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The Guyana Update -- April, 1998. |
FINANCE Minister, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo announced a prudent $49.2 billion national budget, offering incentives for the private sector, $1.2 billion for wage increases, and hiking certain fees and licences with immediate effect. There are no new taxes.
Assuring there will be "no wage freeze in 1998", Jagdeo said members of the Disciplined Services, teachers, pensioners and recipients of public assistance will benefit from the block of funds set aside for salaries. But he warned 1998 will be a "difficult and testing year for all Guyanese. "Our economy will be affected adversely by the continuing El Nino phenomenon and by low prices for our exports".Real Gross Domestic Product is expected to grow by 3.2 per cent, down from last year's 6.1 per cent and merchandise exports are targeted at US$616 million, a mere 3.7 per cent improvement. Inflation, which slowed to 4.1 per cent last year, is predicted to be 5.5 per cent.
YOUTH: Addressing the concern of youth unemployment, it was announced that more than $500 million will be spent on programs to benefit young people directly. The Government will launch a Youth Employment Program (YEP), and anticipates that more than 1,000 young people will receive training under this scheme. In addition to the YEP, the Public Sector Investment Program (PSIP), will also be providing opportunities for youth employment.
HOUSING: The technical and managerial capacity of the Ministry of Housing will be strengthened this year with financial support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).The highlights of the program are the distribution of 7,000 house lots; accelerating land titling activities; and the regularization of squatter settlements. Government will also move to amend the Act of the New Building Society (NBS), to allow the acceptance of other forms of collateral other than land titles. In addition the enactment of mortgage finance legislation that would extend generous concessions to lending institutions, that are similar to those granted by the NBS, is on the cards. The reform of the Deeds Registry this year is also expected to positively impact on the housing sector.
WAGES: Contradicting previous predictions of a wage freeze, a block sum of $1.2 billion has been allocated to increase public servants' wages. The Government will be meeting shortly with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), to begin negotiations for the percentage increases. It is hoped that discussions can conclude quickly between the union and the Government so that a wages policy being negotiated since 1997, could be concluded before the end of the year. Referring to the Government's commitment to paying $180 million over three years to key and critical posts in the public service, it was announced that $60 million will be spent this year in that regard. Last year, about $70 million was spent on paying persons deemed to hold key and critical posts in the public service.
PRIVATE SECTOR INCENTIVES: Tax holidays have been introduced this year to stimulate pioneering activities and open up new locations like the Intermediate Savannahs. The Government and the private sector are also expected to work closely to establish the legislative framework for a Private Sector Development Bank (PSDB) and a securities market. The PSDB is expected to allow the private sector to access long-term financing on concessional discussions. The securities market will also be another avenue for financing in the public and private sectors. The Government also plans to reform the insurance industry with the enactment of new insurance sector regulations. Currently, the insurance industry operates under a 1970 Insurance Act.
PRIVATIZATION: Eight entities will be brought to the point of sale in 1998. These include LINMINE, BERMINE, Guyana National Printers Limited (GNPL), Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), Guyana Stores Limited (GSL), the Versailles Dairy Complex, GNCB Trust and the Wauna Oil Palm Estate. The most significant privatization that is expected to be completed in 1998 is the Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC).
ROADS: A substantial amount of money has been allocated to continue the fixing of roads in Georgetown. The main roads program will continue with on-going works on the Essequibo Coast road, the East Coast Highway, the Railway Embankment and the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. More than 75 miles of rural roads in areas such as Annandale Sideline, Kersaint Park, Ann's Grove, Cotton Tree, Mahaicony and Plaisance have been earmarked for construction and fixing. In addition, some 20 miles of farm to market roads are targeted for construction in Regions Two, Three and Five.
WATER: The Government has earmarked about $1.8 billion to start integrated water systems at Pouderoyen on the West Bank Demerara, Eccles on the East Bank Demerara and Rose Hall, Berbice, and to complete the remaining minor systems. The drilling of another 20 shallow wells in the hinterland and erecting several windmills and hand pumps is the target of the Government this year. In Georgetown, a new trunk system along Princess Street, Cemetery Road and Mandela Avenue will be completed and additional storage tanks and pumping stations will be constructed.
EDUCATION: About 100 nursery, primary and secondary schools will either be built or fixed in 1998. In addition to these, 16 new primary schools will be designed for construction under the Primary Education Improvement Program (PEIP), and 12 existing secondary schools will be redesigned for reconstruction under the Secondary Schools Reform Program (SSRP). It was stressed that emphasis will be placed on improving the quality of education, including curricula reform, teacher training, improved text and management capacity, school based management and computerization.
HEALTH: For 1998, the Government intends to complete the National Dental School and the Blood Transfusion Center. In addition, more than seven health facilities will be built or fixed. These include the Nurses' Hostel at Matthews Ridge, the Tuberculosis Ward at the West Demerara Hospital, health posts and centers at Dredge Creek, Dora, Yarrowkabra, Sand Hills, Amelia's Ward and the theater and labor room at the Port Mourant Cottage Hospital. The Tuberculosis Clinic at the Georgetown Hospital will also be fixed.
OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE: In 1998, $210 million has been set aside for the completion of the Eccles Industrial Estate, the upgrading of the New Amsterdam Estate and the construction of the Lethem Industrial Estate. Emphasis will also be placed on reconstructing the sea defenses at Lusignan, Reliance/Cotton Field, Sparta/Windsor Castle, Belle Plaine/Zeelandia and Elizabeth Ann/Cornelia. Pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for three key projects will be initiated. These are the Berbice River Bridge, a Deep Water Harbor and the Guyana-Brazil Road.
President Janet Jagan declared a state of Emergency on March 26 in the wake of devastation caused by the current El Nino phenomenon.
In declaring the state of Emergency, the President pointed out that "...the situation is extremely serious."
She stressed that the ravages of El Nino have led to negative impact on the economy and "serious disruption of the livelihood of many of our country men in the Hinterland regions.....where food and potable water shortage have led to threats of starvation and destitution."
As a result President Jagan made a special appeal for Guyanese to contribute to this effort and to do so in an organized manner.
Reports emanating from the far-flung regions indicate that forest fires are continuing unabated and are wiping out vital grasslands. The East Demerara and West Demerara Conservancies grassland are totally wiped out, according to reports.
In the Rupununi, sporadic fires and water shortage loom as all the creeks, streams and other waterways are completely dry. Residents are forced to dig holes in creeks and other wet areas for water, which in most cases is contaminated.
The Civil Defence Commission, formed to look into the El Nino Phenomenon and take appropriate actions to combat the hardships the drought is having on the interior residents, has now launched an El Nino Fund at the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Ltd at Account CIEA # 073 and 074.
Meanwhile, the Government has speeded up its delivery of food to villages in the Rupununi following reports that the area has been suffering from acute food shortages, a spin-off from the El Nino weather phenomenon.
The Seven-member CARICOM Commission which arrived in Guyana on Tuesday March 17, announced that they will re-count all the Ballots cast at the December 15 General Elections.
Instead of starting with the controversial Region 4 ballots, Chairman Ulric Cross retired Trinidadian Appelate Judge said the count will start with Region 1 and will proceed sequentially to cover the 10 Administrative Regions.
By the end of the week when they arrived in Guyana the 66 Ballot Boxes from the Region 1 area were finished counting and the Team was verifying the number of votes counted as against the statements of poll. There are over 1800 ballot boxes to be checked.
Representatives from at least 8 of the 10 parties which contested the elections were present at the re-count. No detailed analysis has yet been started for the information gathered.
The Commission members are Mr Ulric Cross, Mr Frank Phillips and Mr Dinanath Gajadhar from Trinidad, Ms Carole Jerome Horsford, and Denis Smith from Barbados, Noel Lee from Jamaica, and Justin Daniel from St Lucia.
