MORE PAY FOR PUBLIC WORKERS
Public servants will be the next section of the population to begin
reaping the fruits of the 1995 budget. The 16% increase in wages and salaries
announced in the budget are to be paid out to public servants in the coming
weeks.
Public Service Minister George Fung-On said that he expects the Financial
Authority to be issued so that payment can be effected during this month.
The Minister noted that following the issuance of the authority various
Government Ministries and departments can begin paying out the increase,
which is retroactive to January 1, 1995.
Meanwhile, a public sector union official is calling on businesses to act
responsibly by not jacking up their prices of their goods as a result of the
wage increase. It is customary for businesses to unjustly raise their prices
when there is an increase in wages.
WEST BERBICE HOUSING PROJECT
Pipelines have already been laid at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, the site earmarked for 100 Venezuelan housing units. A Regional official said the laying of 305 lengths of pipe was completed last week and they will be connected to the Fort Wellington water station. The official noted that all efforts are being made to fully prepare the site for the units. The contract to build and prepare streets has also been awarded and in the coming week work is due to commence. The first housing unit is due to arrive on site early next month. Housing, one official noted, is at the top of the region's priority list.
INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO PROBE RODNEY'S DEATH
The high-powered three-man team from the International Commission of
Jurists (ICJ), invited by the Guyana Government, recently completed its review
of the files pertaining to the assassination of WPA leader, Dr Walter Rodney,
who was killed in a bomb explosion in June 1980.
Among the findings of the team were: Gregory Smith, who allegedly
planted the bomb, was a member of the Guyana Defence Force; and government
and judicial officials of that period made no serious effort to identify people
involved in Rodney's death.
The ICJ team recommended that an independent commission should be set
up to launch a full scale investigation into the matter.
Since the ICJ team departed from Guyana, work has begun on the holding
of a comprehensive and thorough inquiry. Meanwhile, files on the case which
could not be found during the enquiry, have been finally unearthed. The
Cabinet has sought an explanation from the police as to why vital information
included in these files surrounding the Rodney case was not made available to
the ICJ for study.
SATTELITE DISH, TRANSMITTER FROM VOA TO GBC
US Ambassador to Guyana, George Fleming-Jones formally presented a new satellite dish to the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation, purchase, delivery and installation of which was financed by the Voice of America(VOA) in conjunction with the United States Information Agency.
MORE WORLD BANK, IDB PROJECTS
The World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank have
responded positively to several major proposals by the PPP/Civic
administration. This came about after the Minister of Works, Harry Persaud
Nokta and Junior Finance Minister Bharat Jagdeo met with officials of the
international financial institutions in Washington early last month.
As a result, work will soon begin to lay the ground work for construction
of an off-port container terminal in Georgetown, due to the increase in
container traffic.
Demonstrating its approval of the government's programme and policies,
three possible sites for the terminals were identified. These were the
Transport and Harbours Department ex-railway at Kingston, Coldingen, East
Coast Demerara and at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara.
Other issues to be dealt with are the Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project
which includes the Essequibo Road Project, the establishment of a National
Port Authority, and an environmental Impact Assessment of the Linden-Lethem
road.
The team, in discussing preparation for the Secondary Towns
Infrastructure Development (STID) Project, short-listed six firms to undertake
feasibility studies. The project will aim to upgrade infrastructure facilities in
Charity, Parika and the Bartica areas.
The STID will include feeder roads linked to the Essequibo Coast Highway,
the Parika-Makouria and the Patentia-Kumini Creek/Hopetown Roads.
NEW FURNITURE FACTORY
A new furniture factory, with state-of-the-art machinery, has been
commissioned at La Grange, West Demerara. Ramesh Persaud, the founder and
head of De Luxe Furniture (Guyana) Company Limited, returned home to join
the growing list of foreign and local entrepreneurs investing in Guyana.
The factory which expects to become fully operational within two months,
will be manufacturing furniture on contract initially for export to North
America and Europe. But as it generates revenue to allow for expansion, Mr
Persaud says De Luxe will double its 25-member work-force and capital
investment and begin producing furniture for the Caribbean and Guyanese
markets.
The company has already sealed a five-year contract with a New York
based marketing firm, Toric Enterprise, with automatic renewal.
The coming on stream of De Luxe Furniture (Guyana) Company Limited will
boost Guyana's foreign currency earnings, widen the country's manufacturing
base and at the same time accelerate development in La Grange and rural
Guyana generally.
HEALTH TRAINING IN THE RUPUNUNI
The North and South Rupununi will soon be benefitting from a training program for community health workers. Making this possible is a jointly funded enterprise by the Guyana Government and the European Commission. The project is aimed at improving health care for Amerindian communities in 42 villages.
PRESIDENT RAPS SUMMIT ON WEAK DEBT PLEDGE
North/South tensions are likely to escalate if proposals made at the just-ended Copenhagen Social Summit are not taken on board, President Cheddi Jagan said. In an interview with the BBC, the Guyanese leader expressed the view that the meeting did not yield as strong a commitment on issues like debt, as desired by Guyana and other states. On whether CARICOM secured any gains as a group, President Jagan said that the regional body was not able "to fit together" to deal with issues "in a very concise way". He cautioned, however, that the conference in the Danish capital should not be viewed as a "be-all and end-all".
INVOLVEMENT OF AMERINDIANS
Amerindian Captains across the country are to be involved more closely in
the activities of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
Amerindian Affairs Minister, Mr Vibert DeSouza, says he is presently
formulating an organizational chart that will see a closer relationship between
his Ministry and the Captains.
This, the Minister noted, is aimed at streamlining activities in the
Amerindian areas and creating proper coordination.
WORLDWIDE AUDIENCE TO VIEW GUYANA'S TOURSIT POTENTIAL
Guyana's tourism potential is attracting the interest of the major
international television news networks. In the past fortnight, teams from
USA's Cable News Network (CNN) and Britain's British Broadcasting Corporation
(BBC) were on separate missions aimed at capturing the wonderful sounds and
sights of Guyana on film.
The CNN team did a one-day press shoot which included the Kamuni and
Pokeroro Creeks and the Timberland and Emerald Tower resorts. This
documentary, when completed will be shown on CNN Travel Guide and the
USA's Airport Network.
The BBC crew also visited several locations of interests and the half-hour
documentary being prepared by them will be shown on BBC TV's travel
programmes.
Between CNN and BBC TV, the documentaries on Guyana's tourism potential
will be seen by billions of people worldwide.
GUYANA, VENEZUELA - STRONGER TIES
Relationships between Guyana and Venezuela are poised to strengthen with
pledges of closer co-operation in the areas of the protection of the environment,
regularizing illegal cross- border trade and the facilitating of illegal resident
Guyanese wanting to return home. This is the outcome of a visit to Guyana by
Venezuela's Foreign Minister, Dr Miguel Rivas. He met with Mr Clement Rohee and
President Jagan.
Minister Rohee said both sides agreed on adding impetus to the McIntyre
Process to resolve the Guyana/Venezuela territorial dispute.
PARTIES STEER UNITED COURSE
A new political culture, according to the four parliamentary parties, is
descending on Guyana - the politics of consensus and consultations.
The four parliamentary parties' representatives, (from the PPP/Civic, PNC,
TUF and WPA) who make up the Inter-Party Committee on Electoral Reform, set
up following a meeting between President Cheddi Jagan and Minority Leader
Desmond Hoyte, reported that they had constituted themselves into a
Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform.
In a joint statement, members of the Committee declared, "The Committee has
identified the appointment of a Chair and members of the Elections Commission
as the first priority. At present, there is no Elections Commission, the last one
having expired on December 31, 1994."
The Committee says it would take "proposals of the widest cross section of
the national community in order to arrive at its decision to form the basis for
new consensus legislation."
Leading political analysts have deemed this process "innovative" pointing out
that it is not only a realization of the government's promise of consultation and
involvement, but it augers well for Guyana's political landscape.
REPAIRS TO MON REPOS SEA WALL
The overtopping of the sea defence dam at Mon Repos has been completed.
The dam was further heightened with chunks of soil brought from several areas.
More boulders are to be taken to the area to cushion the earthen dam from the
Atlantic waves.
At Springlands also, overtopping sea defence units were said to be making
rapid progress to end the Corentyne river water flowing into farming plots and
residential areas. Both Springlands and Mon Repos are listed for permanent sea
defence works later this year.
BANKS DIH HOUSING SCHEME OPENED
The housing development project at D'Aguiar's Park was officially opened recently. President Jagan who was the main speaker at the opening expressed his congratulations to the firm, urging other employers to adopt similar housing schemes for its workers. He also, spoke about the release of 10,000 acres of land by GUYSUCO for housing purposes and his government's intention to use this to help solve the housing shortage.
Focus on Guyanese Groups in the USA...
GUYANA MEDICAL RELIEF
A long-standing organisation in the Los Angeles area, Guyana Medical Relief,
is currently assisting Guyana in obtaining some basic medical supplies for a
number of hospitals. Over the years, Guyana Medical Relief has worked in close
conjunction with the Ministry of Health in Guyana, and its assistance in providing
medical supplies and equipment to Guyana has amounted to hundreds of
thousands of dollars. The organization is currently planning a shipment to
Guyana valued at over US$225,000 for six receiving hospitals.
Many of the members of Guyana Medical Relief are drawn from among
Guyanese nationals residing in Los Angeles area.
For more information on the work of Guyana Medical Relief, readers may
contact the organization at 1656 South Hayworth Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90035.
ROSIGNOL STELLING REHABILITATED
"The PPP/Civic Government is committed to providing improved transportation and communication services for the entire population." So said Prime Minister Sam Hinds at the recommissioning of the rehabilitated Rosignol stelling and the launching of a new pontoon. The new self-propelled pontoon which will supplement the MV Torani's operation across the Berbice River cost 60 million Guyana dollars.
HOUSE LOTS DISTRIBUTED
A total of 650 East Demerara residents of Enmore, Foulis and Success in East Demerara have received house lots from the Government. The plots, located at Foulis, will be developed into a housing scheme. And 350 other persons in the Greater Georgetown area also received house lots located at Liliendal where another housing scheme will be built. Certificates of ownership were presented at ceremonies to the new house lots owners.
COMMITTEE TO REVIEW OMAI DUMPING
The Government has appointed a four-member committee to study and
review the environmental impact of the operations of Omai Gold Mines Limited.
This has come about after the overseas-based company announced that it was
planning to discharge water from the tailings pond into the Essequibo River. The
Company stores the spent slurries from its cyanide leaching plant in this pond.
The committee of scientists and environmentalists has already conducted tests of
the water and will make recommendations as to wheteher or not it is safe to
release it into the river.
Meanwhile Omai in a statement said it welcomed the appointment of the
investigating committee.
LAND TO BE RETURNED TO RICE FARMERS
The return to farmers of rice lands at Bath, West Coast Berbice will begin during the coming rice crop. The land, which was part of the Blairmont Rice Complex, was divested to Kayman Sankar Investments Limited by the previous Government despite strong objections from small rice farmers. After months of protracted negotiations between the Government and the Company, the Government finally secured the return of 741 acres from the company. This land will be redistributed to small farmers who were originally dispossessed of the land by the previous government.
LOCAL RICE SUPPLY AFFECTED BY RISING PRICES
A Cabinet sub-committee began working out specific measures to ensure an adequate supply of rice at a reasonable price on the local market. Senior Agriculture Minister, Reepu Daman Persaud, gave the assurance that the domestic market will be paramount and that all steps will be taken to ensure that the export market does not affect the availability of rice locally. The local market absorbs 20,000 tons of rice and its supply has recently been depleted due to the increase in exports to Europe. In addition, the rising cost of paddy has caused a spiral in the price of rice.
NO MINING ON SHELL BEACH
There will definitely be no mining in the Shell Beach on the Essequibo Coast. The 19-mile stretch of beach in the North West District is known for turtle nesting and mining can cause the extinction of the four species of turtles which use the beach for nesting. The Office of the Prime Minister has announced that it is actively pursuing the establishment of a nature reserve and wildlife sanctuary in the Shell Beach area. A Canadian-based company which claims that it has been granted permission in early 1992 to mine the shells on the beach, has not been given permission to proceed with its plans.
NEWSBRIEFS...
A Jamaican trade mission wrapped up a visit to Guyana encouraged by prospects with local businesses, especially in exporting fruits and vegetables to Europe...
A member of the London-based Invest in Britain Bureau says that the is struck by Guyana's potential for investment but feels the infrastructure needs further developing to make the country more attractive to investors...
President Cheddi Jagan has declared that the Government intends to move firmly against an escalation of the drugs trade in the country...
A Belizean firm has expressed interest in buying cargo rice from Guyana for reprocessing and distribution to markets in Europe and the Caribbean...
The Moco-Moco hydro-electricity project in the Rupununi was officially launched with the signing of a contract for two access bridges to be built near the site...
A third batch of soldiers from Guyana left to join the CARICOM peace-keeping contingent in Haiti. The second batch recently returned from Haiti...
WPA's co-leader, Dr. Clive Thomas, has resigned as his party's sole representative in Parliament. He is expected to be replaced by another co-leader, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine...
The Guyana Airways Corporation has launched its in-flight magazine, El Dorado. The magazine is a glossy full-color production with vibrant pictures of Guyana and well articulated articles. The magazine will be published quarterly in February, May, August and November...
Banks DIH Limited has recorded a 1994 net profit of $563,2 million against $351 million in 1993...
The Government and the UNDP endorsed an agreement to launch a two-year $47 million project to formulate a national strategy to upgrade squatter and other areas.
The Guyana Sugar Corporation has recorded its highest ever weekly sugar production during March.
The Guyana Airways Corporation will introduce a new service to Curacao from April 19. Meanwhile GAC has announced a pre-tax profit of $400 million for 1994.
Health authorities appealed top all residents on the coastal belt to observe measures to prevent the occurrence and spread of dengue fever.
Possible joint ventures between British and Guyanese businessmen are in the pipeline with the visit to Guyana by a UK trade team. The team clinched major joint venture contracts with local entrepreneurs.
The Guyana Government launched a National Plan of Action for Children to improve their family life, health, nutrition, basic education and literacy, among other aims.
The Omai Company is plugging its case for more mining concessions and says potential investors are awaiting a legislated framework for future operations.
Message from the Ambassador Odeen Ishmael to Guyanese nationals...
PLEASE CHECK YOUR PASSPORTS
I want to use this opportunity to appeal to Guyanese residing in the USA
not to wait for the very last minute to renew their passports, or to apply for
new passports. All Guyanese nationals should check to ensure that these travel
documents are valid. I mention this because emergencies arise among families, and
there may be need to travel urgently to Guyana and elsewhere. Unfortunately,
only when many persons are faced with sicknesses and deaths in their families
do they realize that their passports need to be renewed. In many cases they
even discover that their passports have already expired.
Recently, one Guyanese lady was at the check-in counter at Kennedy Airport
when it was discovered by the airline clerk that her passport had expired for
some time. She was on the way to Guyana to attend a funeral of a close relative,
and, naturally, she could not be allowed on to the plane because of this passport
problem. Further, it was a week end, and the Consulate in New York was closed
and no consular service could be rendered.
There are many Guyanese nationals who have the misconception that once
they become American citizens, they automatically lose their Guyanese citizenship.
This is definitely not so. What is worse is that some of our nationals also believe
that as long as they have acquired resident alien status and possess "green
cards", they do not care to hold a Guyanese passport any longer. As a result,
some persons in this category may carelessly or deliberately dispose of their
passports in one way or the other.
On a fairly regular basis, we receive passports mailed to the Embassy from
gas stations, restaurants and other public places where they were found. Sooner
or later, the owners of these documents, faced with the reality that they need
them after all, declare them lost and apply for new passports. It must be noted
that a replacement passport for a lost one takes up to six months for processing,
since information has to be checked in Guyana. If the number of the passport is
known, the checking process will be shorter, but generally, most applicants do
not remember this extremely important piece of information.
Please do not wait for an emergency to arise and then rush to the Embassy
or Consulate to obtain renewed or new passports. Our staff at the consular
offices try their best to assist in emergencies, but sometimes, emergencies arise
on weekends and holidays when these offices are closed.
We must face the realities of life. Deaths do occur among our families in
Guyana, and we need to rush home at a moment's notice for funerals.
It will be a good idea to go right now and check the validity of your
passports!