The Guyana Update -- July, 1996 Edition

A Monthly Publication of the Embassy of Guyana, Washington DC, USA

The Guyana Government says it is considering proposals by the United States to access Guyana's territorial space in pursuit of drug traffickers.

According to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, a draft so-called "Hot Pursuit" agreement along the lines of those entered into between Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia and the Bahamas and the United States, is being studied extensively by government agencies.

"The draft agreement has been studied, commented on, modified and amended at a variety of levels within this administration and I suspect that not very long from now, the desired objectives of this administration to adjust its security in a comprehensive way should see the agreement finalized," Luncheon said.

He said the proposed agreement must be seen in the context that Guyana needed help in dealing with

international crime as this relates to narco-trafficking and money laundering.

He noted that Guyana's readiness to enter into a "Hot Pursuit" treaty with the United States was prompted by the fact that "the needs of the administration are clearly inadequate to address this threat adequately".

He said the government did not see the agreement as a violation of Guyana's territorial sovereignty and noted that the agreement would permit "the certain acts" to be taken by either side.

Guyana has been working with the Canadian authorities in the fight against drug trafficking and this has resulted in the seizure of more than 100 kilos of cocaine meant for the Canadian market and coming from Colombia via Brazil and Venezuela, as well as the capture of a number of local drug traffickers.

The discussions in the various forums held so far have been very constructive. True, criticisms of certain aspects of Government policies have emanated from them, but what

is extremely important to note is that very valuable suggestions for improving situations have also been made. At the same time, participants have expressed a genuine interest to participate in resource mobilization to assist, particularly, in the rehabilitation of the social infrastructure of Guyana.

As a result of one of these discussions, recently, one group of Guyanese in the Washington DC area, expressing their concern over the problems of education in Guyana, organized themselves into the Committee for the Promotion and Support of Education in Guyana (COPSEG). Pulling together Guyanese professional educators currently working in educational institutions in the USA, COPSEG has already put them to work on studying the Government's State Paper on Education Policy 1995 and their suggestions on improving education standards in Guyana will be made available to the Ministry of Education. But this group is not only talking about the issues; it also plans to assist in resource mobilization and will be coordinating its activities with the Embassy as it ventures out on this task.

Organizations such as COPSEG deserve the support of Guyanese nationals who are urged to pitch in their backing for not only groupings of this nature but any other which works for the development of positive and constructive ideas for national development, and also for the mobilization of resources needed urgently for the fast forward movement of education, health and cultural standards in Guyana.

Guyana has emerged with much to be encouraged about from a critical one-day conference hosted by former US President Jimmy Carter. On the international stage, the country is now set to be a model of development cooperation with major bilateral donors and multilateral financial agencies, and this Carter said could be achieved within a year or two.

"What's happening in Guyana can be translated into action in other Third World countries...; the lessons learnt in Guyana can be adopted elsewhere in the Third World because the recognition is there that Guyana is doing exceedingly well under all the circumstances which face Third World countries today," President Jagan expounded.

At the forum which was attended by representatives of multilateral financial institutions and bilateral donors, Minister of Finance Bharrat Jagdeo joined President Jagan in elaborating on Guyana's economic restructuring program, and delegates were highly impressed with his presentation. Also attending the conference were Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte and representatives of the Guyana private sector.

In a major address to the conference, President Jagan said that Guyana's development strategy "will come to signify faith in the future, and in our ability to work together as a multi-ethnic society to achieve betterment for all".

House to house registration for general elections scheduled for next year has moved ahead without any major hitches, the authorities have reported. According to Chief Elections Officer Stanley Singh the exercise got off to a good start on Monday June 17 when work began in almost all of the 1,762 divisions. Every citizen resident in Guyana and who will be 14 years or older on December 31, 1996 is being registered. The voters list of those above 18 years of age will be extracted from the general registration list.

Cabinet has recently taken measures to augment the income of public servants by removing conditionalities for vocation allowances and supplements for persons in key government positions.

Secretary to the Cabinet, Dr Roger Luncheon, said that payment of vocation allowances to pensionable public servants has been liberated. In addition, these sums will now be tax free and paid through departmental warrants to ease the bureaucratic delays.

He also announced that the process for paying out $60M in supplements for persons holding key and critical posts has commenced with pay-outs expected before year-end. Under the current administration, public servants have received increases in their wages and salaries by over 120%.

Minister of Local Government and Information, Moses Nagamootoo, has unveiled a $1 billion package and a plan to repair the roads in the city of Georgetown. The Minister disclosed that under the rehabilitation program, some $700 million will be spent in the initial stage to rehabilitate 60 streets. Later, $80 million will be spent to repair several more streets. A further $200 million is earmarked to upgrade the Kingston to Ruimveldt road in Greater Georgetown. The program will be executed by the Ministry of Public Works through a soft loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. Work will commence in September beginning in the Prashad Nagar, Campbellville and Newtown/Kitty areas.

Meanwhile, the $200M project for the resurfacing of the stretch of road from Pegasus Hotel to the Ruimveldt Police Station is presently in progress.

President Cheddi Jagan has urged manufacturers to keep the consumers' interest in mind and become more efficient to survive in the world of free trade. The President was at the time addressing the opening of a US$5.2 million polysac plant at Mc Doom on the East Bank of Demerara. Set up through a line of credit between the Governments of India and Guyana, it is the first plant in Guyana to produce complete polysac bags and fabric from raw materials. Production is expected to reach a maximum of 12 million meters annually and the work force is likely to increase from 130 to 150 when the operation is in full stream.

Guyana and French Guiana on June 6 pledged to boost cooperation in several areas, including fishing, non-traditional products, tourism and transportation. Also on the cards is the appointment of a French Guiana Honorary Consul in Guyana as a very important step in promoting relations between the two countries. This followed the signing of a memorandum by representatives of the Georgetown Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a Chamber of Commerce team from French Guiana who came to Guyana to investigate business opportunities. The Suriname Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to visit Guyana soon and sign a similar memorandum of understanding, while French Guiana will sign with Suriname. President of the Georgetown Chamber of Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad said the whole idea is to get together an association of Chambers of Commerce in the Guianas.

The Guyana Water Authority (GUYWA) is in the process of receiving some 18,200 lengths of six-inch pipelines and fittings at a procurement cost of about $112M. This will enable the Authority to replace about 2,500 miles of pipelines across the country.

According to GUYWA, the first set of pipelines have been allocated to areas scattered across the country. These include the Essequibo Coast, Wakenaam and Hog Islands - 2,300 lengths; West Demerara - 3,500 lengths; East Bank Demerara- 4,000 lengths; East Coast Demerara 2,500 lengths; and East Berbice - 2,822 lengths.

With major road construction works being undertaken on the Essequibo Coast, East Bank Demerara and East Coast Demerara, GUYWA says it intends to keep its pipe-laying projects abreast with the road works.

Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formally launched on June 5, at the National Cultural Centre during the Iwokrama Foundation Day Lecture delivered by Mr Mohamed El-Ashry, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Two years ago, the Foundation Lecture was established on June 5 which is also World Environment Day.

Various international agencies and countries, such as the Federal Republic of Germany, the Global Environment Facility, the Carter Center, the British ODA, the IDB, UNDP, the World Bank, UNESCO and the European Union are supporting the Government in its efforts to protect and preserve the national environment.

The Government "has successfully negotiated an arrangement for the restoration of Red House on High Street" stated a GIS release.

Red House, once official residence of Guyana's first premier - Dr Cheddi Jagan - has been designated a National Monument, given its importance as part of Guyana's unique architectural heritage.

On completion of the restoration, government will arrange for the rental of the building to an appropriate tenant. The sum realized from the rental will be committed to the repayment of the sum expended by Barama.

Guyana and Canada are looking at areas to broaden their scope of cooperation during President Jagan's ten day state visit at the invitation of Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien in early June.

During the session, both leaders agreed to put relations between the two countries on a higher plain by supporting in principle the need for an Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement.

President Jagan and Prime Minister Chretien also found common ground on the issues of sustainable development of natural resources and respect for workers' rights by foreign investors. Both sides have committed themselves to increased investment in the areas of mining and forestry.

The Guyana delegation expressed optimism that with new mining and forest regimes being put in place, there could be an increase in Canadian investment in Guyana.