A permanent shrine in memory of the late President Cheddi Jagan has been set up at the Babu John cemetery in Berbice, where he was cremated last year. Dr Jagan died on March 6, 1997 in the United States after suffering a heart attack in Guyana two weeks before.
During a brief first death anniversary ceremony of Dr Jagan, a white-painted concrete cenotaph was unveiled by his daughter Nadira Jagan-Brancier.
Speaking at the ceremony, Agriculture Minister, Mr Reepu Daman Persaud said "It is one of the smallest things that we as a nation can do to commemorate the memory of this larger-than-life figure who was such an integral part of our pre-independence and post-independence history." Thousands, including members of the diplomatic community gathered for the observance.
One of the inscriptions on a plaque read: "At the grave-side, the emotional outbursts of the widows and relatives of the deceased had been intensely distressing......there and then I made a silent pledge, I would dedicate my entire life to the cause of the struggle of the Guyanese people against bondage and exploitation."
Several activities, including a photographic exhibition at State House, Georgetown, where he lived as President, were held in Guyana in his memory.
HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat and Secretary to Cabinet, Dr Roger Luncheon, says a five-pronged approach has been submitted to address the identified consequences of the El Nino weather phenomenon.
"These (approaches) included the provision of funding and support through mobilization of the domestic community, mobilization of the international community (and) the provision of potable water, food and agricultural inputs into the endangered communities in Guyana.
The Joint Services has been mobilized by the Government to manage the national response to El Nino.
Well-digging exercises and continued nationwide monitoring of the situation has also been included in the Government's response, he said at his fortnightly press briefing at the GTV 11 studio in Georgetown.
The report to Cabinet through the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), highlights monitoring of five consequences of El Nino -- potable water and food shortages, crop failure, mining problems and forest fires.
At present most of the current fires do not pose a risk to human habitation.
The Government has approached Guyana's neighbors and other countries with satellite technology to provide greater support in the detection and monitoring of forest fires. Help is being sought from Brazil, a country known to have experience in fighting forest fires.
THE Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) recently handed in its long-awaited verdict on the December 15 elections. It was the best in 30 years, the observer group announced..
The local group, which fielded the largest team of observers at the elections, also endorsed the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) victory declared by the Elections Commission.
In addition, it confirmed that a `quick count' mechanism it used on elections night showed, as early as midnight, that the PPP/Civic had won the elections.
The findings by the group contradict claims by the main Minority People's National Congress (PNC) that the elections were flawed and were released on the eve of the commencement of the audit of the polls by an independent CARICOM team of experts.
A statement of conclusions in the comprehensive almost 100-page study said EAB "considers that the December 15 poll was free and fair, and the best witnessed by Guyana in the past three decades."
"As a result of its findings and observations, and barring any unforetold, adverse parameter, EAB considers that the allocation of seats based on the General Election as declared by the Chief Election Officer on December 30 represents the collective will of the Guyanese people who cast their ballots at the Election", the statement said.
The final results declared by the Elections Commission showed that the PPP/Civic had won 55.3 per cent of the votes and the PNC had polled 40.5 per cent.
The EAB said its 571 observers did not find any "incidents whatsoever of fraud or attempted fraud" and as such, "no polling place was considered to have had a poll that was unacceptable or invalid."
The report details all aspects of the elections and on the counting of the ballots at polling stations after voting ended, the EAB observers reported that at 97 per cent of the counting locations, the decision of the Presiding Officer on the validity of the ballots was acceptable to all present for every ballot cast.
The group said that notwithstanding the problems during the counting procedure, observers "reported no instance of fraud or attempted fraud."
"Consequently, EAB considers the results of the count observed at the polling places as having represented the will of the Guyanese voters."
The directors of the EAB are Malcolm Rodrigues (Chairman) Clairmonte Lye, Miles Fitzpatrick, Philip Chan, Eileen Cox, David Spence, and Hugh Cholmondely, none of whom can be classified as political supporters of the ruling PPP/Civic.
A two-man delegation from the Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia were in Guyana to follow up on the possibility of investing in palm oil production.
Dr Zin Zakaria, Principal Soil Scientist and Dr Khalid Haroon Senior Agronomist were in Guyana to conduct a wide variety of soil tests over a one week period to determine if the land is suitable for such a venture. After the completion of the tests, a report would be presented to the Government for appropriate action.
An area of 100,000 acres of land at Ebini has been earmarked for possible cultivation. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh, noted that this venture is as a result of a visit to Malaysia by the late President Cheddi Jagan. Minister Sawh, who also visited Malaysia a few weeks ago, said that "Government is serious about starting a palm oil cultivation in a big way."
Minister of Finance Bharrat Jagdeo has assured the private sector that Government will intervene with multilateral agencies if there is the speculative run on the Guyana dollar.
Concern about the value of the Guyana currency was evident as foreign inflows slowed. Minister Jagdeo said, that while export earnings had been reduced, the demand for foreign currency locally had also dropped because of the effect of El Nino phenomenon on production, though not at the same levels.
Minister Jagdeo explained to the Private Sector Commission (PSC) that the role of the Bank of Guyana in managing foreign currency, is to buy currency from the system when it has too much and sell back when there is a shortage.
The Minister said "The Central Bank released US$31 million on the market last year and $14 million so far for this year."
The Government, he said, expects US$60 to US$70 million in balance of payments support this year.
Noting the PSC call for an incentive regime similar to Trinidad, to be put in place to attract investment, Jagdeo pointed to differences in the level of the two countries soci-economic development. Trinidad, he noted, had fiscal surpluses, a better budgetary situation, cheap oil and electricity, developed infrastructure and a sophisticated financial sector.
"We are now trying to build those things in Guyana." the Minister said.
President Janet Jagan will attend the Second Summit of the Americas to be held in Chile from April 18 - 19.
The agenda for this summit will be an interesting one, encompassing a number of topical issues but according to President Jagan the most important one is the preservation and strengthening of Democracy and Human Rights. Actions to strengthen democracy should involve Security, the Judicial System and confronting Corruption and Narcotics trafficking and terrorism.
Another area to be looked at is Education where focus will be placed on formulating actions in accordance with proposals for plans of actions to improve students and teachers' exchange programs.
Eradication of poverty and discrimination, economic development and free trade, and sustainable development are all expected to be addressed at the Summit, according to President Jagan.
An agreement, paving the way for the establishment of a FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE in Guyana was signed on March 9. A donation of US$250,000 will be made available for this project by the Government of China.
The aim of this project is to ensure that Foreign Service Officers are well trained in order to enable them to negotiate on behalf of Guyana, especially in the Economic Sector.
Minister Rohee who signed on behalf of the Government of Guyana noted that China is the first to make a contribution towards the establishment of the FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTEalthough other countries and Multilateral Agencies have pledged their support.
Mr Lloyd Searwar, consultant for the project, said that the idea was not a hurried one since feasibility studies were conducted by experts from India, Brazil and Chile. However, the project could not be embarked upon because of financial constraints.
The Chinese Ambassador, Wang Fuyuan, who signed on behalf of the Chinese Government said that he understands the problems Guyana is facing where the non-existence of this type of Institute is concerned since they too are experiencing similar problems in China.
Approximately 100 students in two areas in Region 9 will now benefit from improved learning environments with the commissioning of two schools.
The Surama and Fair View Primary schools were declared open by Local Government Minister, Harripersaud Nokta. The Surama Primary School in the North Rupununi was funded by Central Government costing about $1.8 million.
The Fairview Primary School at Kurupukari also commissioned by Minister Harripersaud Nokta, which was funded by CIDA was constructed by self-help by the residents of that community. The $1.8 million school will house 35 pupils. The materials for this school was supplied by the Iwokrama Field station in the area.
