Country in shock at murder of minister, three others

Minister of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock, Satyadeow Sawh, was brutally cut down on April 22 in a hail of bullets along with his brother and sister, a security guard and a dog sending shock waves throughout the country.

Masked gunmen dressed in military fatigues invaded the 50-year-old minister's home at Earl's Court, La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara, killing the minister, his brother Rajpat Sawh, 62, and his sister Pulmatie Persaud , 54, who were visiting from Canada. The minister's security guard, Curtis Robertson, 38, along with minister’s pet dog, were shot and killed at the front of his yard.

Three other people were also injured: Omprakash Sawh, 53, another brother of the minister also a resident of Canada; and security guards Albert Mangra, 59, and Aga Khan, 53.

Omprakash Sawh was treated and sent away as only his foot and hand were grazed with a bullet, but the two security guards were admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital after undergoing surgery.

The attack was carried out around 12.15 am by six or seven gunmen who moved stealthily through the street on foot, simultaneously attacking the minister's home and shooting at two nearby homes which had guards on duty. The attack lasted between eight to 15 minutes. After riddling the minister and his family with bullets the men melted into the darkness and it is suspected that they used the sugar cane field aback of LBI to escape.

The minister's relatives were in the country for the observance of their mother's first death anniversary, which was on April 22, and they had all just returned from a private function at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel.

Guyana, Colombia examine pact to fight violent crime in Guyana

This announcement was made by Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolina Barco, who visited Guyana for the third session of the Guyana/Colombia Joint Commission in early April.

“Sometimes it works out best to send people to be trained and return to train others in return. This will result in more people being trained. It all depends on the level of technicality and what it is that we are doing,” the Colombian Foreign Minister said.

She pointed out that a decision has been made to have an exploratory mission in Guyana.

“We will send officials from our Ministry of Defence to come to Guyana and have a chance to sit down with senior officials to see what areas are of interest and to decide which kind of projects can be considered as priority. We will also extend an invitation for the Guyanese officials to go to Colombia and decide the priority projects,” Barco added.

During the Joint Commission, Guyana's security and crime levels were discussed.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally said at a press conference with the Colombian Foreign Minister that Guyana is ill-equipped to deal with the constant siege of criminal activity.

He added that the criminal activities in Guyana have now become so pervasive that the very economic and social future of the country is in jeopardy.

IDB funding multi-dimensional approach to crime fight

Work is under way to develop a Citizens' Security Programme (CSP) as the Ministry of Home Affairs intensifies efforts to reduce and prevent criminal activity and boost the capabilities of law enforcement agencies, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.

Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira told a press conference at her ministry that the project will employ a multi-dimensional approach to fight crime, its prevention and reduction.

Recognising that there are no "quick fixes" in the process, she said: “The Citizens' Security Programme will assist the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force, as well as communities, through technical and financial support, to get a better understanding of the situation which will enable more efficient solutions to violence and crime in our society."

In this regard, she said a survey of pilot communities is being done now, to ascertain the relationship and attitudes to crime and domestic violence and community/police relationships will be addressed, so that the analysis would serve to better design educational and orientation schemes.

The CSP is in the design stage and funds have been made available to complete the proposal on it, Teixeira explained. She added that the agreement to start designing followed the signing of an aide memoire between the Ministry of Finance and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) last September.

GECOM agrees on poll delay

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on April 12 decided by a majority vote that elections would be delayed past the August 4 constitutional deadline, a situation that now calls for arrangements to be put in place to extend the life of the government.

After weeks of protracted discussions on a date for the upcoming elections, the commission has identified August 30th as the possible elections day following a 4-3 vote at its statutory meeting.

GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally cast the deciding vote, after a split between the six commissioners nominated by the ruling PPP and the parliamentary opposition parties.

The commission had been at odds over whether it should include a date for polls in its formal communication to President Bharrat Jagdeo, to inform him of the delay.

The opposition commissioners were against fixing a date with a number of outstanding issues still on the commission's agenda, including the verification of the 2001 Official List of Electors (OLE). The late August date does not contemplate a verification exercise.

GECOM has been under pressure in recent weeks to make a decision on a poll date after its operations department concluded that it could not meet the constitutional deadline.

Elections deadline extended

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill was passed on May 2 at the final sitting of the current National Assembly, but without the support of the main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) which has signalled its intention to challenge the legality and constitutionality of the legislation in both the High Court and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

But Legal Affairs Minister and Attorney General Mr. Doodnauth Singh said the government is prepared to defend the constitutionality of the bill in the High Court or the CCJ.

The passage of the bill extends the original August 4 constitutional deadline for holding general and regional elections this year by one month.

The majority of the PNCR parliamentarians boycotted the sitting with only Leader of the Opposition and PNCR, Mr. Robert Corbin and Chief Whip Mr. Lance Carberry attending but they eventually walked out.

Corbin said the walkout and the absence of the majority of his party’s parliamentarians was to express their dissociation with the passage of the bill, but indicated that the PNCR is still open to engagements pertaining to electoral issues.

When the motion calling for the suspension of the Standing Orders to pave the way for deliberations on the bill was moved by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Reepu Daman Persaud, Corbin in a surprise move called for a division when Speaker, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran put the motion to the vote.

Corbin and Carberry voted against, while the other opposition and government parliamentarians voted for the motion.

In moving the second reading of the bill, Mr. Singh informed the House that it seeks to amend Article 61 of the Constitution of Guyana to increase by one month the time within which an election of members of the National Assembly shall be held following the dissolution of the National Assembly.

The current period is three months, and Singh explained that the extension by one month becomes necessary in light of the indication by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) that it will not be in a position to conduct an election before August 30 of this year.

In advancing arguments in support of the bill, he cited legal precedence in Trinidad and Tobago where similar legislation was proposed and upheld by the Privy Council.

However, Corbin vehemently denounced the bill, charging that it was an attempt by the government t to unilaterally amend the Constitution under the guise that it was a simple matter.

“There cannot be peace without justice,” Corbin declared.

Petroleum refinery for Guyana

A refinery with the potential of 100,000 barrels of crude per day and the creation of 1,000 jobs is in the pipeline for Ordnance Fortland, East Coast Berbice just north of Crab Island.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Guyana Government and Crab Island Refineries Incorporated for the establishment and operation of such a refinery.

When established, the petroleum refinery could also have a big impact on the price of fuel locally as local fuel companies will have the opportunity to purchase fuel at what a representative of the company described as “competitive prices.”

The refinery was originally to be set up at Crab Island, hence the name of the company, but with the Berbice River Bridge to be put down in that area plans have shifted to the new site.

A release from the office of the Prime Minister indicated that plans were initiated since three years ago. The projected investment is US$500 million.

Construction of the refinery will be done in stages and should begin in nine months time with actual production being realised within a further 15 months.

Canadian company exploring for uranium in Guyana

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has granted a reconnaissance permit to Prometheus Resources (Guyana) to conduct advanced studies on uranium exploration in Regions Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro/Siparuni).

The Canadian-based company has already begun to explore in one mining district and is seeking a licence to venture into additional territory parallel to its existing location.

GGMC Land Management Officer Adel Butts said the heightened demand for uranium on the world market has spurred the interest of the Canadian explorer as, in light of increased oil prices, the metal is being pursued for use as an alternative radioactive energy source.

Butts said that several countries, including Iran, are conducting similar surveys on uranium for energy conversion because the very heavy metal can be used as an abundant source of concentrated energy.

Marine turtle conservation society launches organic line of products

The Guyana Marine Turtle Conservation Society (GMTCS) on April 13 launched its North West Organics line which includes products such as preserved (salted) morocut fish from the North West.

Also included in the line of products are crabwood massage oil (used for arthritis, rheumatism, insect bites and psoriasis), crabwood soaps, organic cocoa sticks; cassava casareep and salted snapper from Shell Beach.

The goal behind this initiative is to promote sustainable economic activities as well as provide a livelihood for the residents in the Waini River, Shell Beach, Haimakabara and Hosororo, from where cocoa growers export to the Prince of Wales Trust in London to be used in producing Duchy Originals products.

Annette Arjoon, co-founder of the GMTCS said at the launching at Le Meridien Pegasus that yearly nine persons are hired to conduct turtle conservation activities in the Almond Beach area, one of the many shell beaches in Region One, but with the organic line more persons will now be able to gain employment.

GGMC reports significant increase in bauxite, diamond production

GGMC (Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) has reported a significant increase in bauxite and diamond production during the first quarter of this year.

The commission said that at the end of the quarter, the bauxite sector declared 435,519 tonnes, significantly more than the 341,868 tonnes garnered up to March last year.

GGMC said the figures include what was produced by both Omai Bauxite Mining Incorporated (OBMI) at Linden and Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) in Berbice River.

The declaration from the diamond mining sector has also been greater than over the corresponding period last year.

According to GGMC, 107,150 carats were mined in the 2006 first quarter, as compared to the 89,132 carats in 2005.

Meanwhile, gold statistics showed a decline, to 40,224 ounces, in this year’s first quarter from 41,390 ounces last year.

But GGMC said the total is expected to rise because several companies are conducting advanced exploratory studies – Guyana Goldfields in Cuyuni River, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Strata Gold at Tassawini, Region One (Barima/Waini).

Three new airlines for Guyana by June

Three new air carriers will become operational in Guyana by June as government moves to keep commercial air travel competitive.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon said that Caribbean Air System, Travel Span (Guy) Inc and E-Jet Inc have been approved by Cabinet to begin operations in Guyana.

Caribbean Air System will provide a regional service connecting Guyana to Belem, Cayenne, Paramaribo, Port of Spain, Caracas, Curacao, St Maarten and Santo Domingo.

Travel Span will offer a direct service from Georgetown to New York.

E-Jet will service the Georgetown to New York and Georgetown to Toronto routes.

Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Chabeenanan Ramphul said that the GCAA has done due diligence on the three companies and recommended to the government that they be approved.

He stated that the GCAA is ensuring that the operators post a performance bond to safeguard the security of the public if the airline goes under.

Five hinterland communities to get solar water systems

Five solar systems to upgrade water supply from hand or windmill fitted pumps are soon to be installed in hinterland communities.

Meanwhile, phase two of a five-year US$30 million water project for Georgetown has started and residents in Campbellville, Prashad Nagar and parts of Ruimveldt are already benefiting. The company plans to install 2,500 new connections this year. Last year 1,800 connections were installed.

Yupukari, Sand Creek, Aishalton, and Kato in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and St Cuthbert's Mission in Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) have been earmarked for the solar systems. GWI was allocated $240 million in this year's budget to improve water distribution networks. The solar system project is part of the hinterland programme, the release said.

Similar projects could start soon in ten other communities in Region Nine. Approximately 3,032 persons in Kwatata Village, Fly Hill, Toka, Hiawa, Nappi, Wowetta, Aranaputa, Rupertee, Kaicumbay and Massara are to benefit. The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) will fund this programme.

Government has granted almost $2 million for the completion of two wells to be drilled in the Greater Lethem area. Communities expected to benefit are Apoteri, Massara, Karasabai, Fair View, Bina Hill in Annai, Mururanau, Potarinau (Ambrose), and Shiriri. It has also budgeted $5.9 million for repairs and maintenance of wells, hand pumps, and windmills in several villages in Region Nine, the release said.

Bulbs from Cuba to reduce energy consumption

The exchange programme with incandescent bulbs (filament bulbs) being replaced by high-quality and low energy compact fluorescent bulbs has successfully started with the process already completed in several communities including Linden, Kwakwani and Aroaima in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

The programme resulted from an offer made by Cuban President Fidel Castro to President Bharrat Jagdeo, during the latter’s visit to Cuba in January, to assist Guyana to reduce its electrical energy consumption.

President Castro offered to provide Guyana with compact fluorescent bulbs, and a nine-man Cuban team, comprising eight social workers and an electrical engineer, are in Guyana executing the exchange programme, estimated to last for three to four months.

The programme continued with bulbs being replaced at State House, the official residence of the President, and the Prime Minister’s residence.

Team leader Michael Terry Morales told reporters that the programme has been very successful in Cuba where it has significantly reduced energy consumption.

According to Morales, the programme will not only result in family and national savings, but will prolong the life of natural resources as well.

$3.6 billion for sea defences in Regions Two, Three

Reconstruction of several kilometres of sea defence has started at Capoey, Columbia and Taymouth Manor in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and Tuschen, Hague and Cornelia Ida in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands).

The $3.6 billion project is being funded under the eighth European Development Fund (EDF) scheme, through which Guyana secured 20 million euros to also improve infrastructure management.

EU Project Manager, Mr. Mewburn Amsterdam said about 60 metres have already been built in Region Two and about 50 metres in Region Three.

He said the contract was jointly awarded last August to local company, B.K. International and Italian firm, Gelfi Impressor.

Amsterdam said soil testing equipment has been procured by one of the contracting firms and it will, subsequently, be handed over to the Government of Guyana for future usage.

Explaining the importance of the acquisition, he said several similar projects failed in the past because of problems with the soil texture.

Meanwhile, another contract has been signed between the Government of Guyana and the EU for the commencement of feasibility studies on the ninth EDF undertaking that would see the allocation of 20 million more euros.

That will be done by the Ukranian firm, Mott McDonald, in association with Caribbean Engineering Management Consultancy Organisation, a local company.

GINA said the ninth EDF project entails more sea defence construction, maintenance of existing structures and a shore zone management programme.

Bird flu committee targets small farmers and wildlife trappers

The Ministry of Agriculture’s animal health sub committee is continuing its awareness campaigns to educate small farmers and wildlife trappers in its persistent efforts to ensure that Guyana is fully prepared to respond to the avian influenza or bird flu virus.

Among the birds being closely monitored are migratory ones which are often found in remote locations and which are potential targets for wildlife trappers in Guyana who capture these for commercial purposes.

Migratory birds are also more likely to come into direct contact with domesticated birds.

Teams from the Agriculture Ministry have started educating wildlife trappers about bird flu and its spread through migratory birds and are continuing to sensitise small scale commercial farmers and associations.

Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has pointed out that there has not been any confirmed report of human to human bird flu transmission in Guyana.

$4.9 billion being spent to develop secondary towns

The government is spending about $4.9 billion to enhance the appearance of communities in Regions Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) and Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).

Schemes, launched by the Community Services Enhancement Project (CSEP) in February and showing progress, are aimed at developing Charity and Supenaam in Region Two, Parika in Region Three and Bartica in Region Seven into secondary towns, in the government thrust to modernise the country.

The construction works include a new stelling at Supenaam, repairs to the marketing centre and a farmers’ wharf at Charity, all of which will cost about $574 million.

A sum of $48 million is being expended on nine roads in Supenaam and, so far, the shoulders and drains have been completed and ongoing sand filling of the carriageway should be finished by November.

Simultaneously, the Supenaam market is being built with $11 million and an additional $9 million has been allocated to construct a sanitary block and undertake repairs to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) administrative building. This project started in March and expected to be completed early next year.

Other CSEP undertakings are repairs to Parika stelling, the $126 million contract for which was signed on February 7; new office buildings for the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) of Parika and Bartica; several sanitary blocks and repair to Amazon Market at Charity; roads, drains, culverts and bridges at Parika and a market at Bartica.

Pomona Housing Scheme gets electricity

Through a $59 million Unserved Area Electrification Programme (UAEP), the Pomona Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast has been provided with electricity.

Regional Chairman Alli Baksh, speaking at the commissioning ceremony, said Pomona is the first housing scheme in Region Two to benefit from this programme. Ten villages across the Essequibo Coast now have access to electricity under the said programme.

Baksh said the government has embarked on a massive programme across the country to provide electricity to all Guyanese in the unserved areas.

• Eighteen community health workers drawn from some of the most remote Amerindian communities have successfully completed a five-day training programme on Sexually Transmitted Infections, with emphasis on HIV/AIDS.

• Work has commenced on the new ferry stelling at Supenaam in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). Contractor B.K. International is at present constructing an access road from the public road to the new state-of-the-art facility. According to a release from the Region Two administration, the new stelling will be equipped with “roll-on-roll-off” facilities. The stelling is expected to reduce the travelling time between the Essequibo Coast and Parika by over one hour.

• The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Region Ten Tourism Development Association (RTTDA) has launched the Discover Linden magazine on April 27. The magazine is the official tourist guide of Linden and coincided with the celebration of Linden’s 36th anniversary as a town.

• Residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg and other neighbouring communities on West Coast Demerara will benefit from a new, $28 million well provided by the Guyana Water Incorporated. The contract for the work has been awarded to the Guyanese firm, Dimtecs Incorporated.

• A group of children left Guyana on April 26 for India to correct serious heart defects, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and the Three Rivers Kids Foundation, a charitable Canadian-based organisation.

• The Poor Rural Community Support Services Project plans to build an $80 million state of the art storage and packaging facility at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Project Coordinator, Sasenarine Singh announced. He said this would benefit the farmers of Regions Two and Three, who are being encouraged to seek overseas market for their products.

• Guyana’s health sector will be significantly enhanced with the induction of a batch of United States Peace Corps volunteers comprising 20 persons. All the volunteers will be deployed in the health sector, both at government and non-government institutions, officials said.

• The Government of Guyana, through Basic Needs Trust Fund, has awarded contracts valued $18 million for building two all-weather roads in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam). The work on Anna Regina Station Street and Cat Eye Street at Reliance, both on Essequibo Coast, will cost $10.3 million and $7.7 million, respectively.

• Chairman of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Alli Baksh said that the monument to commemorate the arrival of East Indians on Essequibo Coast will be commissioned aback of Cotton Field on May 5. Ninety-nine families arrived in Guyana from India on that date to settle and work at Plantation Cotton Field.

• Residents of Mabaruma settlement in Region One (Barima/Waini) are now enjoying electricity in their homes. The project was made possible through government's assistance, the cooperation of residents and the Regional Democratic Council.

• Potential visitors to Guyana can get a fill of the country, its people and the scenic beauty the geographical landscape offers in the latest instalment of Guyana Yours to Discover, a short documentary by Mike Charles Productions. The 85 minutes-long feature is a stunning presentation of Guyana on film and it captures from the impressive scenes of the capital city to the quiet marvel of the Pakaraimas.

• Three large pontoons will be replaced on the Demerara Harbour Bridge later this year, to ensure the 2 kilometres miles span continues to provide an efficient service to commuters. This project will cost G$102 million.

• Construction of a $260M modern dormitory for secondary school students is nearing completion at Pomona on Essequibo Coast. The facility place will accommodate both male and female schoolchildren, especially from hinterland communities.

• Thousands of residents of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) are pleased as government’s Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UAEP) was officially been commissioned there. Government’s extended electrification programme that commenced in July 2005 will facilitate the provision of electricity to numerous communities in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five Six, Seven and Ten. It is funded through a US$34 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank.

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

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael