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The Guyana Update -- July, 1997.


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


PRESIDENT HINDS MAKES SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT APPEAL AT UNITED NATIONS

PRESIDENT Sam Hinds on June 24 appealed to world leaders at the United Nations to help fund the critical exploratory Iwokrama rainforest project in Guyana and said three US cents a day can make a real difference.

The Head of State told the UN General Assembly session in New York that Guyana "is a clear example of a small developing state which must face the task of sustainable development against great odds." Great demands have been placed on the country's limited resources to satisfy the many needs of the population, Mr Hinds noted, recalling the reality the current Guyana Government faced when it took office after the historic October 1992 general elections.

"The reality confronting our people in 1992 was a deformed dependent economy with weakened infrastructure, inadequate social services, wide-scale poverty and unemployment, scarcity of skilled professionals, a narrow production base, low productivity, huge deficits and a massive debt burden", the President said. Despite these, the new administration, from the start of the rebuilding process "strongly embraced" the principles of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio, Brazil, he added.

The current UN meeting is reviewing the Rio Declaration on the Environment and Development and the President noted that Guyana has made "significant strides" in the quest to create a healthy and productive life for its people."But our best efforts are seriously constrained by the difficult international climate, which also limits our ability to put in place many of the measures we consider necessary for the protection of our natural environment," he warned other leaders.

Mr Hinds said that to demonstrate its commitment to the environment, Guyana in 1989 voluntarily donated one million acres of its pristine rainforests to the international community for study and experimentation with systems of sustainable management. This was transformed into the Iwokrama project which the Guyanese Head of State said requires external support to be fully implemented.

Mr Hinds said the main constraint is a shortage of funds, adding: "A rental charge of US$10 per acre, per year would have yielded US$10M - more than the projected annual budget."

"Is less than three cents per acre per day an unreasonable investment by the international community to learn and develop models for the sustainable development of the lungs of our planet?" he appealed. "I invite all interested member-states to become partners with us in this most important project."

On behalf of CARICOM, Mr Hinds also appealed to the world community to help the region keep the Caribbean Sea a nuclear free zone and make it a special area for sustainable management and development.

He noted that there was more poverty in the world today than five years ago at the Rio Summit. "We have not addressed in any fundamental way the unprecedented levels of relative and absolute poverty in a world of economic growth. Perhaps we are too concerned to find ways to maintain economic growth and the lifestyles of the affluent."

Mr Hinds also warned that globalization of the world economy was proceeding "without sufficient safeguard for small developing economies" and reiterated Guyana's calls for regional development funds and non-reciprocal trading arrangements for such economies.

In addition, he noted "Our people who see daily through the media of the cinema and television how the developed countries live, have increased expectations of improved conditions...even in the most remote parts of Guyana, the standards of living aspired to by our indigenous peoples are similar to those enjoyed by all peoples", the President said.

He said there must be "more realistic opportunities" for people in developing countries to have living standards similar to those of the developed countries "in the not too distant future."

He recalled that the late President Cheddi Jagan had many times challenged the international community to strive for a New Global Human Order - a development model "rooted in a partnership that seeks a better balance within and among states."

"We renew this challenge to this assembly so that together we may fulfill the promises of (Rio) and thus ensure the development of our peoples", President Hinds said.

More than 60 Heads of State from the developed and developing world addressed the assembly.


Janet Jagan Awarded UNESCO 'Gandhi Gold Medal'

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has awarded Prime Minister Janet Jagan its Gandhi Gold Medal for Peace, Democracy and Women's Rights, in recognition of the role she played, in more than 50 years in political life, in promoting a democratic culture in Guyanese society, forging a singleness of purpose among Guyana's multi-racial population, and advocating the partnership of women in family life stability and national growth.

The prestigious Prize, named after legendary Indian freedom fighter Mohandas Gandhi, was awarded to Mrs Jagan by UNESCO Director-General, Mr Fredrico Mayor, at a recent Executive Board meeting of the organization. A founder of Guyana's independence movement, Mrs Jagan, who has been working since 1943, when she came to Guyana at the side of her husband, Cheddi Jagan, who was returning home after qualifying as a dentist in the United States, to bring peace, progress and prosperity to a Guyana begging for freedom, democracy and social transformation. A medal presentation ceremony is being organized in Guyana.


Caribbean Development Bank Says Guyana Sparkling Again

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has given the country's progress and policies high marks, noting the rapid socioeconomic progress during the past four years. The April-June edition of "CDB News" said: "Buildings in Guyana's capital Georgetown are beginning to sparkle again as the country continues to struggle along the path to economic recovery (achievement a growth rate of 7.9% in 1996).....Once again, in 1996, growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was the highest among CDB's borrowing member countries, understandably so, because economic decline there during the 1980s had been so dramatic, the country is now clawing its way back from a very weak base," stated the publication. The publication further noted that "in recent times, a spurt has occurred in construction activity, contrasting with the slump which the sector has experienced during the worst period of the Guyana recession."


Election Commission Opens Facilities to EAB

The Guyana Elections Commission invited the Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB), a non-governmental organization registered in Guyana, to scrutinize the Commission-compiled voter's list to help ensure its accuracy.

The EAB, which opened an office in Georgetown in 1992 following the invited intervention of former US President Jimmy Carter to halt nearly 25 years of election rigging in Guyana, was instrumental in getting the Hoyte administration to scrap the 1991 voters' list after it was discovered that 25% of the people named on that list could not be found, that hundreds of polling divisions were illegal, that 3,400 registrants shared an identical ID number, and that more than 30,000 registered voters had no ID cards at all.

The invitation to the EAB and other election-watch organizations came amid an announcement by the Commission that it had extended the period for claims and objections on the preliminary voters' list by one week, to Friday, June 27. The move was welcomed by the country's 23 political parties.


New Industrial Site Opens in July

Guyana's second industrial estate has been declared open. Its opening, at Coldingen, 13 miles east of Georgetown, has been formalized by the start of operations by the 600 workers of Denison Garment Manufacturers, the first of 36 companies that will be occupying plots on the estate.

Prime Minister Janet Jagan, performing the duties of President while President Sam Hinds was abroad, spoke at a ceremony to mark the opening of Denison's Garment Manufacturers, and unveiled a plaque on the company's premises in honor of late President Dr Cheddi Jagan.

When the PPP/Civic alliance assumed office in October of 1992 it commenced the building of the industrial site at Coldingen at a cost of $200 million. It is currently completing the construction of another industrial estate at Eccles, East Bank Demerara. The Coldingen estate is expected to create job opportunities for 1,000 persons and churn out some $1 billion in business each year.

Mrs Jagan, who was also presented with a plaque at the function, said Government's bid to rebuild the country's rundown infrastructures would fall short of expectations unless it is interlinked with the country's macroeconomic goals -- lower inflation, lower interest rates and foreign currency reserves -- and received ample private sector support.


Rain Forest Research Center

The secretariat of the Iwokrama Rain Forest Program is setting up a center at the University of Guyana to develop international research capabilities in sustainable rain forest management.

The center is looking to attract renowned international scientists who will be responsible for training people in subjects related to rain forest conservation, environmental protection and sustainable land use management. The Iwokrama RainForest Program hopes to raise US$15 million in research grants over the next five years to self-finance its operations.


Distance Education

Government is spending $848 million on the implementation of a distance education project that aims at improving the quality of teacher training and academic and vocational education in Guyana's hinterland.

The project is being financed by the European Union under its Sector Program for Education and Health. Multi-grade modules prepared for the project seek to train hinterland student teachers in subjects like Mathematics, English Language, Social Studies and Science, through the distance education mode.

Meantime, the Education Ministry has launched a Book Distribution Unit to encourage reading among Guyanese youths and boost the widening of their horizons.


Brazilian Company Links with Local Gold Firm

A Brazilian Company, Brazilian Goldfields Limited, has established a joint venture with Guyana's Sutton Resources Limited to mine for gold in the Marudi Mountains in southern Guyana. The two companies will operate a 50-50 partnership through their firm, Romanex (Guyana) Limited.

Brazilian Goldfields Limited says it intends to invest a minimum of US$3 million on their Marudi Mountains concession by the year 2000, and will be producing 50,000 to 90,000 ounces of gold a year from 1998.


Guyana/Surinam Ferry Service

Guyanese and Surinamese will be traveling to each other's country with relative ease from July when the long-awaited Surinam/Guyana ferry service goes into operation. The $2.6 billion service, financed by the European Commission, will accommodate 20 cars, 150 passengers and 90 tonnes of baggage and cargo at a single crossing.

The new ferry to the ply the Guyana-Suriname route across the Corentyne River was officially commissioned on June 23. Public works Minister Anthony Xavier attended the commissioning ceremony in Suriname.

The Minister pointed out that the stelling on Guyana's shore is nearing completion and work will begin on the access road to the terminal from Crabwood Creek. The cost of constructing the new terminals is $484 million.

The project is to serve as a major communication link and will be complemented by the proposed bridge across the Berbice River. Government has committed itself to supporting the initiative of establishing the bridge.


Private Sector in Guyana

Prime Minister Janet Jagan has reassured the Guyanese private sector that support for business is at the core of Government's efforts to spur economic growth and improve the country's competitiveness. Ms Jagan spoke at the annual dinner and awards ceremony of the Georgetown Chamber of commerce and Industry at the Pegasus Hotel recently. "I see a key role in Guyana's economic growth for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry," said the Prime Minister. "By supporting the marketing and consumption of local products -- fruit juices, for example, the private sector will not only be complementing our mutual efforts by, more importantly, assisting government to reduce the country's high food imports bill."


High Tech Communication Equipment Installed at Airport

High-tech communication equipment valued at $92.5 million has been installed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri. The equipment was installed by Internationale Procurement Agency of the Netherlands, putting the airport's communication capabilities on par with similar airports in the English speaking Caribbean.

Airport emergency lights costing more than $100 million will also be installed soon, and will further improve air transport facilities in Guyana.


Ties with Turkmenistan

Guyana has established ties with Turkmenistan. An agreement to this effect was signed in New York by Guyana Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Rudy Insanally, and his Turkmenistani counterpart, Ambassador Aksoltan Ataeva.

Turkmenistan, a republic of the former Soviet Union, is the 112th country with which Guyana has now established diplomatic relations.


New Investment Strategy

Consultations will begin next month among Guyanese and foreign experts on the preparation of a new investment strategy for Guyana. The strategy will specify the role of Government as facilitator, and the role of private enterprise in boosting national and economic growth and improving the international competitiveness of Guyanese commodities on the international market.


Voter Education Program

The Elections Commission has launched a voter education program to make Guyanese aware of the importance of registering and to prepare them for orderly voting at the upcoming general elections. The program began with a workshop at the beginning of June at which media practitioners heard from Elections Commission members of the role journalists are expected to play in the building of a democratic culture in Guyana.


Boxing Promoter Gives Support to PPP/Civic

Boxing promoter and former opposition member, Odinga Lumumba, has announced his support for the ruling PPP/Civic alliance in Guyana's upcoming election campaign. "The PPP/Civic alliance deserves another term and I am prepared to step forward and play whatever role I can to make it happen," said Mr Lumumba. A former PNC activist who joined Mayor Hamilton Green's Good and Green for Guyana (GGG) after the deputy PNC leader was fired from the party, Mr Lumumba said the working class background of the PPP/Civic, the political maturity of its leaders, and their willingness to reach beyond its traditional source of support, prompted his decision to support the present Government in its re-election campaign.


Promising Gold Surveys

A North American company, Exploration Brex Inc., says feasibility surveys in Aremu, central Guyana, have produced "highly promising" results. The firm, which has lucrative business interests in Nevada, Quebec and Guyana, says surveys on 58.1 line kilometers of horizontal loop at Aremu confirm that its concession contains commercial reserves of gold and diamonds. Exploration Brex Inc. is just one of a dozen foreign companies investing in Guyana's mineral-rich hinterland.


Secondary Schools Reform Project

Government has launched its Secondary Schools Reform Program, a long-term initiative designed to upgrade secondary education infrastructures and foster students' academic and personal growth. The first phase of the program, scheduled over five years, is being financed by US$19.3 million in credits from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), which was represented at the launching ceremony at the Pegasus Hotel by a five-man delegation.

Education Minister Dr Dale Bisnauth, who delivered the keynote speech, said the implementation of the program advances Government's goal of forging the evolution and improvement of the secondary education system to accommodate growing enrollments, make learning more meaningful, and help develop young people into motivated and productive adults. Some 60,000 students currently attend 365 secondary education institutions across the country.


Guyana, Holy See Establish Relations

Guyana and the Holy See have established diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level in the wake of discussions between Pope John Paul II and late President Cheddi Jagan in Rome late last year. Guyanese Roman Catholic Bishop, Benedict Singh, said the move would inspire Catholics "to collaborate even more in the consolidation of national harmony and civil peace, and in respect for all religious beliefs."


Rodney Chair at UG Begins Program in September

Distinguished Kenyan scholar, Dr Ali Mazrui, has been named the first head of a special history program, the Walter Rodney Chair, that has been established at the University of Guyana in honor of late Guyanese historian-politician Dr Walter Rodney. The Chair, which was created by Government in 1993, will formally be launched in September, at the start of the university's new academic year.


$380 Million to Boost Community Development

Government has begun allocating $380 million in subventions to the country's 65 Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDC) to accelerate the execution of capital projects in rural areas. The NDCs, the grassroots representatives of people in rural neighborhoods, will spend the money on the rehabilitation of farm-to-market access roads, drainage and irrigation networks, and community centers, as well as on the procurement of equipment to boost commercial farm production.


Closer Links with Bangladesh

Bangladesh and Guyana are likely to sign an economic, technical and educational agreement by this year-end. That was the word from visiting envoy Mr Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Mr Chowdhury, who was in Guyana to present his credentials to President Samuel Hinds, said the agreement would see Bangladesh providing skilled manpower to Guyana to support law reform. Guyana, for its part, will help Bangladesh in the areas of environmental protection and forestry and agricultural development.


World Bank Aid

Guyana's capacity to maintain environmental stability will reach hew dimensions later this year when Government accesses US$10 million in World Bank aid. The money, to be disbursed from the Bank's Global Environmental Facility, will allow Government to establish a Protected Areas Commission and a Bio-Diversity Conservation Fund to manage what will be known as national protected areas. With Government's growing recognition of the vital role the hinterland has to play in accelerating social and economic development, the program will constitute mechanisms that will effectively control wildlife hunting and regulate wood harvesting in the country's species-rich tropical forests.


Airport Expansion Project Nears Completion

Work is nearing completion on the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, in keeping with Government's pledge to facilitate a smooth, efficient and satisfactory movement of arriving and departing passengers at the airport.

The $300 million project will enable the airport's new two-storey complex, built in part with terrazzo and marble chips from Italy, to accommodate 20 check-in counters, 21 airline offices, a spacious waiting area, a drive-through porch system, three U-shaped conveyor belts to speed up the movement of luggage, and the installation of screening and X-Ray equipment to beef up airport security. Much of the equipment was purchased from funds made available by the World Bank's International Development Association, under its Public Administration agreement with Guyana.


Cabinet Okays US Firm Takeover

Cabinet has approved the take-over of the financially-strapped Guyana Granite Products Limited (GGPL) by Cummings Group of the United States. The Group, managed by a US-based Guyanese, will replace Canada's Edgeworth Construction International, whose joint operation of a stone quarry with Guyana's Ministry of Works has soured after two years. Cummings Group has offered to liquidate GGPL's US$225,000 debt and inject fresh capital into and turn around the company's fortunes. As a result of GGPL's failure to satisfy orders, the Ministry of Works has had to import stones from Canada to meet the needs of Guyana's burgeoning construction industry.


Canadian Firm Exploring Guyana's Agri Potential

Three members of Agro-Dev, a Canadian company from the province of Saskatchewan, have been meeting with Guyanese agricultural officials on plans they have submitted to invest in dairy products manufacture in Guyana. Headed by Mr Oswald Henry, the Agro-Dev representatives also visited the Versailles Dairy Complex, Moblissa Dairy Farm and several cattle ranches on the coastland and in the Rupununi, places from which the company is likely to get the inputs for its operations. Mr Henry told Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Sash Sawh, that his company is prepared to enter into joint ventures with Guyanese in running the Versailles and Moblissa Dairy Farms.


Madhia Gets New Hospital

A 17-bed hospital was commissioned at Mahdia, a township in mineral-rich Mazaruni, by Health Minister Gail Teixeira, implementing another component of Government's ambitious program to deliver health-care to every Guyanese community by the turn of the century. The hospital, built over seven months at a cost of $22.2 million will extend outpatient care to the region's 11,000 inhabitants. It replaces a rundown, termite-infested cottage hospital that had to be abandoned.


Guyana, Cuba Sign New Cooperation Agreements

Guyana and Cuba have signed a number of agreements to promote investments in Guyana and to expand bilateral cooperation in the fields of health-care, sports, agriculture, cattle raising, tourism and trade.

That's the result of discussions among officials of the two countries at the 21st Inter-Governmental Joint Commission meeting in Havana, the Cuban capital. The teams were headed by Guyana's Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Clement Rohee, and Cuba's Minister of Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation, Mr Ibrahim Ferradaz.


CARICOM Foreign Ministers Meet in Guyana

Foreign Minister Clement Rohee represented Guyana at the 23rd Meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs which was held in Guyana in mid-June. Among other things, the foreign ministers considered proposals for the implementation of a coordinated CARICOM approach to foreign policy, discuss Haiti's application for membership of the grouping, and review the region's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Association of Caribbean States, and CARICOM's links with economic blocs in Europe and in South, Central and North America.


Auditor General to Report on Unaccounted PNC Expenditures

The Auditor General is in the process of compiling reports for those years when public expenditures by the PNC regime were not accounted for.

After a ten year absence, the first Auditor General Report was done in 1993. Finance Minister, Bharrat Jagdeo said that the reports are to account for public expenditures during the ten-year period.

The Minister speaking on a special GTV interview on "Corruption in Guyana", said that the state of corruption and poor accountability under the PNC rule was worse than what was obtained under some of the most brutal dictatorships in Latin America. Mr Jagdeo also debunked attacks on the Government by the PNC and repeated his challenge to PNC Leader Desmond Hoyte for a public debate on corruption in Guyana.

The PNC was challenged to provide evidence to substantiate its allegations of corruption against the PPP/Civic as he restated the Government's policy of zero-tolerance of corruption in Guyana.


Georgetown Road Projects

Roads in the south and south western sections of Georgetown are being targeted by Government for rebuilding. Public Works Minister Anthony Xavier met with several community Development Committees from East Ruimveldt, La Penitencce, Lodge and Albouystown, among other areas.

The Works Minister said his ministry would be moving to work with members of the community so that they could join efforts to rebuild roadways. He said a follow-up session would be held between the ministry and the CDC's on project profiles for repairing of the roads.

Meanwhile, central government is executing repairs to Durban and Princess Streets. These works were scheduled to take place earlier, but poor quality of work by the previous contractor forced the ministry to terminate work on these roads.

The Minister has rejected assertions that it was the public protest action spurred by the PNC/GGG that forced the ministry to act on the Durban and Princess Streets.


GUYEXPO '97 in July

Guyana's largest Trade and Investment Exposition will be held in Guyana on July 24 to 27 at the Sophia National Exhibition Park in Sophia, Georgetown.

The theme for this year's Exposition is "Youth and Women in Business." Some of the sectors to be exhibited include manufacturing, construction and services.

Previous expositions have helped local manufacturers to tap much-needed foreign markets and it is expected that similar results will be achieved as well as a greater level of awareness by Guyanese about products available.


Sears in Guyana

Gafsons Group of Companies will be the distributor of the United States chain store Sears in Guyana. Sears offers in Guyana, like its international counter-parts, full warranty on all purchases. Its stock includes crystal ware, equipment and tools for every trade and skill at both amateur and professional levels. The new Sears store is on Regent Street.


Closer Ties with Singapore

Guyana and Singapore have agreed to improve bilateral ties following talks in New York on June 25, between President Sam Hinds and Singapore Prime Minister Joh Chok Tung. Their talks centered on Singaporean investments in Guyana, indicating Government's growing interest in wooing investments from South East Asia.


Furniture Giant Courts opened its latest Guyana store recently at the corner of Camp and Regent Streets. Courts is a major investor in Guyana and has opened branch stores in all three counties.

The Region Two administration has constructed a new drainage and irrigation culvert costing $1.9 million at Paradise on the Essequibo Coast.. Also a $1.7 million concrete check is being placed at Section Five at Devonshire Castle.

The Guyana Electricity Corporation (GEC) recently carried out maintenance work in West Coast Berbice between Seafield and Belladrum. The lines in the area were cleared of branches and other impediments. Line hardware existing on old utility poles will also be transferred to recently-planted poles.

Hundreds of residents in the north eastern section of Hampton Court on the Essequibo Coast will soon have potable water in their homes. Residents have carried out self-help work that has led to laying 840 feet of new pipelines. The materials were provided by the GUYWA.

The Hummingbird Company of Trinidad and Tobago recently launched packaged white and parboiled rice from Guyana. This was part of an ongoing campaign to find adequate markets for the country's rice.

The New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) will be taking another initiative to bring down the cost of living, through the reduction of basic food items. Recently mobile units were launched at selected areas of Georgetown where the prices of vegetables and fruits were far lower than that obtained in the city market.

The Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank have concluded a US$45 million concessional loan entitled the "Electricity Sector Program." The sums will be used to support the privatization of the Guyana Electricity Corporation. In addition, the sums will be used to finance various program that will befit the over-all economy.

The Mortice Primary School and the Mibikuri Primary/Secondary school are to be rehabilitated shortly as a result of the signing of two contracts amounting to $15.8 million. The projects will be executed by the Primary Education Improvement Project.

Statistics released by the Police reveal a 51 per cent increase in the number of deportees from January to April this year as compared with the same period last year.

President Sam Hinds and a team of government officials visited Madia recently. A number of equipment which will benefit the community were handed over to the chairman of the region.

The new Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School, constructed through the Primary Education Improvement Program, will soon be commissioned. The school can now accommodate over 600 students.

The St Joseph's Health Center at Charity on the Essequibo Coast was recently rehabilitated. The new facility has more accommodation for patients and now has the necessary facilities installed to provide adequate health care to residents. In addition the Suddie hospital benefitted from a new film processor for the X-ray unit, which will enable residents to get X-rays more quickly. This follows the commissioning of a new oxygen system. Patients can now receive oxygen in the various wards and theater from a central oxygen bank.

$5 million was approved by the Finance Minister from his ministry's Poverty Alleviation Program to fund the provision of water supply to the Non Pariel Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara.

A contract was signed by Education Minister Dale Bisnauth to begin rehabilitation of the St Gabriel's Primary School main building at Crown and Oronoque Streets, Queenstown.

The Bank of Guyana has hired a special anti-counterfeit team which has been making progress in locating sites where local counterfeit operations are housed. These operations have been printing fake $1000 and $500 local currency notes.

174 persons have received house-lots at Block 4, Tain, Settlement Corentyne. Residential infrastructural development work such as the building of streets with reef sand and bauxite capping is in progress.

Special Prosecutor Doodnauth Singh is expressing confidence that former Guyana Defence Force Sergeant Gregory Smith can be convicted for the death of Walter Rodney. Attorney General Bernard De Santos was studying the charge sheet, before forwarding them to the French authorities through the Foreign Ministry.

Large quantities of river defense revetment materials are being shipped to various areas along the Pomeroon River for installation. These are to bolster weakened sections of river defense.

President Sam Hinds attended the special annual memorial service at the Ursuline Convent on Camp Street, where representative of all political parties and Guyanese of all walks of life turned out to pay tribute to the murdered historian, Dr Walter Rodney, who died on June 13, 1980.

A Household Survey of water services and sanitation conditions in Georgetown will soon be carried out by the Georgetown Sewage and Water Commissioners to determine the impact of the Remedial Maintenance Program funded by the IDB and central Government.

Labor Minister Dr Henry Jeffrey will table a Bill in parliament which would, among other things, increase child support maintenance to a maximum of $25,000. The two main proposed amendments are increasing the weekly maintenance for a child from the current maximum of $250 to not less than $500 nor more than $25 000. There has been mixed reactions from the public over the proposals.

The rebuilding of sections of the Gangaram road, East Canje, Berbice has started. But road engineers said that the extent of the work will depend on a stretch of dry weather for a few weeks.


COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Information on Guyana, INTERNET users may check the WEB SITE on GUYANA NEWS AND INFORMATION at: http://www.guyana.org. This site is also linked to other useful Guyana sites. The Embassy's E-mail address is: GuyanaEmbassy@hotmail.com


VIDEOS OF FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT CHEDDI JAGAN1. Farewell Great Warrior and 2. State Funeral of President Jagan -- $19.95 each, plus $3 S&H. Phone 1-800-797-6844 or 1-954-797-6844 for credit card and other orders. (GTV Videos)


RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES

Hindu Dharmic Sabha . (301) 699-9573

Maryland Hindu Milan Mandir. Call (301) 593-7638

Islamic Society of the Washington Area. Call 301-588-3650.


REMINDER TO GUYANESE NATIONALS -

Please ensure that your PASSPORTS are VALID. Do not wait until emergencies arise before you check these documents.

VACANCIES

The OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT is recruiting qualified Guyanese in the following areas:

- Auditors and Accountants - Planners

- Allied Health Practitioners - Educators

- Agricultural Technicians - Administrative Managers

- Personnel Practitioners

- Industrial Relations Officers

- Occupational Health and Safety Officers

Applicants must have university level qualifications and relevant experience and be willing to be contracted for three years. Successful applicants would receive a US dollar incentive in the Guyana dollar equivalent at various levels during employment. Submit resume to Head, Presidential Secretariat, Office of the President, New Garden Street & South Road, Georgetown, Guyana. Fax: 592-2-63395

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

GUYANA CONSULATES AND HONORARY TRADE REPRESENTATIVES

NEW YORK :Mr. Brentnol Evans, Consul-General

Tel: (212) 527-3215, Fax: (212) 527-3229

CALIFORNIA :Mr. Joseph D'Oliveira, Honorary Consul,

Tel and Fax: (310) 320-3370

FLORIDA : Mr. Hilton Ramcharitar, Honorary Consul, Tel: (954) 797-6844, Fax: (954) 797-7603

TEXAS: Ms Terry Reis, Honorary Consul

Tel: (713) 497-4466, Fax: (713) 497-4476

TEXAS: Mr. Jai Sharma, (Trade Rep)

Tel: (713) 847-5800 Fax: (713) 847-3210

GEORGIA: Mr. Neilson Wray (Trade Rep)

Tel: 770-469-3337 Fax: 770-469-1915 MINNESOTA: Mr. Earl Singh, (Trade Rep)

Tel: (612) 332-0351, Fax: (612) 342-2399

MISSOURI: Mr. Antoine Solomon, (Trade Rep)

Tel: (314) 830 - 2376 Fax: (314) 830 - 1998

OHIO: Mrs Nazima Ahmed (Trade Rep)

Tel (216) 752 - 8746 Fax: (216) 752 - 1070

All payments for services officially rendered by the Embassy must be made in cash or by money order, bank draft or certified check. Personal and company checks are not acceptable.

To publicize your group's activities in this forum , FAX the information to 202-232-1297 or call 202-265-6900.

To receive a copy of Guyana Update send $5.00 to cover one year's postage to the address below.


Embassy of the Republic of Guyana

2490 Tracy Place NW

Washington DC 20008

202-265-6900/FAX 202-232-1297

(After hours and holidays, FAX 301-365-9467)