The Development of the Tamaaro Farm Project bordering the St Cuthbert's reserve in Region 4 is moving apace. At the moment, the poultry section of the 150-acre farm plot is under construction and crops are being reaped. A livestock and aquaculture farm, all part of this project are to be implemented shortly. This will provide employment for approximately 10 workers from St Cuthbert's.
Eight months after it commenced, the farm has already produced peanuts, black eye peas, tomatoes, pineapples, yams, cassava, peppers , and passion fruit.
Funded by the Poverty Alleviation Program as part of the Amerindian Development Program, this pilot project is intended to motivate Amerindians to produce their own crops and to move away from traditional methods of existence, namely moving from place to place.
Amerindian Affairs Minister, Mr Vibert De Souza, while on a visit to the farm noted that, "the project was implemented so that Amerindians will be able to develop a consciousness about crop rotation."
The Minister urged village captains to conceptualize similar projects and implement them in order to better their welfare.
Several Health Institutions began benefitting from additional medical skills and hundreds of residents across the country will receive improved services, made possible under an Agreement signed between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba under the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission.
The Ministry of Health announced that of the specialists who arrived in Guyana on March 4, Suddie Hospital would benefit from the Services of a gynaecologist while a pathologist will be stationed at the Georgetown Hospital.
Eight general medical doctors will give their services at the following Hospitals: One at Mahdia, one at Mabaruma, one at Rosignol, one at Kumaka, two will be attached at West Demerara, and two at the Georgetown Hospital. A second batch of specialists arrived in the country on March 25. Among them is a psychiatrist and an orthopaedist.
Guyana was judged the best Caribbean eco-region at the 1997 Caribbean World Magazine Annual International Awards at a ceremony held in the Palace Suite, Royal Garden Hotel, London, on March 5, 1998.
The ceremony, attended by approximately 200 guests which included British, Caribbean and other international celebrities, was organized by Caribbean World the international award-winning lifestyle and travel magazine whose readers were invited to vote on their choice of the "Best" in a series of nominated categories in the Caribbean. This year, four countries were nominated for the eco-region award, namely Belize, Dominica, Guyana and Venezuela. The announcement that Guyana has won the award was greeted enthusiastically by the guests present at the ceremony.
Mr Laleshwar Singh, High Commissioner for Guyana to Britain, upon receiving the award from Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina, noted in a television interview that it would undoubtedly stimulate greater interest and awareness in Europe and elsewhere of the eco-tourism assets of Guyana.
PRESIDENT Janet Jagan has inspected new equipment for the multi-million dollar Prime Group Holdings Dallawalla timber project, near Linden.
The scheme is expected to provide some 1,000 new jobs and is among those being set up under the special incentive regime the Government has established for the region.
The equipment is at the Mabura Hill base of Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL), a subsidiary of Prime Group Holdings.
With the President on the visit was Minister with responsibility for Forestry, Mr Satyadeow Sawh.
The equipment at the DTL location is part of a larger batch valued at US$7 million. The machines include bulldozers and skidders.
THE Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) has divided its operations into two autonomous units - `GAC International' and `GAC Domestic'.
The corporation is also selling one of two Twin Otters used on domestic routes for US$1.2 million to any buyer, as part of a liquidation of assets scheme.
And a team from GAC traveled to Trinidad and Tobago on March 23 for two days of talks with the management of BWIA International to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on a range of areas of collaboration.
The steps were announced at a GAC press conference by Consultant Chief Executive Officer to the State-owned corporation, Dr Frederick Duncan, who also said the airline was subsidizing the Trinidad and Curacao routes and these will be dropped entirely.
The new domestic service will be offered with a new fare structure but will continue to service all locations on routes prior to the restructuring.
Over the next few weeks, discussions will be held with local aircraft operators to rationalize and coordinate government and private sector domestic air services.
The separation of the operations is expected to increase the viability of both operations and reduce or eliminate the need to subsidize the domestic service.
Referring to press reports that about 200 workers may lose their jobs, Duncan refuted this explaining that 200 workers at the lower level of GAC have a monthly payroll of about $500,000, and firing them would not change the financial position of the company.
Salt water moving up the Pomeroon River is severely aggravating the already hectic situation resulting from the searing El Nino heat. Mr Harripersaud Nokta, Minister of Local Government said that the two major creeks which are the source of potable water for residents in the Lower Pomeroon have reached an all time low making it impossible for boats to go up creek to obtain supplies. This condition is severely affecting inhabitants from Marlborough to the mouth of the river.
A well situated in the compound of the Liberty School is the only source of relief for the residents. However the process of collecting water is very tedious because of the absence of a pump. Some assistance came in the form of hand pump which was provided by Mr Dilip Singh, a businessman in the area.
In order to bring relief to the residents, outboard engines, boats fuel and drums are required. This will make it possible for water to be transported from Charity and distribute among the residents as well as for the benefit of school children. The Minister said that as a result of searing heat, all crops with the exception of coconut have been totally destroyed.
A plaque was recently unveiled to reveal the name plate 'Cheddi Jagan Research Institute' that now adorns Red House on High Street. The Institute will house the late President's numerous speeches, books and papers along with gifts and other memorabilia.
President Janet Jagan, speaking at the ceremony, noted that efforts have commenced to gather materials to be housed in the Research Institute for the benefit of ordinary Guyanese and scholars.
Senior Council, Mr Doodnauth Singh was sworn in by President Janet Jagan as Chairman of the new Elections Commission in the Credentials room of the Office of the President on the afternoon of March 16.
Mrs Jagan, while congratulating the Chairman, said that it was necessary to appoint him since an Elections Commission must be in place while the CARICOM audit team was examining the activities of the December 15 elections before declaring the results.
The life of the old Elections Commission ended on March 15, three months after the December, 1997 General Elections.
Police have so far charged three persons following the mob demonstration and rock attack on President Jagan's car. Archer Pool, one of the persons charged, succeeded in his quest for bail. Magistrate Desmond Burch-Smith granted his request and fixed total surety in the sum of $9000 on three charges.
United states Ambassador to Guyana, Mr James Mack, stressed that democracy relies on the rule of law, maintaining that law enforcement is necessary to democracy. He said so while presenting US$24,000 in forensic equipment to the Police Force.
Police are probing a strange mid air discovery of 338 grams of cocaine on the Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) Boeing 757 jet to Trinidad, hours after drugs were found in Guyana on the same plane.
The Moco Moco hydropower venture is expected to be completed by mid-year and it will provide 2,500 residents in Region Nine with electricity around the clock. National Energy Authority official, Mr Joseph O'Lall said several key aspects are finished and predicted that by July or August power should reach the homes of residents.
Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh visited Berbice recently and inspected several new housing schemes. One of the schemes visited was Adelphi, Canje. In this scheme, 155 house lots were allocated and over $7 million has so far been spent on land preparation and infrastructural work, including a $5 million heavy-duty bridge.
Residents of the Herstelling/Farm area, East Bank Demerara will now benefit from the facilities provided by a newly-constructed community center. The Building was constructed through funding from the Kitchener Rotary Club of Canada, SIMAP's Quick Response Program and the Herstelling CDC for development at a cost of G$1.7 million.
A new street in Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast was recently built by the Regional Administration as part of a contract valued at $105 million. The street leads to the Dartmouth Nursery School and Health Center.
Recently, Queen's College students returned to their Thomas Lands school, part of which has been reconstructed after last year's fire. The entire repairs are expected to be completed by August.
The University of Guyana which recently benefitted from a massive subvention from the government, received additional support from the private sector. Chief Executive Officer of Omai Gold Mines Limited, Louis Gignac, laid a symbolic building block to commence work on the enclosure of the West Wing, Lower Level of the Geology Building of the Faculty of Technology. He handed over several important equipment including computers and chair-desks to the university authorities.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union announced that it has commenced negotiations with GUYSUCO with respect to upgrading wages and salaries and certain fringe benefits for sugar workers.
Guyana and Canada recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Caribbean Regional Human Resources Development (HRD) Program for Economic Competitiveness under which C$5 million will be made available for training purposes plus part of a regional component valued at another C$5.3 million. Under the program the Canadian agency, CIDA, will provide C$25 million over a six-year period to several Caribbean territories.
Phagwah was celebrated in Guyana on March 13, 1998. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha held its annual Phagwah Mela and Bazaar on the lawns of the Sabha's Kendra in Prashad Nagar. Five chowtal samelans were also held at Columbia, La Jalousie Mandir, No 68 Village and Letter Kenny Mandirs and Cane Field Mandir in Canje.
The cost of flour in Guyana will be cheaper with the price of wheat flour reduced from $3,399 to $3,250 per bag. That was announced by the National Flour Milling Company. In welcoming the reduction, the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Industry said, "The Ministry expects that the decrease in price will be passed on to consumers and is urging all operators in the sale and distribution of wheat flour to ensure that the consumers benefit, accordingly.
President Janet Jagan has expressed her condolences and "deepest sympathy" with the widow of the late Director General of the Guyana National Service, Col. Clifford Klass. The President attended the funeral of the former Director General of the Guyana National Service, who was buried with full military honors.
GTV-11 has broken new ground with the formal "soft commissioning" of its expansion into Berbice. President Janet Jagan along with Information Minister Moses Nagamootoo officially launched the transmission of GTV's programs to Berbice. Berbicians can now see programs live and direct by switching to Channel 15.
The PPP/Civic Government intends to have some dedicated sessions on the way forward for tourism. This was announced by President Jagan, while addressing the Annual General Meeting of the Tourism Association on March 20. She revealed that her Government has established a mechanism whereby all potential tourist sites in the country will be identified and adequately protected
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has ordered with effect from April 1, the reduction of rates for local calls and the rental of the instruments. A few months ago, the PUC had granted the GT&T temporary increases in telephone rates.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Vibert DeSouza commissioned a new Handicraft Center which will benefit more than 1,200 residents of St Cuthbert's Mission in Region Four. The center which costs $5 million was funded by the Amerindian Affairs Unit of the Ministry of Local Government's Fund for Amerindian Development.
Ambassador Odeen Ishmael, who is also Permanent Representative to the OAS, represented Guyana at the third meeting of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development on March 24-26 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Ambassador Ishmael also participated on April 1-3 in a meeting of hemispheric Plenipotentiaries in Santiago, Chile, to finalize the draft of the Action Plan and Political Declaration of the Second Summit of the Americas.
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Congratulating the people of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana for
holding multiparty elections
Whereas the people of Guyana voted on December 15, 1997 to re-elect the ruling party, the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic);Whereas the Guyanese people showed their strong belief in the democratic process by approximately an 88 percent turnout; and Whereas although international observers such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Commonwealth and the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) have unanimously agreed, based on their observation on election day, that the polling process was free and fair, it has been alleged that violations occurred in the counting process, necessitating an audit of the elections by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM): Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring). That the Congress --
(1) congratulates the people of Guyana for holding multiparty presidential election;
(2) supports the audit of the elections by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), an organization deemed acceptable to all parties;
(3) calls on all parties to respect the outcome of the audit as the final decision and make a vow to peace and stability in Guyana; and
(4) calls on the newly elected president and opposition leaders of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to respect the rule of law and human rights.
For information on Guyana on the Internet, please check the Guyana News and Information Page
at www.guyana.org. This Page is linked to other sites which also provide useful information on
Guyana. The Embassy's E-mail addresses are: Guyanaembassy@hotmail.com
andGuyanaem@erols.com
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