Recently, heavy rainfall left two towns and many villages under water as high as 20 inches. Among the areas flooded were New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Whim, Number 19 Village, Seawell and Palmyra on the Corentyne and Number Two Village, Canje.

Meanwhile, several areas on the Corentyne, Berbice, East Coast and West Coast of Demerara are in for drainage relief. The government's project execution arm, SIMAP, has signed four projects amounting to $100M. The projects financed by the Government of Guyana through a loan agreement will benefit flood-affected areas such as Mon Repos and Annandale on the East Coast , Liverpool and Manchester on the Corentyne and Sisters/Goed Intent on the West Coast Demerara.

Ramon Gaskin, the former GEC Chairman who has been negotiating with the Japanese for the grant aid for the electricity sector, says signs are positive that the Japanese may be willing to extend their grant aid for another year. An eight-member Japanese team went to Guyana recently and held discussions with GEC General Manager Robin Singh with a view to streamlining preparations for construction of the 5.7 megawatt set at Garden of Eden. This set is expected to be installed and commissioned by September of this year and contracts are already being awarded.

According to Gaskin, who recently returned to Guyana after successfully signing a US$10 million grant in Tokyo, Japan, for the GEC, this was part of the government's multi-pronged approach towards solving Guyana's electricity problems This year, some 33 megawatts are expected to be added to the grid, 11 at Garden of Eden through the present sets being installed and an additional 22 at the Kingston power station in Georgetown, all at a cost of US$33 million. Next year, the US$10M Japanese grant will add another 5.7 megawatts to Garden of Eden, while helping to extend the physical plant at the East Bank location.

Local milk production has shot up from 3.8 million gallons in 1984 to about 8.5 million in 1995. This increase has resulted from a countrywide program being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture's National Dairy Development Program (NDDP) to help Guyana become self-sufficient in milk production. Dr Steve Surujballi of the NDDP has indicated that the establishment of grass nurseries in cattle-producing areas and communal forage plots for dairy farmers were among factors influencing the rise in milk production.

The introduction of artificial insemination, along with the printing and distribution of technical procedures on issues of pasture management, calf-rearing and herd projections were among programs executed by the NDDP. This development comes at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture is beefing up support to cattle industry through the provision of adequate pasturage and needed extension services.

Three more nursery schools are being constructed in West Berbice and East Coast Demerara. The schools are being built at West End and Lichfield, West Coast, Berbice and De Hoop, East Coast Demerara at a cost of over $24M with a total capacity of 500. Meanwhile, another three nursery schools have been refurbished at a cost of $1.7M. These are located at Cottage and Airy Hall in East Demerara, and Yeoville, West Coast Berbice. Meanwhile, the Fort Wellington Nurses Hostel has also been overhauled to the tune of $1.2M.

A medical team was sent to Monkey Mountain, Region Nine, recently to investigate an outbreak of illnesses among residents in the area. Already, two settlers from Monkey Mountain have been flown to Georgetown for medical treatment. It is suspected that hepatitis is the disease affecting some residents in the Monkey Mountain region. An outbreak of malaria in Orealla has also led to a second vector control team being sent to the Corentyne River location. A vector team recently returned from the area after treating some residents for malaria.

The manufacturing sector has hailed the just concluded regional wood products and accessories exposition as a tremendous success. President of the Guyana Manufacturers Association Mohabir Singh congratulated the organizers for the event which highlighted the capacity of manufacturers to deliver quality products. The June 13-16 display at the Sophia Complex in Georgetown was organized by the Guyana Promotion Council, the Caribbean Export Development Agency and the regional home appliance store, Courts. Apart from Guyana, the fair attracted manufacturers of regional wood products, furniture and accessories from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia and Dominica.

Trade Minister Michael Shree Chan left Guyana on June 19, for Western Samoa for an important ministerial meeting between the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries and European Union (EU).

The Minister was going to South Pacific state for an importation consultation which will discuss, among other things, matters relating to the entry of Guyana's rice and sugar export into Europe.

The local poultry industry came under review when poultry farmers met with senior agriculture ministry officials. The meeting updated both sides on the progress being made in the sector. In addition, there is expected to be a review of government's assistance and various tax incentives to the sector. Since 1992, local poultry production has increased by about 600% due mainly to the incentive package offered by the government to the sector. Farmers have been agitating against the continued unrestricted importation of chicken and poultry products and are seeking more support from Government to enhance their production capacity so as to reduce foreign imports.

A total of 275 tonnes of fresh processed agricultural commodities were exported during May 1996 via air and sea. Of this total 123 tonnes were exported by air and 152 tonnes by sea. Of the total exported by air, 12 tonnes of mango went to Canada, 7 tons pumpkin to the USA, 7 tonnes of pineapple and 10 tonnes of plantain to Antigua, and 25 tonnes of pineapple and 25 tonnes of pumpkin to Barbados. Of the total exported by sea, 114 heart of palm went to France, 25 tonnes of crude coconut oil to Jamaica and 13 tonnes of cherry and guava pulp to Barbados.

Guyana has earned a "signal achievement" with the recent election of Mr Brynmor Pollard to the Inter-American Juridical Committee (IAJC), Senior Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Clement Rohee said.

Pollard, former CARICOM General Counsel, was elected to the 11-member body at the 26th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States(OAS) in Panama.

The Senior Minister said that Pollard's selection as the Caribbean Community representative on the Committee has imbued Guyana with a sense of confidence.

Guyana was picked to serve on the Committee, along with Peru and Canada.

At a recent meeting the Bank plugged three main lines of assistance which could generate investment in several sectors.

Financing for investments via the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the Private Infrastructure Program and the Multilateral Investment Fund was a major focus at the forum.

The site for the construction of a new National Archives building was blessed at a ceremony which was attended by President Jagan, who also gave the feature address.

The National Archives Advisory Committee has launched an Archives Trust Fund to help finance the proposed new building which will be sited at the Cyril Potter College of Education campus.

The project is expected to be completed by May 1998.

President Jagan pledged his government's support for the project and advocated that the archives be placed on the "Civil List" as priority for funding.

Guyana, which enjoyed South America's third-highest growth rate in 1995 (topped only by Peru and Chile), is still booming. First-quarter figures point to a continuation of the steady growth recorded since 1992, with Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo reporting that the Guyanese economy is growing by more than the 6.6% projected for this year. "The exchange rate is stable, imports are going up, foreign earnings are increasing and inflation is just 1.6% above estimate," Minister Jagdeo said. He added that Guyanese tax authorities "have already met 22% of their 1996 target, with the overall economy generating 24% of budgeted revenue."

The Guyana government has been granted a loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to partially finance a remedial maintenance project for the capital city crumbling sewer system. The Georgetown Sewerage and Water Commissioners invites sealed bids from companies in IDB member nations "for the supply and installation of 400-millimeter ductile iron water mains and appurtenances."

The vessel Wanifa which was recently commissioned and will ply the Moruca/Charity service was built at the cost of $4.5M from the Amerindian Development Fund. The boat will facilitate reliable transportation of passengers and cargo between Moruca, North West region to Charity.

Health care and services to farmers will be greatly enhanced when 13 new projects, recently approved by the Regional Tender Board, are executed in the West Demerara area. These projects include the construction of a new mortuary for the West Demerara Hospital and several schemes which will enhance agricultural activities. The schemes are being conducted through the International Fund for Agricultural Development and will result in the installation of koker doors, provision of 25 water pumps and a quantity of sprayers.

A new $6M sports complex was constructed at the Anna Regina ground as part of the region's commitment to facilitate sporting activities in the region. Meanwhile, the Main Independence Avenue in Rose Hall was recently resurfaced to the tune of $4.1M. Also the Municipality, in conjunction with Courts branch store has installed a new "Kiddies Recreational Corner" costing some $800,000 which will benefit hundreds of residents.

Residents of villages between Little Messiah and Stockholm in Region Six are expected to benefit from an improved distribution of potable water in their homes from the Main Well at No. 74 Village, Corentyne. The project is being funded through a government loan from the World Bank totaling $54.9M.

The first of 100 state-of-the art water pumps was commissioned in honor of the 30th Anniversary of Independence on May 25 at Soesdyke. The new facility, which is insulated against damage, will provide 5,000 residents with safe drinking water and sufficient pressure to reach second-floor bathrooms and kitchens.

The national program to enhance drainage and irrigation systems across the country has taken on a new dimension with the Central Drainage and Irrigation Board purchasing 11 new hymacs. These machines are soon to be posted across the country. Hymacs have already been sent to Cane Grove, Mahaica, Hope Estate and Perseverance on the East Coast of Demerara. The others will be sent to affected areas to ensure that adequate drainage and irrigation works are carried out.

Construction of new schools throughout the nation forms part of the education Improvement Program, the Social Impact Amelioration Program (SIMAP), the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) and the now-defunct Futures Fund, are some of the agencies directly involved in infrastructure development in the education sector. Construction work on the G$54M Wellington Park Primary School in Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six, was scheduled for completion in June.

Guyana on June 16 observed the anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs with politicians and labor leaders putting workers rights on center stage. Five sugar workers, Pooran, Lallabajie, Harry, Rambarran and Surujballi were gunned down on June 16, 1948 by colonial police during a strike for better wages, working conditions and the recognition of the trade union of their choice. Minister of Agriculture, Reepu Daman Persaud, paid tribute to the Martyrs at the annual rally at Enmore.

The first health centre in Karawab, Upper Pomeroon was recently constructed. It will now serve over 300 families in that area which has a malaria problem.

Ms Gillian Rowe and Mrs Taveta Haniff have been posted from the Foreign Ministry to the Embassy of Guyana in Washington as First Secretary and Second Secretary, respectively. They took up their posts in mid-June.

To improve the transportation services for the Orealla and Siparuta areas up the Corentyne river, the Amerindian Affairs Ministry has built a new boat costing $3.9M. The Minister will soon commission the vessel which will move both people and agricultural goods.

The new Ambulatory and Diagnostic Centre of the Public Hospital, Georgetown has an impressive mural painted by Guyana's children on one of its walls, an enchanting composition from many children's entries, and a reminder that Guyana's health care reaches out to improve the quality of health services to the nation's children.

Legal authorities are combing a stack of documents including valuable Customs records on gold exports into the United States, originating from Guyana. But sources say that the billion-dollar scam probe is far from over. US authorities are cooperating with the Ministry of Finance as the investigations continue.

As part of the Government's poverty reduction program, needy students in East Berbice are being provided with clothing and footwear to attend school in a more comfortable outfit. There are many students who do not attend school because their parents cannot afford uniforms. The poverty program will also be providing dietary supplements to some students.

The Government and a United States-based firm are likely to conclude negotiations shortly on the setting up of a 12.5 megawatt power generation at Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, fueled by wood waste.

Rice industry authorities have reported a more than 50 per cent increase in exports during this year's first quarter, earning some US$16.5M.

A new educational institution is being built in the city - the North Georgetown Primary School - at a cost of $105.6M.

Parliament will debate a bill amending the laws relating to the registration of persons and to elections to choose the President and members of the National Assembly and regional Democratic Councils.

Pupils of the New Market Primary School at No. 63 Village, Corentyne recently celebrated the school's 100th anniversary. To mark this occasion, the school building was completely rehabilitated. The newly rehabilitated building has a capacity of 500 students and cost some $18M. The former structure was completely demolished after it became unsafe for students' occupancy.

Fencing has been completed at four sites in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) where new pumps to facilitate improved water supply will soon be installed. The locations are Henrietta, Land of Plenty, Riverstown and Onderneeming. At Henrietta and Riverstown, transformers have also been put up and the motors are expected shortly. Other work done recently by Guyana Water Authority (GUYWA) include the laying of pipes from Lima to Dunkel and the transfer from the old conduits to fresh ones linking Lima and Hampton Court.

President Cheddi Jagan has called for international support to establish a Guyana Rainforest Foundation.

Kayman Sankar Aviation Limited, in collaboration with the Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) has launched scheduled flights to Skeldon, Berbice, targeting mainly businessmen and professionals.

Foreign Ministers are continuing to pursue efforts to bring Guyana and Suriname on the list of countries not requiring visas for entry into the European Union.

Nurses in Georgetown and in some regions began receiving retroactive meal allowances and the $7,000 lump sum for the period January 1, 1994 to December 31, 1994.

Twelve more self-employed individuals including three lawyers, several businessmen and a doctor have been charged with the non-submission of Income and Property Tax returns.

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