"On this important occasion, I publicly recommit my Government to the vision of a modern nation, built on solid and tested democratic values and principles."

This was the challenge by President Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday evening during his address to the large crowd at the National Park to mark Guyana's 39th Independence Anniversary. Guyana gained its independence from Britain in May 1966.

The event was also attended by First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, Minister Gail Teixeira and other Ministers of Government and Government Officials, special invited guests and members of the Diplomatic Corps among others.

The programme included among other displays, a colourful cultural presentation which included cultural music, displays by dancers, renditions of national songs, and drum-beating performances by members of the Joint Services and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead and the display of colourful fireworks sponsored by CLICO were also among the items on the agenda.

Some described the event as a mixture of pomp, splendour and seriousness as the President recalled during his address, the recent flood the country experienced.

The crowd cheered when President Jagdeo noted that Guyanese should be praised for their efforts during the country's worst natural disaster.

"My fellow Guyanese, our future is pregnant with hope. The January-February flood demonstrated the capacity of our people for resilience, stout-heartedness, imagination, innovation and planning, in responding to a national crisis. Their efforts deserve our loudest praise," the Head of State said.

President Jagdeo said that the time is opportune for Guyanese to reflect, however briefly, on how far "we have travelled since Guyana attained that most important water-shed in its history and to envisage where the journey is taking us'.

He further recalled that 39 years ago when the Union Jack (Britain's flag) was lowered and the Golden Arrowhead hoisted, that "we were determined to transform", according to Martin Carter, "the dark hut in the shadow" into a modern place. We recognized the diversity of our ethnic strains, but pledged to create out of that diversity, "one land of six peoples/ united and free."

President Jagdeo contended that he is quite clear where the journey of "our beloved country must take us" and emphasised that "in the years ahead of us, our national project must be the modernisation of our country".

He pointed out that modernization of Guyana would include a number of things.

"Ours is the task of continuing to enlarge on the openness and freedom of our burgeoning democratic society. We insist that freedom and respect for human rights must be the foundation of modern Guyana, including respect for women, indigenous Guyanese and religious communities. Because modernization is as much about the values we cherish, as it is about the efforts we put into creating and distributing wealth, we must encourage the development of a culture that values openness, honesty, and transparency, freedom and responsibility."

The President said that the participation of all Guyanese groups with the partnership of the Ethnic Relations Commission, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO's), churches, mandirs and mosques is necessary in the promotion of a greater national social cohesiveness.

However, he pointed out that though Government's projects and programmes in Education and Health, Housing and Water, Poverty Reduction, Road building and electricity augur well for a modern society, Guyana still has a long road to travel and there are still "many social ills to tackle".

He added, "One of the planks of the platform of modernization must be a cheap, reliable supply of electricity," which he contended as being "as indispensable for the development of industries, as it is for the lifting of an economic burden that squats on the shoulders of our nation like an albatross".

He stated that imports of fossil fuel consume 25 percent of Guyana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), or some US $180 million annually. This, he said, places a burden on consumers and has negative implications for our balance of payment, even as it puts pressure on our foreign exchange rate.

The President assured Guyanese that his Government "is actively pursuing projects that will hopefully result in our obtaining reliable electricity at a cheaper cost".

"We are exploring the possibility of obtaining wind-generated power, and we are working with potential investors in the area of hydro-electricity."

He also noted Government's efforts to better equip the Guyana Police Force and its development of 'a responsible network of community-policing groups to "ensure that conditions are conducive to human safety and security". Additionally, he mentioned the importance of securing the country's borders and Guyana's efforts to maintain friendly and cordial ties with its neighbours.

Many described this year's Independence celebration as well organized and graced with true Guyanese splendour.

Indian parliamentarians visit Guyana

A 13-man Indian parliamentary delegation, headed by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Urban Development, Ghulam Nabi Azad visited Guyana from May 31 to June 2.

According to Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Avinash Gupta, the visit by the parliamentarians was a goodwill gesture aimed at forging a closer relationship between the people of India and Guyana, as well as with the political leadership.

The visit was the first by an Indian parliamentary delegation to Guyana.

During their stay, they met President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation and acting Foreign Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Reepu Daman Persaud, and the Leader of the Opposition and People's National Congress/Reform, Robert Corbin.

They also visited the site of the new cricket stadium which is funded by the Indian government.

Guyana to benefit from increased assistance from Canada

Guyana has been selected as the only Caribbean State, among 25 other countries to benefit from increased assistance from the Canadian Government. This was disclosed by Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Bruno Picard.

High Commissioner Picard said this has been included in the International Policy Statement, which defines the role that Canada wants to play in the world. While the Canadian Government has identified their relationship with the United States as priority, the Government has decided to concentrate two-thirds of its bilateral assistance to 25 other countries.

Through partnership with these countries, focus would be placed on areas such as macro-economic, governance and other issues, which Canada has been aiding over the years, including health and education, said the High Commissioner.

The envoy said great partnership exists between Guyana and Canada, which could improve and strengthen further relationships.

This notion of partnership between the two countries was displayed on May 30 when Guyana's Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier and High Commissioner Picard signed the first bilateral agreement on air transport between Guyana and Canada.

The agreement enables the airlines of Canada and Guyana to operate scheduled direct air services between the two countries. Each country may allocate, to its designated airlines, a total of four flights per week for passenger services and three flights per week for cargo services.

The agreement allows Canadian airlines the right to serve Georgetown and Guyanese airlines to serve Hamilton, Ontario.

The agreement would be in operation over the next month and according to High Commissioner Picard, it is expected that over the next year, the partnership would be further developed.

Following agreeable negotiations, there is now a designated Carrier- Universal Airlines - which will fly from Georgetown to Hamilton, and Canadian Carrier from Canada to Georgetown.

Roundtable on "sugar in Guyana"

A roundtable discussion on "Sugar in Guyana - Challenges and Transformation", organised by the Guyana diplomatic mission in Brussels, has resulted in the formation of a working group to advance ideas for action, including mobilisation of resources.

The objective was to review the future of sugar in changing global trade and specific implications of the proposed prices reduction by the European Union for sugar exported to Europe within the framework of arrangements with the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries.

Guyana's ambassador to Europe, based in Brussels, Dr. P. I. Gomes, explained that the informal roundtable was an initiative organised by the embassy and involved key personnel of international agencies who share the concerns of Guyana and its Caribbean sugar exporting partners in coming negotiations.

Among the participants were the Director of European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), Dr. Paul Engel; the Guyana Desk Officer in the Directorate for Development in the European Commission, Bass Van Helden; Dr. C. Kohlmeyer of Germany's Ministry for Food Policy and Agricultural Development; Mr. Barry Newton, Chairman of Belize Sugar Industries, Mr. David Clark of Czarnikow, International Sugar Brokers and Mr. Tim Green of Britain's Department for International Development (DIFID).

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is to be approached for a technical cooperation project - one of the objectives to be pursued by the working group that is to liaise with, among others, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) and the Guyana Ministry of Agriculture.

Proposals that emerged from the roundtable discussion include the expansion of socio-economic benefits to the rural sector by diversified enterprises and value-added measures from cane-farming.

WHO chooses Guyana for special health programmes

Guyana has been chosen as one of the priority countries for implementation of specific health programmes of the European Union/World Health Organisation EU/WHO Strategic Partnership on Millennium Development Goals (MDG's).

Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, recently back from the World Health Assembly in Geneva, said that this decision was made at that forum.

Among the eight other countries chosen are Haiti, Tanzania, Kenya and Angola.

The Minister explained that the EU/WHO developed a partnership aimed at providing surveillance and strengthening programmes in specific countries that seek to combat Malaria, Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Safe Motherhood and childhood are also priority areas of concern for the EU/WHO partnership programme which is being facilitated through the injection of some 25 million Euros from the European Union.

Minister Ramsammy said the criterion that assisted Guyana in becoming one of the countries to implement this first phase of the programme was its strong immunization, HIV and malaria programmes.

Childhood illness programme

Health workers across the country are now benefiting from an Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) training programme now ongoing at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Region Three.

Following an evaluation workshop for Regional Health Officers and Programme Heads the decision was taken for focus to be placed on infant mortality, morbidity and safe motherhood this year.

The programme, which was launched on May 30, is a collaborative effort between the Government of Guyana, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The aim of the training is to reduce infant mortality rate by recognizing early signs of illness. The programme is expected to be completed in early June.

It will enable the health workers to better manage children with communicable diseases such as Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI), diarrhoea, malnutrition, anaemia, identification of HIV/AIDS and recognition of malaria.

Upon completion of the programme the doctors and health professionals will have to undergo clinical sessions at the WDRH before returning to their respective regions.

There are 30 doctors and health workers, including two doctors from Suriname, who are participating in the training programme.

Medical outreaches continue country-wide

The Ministry of Health continues to coordinate medical outreach exercises countrywide, in an effort to target residents who cannot easily access medical services. Hundreds of Guyanese benefit from free medical services offered during these exercises.

Recently, a team headed by Coordinator of the Coastland Communities Regional Health Services, Harrichand Ramu, was at Unity health centre, East Coast Demerara, where 191 persons were examined and treated, mainly for skin diseases and respiratory infections. The residents were drawn from several surrounding communities in the Mahaica area.

"The aim of such an exercise is to help persons where there is no Medex stationed at the health centre," said Ramu.

He also acknowledged the support given by officials of the British organization (OXFAM) who provided transportation for the medical team.

Meanwhile, in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), a team headed by Patricia Singh also visited eight villags to assess their medical needs. The villages visited were Awaruwaunau, Maruranau, Parishara, Nappi, Wowetta, Rupertee, Aranaputa and Toka.

Guyana/Venezuela in discussion for Caracas Energy Accord

A Venezuelan delegation paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on May 19. The team consisted of the Venezuelan Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Delcy Rodriguez, Director General of Hydrocarbons in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Ivan Orellana and other officials.

The Prime Minister held meetings with the team to discuss the way forward for the Caracas Energy Accord.

Under the Accord, countries can purchase oil supplies on concessional terms. It provides a range of prices for financing long-term, low-interest loans to each country, based on the amount of oil purchased.

The value of the loan amount ranges from 10 to 25 per cent of the amount paid for the oil, with a one-year grace period and repayments extending over 15 years.

The rates that had been offered were judged to be not sufficiently concessional for Guyana, according to the stipulations of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and do not meet the commitments of the country's status as a Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

The Government of Guyana has been negotiating with the Venezuelan Government for a better rate under the agreement.

Oil drilling starts

Drilling for oil began at Yakusari, Black Bush Polder in Berbice on May 26. After a long delay caused by rig scarcity and other factors, Toronto-based CGX Energy Inc. and its Guyanese subsidiary ON Energy Inc. have set up a drilling rig at Yakusari, part of the onshore exploration concessions in Berbice.

ON Energy Director, Dr Edris Dookie, said that Yakusari was one of the top drill prospects out of 20 areas identified after seismic and geochemical surveys. The other three sites identified for the exploration programme there are Palmyra, Albion and Hermitage.

Head of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission Mr Robeson Benn and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds were at Yakusari for the start of the drilling.

Benn was hopeful that the four-hole exploration would be successful since the country's energy costs formed a high part of its import bill. He said the discovery of oil could lead to the development of a petroleum industry in Guyana that would contribute significantly to the economy.

ON Energy, a 62 percent subsidiary of CGX, holds exploration licences covering about 800,000 acres (296,300 hectatres) onshore Guyana.

CGX Energy is a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration for oil in the Guyana.

Indian firm to spur "IT revolution" in Caricom

A leading Indian Information Technology (IT) company has promised to use its expertise to help revolutionise and bring IT closer to the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

At the official launch of the project, Mr. Jagtar Singh of the Tata Infotech Limited - the company contracted to execute the computerisation of the new Caricom Headquarters at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara - said it is part of the further deepening of interaction and economic between India and CARICOM.

"Together with Caricom we will work to create an IT revolution in the Caribbean," Singh declared, adding that his company will also work towards bringing the IT technology closer to the people.

According to Singh, the state-of-the-art computer system that will be installed will be a network with security features, back-up power supply, cordless connections and an additional system (InfoKiosk) which will link the 15 Caricom member-states to the network so that information pertaining to Caricom in any country can be downloaded and/or disseminated.

The project is being funded through a US$1.3 million grant by the Indian Government and is scheduled to be completed by July 30 this year. By that date, the entire staff of the Caricom Secretariat is expected to move into the new Headquarters. The staff members have been housed in several locations in Georgetown since the establishment of the Caricom Secretariat in Guyana.

New Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges commissioned

The new Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges were officially opened to traffic on May 26 by President Bharrat Jagdeo. Each bridge was built at a cost of US$3.5 million.

The Mahaica bridge stretches 440 feet over the Mahaica River, replacing the old railway bridge, which was shunted some 50 feet away and will be restored as a heritage site. The new bridge arches at a height of seven feet above the mean high-water level in the river.

The new Mahaicony bridge, which is 450 feet in length, is located immediately north of the old existing bridge.

The Mahaica and Mahaicony bridges, along with several smaller ones along the coast, were constructed under a US$22M bridges programme funded by the Government through a loan obtained from the Inter-American-Development Bank (IDB).

Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Anthony Xavier, said the completion of the bridges was a testament to what can be done with the determined application of the will of the Government in bettering the life of Guyanese.

He noted that on March 18, 1998, the Guyana Government secured a loan from the IDB for construction of culverts and bridges stretching from Timehri on the East Bank of Demerara, to Rosignol in Berbice, under a programme called the Bridges Rehabilitation Project.

The scope of work included the replacement of 32 bridges and 50 culverts from Timehri to Rosignol and the construction of the two pre-stressed concrete bridges across the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers.

Ethnic Relations Commission expands range of investigations

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has undertaken to broaden the spectrum of inquiries under its current mandate. According to the Commission's chairman, Bishop Juan Edghill, the focus has so far been on employment practices, awarding of scholarships and land distribution. The Commission will now be extending its focus to the public tendering process, contracts and procurement.

Edghill noted that investigations have so far been confined to the public sector and included inquiries into a profusion of ministries and government institutions. He added that to date no proven case of ethnic prejudice has been discovered.

According to Edghill, most of the issues surfaced were simple matters, which could be addressed by trade unions. These bodies, he said, should be more proactive about the defence of their workers. He revealed he received a plethora of complaints from employees about union representatives who come only when elections are due.

In addition, the Commission will be commencing inquiries within the private sector beginning with commercial banks. The Commission plans to examine the process by which persons gain economic access as well as employment within the banking sector.

Govt continues to subsidise Linden power company

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on June 1 visited the Omai Services Incorporated (OSI) in Linden, which has taken over power generation in the mining town.

He held discussions with all stakeholders involved to ensure that the transition from the previous power company would be a smooth one. The Linden Power Company (LPC) had been responsible for supplying power for several years while electricity distribution and revenue collection was managed by Linden Electricity Company LEC).

Prime Minister Hinds mentioned that under the current system, government has been subsidizing the community's electricity consumption at a cost of some 100 million dollars monthly. He added that he was satisfied with OSI's generation capacity and its operating component. The company currently produces eight megawatts of power, which according to OSI's Human Resources Manager Norman Mc Lean, is adequate to supply the entire town. He added that the Company has a reserve capacity of 2.4 megawatts, which can be utilized during maintenance or emergency work on the plant. McLean said that the company would soon be moving away from diesel generating sets to an alternative method of power generation, which will reduce the cost of production.

DDL launches El Dorado rum in China

Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) has launched its award winning El Dorado Rum on the Chinese Market. The first batch of El Dorado for this market was shipped to China in November and launched this year, as DDL seeks to woo consumers in the large Chinese market to the world's finest spirits.

DDL stated recently that international sales of the Award-Winning El Dorado Brand have increased significantly. Company Chairman Yesu Persaud said that "the increased performance of the brand confirms the company's strategic direction to diversify local operations and to vigorously pursue the international expansion of our El Dorado and other brands".

The El Dorado 5 Year Old Rum, now available in China, is distilled, aged and blended in Guyana, and is bottled in China using packaging material produced in China. The packaging of El Dorado was specifically designed to appeal to the Chinese consumer.

El Dorado Rum has already developed new markets in Mexico, Russia and the Middle East.

Higher Education Director for Ministry

Cabinet has given approval for the Ministry of Education to hire a Director of Higher Education, according to a release from the Ministry.

The candidate will be responsible for the strategic planning and development of Higher Education research and will have advisory powers throughout the tertiary education sector.

In addition, the Director will advise on the funding for all tertiary level institutions.

Other responsibilities will include coordinating the functions of the University of Guyana and the Cyril Potter College of Education, the Guyana School, and advise the Minister of Agriculture, all Government Technical Institutions and the National Accreditation Council.

The Director will also of Education on education policies, practices and procedures; development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the national work programme.

Multi-million dollar sea defence for Regions Two & Three

A multi-million dollar sea defence project to be funded by the European Union (EU) is currently engaging Cabinet's attention.

The US$18 million project would entail the construction of sea defence structures in Region Two Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara).

This project is a component of the eighth programme funded by the EU at a cost of 19 million Euros.

The ninth European Union (EU) sea defence programme, "Institutional Capacity Building on Guyana Sea Defences" (ICBA) is expected to start in July, after the feasibility studies which are scheduled to commence shortly, are completed.

This component of ICBA would be executed at a cost of 20 million Euros. The programme includes a series of research and presentations based on the integrity of the country's sea defence structures and the construction of sea defence in areas yet to be identified.

Guyana has over the years benefited from a number of EU funded projects.

Solar kiln drying project launched at UG

A Solar Kiln Drying Research Project has been launched by the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Guyana (UG) aimed at improving the quality of timber and value-added timber products in Guyana.

According to Mr. Lawrence Lewis, lecturer in the Agriculture and Forestry Faculty who heads the research project, the study will inform the furniture manufacturing sector and investors in the use of this important tool, thereby increasing the competitiveness of both small and large scale furniture makers.

He said that the regional and other markets demand a moisture content in woods of about 8 to 12 percent, and in order for Guyanese manufacturers to compete effectively, they will have to meet those requirements.

• The Guyana Professional Counselling Association and Psychotherapy has been formed and was registered under the Friendly Society Act of Guyana on May 24, 2005. The professional counselling association will ensure that counsellors practising in Guyana are adhering to a code of ethics and are continuously building on their knowledge in counselling with effective skills.

•  President Bharrat Jagdeo during his recent trip to Moruca, Region One, (Barima/Waini) commissioned the San Jose bridge. The bridge was built at a cost of G$11.3 million.

•  Government has started to distribute seed paddy to Essequibo rice farmers who suffered losses during the floods in January. The affected farmers will receive one bag of seed paddy per acre and $10,000 for each acre lost. Farmers have been expressing their appreciation for the assistance.

•  Conservation International (CI) launched its Kanuku Mountains film on May 25 at Hotel Tower to highlight issues surrounding deforestation and destruction of Guyana's natural resources. Called "Kanuku Mountains of Life", the 18-minute film is produced by CI. It stresses the importance of managing such magnificent natural resources for the benefit of local communities and the entire nation. The narration is done by Kojo Nnamdi, a Washington-based Guyanese radio and television celebrity, who enthusiastically takes viewers to the Kanuku Mountains.

•  PNCR Member of Parliament, Ms. Genevieve Allen, attended the 4th Plenary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA), which brought Parliamentarians from Latin America and the Caribbean together, in Brasilia, Brazil on May 19-21. Ms. Allen was also the lone Parliamentarian from Guyana to attend the previous meeting in Barbados earlier this year. The reports from these Women Forums were presented to the 4th Plenary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas.

•  Six tour operators from the United Kingdom arrived in Guyana on May 14 under the auspices of Wilderness Explorers. The tour operators spent nine days in the country where they were given a chance to explore several tourist sites including Shanklands, Kaieteur Falls, Iwokrama, Surama, Santa Mission in Region Three and a number of Amerindian Villages and other areas in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo).On their return to the United Kingdom, they will market Guyana through the various tour operators overseas.

•  Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy on May 12 said that nine specialist doctors from overseas have been recruited and will be deployed in June at government hospitals across the country. The HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis specialist doctors will complement health teams stationed in the administrative regions of the country. The doctors have been recruited from Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, India, Liberia, Gambia, Uganda and Colombia.

•  Government is spending millions of dollars to drain the Cozier agriculture scheme in the back-lands of Somerset and Berks on Essequibo Coast, Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). Several main drainage canals were already desilted recently, after some 15 years, to facilitate cultivation of cash crops only. Rice planting would not be allowed in the project area where a regularisation process is now underway. Many farmers had abandoned their plots in the scheme over many years because the surrounding waterways were clogged with silt.

•  Government, through the Ministry of Health, recently embarked on a massive impregnated malaria-net distribution project to several hinterland regions with the assistance of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. The nets are intended to reduce the spread of malaria in the regions as they are insecticide-treated. Though mosquito nets have been used previously and have, to some extent, helped in reducing the prevalence of the disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, the treated nets will add significantly to the reduction.

•  The United States Coast Guard on May 27 donated a fast interceptor boat to the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard to help fight drug trafficking in Guyana.

•  The Government Information Agency (GINA) on June 1 launched a one-week photographic exhibition on the life and work of Dr. Walter Rodney at the National Library, Main Street. Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Dr. Dale Bisnauth launched the exhibition. He said Dr. Rodney's death really robbed Guyana of truly radical revolutions and that had he been alive he would have been instrumental in the nation's development.

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

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael