Cuba gives free eye surgery to Guyanese

Thirty seven of the 100 patients recently flown to Cuban to undergo optical surgery returned to Guyana on August 2 with vision much improved. The patients all expressed happiness with the results of their operations and gratitude to the Cuban Government and the Government of Guyana for making it possible for them to see better again.

Their arrival signaled the departure of another batch of patients for Cuba, some of whom revealed that they were a little apprehensive about undergoing surgery, but yet hopeful of seeing perfectly again.

The remaining patients, most of whom are children, are to undergo post surgery care very soon and will return to Guyana within a few days.

The initial group of 100 persons including children who are suffering from cataracts and other eye-related diseases left Guyana for Cuba on July 26 for free surgery. Those children aged 16 and under and elderly persons with very poor vision were accompanied by a relative.

The Cuban government sent an aeroplane and has provided the treatment, accommodation and meals.

The patients were also given Cdn$50 each by the Guyana Government to take care of their needs during their stay in Cuba.

Guyana gets further debt relief from OPEC Fund

Under the agreement reached on June 27-28 last, OPEC Fund will deliver its full share of the E-HIPC debt relief to Guyana (US$5.4 million in Net Present Value terms) by providing a new concessional loan in the amount of US$7.5 million and rescheduling the existing outstanding debt.

Further, the Government of Guyana would sign the proposed new loan agreement on the terms offered in 2002 on the condition that the new loan will be immediately rescheduled, after it has become effective.

The terms agreed for the rescheduling of loans were reduction of the interest rate from one percent to zero percent and for the maturity date of loans to be 25 years after the date of rescheduling.

Guyana will now have to sign a formal agreement with individual organisations to ensure that the debt relief is obtained.

Recently, Guyana benefited from debt write off from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) worth some US$336 million which will reduce the stock of international debt further. At the end of 2004 the external debt stood at US$1 billion, having decreased from US$2.1 billion in 1992.

Guyana ranks 8th worldwide for environmental sustainability

The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Guyana was among 146 countries, which included premier tourist destinations in North America, Europe and the Caribbean that were assessed. Finland was ranked first with 75.1 points followed by Norway with 73.1 points. Guyana followed closely at number eighth with 62.9 points.

The only two Caribbean countries in the ranking were Jamaica in the 109th position with a total of 44.7 points and Trinidad and Tobago at 139th with 36.3 points.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir sees this international exposure as auguring well for the local tourism drive.

“The assessment can have tremendous impact on Guyana’s tourism industry since the result can help to determine tourism trends in upcoming years.”

Minister Nadir further said, “This speaks volumes for the government’s efforts at ensuring that Guyana remains a pristine and sustainably managed country in terms of the environment.”

Guyana, India to strengthen direct investments

A visiting Indian delegation including representatives from the Indian Ministries of Legal Affairs, Finance and External Affairs met Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation officials on July 11 to discuss a draft agreement to promote and protect investments between India and Guyana.

Guyana’s team includes representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Legal Affairs, Privatisation Unit and the Geology and Mines Commission (GMC).

Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Mr. Clement Rohee, and High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Mr. Avinash Gupta, led their delegations.

Mr. Gupta said the proposed agreement has its genesis in President Bharrat Jagdeo’s visit to India in 2003, when he said the agreement was necessary to intensify economic cooperation and investment between the two countries.

He said the agreement will be based upon the recognition that the reciprocal encouragement, protection and promotion of investments will be conducive to stimulating the business initiatives of investors and the economic development of both states, thus creating favourable conditions for investors.

He added that his delegation’s presence in Guyana was yet another testimony to India’s willingness to cooperate, and he noted that although there is not much trade and investment between India and Guyana, the agreement is intended to bring positive interactions between the business communities of both countries.

Guyana lauds relations with Venezuela

That was the analysis of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds when he addressed a gathering in observance of the 194th Anniversary of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Prime Minister who was performing the duties as acting President said that “Guyana looks forward to working with Venezuela and other Caribbean States in realizing objective initiatives for the benefit of the entire region.”

Venezuelan Charge d’Affaires Fernando Rincon declared: “Guyana and Venezuela as neighbours, Caribbean and South American nations share the same commitments with the democratic values and are engaged in achieving the development that the people deserve.” He added that “the co-operation and integration is necessary in order to strengthen our capacity to confront the challenges in front of us that will put our countries into a path of sustained growth.”

Guyana currently enjoys trade relations with Venezuela mainly in the area of energy. Guyanese have also benefited from Venezuelan scholarships offered in the fields of Nautical Engineering and Farm Management.

About 230 students attend the Venezuelan Institute for Culture and Cooperation each term. They benefit not just by learning to speak Spanish, but forging a link of understanding between the two countries and peoples.

Guyana signs US$3.8M aid agreement with China

In addition, two notes of exchange were also signed. The first deals with the handing over to the Government of Guyana, the equipment at the Sanata Textile Mill, while the other is for a survey team to visit Guyana to conduct a feasibility study on the supply of new river ferries.

These agreements were signed by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manzoor Nadir, on behalf of the Government of Guyana and Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce, H.E Liao Xiaoqi, on behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

Two Memoranda of Understanding were also signed by the Prime Minister and the Chinese Private One for the establishment of an Economic Development Zone in Guyana and for petroleum exploration.

During the visit, the Chinese private sector showed strong interest in Guyana’s timber and bauxite, while indicating their desire to visit Guyana to transact business.

Several top executives from the Chinese private sector, representing hydro-electricity, furniture manufacturers, heavy equipment supplies, importers of Guyanese woods and other trading companies met with the Guyanese delegation.

EU-funded housing project takes shape

The tenders for the designs in the low-income housing programme that the European Union is funding will be ready by the end of August. Physical work on this project will commence early in 2006.

According to Ministry of Housing officials, the plan for the development of one area Belle West in Region Three is to begin by August. This project does not cater for the building of houses, but the development of low-cost housing areas.

The programme will also incorporate the regularisation of squatter settlements and this will start some time at the beginning of 2006. Surveys would have to be done in this regard.

The programme has also earmarked parts of Cummings Lodge and Sophia for regularisation and these comprise 1,650 lots.

The new schemes to be developed are Parfait Harmonie which will have 1,000 lots, Westminster with 1,000, Belle West with 1,000 and Plantation Glasgow in Region Six with 1,000.

EU provides over $3.6B for sea defence works

The signing of the sea defence contract coincides with the visit from Brussels of the EC's Director General for Europe Aid Cooperation Office, Koos Richelle, who noted that, “even the large sums of money that are committed on behalf of the European taxpayer are very limited in proportion to the whole sea defence system in Guyana, and the EC can only hope to meet the most urgent needs on a short to medium term basis.”

Richelle, on a two-day visit to Guyana, said on July 8 that he benefited from a first hand look at ongoing sea defence works in Region Three and applauded the efforts of the Guyana Government especially with relation to work done by the Flood Task Force in the wake of the January 2005 floods.

He stated that it was good to see Guyanese contractors involved in the works since this would go a long way in capacity building.

The EC is also currently clarifying, together with the national authorities, whether the sea defence programme of the 9th European Development Fund (EDF) could be extended to incorporate some of the long-term components of the drainage system as proposed by the Emergency Task Force.

This will be one of the issues to be looked into in context of the feasibility study for preparation of the next phase.

A study financed by the EC identified about four kilometres of sea defences in Regions Two and Three for rehabilitation, thereby extending the assistance of the EC in rehabilitation of Guyana 's sea defences through the 8th EDF also.

In addition, a separate programme started to address the implementation of institutional strengthening measures.

The EC has maintained that the truly sustainable solution will require taking a holistic look at the whole coastal area – not just civil engineering works, but also the maintaining of existing mangroves found along the coast.

Radiation therapy to be available soon

The disclosure came during the President's visit to Linden with members of his Cabinet in mid-July.

Touching on the cataract programmes, President Jagdeo said this is targeting 3000 operations this year.

“We feel that if we're going to achieve that target free of cost, which would make a great difference especially to the older folks, then we have to re-assess the programme.”

He added that an incentive regime had been added to the programme for doctors performing the operations. Once they reach the target, then greater incentives on their flat salary will be added.

Some $30 million has been allocated for the programme which also caters for 15,000 persons, particularly old folks and poor children who need spectacles.

He said doctors from Israel, China and India have been recruited to perform the cataract operations.

A cardiac programme will also be done with a group out of the USA and by the end of the year the programme should be up and running. However more work needs to be done on that and within a month arrangements should be finalised.

Lethem gets GSM cellular service

That commitment, he said in an address at the function at the Takutu Lodge, Lethem, was made to the International Telecommunication Union.

He said: “Companies like GT&T in developing countries have been challenged to reduce that digital divide. The digital divide exists, though, not only between the richer and poorer countries. It exists within countries, between urban and rural or remote communities. What we are witnessing here at Lethem, is a sincere attempt to reduce the digital divide within Guyana.”

The new GSM cellular service guarantees coverage of about six kilometres, but there are indications that the service is provided beyond that range. The current system has the capacity for about 1000 users.

The development, Singh said, will bring significant benefits to the area and beyond.

Community Policing Secretariat to be set up

She made this disclosure during an update on measures undertaken by government through the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For 2005, an annual subvention of $30 million has been allocated by President Bharrat Jagdeo to support these groups. Initially $15 million was set aside to help the groups.

According to the Home Affairs Minister, the Secretariat will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the necessary liaison among community policing groups, regional and national bodies, the Police Divisional Command structures, Police Headquarters and other executive entities.

Field officers from the secretariat will also be assigned to work with CPGs in the different police divisions.

At the launching of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan (2005-2009), President Bharrat Jagdeo announced the establishment of a new full-time community-based arm of the Guyana Police Force. According to Teixeira, Commanders from the various Divisions have indicated that they have received a number of applications since the advertisement has been published in the print media.

Construction of new Linden Hospital to begin by year-end

“By December 2006, Lindeners would have a brand new state-of-the-art hospital,” the Health Minister said.

The US$8 million Linden Hospital will be built adjoining the old Mackenzie Hospital Complex, in Watooka.

Louise Berger, the French company creating the design for the Berbice River Bridge, is the architectural firm for the hospital.

On July 16, President Bharrat Jagdeo, Dr. Ramsammy, Regional Chairman Mortimer Mingo and other officials inspected sites at Fair’s Rust, Amelia’s Ward and Watooka to determine the most suitable location for constructing the hospital.

School uniform programme to benefit thousands

Cabinet approved $40 million to implement the programme and Human Services Minister Bibi Shadick said her Ministry would soon be distributing the vouchers for the uniforms, valued at $1,500 each.

She indicated that $10 million of the sum allocated would be given to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to complete distribution in the regions which were not covered in 2004. The distribution of these vouchers will be done through the Difficult Circumstances Department of the Ministry.

In 2003, Cabinet approved $34 million to provide school uniforms for children whose parents are living under difficult circumstances. A total of 12,164 children benefited from this assistance in every region.

In 2004, Cabinet increased its allocation for the school uniform programme to $40 million of which $20 million was allocated to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to provide uniforms for the Amerindian children countrywide.

The other $20 million provided assistance to approximately 13,028 children in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Ten.

Over the years, government has been helping its citizens who are considered to be living under difficult circumstances in the form of technical, financial and other assistance.

Canadian mining company to expand operations in Region One

The company was granted permission for geological and geophysical surveys under Section 97 of the Mining act.

Strata Gold is already involved in prospecting activities in Tassawini, mining district five, under a large-scale prospecting licence. Over the next two years the company will be exploring an area covering one million acres and an additional US$2.5 million will be invested in its operations

Chief Executive Officer of Strata Gold, Terry Tucker, said the prospect for long-term mining in Guyana is encouraging.

Strata Gold Corporation is a Canadian-based exploration company set up 18 months ago by a number of companies and individuals. It focuses on the exploration for gold, diamond and other precious metals.

It currently provides employment for 50 Guyanese and this number is expected to increase with the expansion facilitated by the new licence.

Groundstar, Government sign petroleum agreement

President Bharrat Jagdeo and Groundstar President, Mr. Kam Fard, signed the agreement.

“The Government of Guyana welcomes this development since it directs exploration activity to the Takutu Basin in Guyana more than a decade after Guyana Hunt Oil Co. conducted petroleum operations and relinquished their licence,” the release said.

Groundstar Resources Inc. is a subsidiary of Groundstar Resources Ltd., which is a Calgary-based, junior oil and gas exploration and development company in pursuit of oil exploration and production opportunities in Guyana, Libya and other regions.

Groundstar has reviewed data from previous exploration efforts and believes that further analysis and geo-scientific work could reveal conditions which could yield commercial reserves of natural petroleum.

GPL signs $200M deal for Unserved Areas Electrification

Chief Executive Officer of the power company, Mr. Robin Singh, on July 15 affixed his signature to the documents with the local contractors – Mr. Lloyd Ross, Managing Director of Dynamic Engineering Company; Mr. Ishmael Bacchus, Managing Director of Power Line Construction Services; and Mr. Michael Cummings, Managing Director of Cummings Electrical Services.

Each company’s contract covers specific areas and is required to provide expertise, labour and equipment. However, the Implementation Unit of the UAEP will supply necessary materials such as poles, conductors, insulators, transformers and the wide assortment of electrical distribution hardware sourced from on and off shore companies.

Cummings Electrical Services will build new networks in unserved areas on the Essequibo Coast, East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara and West Bank Demerara.

Power Line Construction Services will build networks in those unserved areas in Sophia, Liliendaal, Pattensen, Turkeyen and Cummings Lodge on the upper East Coast Demerara and in East and West Berbice.

• A pre-nursing training programme launched by the Regional Democratic Council of Region One (Barima/ Waini) is slated for completion in early August. More than 30 young women and men drawn from the Mabaruma, Moruca and Matarkai sub-regions of Region One are participating in the programme, which began earlier this month at the North West Secondary School.

• Nineteen Americans will be dispatched soon in six of the ten Administrative Regions to teach in schools and other institutions. The young men and women were sworn-in as Volunteer Peace Corps by Deputy Chief of Mission of Peace Corps, Mr. Anthony Interlandi .They will teach Information Technology, Mathematics and Science in a number of primary and secondary schools and educational centres.

• A $592 million contract for the rehabilitation of roads at Rose Hall and Corriverton in Berbice was announced by the government on July 27. A contract of $96 million was also given by Cabinet for the printing of new primary school text books. Cabinet also cleared a contract of $24.7 million for the construction of a new police station at Diamond/Grove on the East Bank of Demerara. The contract will also facilitate the construction of a new police station at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice. Some $18.1 million will go to the Guyana Water Incorporated to facilitate the supply of service connections. And prisons across the country will benefit from a $158.1 million contract for building requirements and miscellaneous costs.

• Government is negotiating a US$10 million loan with the Inter-American Development Bank to fund the re-construction of the Black Bush Polder road. The road would be resurfaced with an asphalt layer. This was disclosed by President Bharrat Jagdeo while at Yakusari. He said in the interim, Government is spending $192 million to undertake repairs and maintenance works on the current road. He told residents that the road project is expected to materialise in the next three years.

• Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues said that she is pleased with the way hinterland students performed at this year’s Secondary Schools Entrance Examination, disclosing that 57 of the students have qualified for Government’s Hinterland Scholarship Programme. She said that this year’s figure represents a 30 percent increase over that of last year, which saw 43 students qualifying for the scholarships.

• The Guyana Prison Services has commenced a programme to elevate the literacy level of its inmates, as part of overall programmes aimed at rehabilitating the prison population for their return to society. On July 25 more than 20 prison officers and inmates commenced a five-day Literacy “Training for Trainers” workshop at the GPS Headquarters, Brickdam.

• Hundreds of residents of Kwakwani, Region 10, (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) recently benefited from a one-day medical outreach programme facilitated at the Kwakwani hospital. A team of four Cuban doctors, a technician, pharmacist and a paediatrician rendered services to residents of Kwakwani and surrounding areas.

• Thirty-five representatives from nine of the 10 Administrative Regions are currently participating in a training programme geared towards the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The representatives will be equipped with knowledge that will enable them to handle diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, in their respective regions.

• St. Cuthbert's Mission community could expect its first secondary school by March 2006. A $38.6 million contract for the school was signed. The St. Cuthbert's Secondary School will be built about three-quarters of a mile from the Mahaica Creek in the community. It will have a capacity for 350 children. The school will also have a library, multi-purpose labs, a food and nutrition room, a storeroom, and a sick bay. A playground will also be provided for the school.

• Ten United Nations volunteers are expected in Guyana by September 1, 2005 to further boost the capacity of the health sector. This is an initiative undertaken by United Nations and funded by the US Presidential Emergency HIV/AIDS Programme. The volunteers will be working in Guyana for three years and will be attached to public hospitals throughout the country.

• The Canadian company ND Lea has submitted the tender documents for the Berbice Floating Bridge and the process could begin shortly. The bridge would be a floating one which would start at D'Edward and pass through Crab Island to Number 19 Village in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

• Mrs. Gail Teixeira, currently Minister of Youth and Sports, has been appointed Minister of Home Affairs.

• Guyana was represented by Ambassador Odeen Ishmael at the summit of Heads of State and Government held in Panama City on July 30. The ambassador also represented Guyana on August 1-2 at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Community of South American Nations in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Credits: Stabroek News, Chronicle, Mirror, Kaieteur News, GINA

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael