The 2005 national budget was presented to Parliament on 21 February 2005. It proposes a total expenditure of $86.4 billion this year which represents a 14 percent increase over last year’s estimates. Building on the economic 1.6 percent growth achieved last year, real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected to expand by 2.2 per cent in 2005.

The following are some of the highlights of the 2005 budget:

Health and Nutrition: Legislation will be passed this year that will address the coordination, devolution and effective integration of all sections of the health and social services system. An allocation of $160 million has been provided to start the construction, equipping and furnishing of a new hospital complex in Linden. A sum of $215 million has been budgeted to continue the Basic Nutrition Programme.

Housing, Water and Sanitation: Over $2.4 billion has been budgeted to increase access and improve housing facilities for low-income families. A provision of $1.2 billion has been made for the water sector. With respect to the solid waste disposal programme, $120 million has been earmarked to start the construction of a sanitary landfill at Haags Bosch, East Bank Demerara.

Education and Training: The major activity in the sector remains the implementation of the US$30 million Basic Education Access Management and Support Systems Project. A sum of $50 million has been budgeted to provide for textbooks, institutional strengthening, and the improvement of school facilities. Under the Guyana Education Access Programme, $350 million is budgeted to complete construction of schools at Linden and Skeldon.

Crime and Security: An allocation of $3.4 billion has been made for the Police Force to maintain law and order, gather intelligence information and improve their forensic capabilities, repair police stations and police accommodation across the country.

Bauxite: The bauxite industry is poised to take off this year. The Russian Aluminium Company (RUSAL) will be investing US$20 million in a new entity – Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. The new company, Omai Bauxite Mining Inc. in Linden, a joint venture of the Guyana government Cambior could be the immediate beneficiary of US$40 million in investment with US$24 million being invested by July 2005.

Manufacturing: Barama Company will invest US$35 million in a new sawmilling complex and two state-of the-art wood processing plants in the Essequibo River. This will create another 500 jobs directly and open road links and improve power supply in that location. The manufacturing sector is projected to grow by 4 per cent in 2005.

Electricity Supply: The Guyana Power and Light Company has developed a comprehensive five-year plan for the development and expansion of electricity supply. The plan, covering the period 2004-2008, calls for an investment of US$120 million in the sector. Of that amount, US$23.5 million will be used to fund a project that will benefit 30,000 households in about 200 low-income, under-served and unserved areas throughout the country.

Transport and Communication: The government has allocated over $2.8 billion to continue improvement of the road network. Of this amount, $370 million will be used to complete the rehabilitation of the Mahaica/Rosignol road. A provision of $802 million has been made to continue the construction of the four-lane road between Demerara Harbour Bridge and Ruimveldt. Work will continue to rehabilitate the Corentyne Highway and complete the feasibility study of the site for an alternative southern entrance into Georgetown. A sum of $756 million has been allocated to continue the bridges rehabilitation programme. Construction of the Berbice River Bridge should start this year. Plans have advanced for the resumption of work on the Takutu River Bridge.

Drainage and Irrigation and Sea and River Defence Systems: Allocations for Drainage and Irrigation have increased considerably. Nearly $1.8 billion has been provided to continue drainage and irrigation works in 2005. The National Drainage and Irrigation Board (NDIB) will use almost $800 million of that sum to execute a number of projects, including the construction and rehabilitation of drains, canals and structures. Additionally, $350 million will be spent on drainage and irrigation structures in MMA and other areas in the regions. Over $1.7 billion will be expended to continue the sea defence programme. Under a 13.2 million Euro Regional Weather Radar Warning System Project, Guyana will acquire a Doppler digital radar, which will provide continuous real-time radar coverage.

2005 Projections: GDP is expected to grow by 2.2 percent. Rice output is expected to increase by 12.1 percent. Bauxite production is expected to increase by 51.7 percent. Inflation is expected to be 5.6 percent.

East Coast returns to normalcy

Residents of East Coast, Demerara villages are now restoring some sort of normalcy in their lives, after the disastrous flooding in their areas for almost three weeks. Since the water has receded, the areas are dry and the main focus is now on cleaning.

Most persons are in the process of disinfecting their homes and yards, sorting out damaged articles, all in the process of returning to their usual way of living.

Several persons praised the Government’s intervention during and after the disaster. The hot meals and food hampers distribution effort by the President, Ministers and other members of Government and Non-Governmental organizations were highly recognized, as beneficiaries noted the essential need for the support at that time.

In addition, some Better Hope residents highlighted the impact of the cleaning venture by government, after the floods, which benefited the various areas in all the villages.

The medical aid along the East Coast, Demerara was also praised, as thousands of persons received medical assistance.

Unprecedented rainfall during late December to January and February resulted in flooding in areas of Regions Three, Four and Five. The East Coast Demerara was hit the hardest.

Government allocated over $200 million as provisions for flood relief aid and is now in the process of providing a package of post-flood relief for persons who suffered during the flood.

Brazilian president visits Guyana

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, his wife Marisa Leticia and a high-level delegation arrived in Guyana to a red carpet welcome on February 14 for a one-day visit that included talks with President Bharrat Jagdeo.

President Lula da Silva's visit was in keeping with an invitation to visit Guyana by Jagdeo. In the course of the visit, business arrangements between Guyana and Brazil were cemented with the visit of a Brazilian business mission accompanying the President. Da Silva said the business mission came to identify new opportunities for trade, particularly the extension of exports from Guyana to northern Brazil.

He said they were also looking at a special customs regime to expedite exchanges in the border region. The Brazilian president assured the government and people of Guyana of his country's commitment to completing the bridge across the Takutu River to allow freer movement of people and goods between the two countries.

Guyana and Brazil have long talked about a bridge across the Takutu River and Brazil is interested in a road link to a deep water harbour on the Guyana coast to ship grains and other exports from Roraima to Europe, the Caribbean and North America through the Atlantic.

President Da Silva also addressed a special sitting of Parliament on 15 February before departing for Suriname. In his address, he said that Brazil was in no way objecting to the preferential access enjoyed by African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producing countries in the EU market. He declared: “We reject any suggestion that Brazil’s action at the World Trade Oganisation (WTO) was aimed at causing any harm to Caribbean exports of sugar to the European market.” However, he was firm in his position that Brazil took exception to export subsidies utilized by the EU.

Israel plans health, agriculture cooperation with Guyana

The government of Israel has signalled its intention of strengthening bilateral cooperation with Guyana in agriculture and health.

This was discussed when a high-level Israeli delegation met acting Agriculture Minister Satyadeow Sawh recently in Guyana.

The delegation comprised Israeli Ambassador to Guyana, based in Caracas, Shlomo Cohen; Arie Arazi, Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Moshe Bacha, Project Officer of the Department of International Cooperation and Yehuda Rozemblum, Head of International Cooperation.

Sawh said the discussions covered cooperation in enhancing the cattle industry and establishing mini dairy facilities.

Two experts from Israel are due in Guyana soon to train local personnel involved in the cattle and dairy industry, he said. The minister further stated that the Israeli government will also invite local personnel to go to Israel for training.

He indicated that the Israelis are also interested in local aquaculture and several of their investors have indicated an interest in getting involved in this industry which is expanding here.

G$9B invested in 2004

The Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) has reported that for last year, total investment reached G$9.4 billion (US$46.8 Million). In collaboration with Government Ministries and other public service agencies, Go-Invest facilitated 75 investment projects that are presently operating. Out of these 42 are domestic investors and 33 are foreign investors. A total of 1686 new jobs were created by these projects.

Of the 75 projects, 40 began operating in 2004. The other 35 are expansion projects that were operating before 2004.

The projects are in the information and communications technology; forestry and wood products; mining; light manufacturing; fresh and processed fruits and vegetables; tourism; seafood processing; poultry processing; services; fish farming (aquaculture); beef and dairy processing; rice milling and housing sectors.

The information and communications technology sector attracted seven investors – five domestic and two foreign which invested G$2.4 billion. Two hundred and sixty-two new direct jobs were created by these investors.

In the forestry and wood products sector, 11 companies – six domestic and five foreign – invested $1.4 billion.

The mining sector attracted eight investors – two domestic and six foreign investors – and they invested G$2.7 billion. New projects that began operating in 2004 are three Canadian-owned companies – Omai Bauxite Company (bauxite), CGX (oil exploration) and Vanessa Mining. An additional new project was the USA-owned ETX Mining Company.

In the light manufacturing, there were 12 investors – six domestic and six foreign investors – who pumped G$565 million into that sector. New projects that began operating in 2004 are Harris Paints and Densu Ventures, a coco-peat fertilizer company

In the housing sector, two companies – both foreign – invested G$500 million, while G$495 million was injected into the seafood industry by two investors – one domestic and one foreign.

In the poultry sector, one new firm invested $400 million.

New Amsterdam Hospital Opened

The New Amsterdam Hospital in Berbice was officially opened on Sunday, February 20, by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

It was on March 31, 2003 that the ceremonial sod-turning exercise took place at the site where the new New Amsterdam Hospital is now located – obliquely opposite the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital, Canje, Berbice.

On November 1, 2004 the new hospital became fully operational replacing an institution that served Berbice for over a century. It is equipped with a clinic, laboratory, and equipment, in addition to normal vital amenities.

The new hospital is also equipped with a 75 KVA generator as a backup in case of power outages.

It was funded by a US$13M grant from the Japanese Government and completed before the scheduled date by the Kitano Construction Company.

The institution’s main objective will be to provide quality health care service to the Guyanese people particularly those living in Berbice, (Region Six, East Berbice/ Corentyne) and Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

For the first time the hospital will be providing ultra-sound services, which the old hospital was unable to offer.

Indian trade fair attracts 31 companies

Thirty-one companies from India have confirmed their participation in the festival of India trade fair to be held in Guyana March 18-30 at the National Exhibition Centre, Sophia, Georgetown, officials announced.

The companies have already booked and shipped their products to Guyana, Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Mr. Manzoor Nadir said at a press conference.

The Government of Guyana will be hosting the fair in collaboration with the Indo-Global Chamber of Commerce and the Indian High Commission.

Nadir said the idea for the fair was born when the President of the Indo-Global Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ajay Singh, visited Guyana last September, as the country was preparing to host the annual GUYEXPO trade fair and exposition.

He also explained that the government was involved in organising the fair since it recognised its importance to the private and commercial sectors.

Indian High Commissioner, Mr. Avinash Gupta, said the event will help boost economic relations between the two countries.

Guyana, Japan sign technical agreement

Guyana and Japan on February 18 took their bilateral relations a step further with the signing of an agreement that will see the formalising of cooperation between the two countries..

Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee and Japan’s Ambassador to Guyana Yasuo Matsui affixed their signatures to the Technical Agreement between the Governments of the Republic of Guyana and Japan. The ceremony was witnessed by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Guyana’s Honorary Consul to Japan Hans Barrow at the Office of the President.

“In view of this long history of cooperation, it is the desire of the Government of Guyana to enter into a formal agreement on technical cooperation with Japan in order to assist in the facilitation of the existing and future cooperation programmes. This agreement is therefore very timely as it seeks to provide for the setting up of an office for the Japan International Cooperation Agency which will carry out cooperation programmes here in Guyana in collaboration with the Government of Guyana,’ Minister Rohee said.

The agreement also provides technical assistance to Guyana in the following areas;

• Technical training to Guyanese nationals

• Dispatching of experts and Japanese volunteers with a wide range of technical skills

• Dispatching of Japanese missions to Guyana

• Provision of equipment, machinery and materials to Guyana and

Provision of other forms of technical cooperation.

Fogging exercise continues to prevent mosquito-borne diseases

Government’s initiative to reduce and eliminate cases of mosquito-borne diseases continues to gain momentum.

Officials of the Ministry of Health are supervising the fogging and spraying exercise in communities, which were affected by the flood. This exercise is being done every night commencing at 6:00 hrs.

According to Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Kwame Mc Coy all the areas, which were targeted in Georgetown, have been completed.

The Ministry is distributing abate granule to persons in areas which were flooded. This is being used in stagnant water or pools to kill the mosquito larvae, which causes dengue.

The Ministry is also in the process of distributing some 20, 000 mosquito bed nets to mothers who have babies under two years.

Animal care exercise continues

Government is continuing to assist livestock farmers who were affected by the flood. This is the third phase of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Crops and Livestock’s programme.

Livestock owners from Mahaicony and Mahaica rivers are expected to receive wheat-middling and veterinary supplies for their animals as a result of high levels of water in farming and residential areas. The relief is part of a $6 million relief fund allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture by the Government of Guyana to purchase veterinary supplies and livestock feed for animals that have been dislocated by the flood.

More than 2,000 animals were treated since the flood started. Animals were examined and treated for worms, diarrhoea, nutritional deficiency, antibiotic treatment and respiratory and skin problems.

The Ministry of Agriculture has also been distributing feed, grass and molasses to farmers in flood-affected areas especially the East Coast of Demerara.

Ethnic relations body to push equal opportunity across the board

A focus on promoting equal opportunity will be at the centre of the Ethnic Relations Commission's (ERC's) plans for the coming year.

ERC Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill said on February 11 that the commission would work to ensure that there is equality in employment, obtaining contracts, scholarships, loans, house lots and farming as well as other concessions. Edghill told a press conference that there were two complaints last year about housing on the West Demerara.

He said the ERC's work with the Guyana Elections Commission to combat pre- and post-election violence is also on the agenda for 2005. To assist in this, the ERC would be asking for voluntary compliance by the parties and they would be brought together to discuss the issue in the coming year.

He added that the commission would focus as well on publicising its work and continuing its education and awareness programmes that he considered a success last year.

Other scheduled activities for the commission this year include establishing regional offices and holding workshops on training in conflict transformation for youth groups, the media and businesses.

Five new outfalls for flood battle

Five new outfalls are to be built to help drain excess water from the East Coast Demerara as the government accelerates plans to avert a repeat of last month’s disastrous floods on the coastal plain, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced on February 26.

He also told a news conference that the government was working on initiatives with the donor community to help flood-hit farmers recover and the administration was examining options to assist the worst-hit residents.

The East Coast Demerara was the epicentre of the country’s worst natural disaster spawned last month by the heaviest rains in more than 100 years and several communities were under water for more than a month.

Showing no strain from leading the government’s emergency flood response programme, including a hectic schedule of day and night visits to stricken communities, and hosting visiting heads of state and government, a relaxed-looking President Jagdeo shrugged aside calls for an inquiry into the causes of the flood.

“There was some neglect”, he acknowledged, noting that some kokers (sluices) and drainage canals were blocked, but said, “we do not need a commission” of inquiry for that.

He stressed that the record rains last month were the primary factor in the floods and signalled that the government’s overriding concern was to help flood victims recover and to accelerate drainage plans to avert a similar catastrophe.

Guyana appoints new envoy to Europe

Guyana has appointed Dr Patrick I. Gomes as its new ambassador to the European Union to be based in Brussels. Until recently Project Manager of the Port-of-Spain-based Regional Food Security Programme of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Gomes has recently taken up his post in Brussels.

Prior to serving as Project Manager with FAO, Gomes spent 12 years as Executive Director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Centre for Development Administration (CARICAD).

A former Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension of the University of the West Indies (St. Augustine Campus), Gomes succeeds Dr. Kenneth King as Brussels-based ambassador.

His responsibilities will include involvement in current negotiations on the European Union's sugar reform programme and seeking preferential treatment for vital export commodities like rice and bananas between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of states.

A sociologist by training, Gomes has worked with various regional and international agencies and coordinated the CARICOM-mandated review of the structure and functioning of the Georgetown-based Community Secretariat.

Rice crop severely damaged by floods

More than 5,000 acres of the rice crop have been obliterated in Region Five (Mahaica/West Berbice) by the floods which ravaged parts of Guyana’s coastland during January and February. General Secretary of the Guyana Rice Producers Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj, disclosed that the 5,000 acres of rice which were almost ready for harvesting were wiped out by floodwaters. He said about 8,000 acres more were under serious threat and would require huge financial inputs to drain off the water to prevent a further disaster.

The government had taken a decision to release water from the Lama and Maduni Creeks into the Mahaica River to ease the pressure on the threatened East Demerara Water Conservancy. Since then the water coursing through the Mahaica Creek has flooded several residential areas and completely destroyed fields of rice and other crops. Up to the end of February, Regions Two (Essequibo-Pomeroon), Three (West Demerara-Essequibo Islands) and Four (Demerara-Mahaica) also had a combined loss of 4,120 acres of rice.

Region Five is the most productive for the country's national output and, as such, the final crop figure would most definitely be affected.

Flood-induced disease

Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy has declared that there were no additional reports of any death linked to leptospirosis, a water-borne disease that affected many persons during the recent flood. He said there have been several reports of typhoid cases in the country, but so far the numbers have not been alarming. According to the Minister, tests were carried out for typhoid at the public hospital during the high influx of patients but all came back negative. So far, he said there has been no flood-induced increase as yet. However, he attributes the low-recorded number of typhoid cases to the work health surveillance officers have been doing.

• Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally has expressed sympathy on behalf of Guyana to Venezuela on its recent natural disaster. Venezuela has experienced extreme torrential rainfall that has displaced thousands of Venezuelans leaving many wounded, homeless and dead. Insanally expressed Guyana’s appreciation for the solidarity and support shown by the Government and people of Venezuela in our own misfortune.

• Canada’s largest airline, Air Canada, is set to begin flights between Canada and Guyana on July 1 this year, a top official says. The official said this welcome development will be a big boost for the local tourism industry, estimating that it would result in an increase in tourist arrivals of 10,000-15,000 annually and will stimulate competition among airlines operating in the Caribbean.

• The North West Secondary School at Mabaruma in Region One (Barima/Waini) was the recipient of $1.8 million worth of computer equipment resulting from negotiations between the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

• Guyana is looking more to distance learning to improve access to education with assistance from the Commonwealth and other institutions and countries, Education Minister Dr Henry Jeffrey said on February 14. He outlined plans to broaden the reach of education at the opening of a two-day symposium on Distance Education organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning.

• Fire Chief, Lawrence David has praised his firefighters for performing exceptionally well during the worst natural disaster Guyana has ever experienced – floods.

• Canadian Member of Parliament Jim Karygiannis arrived in Guyana on February 28 to assess the impact of the recent flooding on residents in affected areas, and would familiarise himself with the recovery and reconstruction efforts.

• Guyana has lost one of its distinguished sons with the recent passing of Sir John Patrick Carter, a member of the first generation of diplomats to serve his country following independence from Britain in 1966. He died in Bethesda, Maryland on February 23.

• Guyana Power and Light on February 26 said it has invited bids for a 35 megawatts independent power project – the first step in its major development and expansion programme. The programme includes the installation of additional generation and transmission facilities to its system.

• Lighting fixtures adorn several sections of the new four-lane highway between Peter's Hall and Ruimveldt as the roadway begins taking shape. The lights were turned on recently and work is progressing on the installation of other light fixtures.

• Guyanese nationals living in El Tigre (in eastern Venezuela) donated more than US$1,000 to assist in the flood relief in Guyana. Other Guyanese in Venezuela are still in the process of subscribing to the flood relief exercise, and a complete report will be provided next month.

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

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael