A Malaysia/Guyana company has secured a 237,000 acre forestry concession in eastern Guyana. The Malaysian company has joined with Case Timbers to form a locally registered company. Establishment of the new company followed a visit that Guyana President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan made to Malaysia as part of a swing through the Far East last year, primarily to woo investors. The chairman of the company said that theyare due to take into the country about US8 million dollars in saw milling and road-building equipment and a barge and tug. He also said that the new company will be targeting markets in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean where the products will enjoy duty-free status. Three sites are under consideration to set up the sawmill - New Amsterdam, Rosignol or Kwakwani. About 550 people are expected to find work in the new project.
Guyana's Ambassador to the United States Dr. Odeen Ishmael said that this country's accession to membership of the Inter-American Defense Board is "a significant chapter in the integration process." Addressing the Board during the installation ceremony on November 2, Dr Ishmael noted that "economic insecurity can lead to socio-economic and political instability in this Hemisphere" and "Guyana will seek to integrate the relevant security considerations to those political, social and economic actions." Acting Chief of Staff of the GDF, Colonel Godwin McPherson, also participated in the ceremony held in Washington.
On behalf of the staff of the Embassy of Guyana and my family, I take this opportunity to extend to all our readers best wishes for the Christmas season and the up-coming New Year. Over the past year, our information network has benefitted tremendously from the constructive advice we have been receiving from the readers of Guyana Update. This advice has now enabled us to extend our services through the Internet by which we are delivering more and more up-to-date information about Guyana. At the same time, linkages and contacts we have established through this system are helping us to reach out world-wide to more and more of our nationals, and to other people interested in the progress of our country. I also want to seize this chance to thank our numerous compatriots for the other forms of assistance they have rendered to the Embassy over the past year. I look forward to their continued cooperation in 1996. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers!
Odeen Ishmael
Supreme Court Judges are to receive a 50 per cent salary hike from July 1, this year, while the Prime Minister, Ministers and the Minority Leader have each qualified for $500,000 in retroactive house allowances. These changes follow two orders by Senior Minister of Finance Bharrat Jagdeo. Another order made by Jagdeo covered raises for the Speaker of the National Assembly, top officials of the Government and the Minority Leader. Made under the Ministers, Members of the National Assembly and Special Offices (Emoluments) Act, the Number 36 Order of 1995 states that the Speaker will now earn $768,000 per annum. Amendments to the Schedule, by Clause Two of the 1995 Order, list higher house allowances for the Speaker, Senior Minister, Ministers and the Minority Leader. The new amount of $25,000 replaces the earlier $700 monthly figure. A $25,000 house allowance will also be paid to the Prime Minister monthly, up from $1,500 while the Attorney
General will also get $25,000. All the housing allowances are payable only in lieu of furnished residence provided by the Government.
The chairman of the five-man commission probing the August 19 spill of cyanide-contaminated waste at the Omai Gold Mines has expressed disappointment with public response to the hearings. Following the first session of hearings in November, at the Ocean View Convention Center, the chairman, retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Kenneth George, told reporters that he was extremely disappointed at the lack of interest being shown. He explained that groups, including the Working People's Alliance which had called for Omai to "pack up and leave" were noticeably absent. "I thought that this place would be full of people," he said. He pointed out that he would like to hear from grassroot people affected by the spill. In that respect, the Commission is expected to convene sessions at Bartica where it is believed that many more people would testify.
The Health Ministry is to discontinue operations at the medical out-patients department at the Georgetown Hospital but doctors will, for the first time, operate from all major health centers in the city. The change takes effect from January next year. The closure of the Unit, according to the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Edward Sagala, is part of efforts to help alleviate the heavy workload at the Hospital. The move is also intended to take medical attention closer to the people, thus encouraging them to seek medical attention at the health center nearest to them. The new strategy is also aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of health care.
Consultations on the 1996 National Budget are to begin shortly in Guyana. The Finance Minister indicated that preparatory work for next year's National Budget is well on the way, and various Government Ministries, Departments and Regional Bodies have already begun submitting their budgetary plans and proposals to the Ministry. The Minister said that very shortly he would begin discussions with private sector agencies, The Trade Union Movement, non-governmental organizations, social sector and other interest groups with a view to obtaining their thoughts and proposals for the 1996 budget.
The Government's initiative to have more trained teachers in the system was given a boost with the launching of an in-service training program in Rose Hall. Some 60 secondary school teachers from Berbice have enlisted for training that would last three years. Education Minister Dr. Dale Bisnauth recently launched the program which will be duplicated across the country. He also announced that he would soon reveal details about plans for the introduction of special training program for University graduate teachers without teachers' certification.
Seventy-seven new Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank projects in Amerindian communities are scheduled to come on stream next year according to Mr. Colin Forsythe who is attached to the IDB. Forsythe said that funding to the tune of some US$550,000 for the new projects will be released pending approval by SIMAP. The IDB Amerindian Pilot Program which forms part of Government's Poverty Alleviation Program, finances micro and small enterprises in Amerindian communities. So far the Government of Guyana and the IDB have funded 20 current projects, valued at some US$200,000 for infrastructure and other developments in the indigenous communities.
The largest circulating American newspaper, USA Today, has published a special supplement on Guyana which was released in the Monday November 13 issue. The 8-page supplement concentrates on investment opportunities in Guyana and features a number of reports based on interviews with Government leaders including President Jagan, and leading members of the private sector. This latest publicity of Guyana's business sector is part of the Guyana Government's economic diplomacy thrust which is aimed at informing business interests in North America about Guyana's investment potential.
Guyana's approach to consultative democracy at all levels of society has been hailed by Latin American and Caribbean judicial experts. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Bernard DeSantos, at a Latin American and Caribbean Conference on judicial reform in Uruguay told of his country's successful three year old program of consultative democracy. The Minister explained the concept of citizen's development committees whereby ordinary
citizens are facilitated to make a meaningful contribution to developments taking place in their communities.
President Cheddi Jagan has lauded the contribution of the Guyana Defence Force during its 30 years of existence and said that the force has remained truly professional. In an address on the occasion of the GDF's 30th anniversary which was celebrated on November 1, the President said, "as we reflect on the past three decades, we find a GDF that notwithstanding the vagaries and vicissitudes of the political life of this country, has remained truly professional, equally motivated by its mission statement and fully committed to the fulfillment of its role with a singleness of purpose, unmatched and unsurpassed by any institution".
The report of the Office of the Auditor General on public accounts for 1994 has recommended the cut-off of aid to municipal and district councils which persistently fail to account for their subventions. The Municipal and District Councils Act requires that the accounts of the local government bodies be made up yearly and submitted no later than four months after the end of the year to which they relate. Almost all the municipal and district councils have been violating the provisions of the law relating to timely financial reporting and auditing, the Office of the Auditor General said.
The upgrading of 1,000 miles of farm-to-market roads has commenced. One firm has been contracted to upgrade 23 miles of access roads in the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Scheme and 38 miles of access roads on the Corentyne between Liverpool and No. 66 Village. Another firm has been awarded the contract to upgrade 52 miles of access roads in Region Four between the villages of Cane Grove and Garden of Eden. Work has already commenced in Triumph Village and Cane Grove. Tenders were also invited for the upgrading of 67 miles of access roads in the Tapakuma drainage and irrigation area.
A modern $11.7M health center has been commissioned by Senior Health Minister, Ms. Gail Teixeira at Hague, West Coast Demerara. The modern facility replaced a bottom house health center dating back to 1941, that was moved from the adjoining village Den Amstel to the site. It will be used by some 10,000 residents from the Blankenburg/Anna Catherina area. Construction of the building started in 1994, with an overall $5.5M in funding from Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization and $6M from the US PL 480 program. Meanwhile, President Cheddi Jagan on October 29, declared open a spanking new $11.1M health center at Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara. He praised the community spirit of the residents in that area and urged that other communities around the country follow suit. The President told the gathering that the spirit of self-help which helped to rebuild the new facility was commendable. The old building was torn down in December, 1993 and rebuilt with aid from Futures Fund.
President of Namibia, Dr. Sam Nujoma, made a three-day State visit to Guyana. On October 28, he urged Guyana to help establish closer links between Africa and South America. During the three days, he also proposed that Guyana and Namibia enter into general cooperation agreement which would serve as a framework for deepening ties between the two countries. He identified mining, fishing, agriculture and eco-tourism as possible areas in which there can be an intensification of co-operation between the two countries. He noted also that a number of items produced in Guyana were on his country's import list.
A G$7.5M project consisting of two bridges and a road linking Agatash with Bartica was recently commissioned. The project involved significant community participation. It was estimated that residents contributed over 20 weeks of self-help labor worth some G$4.5M.
Some $4M has been utilized by the Region Two administration to renovate the 45-year old Abram's Creek Primary School which had badly deteriorated. The 60 feet by 30 feet wooden structure was declared open recently by Minister Dale Bisnauth.
Villages throughout the Rupununi are being targeted in the anti-malaria campaign launched recently. The G$2M operation is being supported by Community Health Workers and Volunteers.
The Government has secured a US$400,000 grant through the World Bank to support the Public Sector Investment Program and debt management, Senior Minister of Finance Bharrat Jagdeo said on October 28.
Five Guyana Defence Force Officers have been attached to the foreign Ministry to beef up its technical assistance sphere.
The Works Ministry is using a World Bank loan to spend some US$1M on maintaining the Essequibo roads over the next six months.
A new privately-owned GUYOIL service station was set up in Crabwood Creek, a predominantly farming community. With the economic conditions of the area on the rise there is now a large fleet of vehicles which demand the service of a gas station.
For the first time, a fire engine is posted in the Upper Corentyne region. Previously, the New Amsterdam Fire Station (located some 40 miles away) serviced the location. The fire station was established through the initiative of the Corriverton Town Council and the active support of Home Affairs Minister Feroze Mohamed.
LINMINE's Workshop employees are guaranteed earnings for the next 16 months. They will have to construct over 800 pontoons for the Demerara Harbour Bridge. The first set will be delivered in November for installation as part of the European Community-funded rehabilitation program for the bridge.
The way has been cleared for a remigrant Guyanese to commence operation of air charter service between Guyana and Canada. The company, Advance Air Charters, is expected to concentrate on passenger service. With a large number of persons expected from Canada for Visit Guyana Year 96, the new air service is expected to relieve pressure on other existing air services operating the Guyana-Canada route.
Infrastructural development in the education sector in Guyana will be greatly enhanced with the construction of eight new primary schools by the end of the year. Contracts to the tune of some G$480M were signed on November 2 by two local construction firms. The firms were awarded the contracts to build the Patentia, Vreed-en-Hoop, Stewartville, Charity, Sarawat, South Ruimveldt, Mc Gowan and Wellington Park Primary Schools.
West Demerara's first abbatoir is under construction. This will end religious squabbles in Met-en-Meerzog and enhance sanitation for the slaughtering of animals for human consumption. The abbatoir is expected to cost $1.1M.
The Department of Education in Region Two (Essequibo Coast) distributed 294 school uniforms to less fortunate children. The outfits, including boots, were given to students at all three school levels. A representative of the Education Department said that as a part of the Poverty Alleviation Programme in Guyana, 2,388 more students will be similarly aided.
The Kayman Sankar Group of Companies has rebuilt the Hampton Court Nursery School, in Essequibo, affirming its commitment to boost education locally. More than $800,000 has been invested by the business in the nursery school.
The Futures Fund project to rehabilitate the Kuru Kururu Primary School was formally launched on October 26, with the symbolic turning of the sod. The school will be extended and its sanitary facilities upgraded.
The Skeldon Hospital on the Corentyne is to get a general surgeon shortly, under Government's plan to improve health care there. A new mortuary was commissioned at the hospital on October 26. Refurbishing of the theater and improvements to the X-ray section and laboratory are also included in the program. The project was a joint venture between the Governments of Guyana and Canada. The $5.3M building has a freezing unit, and other features.
The United States has indicated it is interested in playing a supportive role in the next round of general elections in Guyana due in 1997. Presenting his letter of credence to President Cheddi Jagan on November 2, new US Ambassador to Guyana, David Hobbs, said his country wants to help solidify Guyana's new-found democracy.
President Cheddi Jagan met with over 350 Guyanese residing in Los Angeles, California, during a one-day stop-over in the west coast city on Monday November 6. The President was en-route to New Zealand to attend the Meeting of Commonwealth Heads of State. He also met with the Mayor of Los Angeles and was hosted at a business luncheon by Caribbean and American business persons during his short stay.
Guyana will receive an increase in aid from the United States for the 1996 fiscal year. In a release, the US Information Agency (USIA) has announced that Guyana would receive US$9 million as against US$3 million in 1995. Much of this aid will be obtained through the PL480
program or the Food for Progress program.
Some 210 Wai-Wai residents at Gunns Strip, in the South Rupununi benefitted during the month of November from an intensive one-day programme of dental care and immunization carried out by the Health Ministry personnel. Basic immunization shots were given to children while adults received vaccination shots against yellow fever. Dental patients were treated and offered oral health education advice. Supplies of medical dressings, vitamin and mineral supplements, other basic medical supplies and foodstuff were also taken in for the villagers.
Sugar production so far for this year has passed the 200,000 tons with the Guyana Sugar Corporation's eight estates producing 204,175 tons of sugar. GUYSUCO officials say another 50,000 tons are expected before the current second crop ends. Sugar production during the second crop has suffered from the effects of the long dry period which extended from December last year through to May of this year.
A US$1.1M seed processing unit at Onverwagt, West Berbice, was commissioned on October 25, fifteen years after the project was started. The unit forms part of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority. The new facility comprises cleaning, processing and labeling equipment which will process rice produced from the research center as well as seed paddy from private farmers as well.
A new $1.5M Jacklow Nursery School in the Pomeroon was opened recently. Funding for the structure was provided by the IDB through a soft loan agreement with the Government of Guyana.
Out-going Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce, Pat Thompson, has been retained by the Government as a long-term Special Advisor to the Trade Ministry.
Seventy more West Demerara residents received house lots as part of the continuing national housing drive. The Plots are located at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo. So far the government has been able to allocate over 13,000 house lots to Guyanese across the country.
Rice exports in October surpassed the 25,000 tonne mark. The rice industry has exported approximately 147,000 tonnes of the commodity between January and October this year for a revenue totaling US$44.5 million.
A new $60M canning and juice factory is now in operation at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara. It has capacity to produce about 6,000 tins of canned juice and chops daily. But pineapples will not be the company's sole fruit of choice. The company also hopes to commence the production of other canned juices such as orange and cherry.
Guyana has been elected to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. ECOSOC is the co-ordinating body for Economic and Social Work of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. Members of the UN elected to this body hold their seats for a three-year period.
Arrangements are being worked out to allow lecturers attached to the Faculty of Law of the University of Guyana (UG) to read for their doctorate through distance education. The initiative is being drafted by the University of Lancashire (UK) and the UG.
Freak storms damaged a number of houses and other buildings at Leguan and Hopetown.
Hindu Dharmic Sabha 3909 53rd St., Bladensburg Services Sunday 10.00 a.m. James Beharilall 301-699-9573
Maryland Hindu Milan Mandir 808 Forest Glen Road, Silver Spring, MD Services - Sundays 9.30 a.m. Pandit Sase N. Sharma 301-593-7638
Islamic Society of the Washington Area Principles of Islam 3rd Saturday every month Imam Faizul Khan 301-588-3650
For information on Guyana, INTERNET users may check the WEB SITE on GUYANA NEWS AND INFORMATION at: http://www.wam.umd.edu/~swi Our E-mail address is: MAOIshmael@aol.com
Books available at the Embassy: (1) Amerindian Legends of Guyana by Odeen Ishmael; (2) Songs of Guyana. (Incl. m&h: $5 & $11 respectively). Call the Embassy for information. FOR YOUR INFORMATION
Please note that until March 31, 1996, the office hours of the Embassy will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All payments for services officially rendered by the Embassy must be made in cash or by money
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