanese to exhibit a sense of decency and sincerity in our quest for national unity," he added in his statement.
Meanwhile, Mrs Sahoye-Shury in her statement said it was "pathetic" that the PNC had to "stoop" so low to vilify a woman of integrity and impeccable credentials who has made and continues to make, an enormous contribution to this country."
On Friday March 21, the Government of Guyana announced a decision to press charges against suspected key players in the billion dollar gold smuggling racket unearthed in 1995.
Dr Roger Luncheon Head of the Presidential Secretariat said that Comptroller of Customs, Mr Lloyd Forde has been legally advised to do so.
Dr Luncheon further stated that names of the offenders would be released to the public after they have been summoned.
The scam was uncovered during routine tax checks which revealed that gold was being shipped to agents in the United States without being officially declared in Guyana. This has been happening since the late 1980's.
Also links have surfaced with certain South American countries, including Bolivia and Chile, to where in one instance some 2,000 pounds of the precious metal were ferried overseas during a three-month period.
At the request of the Guyana Government, the United States Department of Commerce compiled a list with the names of the alleged smugglers and has been cooperating with the administration.
It was disclosed by the Transport and Harbors Department (T&HD) that about 386,682 commuters and 2,387 vehicles were ferried between Rosignol and New Amsterdam for President Cheddi Jagan's cremation at Port Mourant in Berbice.
Public Works Minister Anthony Xavier has congratulated the T&HD for its "unprecedented feat."
Also on the Parika/Adventure service about 17,958 passengers were transported for the viewing of the late President's body at State House.
Mr Xavier said, "I wish to congratulate the Captains and Engineers aboard the vessels who worked tirelessly during the period. Based on my own observation, as well as reports received from persons within the community, the service was most efficient and reliable despite the tumultuous crowd of passenger and numerous vehicles," he said.
He added also that the "demonstration of the workers of the Transport and Harbors Department during the period of national mourning is indicative of the true spirit of patriotism, nationalism and commitment to duty."
Agriculture Minister Mr Reepu Daman Persaud assured the Guyanese nation that the Government is moving ahead with the promotion of a diversified agricultural economy.
Speaking at the opening of a Workshop on the Emergency Animal Disease Preparedness Plan , Mr Persaud said that the decision "to formulate the Emergency Animal Disease Preparedness Plan is a wise and timely one at a time when trade barriers are being removed worldwide."
The Minister also announced to the session that the Government had secured assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) for the rehabilitation of veterinary diagnostic facilities. On the export of livestock, Mr Persaud challenged the private sector and the veterinary division "to develop infra-structural facilities such as abattoir and cold storage rooms and provide services to ensure that importers' stipulations for wholesome and healthy livestock products are met."
Every year since his election as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Cheddi Jagan had received birthday gifts from the Joint Services.
This year the Joint Services, in observance of the late President's birthday, has refurbished the Chase's Indigent Home in Georgetown. According to officials the President had requested the gift should be put towards a social project. The Chase's project was chosen this year.
Work on the project started about a week before the President's birthday and at a simple ceremony, at Robb Street, Georgetown location, it was handed over to the President's widow, Prime Minister Janet Jagan.
The Chase's Indigent Home was founded on December 1, 1964.
Mrs Janet Jagan, newly appointed Prime Minister in the PPP/Civic administration denied allegations of corruption at the top level, saying the suggestions were "monstrous and unrealistic".
She was a guest on a live Voice of America (VOA) program aired by the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) when she made that statement and observed that such dishonesty exists at certain levels of the society and it will take a long time to get it "out of the soul."
She added that the plague will take time to be weeded out, but the Government was addressing the issue.
At the time she was responding to a caller who claimed there was still a "tremendous amount of corruption" and in very high places, even at the ministerial level.
Mrs Jagan also dismissed suggestions that the Government was discriminating in the award of tenders for road repairs in Georgetown to get money for the PPP's campaign for upcoming elections.
She explained that the road repair program in the city is being funded directly by Central Government in light of the condition of the streets and further added that there was no question of tendering to certain people. She said the PPP as a political party has raised money legally and openly.
Her answers were supported by Mr Larry Birns, Director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs in Washington, who said Guyana has a "remarkable low level" of corruption compared with countries with similar per capita income and living standards.
Mr Birns attributed this to the late President Cheddi Jagan whom he described as a "nuts and bolt man", saying in the circumstances, "it simply is remarkable that Guyana has been so honest".
LINMINE workers will receive a 20% pay hike under a new agreement between the bauxite firm and the Guyana Mining Mineral and General Workers Union (GMMGWU), the company announced on March 20.
According to LINMINE the company will pay an increase of 16 per cent across the board with effect from August 23 last year.
In addition, a further four per cent, retroactive to January this year will be paid to workers by the firm. This agreement is to be ratified shortly.
For several months the GMMGWU and the bauxite company were at loggerheads over the increased wages for the GMMGWU's 1,300 members. A one day strike was called earlier by the union to back its demands.
Dr Rupert Roopnarine, co-leader of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), said that Dr Jagan stood tall among the people who had made significant contributions to Guyana -- "his head touched the sky".
He made these remarks at the official State Funeral for the late President Cheddi Jagan, held on March 10 on the forecourt of Parliament Buildings in Georgetown.
During his presentation he stated that in the response to Dr Jagan's passing the Guyanese people had shown that they had developed some of the elements of nationality and nationhood.
He observed that in the response of Dr Jagan's death, "the nation has redefined a president and, in doing so, redefined itself as a nation. Without thinking it out in advance, the nation has made an option for pluralist society, one in which a number of organizations and opinions can flourish together.
"And this plural way of defining our society is also the basic way of defining the republic," he said.
Dr Roopnarine went on to say that "if we can keep on along these lines - and why should we not? - and deepen our commitment as our free spirits want us to do, we the people will yet arrive at that desired state of mutual acceptance, mutual accommodation and, - do I dare say it - mutual love and mutual respect."
But he also cautioned, "in these matters the Government of the day is no less but perhaps even more exacting than is the responsibility of the people."
Dr Roopnarine said that the genuine outpouring of respect, of sympathy, of recognition and more for the person of the late President and of the office of the presidency was the "maturity needed for the reaping of the harvest of the material and spiritual crops cultivated by our various peoples, by all our peoples."
Banks DIH plans to spend $854 million in its expansion program this year and has already secured two loans for this project. This was announced at the 41st Annual General Meeting at Thirst Park on March 15.
The company secured a US$1.9 million loan from Citizens Bank in Miami to upgrade its soft drinks bottling line and obtained $143 million from Citizens Bank (Guyana) Ltd. to finance equipment for the expansion program.
The brewery giant recorded an after-tax profit of $506 million last year, a seven per cent improvement over 1995.
Sales and revenue for D'Aguiar's Industries and Holdings was at an all time high at $5.6 billion and $6.7 billion respectively.
However, the company complained about the extremely high overall taxes that were paid to the Government last year. Nevertheless, the directors were pleased with the results of the company for the year viewed against setbacks, which included high taxes.
The United States Government has again expressed praises for Guyana's economic progress under the PPP/Civic administration. This expression came when Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy in Guyana, Hugh Simon, announced on March 28 that the United States has agreed to write off a total of US$10 million of the bilateral debt owed by Guyana. Simon declared that his Government was satisfied with the progress that Guyana has been making to revitalize its economy. The latest debt forgiveness is a sign of the confidence of the US administration in the economic policy of the Guyana Government.
Several large Amerindian communities have been visited by Government Ministers, including Amerindian Affairs Minister Vibert DeSouza, to reassure them of Government's continued support following the death of Dr Cheddi Jagan.
Minister DeSouza recently, led a team to St Cuthbert's Mission on the Mahaica River, where he held a meeting with about 300 residents. At the meeting, villagers were assured the pace of development in Amerindian areas will continue and all the program planned for this year are being implemented.
On Friday March 21, Mr DeSouza along with Information Minister Moses Nagamootoo were in the Moruca region to conduct similar public meetings with residents.
The Region 3 (West Demerara) administration will soon be spending nearly $6 million on infra-structural works that will benefit about 1,100 new low-income house lots.
The Finance Committee of the Region has approved the sum for the construction of three heavy-duty access bridges and the empoldering of new housing areas.
The first heavy-duty bridge is to be constructed at Bell West, Canal No. Two, to allow access to the new 150-acre housing scheme where 900 house lots are available.
Met-en-Meerzorg, on the West Coast of Demerara, is to be the site for the second major access bridge as it was a squatting area for some 30 years. About 131 house lots are to benefit from this new bridge.
The third bridge is to be constructed in Met-en-Meerzorg West, where 182 house lots are situated.
Empoldering works will also take place at Phoenix Park, West Bank of Demerara to benefit some 44 house lots.
Guyanese batsman 22 year-old Shivnarine Chanderpaul made his first test century against India on Thursday, 27 March in the Third Test at Bridgetown, Barbados. He said it was a century he always dreamed of and so he dedicated it to his parents and the late President Cheddi Jagan.
Citizens in Region Four were still not cooperating to complete the national registration process for upcoming general elections. Mr Albert Henry Senior Manager of the Elections Commission said the response to calls to visit photographic studios has been slow in the densely populated region, which includes the capital, Georgetown. The Commission has extended the photographic phase twice. Some 33,237 persons are still to have their pictures taken at studios set up at public places country wide. Most of the 'camera-shy', 19,408, are in Region Four.
Hundreds of residents attended the special memorial service held in honor of the late President Cheddi Jagan for his 79th birth anniversary. This was held at his home town in Port Mourant, Corentyne, on March 22 where representatives from the three main religious denominations participated. It was addressed by Minister of Home Affairs, Feroze Mohamed.
The new self-propelled pontoon Baramali is now plying the Essequibo river and islanders are quite happy about this new development.
Hundreds of Wakenaam islanders, including school children, turned out at the stelling for the scattering of the late President Cheddi Jagan's ashes in the Essequibo River. His widow, Janet Jagan and son Cheddi (Jr) scattered the ashes from the Guyana Defence Force Bell Helicopter.
President Sam Hinds has sworn in Senior Counsel Brynmore Pollard and Justice of Appeal Prem Persaud as the two new members of the Judicial Service Commission. The ceremony was held at the office of the President.
The Guyana Defence Force sent officers and 20 other ranks to participate in Exercise Trade Winds, Maritime and Amphibious Training in Trinidad which began on March 21 and concluded on March 29. Trade Winds is a series of annual exercises which commenced in 1986 after the formation of the Regional Security System (RSS) with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by member countries. The RSS was established to allow member countries to mutually support one another in any threat or emergency.
The Government and the European Union formally cleared the way for at least US$38 million to be disbursed mainly to boost the social services and aid development of the private sector in Guyana.
One day after the Guyana Bar Association President, Ms Pearlene Roach was buried, two teenagers appeared in a city Court on March 18, charged with the brutal murder of the prominent lawyer. A warrant was issued for a third suspect in the murder. One of the accused is the victim's 15-year old adopted son. He made his appearance with Basil Morgan, 18 from King Street, Republic Park.
A sum of $455 million will be spent this year in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) on further development of social and physical infrastructure. The regional executive officer said the amount represents an increase of 24 per cent over the 1996 expenditure.
A visiting team of Canadian investors from the Canadian Province of New Brunswick expressed interest in getting involved in Guyana's dairy industry and went to share their expertise with local counterparts there. Trade Minister Michael Shree Chan met with the Canadian High Commissioner and the visiting team.
President Sam Hinds is backing a continuation of the alliance of the People's Progressive Party and the Civic group which won the October 1992 general elections.
On Friday March 21, the Women's Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Labor, Human Services and Social Security hosted a workshop for women with a vocation in political leadership. The workshop was attended by several women drawn from many organizations as well as individuals.
Residents of New Amsterdam are now receiving the best quality water available throughout Guyana. The well water is now treated for iron content, color and taste before distributed to consumers. GUYWA is executing a $110 million water supply, technical assistance and rehabilitation project stretching from Charity on the Essequibo to Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne.
A task force has been established to overlook demarcation of land in Amerindian areas. Chairman of the Task Force is Vibert DeSouza, Amerindian Affairs Minister. This year more than $50 million were allocated to address the question of land demarcation.
Negotiations with SaskPower Commercial and J. Kaehne and Associates on a Letter of Intent (LOI) for an equity position in the Guyana Electricity Corporation continues. SaskPower and J. Kaehne came first in the bidding process for negotiations with the Government for 40 per cent equity in GEC. The second highest bidder for GEC was the Leucadia National Corporation in Florida.
A US$10.4 million upgrading project is in progress at the Lusignan Prison. A concrete fence is currently under construction around the compound to replace a chain-link structure while the 'A' dormitory has been converted into five cells. The improvements are a result of recommendations by a Commission of Inquiry following a prison-break at the institution last year.
The Government of Guyana has appointed Lebanese banker George Matta as Guyana's Honorary Council to Lebanon. Mr Matta is currently President of a major Lebanese shipping and trading company, and is in an ideal position to attract Mideast businesses to Guyana.
Administrative lapses by the Project Execution Unit, the Central Tender Board and the resident engineer contributed substantially to the October 26, 1996 Mon Repos flooding, Works Minister, Mr Anthony Xavier said. The Minister said: "Had the successful contractor....selected and given the order to commence work much earlier, the October fiasco could have been avoided."
It has been brought to the attention of the Embassy that someone in Florida has been approaching business persons claiming that he is a representative of a Guyana Government entity. Members of the general public are warned that only the Embassy, the Consulates and Trade Representatives are the authorized representatives of the Government of Guyana in the United States.
Information on Guyana, INTERNET users may check the WEB SITE on GUYANA NEWS AND INFORMATION at: http://www.guyana.org. This site is also linked to other useful Guyana sites. The Embassy's new E-mail address is: GuyanaEmbassy@hotmail.com
Hindu Dharmic Sabha of Washington Metropolitan Area 3909 53rd St., Bladensburg, MD
Services Sunday 10.00 a.m.
Call James Beeharilal (301) 699-9573
Maryland Hindu Milan Mandir
808 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD
Services - Sundays 9.30 a.m.- Pandit Sase N. Sharma
Call (301) 593-7638
Islamic Society of the Washington Area
Principles of Islam - 3rd Saturday every month
Call Imam Faizul Khan 301-588-3650.
Reminder to Guyanese Nationals -
Please ensure that your PASSPORTS are VALID. Do not wait until emergencies arise before you check these documents.FOR YOUR INFORMATION
GUYANA CONSULATES AND HONORARY TRADE REPRESENTATIVES
NEW YORK : Mr. Brentnol Evans, Consul-General
Tel: (212) 527-3215, Fax: (212) 527-3229
CALIFORNIA : Mr. Joseph D'Oliveira, Honorary Consul,
Tel: (213) 222-0899 Fax: (213) 222-0899
FLORIDA : Mr. Hilton Ramcharitar, Honorary Consul, Tel: (954) 797-6844, Fax: (954) 797-7603
TEXAS: Mr. Jai Sharma, (Trade Rep)
Tel: (713) 847-5800 Fax: (713) 847-3210
GEORGIA: Mr. Neilson Wray (Trade Rep)
Tel: 770-469-3337 Fax: 770-469-1915
MINNESOTA: Mr. Earl Singh, (Trade Rep)
Tel: (612) 332-0351, Fax: (612) 342-2399
MISSOURI: Mr. Antoine Solomon, (Trade Rep)
Tel and Fax: (314) 830 - 2376
OHIO: Mrs Nazima Ahmed (Trade Rep)
Tel (216) 752 - 8746 Fax: (216) 752 - 1070
All payments for services officially rendered by the Embassy must be made in cash or by money order, bank draft or certified check. Personal and company checks are not acceptable.
To publicize your group's activities in this forum , FAX the information to 202-232-1297 or call 202-265-6900.
To receive a copy of Guyana Update send $5.00 to cover one year's postage to the address below.
Embassy of the Republic of Guyana
2490 Tracy Place NW
Washington DC 20008
202-265-6900/FAX 202-232-1297
(After hours and holidays, FAX 301-365-9467)