President Bharrat Jagdeo said flood waters are receding, the conservancy level is stable, more than 50 pumps are up and running, people are returning home and health workers are examining thousand of persons.

These are some of the latest developments on the flood situation in the country the president reported to a press conference on January 27 at State House.

He has assured that there is no breach along the embankment of the East Demerara conservancy, as is being speculated in some quarters, reiterating that the incessant rainfall had caused overtopping and a huge built up of water in the backlands along the East Coast Demerara where the floods have taken its heaviest toll.

The President disclosed that some 150 persons packed sand bags to reinforce the embankment of the conservancy.

As regards the slow rate of the drop in water levels in some villages, he explained that the pumping capacity has been significantly boosted with 52 pumps along the East Coast Demerara but the deluge of water that has accumulated in the backlands because of the overtopping at the conservancy has to be cleared. In addition, he said seven kokers are in operation and work is being done on others to fix them.

The increase in the number of pumps in operation is due to the generosity of farmers and private individuals who have availed their pumps, and in some cases have left their families and are working round the clock to keep the pumps going.

Efforts are also being made to secure more pumps both from abroad and local individuals, the President indicated.

But, he bemoaned the vandalising of pumps in some areas, pointing out that two of them were vandalised in Buxton.

The President added that the national drainage system, with emphasis, on the East Coast Demerara may have to be redesigned, as it has been shown clearly that the present drainage system cannot handle such incidence of heavy rainfall.

The President commended the large number of volunteers and religious and other organisations for working together and making "unbelievable sacrifice" in the effort to provide relief to the victims of the floods and restore the situation to some degree of normalcy.

Engineers hold further flood consultations

Top government officials on February 1 held further consultations on the state of the flood. Minister of Agriculture, Satyadeo Sawh and Anthony Xavier, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics discussed several technical issues with engineers of several entities in Guyana. This meeting was held to further address the prevailing flood.

About twenty engineers attached to the River and Sea Defense Commission, Guyana National Drainage and Irrigation Board, Guysuco, Ministry of Transport and Hydraulics met at the Ministry of Agriculture for the meeting.

This consultation is an expansion of the collaborative effort that has been ongoing since the flood started in Guyana some three weeks ago.

Meanwhile, plans are on board to install a taskforce comprising foreign and local engineers to overhaul the drainage system of Guyana.

20,000 bed nets for pregnant women and children

Government through the Ministry of Health has purchased 20,000 mosquito nets to distribute to pregnant women and children under two, since they represent the most vulnerable section of the population.

“With the water receding, we now have to look at the mosquito problem and we have to put measures in place to control this,” said Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Health.

According to Minister Ramsammy, the focus is on reducing the spread of dengue and filarisis – two of the prevalent diseases along the coastal belt.

The bed nets are impregnated with a pesticide which kills mosquitoes when they come in contact with the nets. They were imported from Germany and the distribution will be done through the Maternal and Child Health Department.

Additionally, the Guyana Red Cross and United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will each be donating 10,000 mosquito nets, within another two weeks.

Animal-care continues on the East Coast of Demerara

Teams from the Ministry of Agriculture on February 1 continued visiting various areas on the East Coast of Demerara and other areas to take care of animals which have become ill or injured as a result of the flooding.

Technical Manager of Crops and Livestock in the Ministry, Michael Welsh, said that four teams, including veterinary assistants were recently mobilized and dispatched on the East Coast and the team have been working closely with the National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP).

He explained that the teams are ensuring that animals are being adequately supplied with nutrients either in the form of grass or vitamins, noting that ruminants must have some grass.

Several of the animals treated were either injured, suffering from nutritional deficiencies, itches, diarrhoea or other ailments.

Injured animals were given antibiotics for infection while weak ones were injected with vitamins and other supplements. Others were de-wormed.

Flood leaves social, economic impact -- Caricom Secretary General

Caricom Secretary General, Mr. Edwin Carrington said nothing could have prepared the region for the catastrophe in Guyana, which displaced many persons and left a dent in the social and economic status of the country. He said that the members of Caricom were not left out of the flooding as the secretariat was closed for one week.

Carrington’s comments after he handed over a supply of flood relief items to Commissioner the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Colonel Chabilall Ramsaroop.

The presentation was made after an emergency meeting with a high level team of regional officials to address the health situation in the country as a result of the severe flooding over the past 14 days.

Speaking to the media, Carrington said the supplies came from Trinidad and Tobago via a BWIA flight. According to Carrington "the region stands committed to a collective response to the flood situation in the country".

Mosquito eradication exercise starts -- house to house inspection

The Health Ministry’s Vector Control Services Department is currently conducting house-to-house inspection and treatment with abate granules to eradicate mosquito larvae.

According to an advisory from the Health Ministry, the exercise is one of the measures aimed at reducing the risk of mosquito-borne and other vector-borne diseased.

The teams will be looking for containers which are reservoirs for breeding mosquitoes, it added, noting that containers storing water must be properly covered to avoid breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Residents are being advised to get rid of all unwanted containers, coconut shells, tins, tyres and bushes, the advisory said noting that garbage and unwanted receptacles should also be disposed of properly.

According to the advisory, inspection and treatment exercise has begun in Charlestown and will move to other parts of Georgetown and the East Coast, depending on rain and the receding of water in those areas.

Venezuela sends food, water, medicine, US$300,000

Venezuela sent food, water, medicine and US$300,000 to Guyana on January 26 as part of an effort to help Guyana recover from the devastating flood, an official said.

Antonio Rivero, Director of Venezuela's Civilian Protection Agency, said the relief supplies were flown to Georgetown in military planes. The government also plans to send engineers, doctors and rescue workers to Guyana, he added. A team of doctors and engineers from Venezuela also arrived in Guyana in January 26 for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation to determine what further assistance can be rendered.

Guyana appealed for international aid, after flooding caused by the worst rains in a century, killed at least six people and displaced thousands. Guyana President Bharrat Jagdeo complained that most international aid agencies and donors have been sending assessment teams before approving aid, forcing officials to use scarce local resources.

Jagdeo said the floods have affected more than half the population of 750,000.

Cuban team to boost medical response

A 40-member team of Cuban doctors and technicians arrived in Guyana on February 1 to boost the work started by local and other health officials to contain the outbreak of diseases following widespread floods in several parts of the coast.

It is the government’s hope that with the arrival of the 29 doctors and 11 technical officials from Cuba coupled with the allocation of some $G85 million, its massive medical response to the flood disaster will be strengthened.

The money represents part of the international flood assistance the government has so far received. Flood assistance in cash and material stands at an estimated US$1.6M.

The relief effort is to benefit from £365,000 from the British Department of International Development (DFID). Of that figure, £50,000 has been allocated to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO); £80,000 to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and £120,000 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) whose team should be in Guyana in early February.

Brazil donates medical supplies

The second shipment of humanitarian aid from neighbouring Brazil for flood-hit communities arrived on January 24.

The Brazilian embassy in Guyana said the shipment comprised 16,000 half-litre bottles of mineral water and eight tonnes of medical supplies including oral suspension tablets, injections, antiseptic and creams and ointments for bacterial infections.

The items were transported by a Brazilian military C-130 plane which landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on January 24.

On January 20, the first shipment of 16 tonnes of dry rations from Brazil arrived in Guyana. That shipment was distributed on January 24.

Meanwhile, Brazilians residing in Guyana have pooled their resources and will be donating 2.5 tonnes of food, water, hygienic products and clothing to the Guyana Relief Council at the embassy in Georgetown.

Cash crop farmers find export markets

Several cash crop farmers in two West Coast Berbice villages are cashing in on the export markets for water melons and the popular “heatmaster” tomatoes.

Farmers in Bath Settlement and Cotton Tree are already earning much from their produce, while other West Berbice farmers are preparing to take advantage of the trade.

Some other farmers have recently agreed to supply hot peppers to buyers in Canada and are awaiting contract documents and seeds to begin this venture.

Officials said the export market for vegetables and other farm produce had improved since Guyana was certified free of the pink mealy bug two years ago.

More potential foreign buyers have been visiting West Berbice farms to see for themselves conditions under which the desired produce are grown.

The items in demand include hot peppers, tomatoes, water melons, bora and celery with the main destinations being Barbados and Antigua.

Economy grew in first half of 2004 -- Bank of Guyana reports

Forestry, agriculture, and gold output increased in the first half of 2004 compared with the corresponding period in 2003, the Bank of Guyana has reported.

This has translated into increased revenue collection and a 0.8 percent growth of the economy.

Inflation for the period was 3.6 percent, a reduction from 3.7 percent recorded in 2003. This figure raises hope of Guyana falling within the 4.5 percent inflation rate projected for 2004.

The overall performance of the balance of payment improved as the overall deficit reduced to US$10.6 million from US$19.6 million a year ago.

This was due mainly to significant increases in revenue from the major export categories, especially for gold and rice, the report noted.

As a result of increased export earnings the trade deficit decreased to US$22.7 million from US$54.5 million at the end of June 2003. Total export increased by 18.1 percent over the corresponding period in 2003.

Export volumes of rice increased by a remarkable 67.6 percent over the corresponding period in 2003 to reach 134,757 tonnes.

The Ministry of Agriculture projects that rice exports for 2004 will surpass those of 2003 by approximately 35,000 tonnes. Export earnings of sugar and bauxite also increased by 3.3 and 4.2 percent respectively.

Forestry output amounted to 337,516 cubic tonnes, 25 percent higher than last year.

Gold declaration was 11.9 percent higher than the corresponding period in 2004.

The manufacturing and services sectors recorded marginal growth in output while rice and sugar overall production declined.

Earnings of gold increased to US$75.2 million, 31.2 percent over the corresponding period in 2003. Gold production increased by more than 15,000 ounces.

The result of this improved performance of the economy resulted in a 19.1 percent increase in current revenue to G$26.1 billion and the Guyana Revenue Authority receipts increased by 17.9 percent to G$13.21 billion. This performance was mainly due to increased revenue collection from companies.

Meanwhile, the stock of external debt decreased by 18.1 per cent to US$1 billion due mainly to debt forgiveness received under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC).

As a result, debt service payment decreased by 28.1 percent, the report noted.

Rice, sugar output on the rise

The sugar and rice sectors performed creditably during last year, increasing production significantly over 2003 despite several constraints, acting Agricultural Minister, Mr. Satyadeow Sawh, reported on January 6.

At a news conference, he underscored the importance of the agriculture sector to the local economy, acknowledging that is the largest employer in Guyana.

However, he conceded that despite the good performance of the sector there is scope for improvement in all areas of agricultural production.

Financial Director and acting Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco), Paul Bhim, said that in the face of the challenge to the sugar industry from proposed changes in the European Union (EU) sugar regime, the corporation has been taking countermeasures.

It is in the process of formulating further plans to cushion the likely impact on the local sugar industry, he told reporters.

While the final figures have not been arrived at, the preliminary assessment is that the corporation will record a profit for last year, unlike 2003. This situation has been helped by the appreciation of the Euro against the US dollar.

Under the agricultural improvement plan, Guysuco has taken steps to increase productivity and reduce the cost of production. Sugar production for 2004 was 324,940 tonnes, the highest since 1990.

Sugar exports increased by 3 percent with exports to the EU reached 181,000 tonnes while the US imported 80,000 tonnes. Trinidad and Tobago was the largest buyer in the Caribbean, importing some 50,000 tonnes.

However, the profitability of the corporation was hampered to some extent by increased shipping freight costs which amounted to more than $700 million, as well as increased fuel costs.

Several rehab programmes for prisoners in full swing

In an effort to fulfil its statutory responsibility for retraining prisoners for re-integration into society, the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) has several rehabilitative programmes on stream for 2005.

The sex offenders' programme, designed for convicted and remand prisoners whose crimes include rape, incest and molestation, will continue this year said Deputy Director of Prisons Poshanand Tahal.

This programme has been successful in making prisoners aware of their problems and letting them address their behavioural patterns. More than 50 inmates were involved in the programme last year.

An educational programme on HIV/AIDS is underway at the Georgetown Prison and an advanced programme is being planned. The programme is conducted by Nemesis Association, a non-governmental organisation.

A new initiative introduced late December was photography. “Many of the inmates have shown great interest and this will becomes one of our regular programmes for 2005,” said Tahal.

He is also requesting the help of Guyanese who are willing to volunteer their time in assisting inmates in literacy and technical vocational skills.

Oil search talks advance

Canadian-based CGX Energy Inc. is optimistic about deposits of oil offshore as the firm prepares to drill in onshore blocks in Berbice, a top company official said on January 12.

The offshore Georgetown block “has a lot of promise” CGX Director Denis Clement announced at a reception hosted by Canadian High Commissioner here Bruno Picard at his city residence.

CGX two years ago acquired the Italian-based AGIP’s 25 percent interest in the offshore Georgetown licence, where the other 75 percent is held by REPSOL, the major Spanish oil firm.

CGX and REPSOL officials have been in Guyana for scheduled meetings with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) on the Georgetown licence and Mr. Picard hailed the longstanding relationship between CGX and Guyana and REPSOL and CGX.

REPSOL is the main oil firm in Spain and one of the largest multinationals in the industry and the Director of its Caribbean unit, Mr. Valentin Alvarez, flew here for the talks.

More focus on malaria programme in 2005

Government this year will place more focus on malaria programmes in hinterland areas.

According to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy all malaria programmes will be integrated into the Regional Health programme.

He said, presently there is a team from the Ministry in Region 9 which is looking into problems residents are facing there.

They would also be integrating the malaria programme with the other programmes and treatments provided to residents of the region.

He said treatment and diagnosis would be done at the local level.

Malaria drugs can be deceptive, because after a few days the patient begins to feel much better, but treatment has to run its course.

Therefore, in an effort to have an effective malaria plan, the Ministry of Health will embark shortly on continuous training for community health workers and will send in periodically, vector control workers to assist them. This is part of the National Malaria Policy. A new drug – Coartem, was recently introduced in Georgetown and in Region One.

Through the World Health Organisation, Guyana is among the first countries to benefit from a special programme offering this new and effective drug for just US$2.40 per treatment, instead of US$55, which is the actual cost.

Coartem has a 95 percent success record, and it destroys the malaria parasite in 48 hours.

Red Cross US$2M action plan for flood victims

The massive government-led flood emergency programme received a major boost on January 25 with the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) announcing a US$2M plan of action to provide relief to 6,000 families or 30,000 persons who are most vulnerable.

Mr. John Fleming, Regional Health Delegate of the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), said the plan of action caters for assistance during the current flooding and its aftermath for six months.

The focus is on providing emergency food and non-food items, health care and psychosocial support, he said

Following the identification of the worst-affected communities, beneficiaries will be selected and registration of 12,000 food parcels in two distributions will be done.

Some 1,000 kitchen sets, 5,000 blankets for 1,000 families, 12,000 bed sheets and 26 rolls of plastic sheeting will also be distributed, he told a news conference in Georgetown.

Fleming said he was concerned that raw sewage has contaminated the water supply in flood-hit communities as a result of burst sewage mains. He said there are fears that an outbreak of diarrhoeal diseases, cholera and vomiting may occur.

The Red Cross plan covers a water quality surveillance exercise in coordination with Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Health Ministry and other related agencies, he said.

Sugar lobbying Mission moves to Europe

Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee was part of a team from African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States that lobbied countries in the European Union to re-consider the proposed sugar reform.

Minister Rohee joined his colleagues from Jamaica, Belize, Zambia, Mauritius, Swaziland and Fiji to be part of the third phase of the lobbying mission.

The aim of the mission was to get the ACP message across, to countries with a pre-disposition to listen, that the sugar reform proposal could destroy the economies of ACP sugar producing states. The team visited Finland, Hungary, Italy, France and Spain.

Last year, the European Union Commission announced a proposal to reform the Sugar regime. If implemented, it would have a devastating impact on the economies of ACP sugar producing States.

Continuing expansion in Housing

Government has prepared the groundwork for the acceleration of housing development and Minister of Housing & Water Shaik Baksh emphasized that infrastructural development has been a high point for his Ministry in 2004.

He said that the Ministry has spent all of the $200 million allocated to it in last year’s national budget on developmental projects.

Residents in housing areas across Guyana have benefited from basic infrastructural works including drainage, road works and the supply of potable water. Phase 1 of the Government of Guyana/Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Low Income Settlement (LIS) programme has also been completed making way for Phase 2 to begin shortly. Diamond, Tuschen and Grove are among the communities that have benefited under Phase 1.

The Government of Guyana/European Union’s programme to provide basic infrastructure for communities that do not fall in the LIS programme will begin this month. Some of the communities expected to benefit are Belle West, Parfait, Cummings Park, Section D Sophia and Cummings Lodge Area Y. Minister Baksh said that the objective is to complete basic infrastructure work in all new housing areas. However, the electrification will be a big focus for the Ministry this year.

He stated that the Government has established over 100 housing schemes over the past year. Since 1992, the private sector also established more than 100 schemes.

Minister Baksh believes that Guyana is experiencing a housing explosion because Government has created the facilitating environment for growth in the sector.

Last year 4,917 house lots were distributed and 5,003 land titles were issued. The target for the issuance of house-lots this year is 8,000 to10,000.

Private developers have built approximately 300 houses in housing areas across Guyana.

Ambitious Skeldon sugar estate project launched

The project for the ambitious state-of-the art 110,000-ton sugar factory at Skeldon was formally launched on January 28 at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.

The factory, which is being constructed with the assistance of the Government of China, is scheduled for completion by October 2007.

Once completed, the facility which will have a co-generation element, will allow the cost of production to be reduced to some 8 US cents per pound from around 16-17 US cents.

Launching the over US$100 million project, Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) Chairman Ronald Alli said the agricultural expansion project which started in 2000 and which now moves into top gear will see equipment orders totalling some US$3 million placed with local companies being delivered on shortly.

"When completed the cane production area for the new factory will cover 13,000 hectares of which approximately 25 percent will be from private farmers. The total cane production area will be three times larger than the existing estate", Alli said.

• Queen Elizabeth II has sent a message of sympathy to President Bharrat Jagdeo on the flood disaster. She said: "I was saddened to learn of the damage and destruction caused by the recent severe flooding in Guyana. Please convey my deepest sympathy to all those who have suffered loss and damage in this disaster.”

• Newly accredited Japanese ambassador to Guyana , Yasuo Matusi, handed over close to US$120,000 worth in emergency supplies to the Civil Defence Commission. The items include 30 generators, 30 cord reels, 30 3000-litre water tanks, 900 portable jerry cans and 900 sleeping mats.

• The British High Commission has donated G$1,769,013 to the Guyana Red Cross Society to assist in its urgent work with flood victims. The money will be spent on immediate relief items including food. This is in addition to the previously announced G$30M donation from the British Government to the people of Guyana.

• Government plans to train 500 additional nurses for the health sector this year. They will be among the hundreds of other health personnel who will be trained to boost the health sector. There are also plans this year to train an additional 50 Medexes to add to the 26 who were trained in 2004.

• The Ministry of Health's $50 million eye-care programme has been extended to senior citizens in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). The “save the sight initiative” eye-care programme has so far benefited more than 1,000 senior citizens from communities across the country. At the end of the exercise, some 650 persons will have benefited from the programme

• Sophia is one step closer to housing its independent police station. Phase One of the Sophia Police Station, D Field Sophia has been completed. This includes the foundation and part of the fence.

• The Ministry of Education on February 1 received the keys to the building which will house the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, an annexe of the Government Technical Institute in Georgetown (GTI). The Centre is located at Skeldon in Corriverton.

• Rehabilitation works on several streets in the city and its environs that were damaged during the recent flooding will begin soon. Large holes have opened on several roads including Church Street, Waterloo Street, Regent Street and sections of Orange Walk which had been repaired prior to the flooding.

• A four-day course in using satellite imagery for mapping purposes opened on February 1 at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) office. The course is being conducted by Guyanese-born Canadian, Dr. Vernon Singhroy of the International Space University.

• Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) on January 6 announced that the cement terminal being built at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) site in Georgetown should be completed by mid-year.

• The Director of the Organisation of American States office in Guyana, Dennis Moses, handed over US$15,000 to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) on February 1 as a contribution by the hemispheric organisation to assist in flood relief.

• The United States has donated US$1 million in cash and items to date, to aid in the flood relief efforts locally. At a media conference hosted by the US Ambassador to Guyana, Roland Bullen, it was noted that though the US has not been in the forefront of the relief efforts, the country has been actively involved and has made significant contributions to the initiative.

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

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael