Guyana elected to key UN council

The United Nations General Assembly has elected Guyana to serve on the prestigious Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for a three-year term commencing in January 2006.

Endorsed by the Caribbean Community, Guyana received votes well above the number required to occupy one of four seats from the Latin American and Caribbean region. Eighteen member states were elected to the 54-nation council during the 34th meeting of the plenary.

ECOSOC is the principal organ of the United Nations charged with coordinating the economic, social and related work of the 14 UN specialised agencies, 10 functional commissions and five regional commissions. The council also receives reports from 11 UN funds and programmes.

Its broad mandate which includes promoting higher standards of living, identifying solutions to international economic, social and health problems, encouraging universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and promoting the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, gives it purview over 70% of the human and financial resources of the entire UN system. Guyana will therefore have an important say in these important policy issues.

Guyana, T&T sign Paris Club debt write-off pact worth US$123M

The governments of Guyana and Trinidad recently signed a bilateral rescheduling agreement to write off US$123 million ($24.9 billion) of Guyana's debt to that country in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Paris Club Agreed Minute of January 14, 2004. The agreement, signed on October 6, is part of the Enhanced HIPC relief facility provided to Guyana.

The bilateral rescheduling agreement, which follows a similar agreement signed in October 1999, provides for a write-off of 70 percent of the relevant principal, including arrears up to December 1, 2003, and for the remainder of US$52.6M to be rescheduled over 15 years at a market interest rate. In addition, Trinidad has agreed to provide further debt relief to Guyana to assist in addressing the formidable challenge of regenerating Guyana's social and economic infrastructure which was damaged by the flooding disaster earlier this year. This additional relief will be delivered through a rescheduling of the debt service payments due in the years 2004 and 2005 amounting to US$4.5 million.

Guyana’s Minister of Finance, Saisnarine Kowlessar, conveyed gratitude on behalf of the government to Trinidad's Prime Minister Patrick Manning who is also that country's Minister of Finance.

Sugar reform blocked

Eleven states of the European Union (EU) have formed a minority large enough to block the sugar reforms causing tension in Europe as the Commission had hoped for a political agreement on the proposals at the upcoming Agriculture Council in November.

According to the EU Observer, a letter penned by the 11-Member States to the Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel demanded, “The price cut must be significantly less and has to be gradually introduced over time.”

It also states that “the price cut must be compensated by way of higher direct aids” – reaffirming its position taken earlier.

The countries that signed the letter are Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Finland, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia. They say their demands are “rooted in the shared objective to keep a viable sugar sector in all signatory member states.”

Commenting on the blockage of the Commission’s move to implement the 39 percent cut in preferentially traded sugar, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation and the current ministerial spokesperson on sugar for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Clement Rohee, said the move by the states is a welcomed one.

“We are very heartened by the news received to the effect that 11-member states of the EU have formally submitted a letter to the commission and other member states setting out their views in respect to the implications of the proposals for them and their producers,” he said.

Minister Rohee said this action by the EU states will now require further deliberation within the Commission on the way forward.

D’Urban Park development on stream

The area adjacent to Square of the Revolution where the 1763 Monument in Georgetown is located, will be transformed into a recreational park and land filling has started; facilities will be installed next year. The Square of the Revolution is also popularly known as Cuffy Square.

Cabinet at its August 16 meeting favourably considered the project and approved $45 million from the Guyana Lottery Fund to be used to finance the initial phase of the project. This entails land filling and minor drains. He noted that the project began a month ago and the scheduled completion is December month-end. To date 15 per cent of the land filling has been completed.

The contract includes land preparation, backfilling and drainage work on 16.20 acres of land that starts from the National Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

Upon completion of this first phase of the Durban Park project, economic, recreational and tourism facilities would be established.

The Durban Park complex would see the construction of facilities to cater for track and field, football, cycling, basket ball, volleyball, tennis, food courts, an administration centre and two parking lots with a 96-car capacity.

Ministry of Health, PAHO in drive to upgrade mental health care

Guyana's antiquated legislation on mental health may soon be updated under a partnership between the Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO which could see better protection for persons suffering from any mental illness.

Under the partnership, which was established to improve the response to mental health in Guyana, there will be special training for health care workers in the area. The new collaboration will look at several other areas under mental health including the establishment of national programmes on suicide and substance abuse.

Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy agreed that Guyana's current legislation needed to be updated to bring it on par with other countries. He said it would stipulate that patients have a right to treatment.

The minister noted that the provisions in the present act were "reprehensive and absurd." He revealed that in another two to three months the draft legislation would be ready for consultation.

The collaboration is being assisted by Drs. Peter Miller and Stan Kutcher who are employed with WHO's Collaborating Centre in Mental Health Training and Policy Development located at the Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.

According to Dr. Kutcher, they would work along with PAHO to develop a special curriculum for medics across the country since they were the backbone of Guyana's health care system. The training will be done over a six-week period.

Guyana pushes for higher-yield rice

The Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) and the Ministry of Agriculture are pushing the drive for high quality and high yielding rice varieties so that the industry can become more competitive in the face of eroding preferential markets, officials said recently.

Research personnel attached to the industry briefed farmers on progress at a field day at Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, one of the sites where experimentation plots have been established, and four varieties of paddy are under testing to assess suitability to the environment there.

Farmers are testing the breeding lines (those not yet developed into a specific variety) and varieties of rice on their plots under supervision by members of the Extension Service to give them an opportunity to determine the varieties most suitable to their individual locations.

The objective is to increase yields from the current 3.5- 4 tonnes of paddy per hectare to 6-8 tonnes per hectare to boost production and productivity and allow Guyana to become more competitive.

In testing the various varieties, several factors which impact on the outcome of trials are taken into consideration, including soil fertility, weed and disease and pest management and the use of fertilisers.

Several contracts awarded

Cabinet has cleared a contract in the amount of $15.9 million for the procurement of arms and ammunition for the Guyana Police Force.

Several other contracts were also given the green light within various sectors. In the local government sector, Cabinet approved a contract amounting to $15.5 million for the rehabilitation of the Den Amstel Community Centre in Region Three. It also awarded an $18 million contract for the construction of the Fort Wellington Magistrate's Court in the legal affairs sector. A contract for the construction and delivery of furniture for schools in Regions Three and Four and the Georgetown district was also given. This contract is valued $36.6 million.

For the procurement of laboratory re-agents and supplies for the regions, Cabinet cleared a contract for $26.9 million while for the supervision of construction at Westminster and Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara, Region Three, a contract for $20.5 million received Cabinet's approval.

In the agriculture sector Cabinet approved a contract for the clearance of an area upstream of the Land of Canaan Five-Door Sluice in the amount of $19 million. This sluice would be crucial for draining excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy.

For the Office of the Elections Commission, a $21.5 million contract was granted for the purchase of stationery and office supplies for continuous registration offices in Regions One through Ten. And a contract valued US$3.9 was agreed upon for the supply and installation of an integrated information technology system for tax and customs administration and related services.

Emergency sea wall repairs start

President Bharrat Jagdeo has authorised the release of $200 million to urgently mend sections of fragile sea defences on the East and West Coast Demerara smashed by unprecedented severe waves that pounded the coast recently. The repairs are under way on the breached points and vulnerable segments of the sea defence system.

While the destruction from the pounding waves appeared to have been most severe on the West Coast Demerara and on the East Coast to some extent, there were reports of damage on the Essequibo coast and on the West Coast Berbice. However, the flood waters caused by breaches in the sea defence did not remain long on the land. This was due to several reasons including an adequate drainage system in the areas coupled by large functioning mobile pumps installed shortly after the devastating January floods.

Flood victims get house lots

Fifteen families, left homeless after raging high tides battered fragile sections of the sea defence along the Stewartville/Leonora stretch on the West Coast Demerara and flooded several houses, got house lots in the new Tuschen housing scheme.

Two Ministry of Housing officers visited the Shirley Merle Field-Ridley Nursery School at Phoenix Park, West Bank Demerara and the Uitvlugt/Leonora Community centres where the 15 dislocated families were being housed.

One member of each of the families was allowed to choose a lot number and sign allocation letters for the house lots.

Four other families, who were also squatting on the sea defence reserve, but whose houses were not totally destroyed by the flood, will also receive house lots from the Ministry.

Housing and Water Minister, Mr. Shaik Baksh, who had earlier said these persons will have to pay for the lots “on terms”, reported over the weekend that one businessman has indicated to the Ministry that he is willing to assist some of those left homeless to rebuild their homes.

French teams for tourism talks before year end

France is to send a team of experts before year-end to hold discussions on the ways and means of promoting tourism among the three Guianas.

Visiting French Tourism Minister Leon Bertrand said on October 24 that France was interested in the setting up of a Guyana consulate in French Guiana; the formulation of a land and cargo agreement; cooperation in the fields of health, education, the environment, and security; and promoting bilateral cooperation with Guyana.

Speaking at a press conference, Bertrand said while he was starting in the tourism sector, it was expected that moves would be made to expand cooperation in the other areas.

Noting that he was the first French Minister to visit Guyana since Guyana gained independence in 1966, Bertrand described his visit as one to promote bilateral cooperation between Guyana and French Guiana.

He also noted that Guyana and French Guiana were part of the Guyana Shield and because of globalisation and the fact that some 3,000 Guyanese live in French Guiana, there was need for a Guyana consulate that could deal with some of the problems and issues. These include the problems of Guyanese entering the territory illegally.

Bertrand held separate discussions with President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Clement Rohee, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira; and City Mayor Hamilton Green.

Radiotherapy cancer treatment by year-end -- Dr Ramsammy

Guyanese living with cancer will soon benefit from radiotherapy treatment at home. This assurance was given by Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

According to Minister Ramsammy, the Ministry of Health has signed an agreement with Global Imaging Services of Chicago to provide a comprehensive radiotherapy programme to Guyanese.

"Equipment, including a linear accelerator, has been purchased and we expect to provide services before the end of the year.

"As we observe Cancer Awareness Week 2005, there is much that we can do to prevent cancer. The Government will increase activities in this respect, but success will depend on all of us developing healthier lifestyles," he said.

The Minister also pointed out that the Government of Guyana is working very hard to improve the treatment and care services for persons living with cancer.

Dr. Ramsammy stated that by the end of 2005, Guyana will add radiotherapy to the overall treatment programme.

In Guyana, breast, cervical and colorectal cancers are leading cancers among women, and prostate, lung and stomach cancers are the main types among men.

Two new oil companies in pre-drilling activities

Commissioner of Mines Robeson Benn said two new oil exploration outfits are in the process of carrying out geo-chemical and seismic work to determine when drilling is to commence.

Sadhna Petroleum and Production (Guyana) Inc. of Trinidad and Groundstar Resources of Canada were both awarded petroleum prospecting licences by the Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) in July this year.

Benn said the technical personnel were not yet in Guyana, though they were carrying out the preparatory work.

He said both companies had their engineers and geologists in the process of information gathering to determine the method and scale of operations.

Sadhna plans to commence petroleum exploration in a location not far from the former ON Energy Inc drill site at Yakusari, Corentyne, Berbice.

According to the GGMC, discussions and negotiations between the government and Sadhna resulted in terms and conditions agreeable to both parties and the petroleum prospecting licence awarded was for up to four years initially.

The production sharing agreement pursuant to the licence is based on the provisions of the government's mining and petroleum policy, consistent with the petroleum legislation and provides for compliance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act of Guyana.

The contract area for Groundstar's licence includes the discovery area at the Karanambo No. 1 well site in the Takutu Basin.

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

A profit share of 50 percent in the event of a commercial discovery that leads to production is one of the terms under the agreement that both companies have signed.

Infrastructural works far advanced in several East Coast housing areas

Massive infrastructural works are ongoing in several housing areas on the East Coast Demerara including Mosquito Hall-Riversview, Enmore-Haslington, Hope Lowlands, Bare Root and Block ‘F’ Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

During a visit to the areas, Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh and a team from the Ministry, met residents to assess the work already completed and discuss ongoing projects.

At Enmore-Haslington, approximately $55 million is being spent to complete all infrastructural works, which include a complete road network and drainage and irrigation system.

The project, which started last November but was hampered by the January-February flood, is scheduled for completion before this year end. Fifteen streets are to be surfaced under this project.

In addition, several roads are being constructed in the Hope Lowlands area under Phase Two of the Housing Development Plan for this area.

Another area currently under housing development is Mosquito Hall-Riversview where the construction of an entire road network and establishment of a drainage and irrigation system is also progressing smoothly. It is expected that these works would be completed before year end also.

Meanwhile, approximately $18 million is expected to be spent on works at Bare Root, which would include construction of an access road leading to the community’s Primary school, two access bridges and repairs to sections of the main access road that was damaged as result of the flood.

Major World Bank water-supply project continuing

Tenders will be out in November for the construction of water treatment facilities under another major potable water-supply project being funded by the World Bank to improve the water-supply network across the country.

The US$11.3 million project entails the construction of water treatment plants and will cater for the upgrade of major transmission and distribution lines in targeted areas. Approximately 40,000 people are slated to benefit, according to Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh.

Fifteen thousand people each in Anna Regina, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), between Tuschen and Parika, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and another 10,000 in the Rosignol area, West Coast Berbice will benefit from this improvement.

Additionally, the Corriverton Potable Water Supply Project that is being funded by the Japanese Government has been approved. The project is estimated to cost US$8 million and would serve approximately 50,000 residents.

Minister Baksh said the Japanese team has indicated it will return in March 2006 to conclude the feasibility studies.

In June, Minister Baksh and senior Advisor on Water Supply Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Omura Yoshiki, signed the agreed minutes for the preliminary study.

The Corriverton Potable Water Supply Project was submitted to the Japanese Government for consideration for funding under Japanese Grant Aid in August 2004.

Meanwhile, work on water-supply projects at Mabaruma, Region One (Barima/Waini) and Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) are expected to start by year-end. The designs have been completed and the projects are expected to be put to tender shortly.

The sum of G$65 million would be spent in Region One to provide potable water from the Wanaina spring to residents of Mabaruma and Kokerite. This includes installation of storage facilities, distribution lines and pumps.

The other project in Region Eight aims to serve Mahdia and Monkey Mountain residents with potable water from the Salbora Creek and will be executed at a cost of G$57 million.

Both projects would be executed under the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) programme and are funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)

Census shows population growth

Guyana’s population has grown by 3.8 percent placing the total to 751,223. This was revealed in the Summary Results and Analysis Report of the 2002 National Census of Population and Housing which is now available.

The population in 1991, when the last census was done was 723, 673, reflecting a growth of 27,500.

The highest proportions of the population are persons of East Indian origin, 43 percent, followed by African origin, 30 percent, Mixed 17 percent and Amerindians are next, comprising almost 10 percent of the population. The “others” are less than one percent.

The Report states that “the distribution pattern has been similar to those of the 1980 and 1991 Censuses, but the share of the two main groups has declined. The East Indians were 51.9 percent of the total population in 1980, but by 1991 had fallen to 48.6 percent, and then 43.5 percent in 2002 Census. Those of African descent increased slightly from 30.8 to 32.3 percent during the first period (1980 and 1991) before falling to 30.2 percent in the 2002 census”.

The Amerindian population rose by 22,097 persons between 1991 and 2002. This represents an increase of 47.3 percent or annual growth of 3.5 percent. Similarly, the ‘Mixed’ population increased by 37,788 persons, representing a 43.0 percent increase or annual growth rate of 3.2 percent from the base period of the 1991 census.

The Whites and Chinese populations which declined between 1980 and 1991 regained in numbers by the 2002 Census by 54.4 percent (168 persons) and 8.1 percent (105 persons) respectively. However, because of their relatively small number, the increase has a zero effect on the overall change. The Portuguese group has declined constantly over the decades.

Cuban eye care programme

More than 1,700 Guyanese have so far benefited from the eye care programme Cuba has opened to Guyana.

Cuban President Fidel Castro told President Bharrat Jagdeo during a visit to that country that the programme was open to Guyanese to allow patients with visual impairments to undergo surgery through the Cuban “Milagros Mission”.

Since then, hundreds have since returned to their homeland with improved vision.

The Ministry of Health has reported that on an average, two flights leave each week with patients to Cuba for surgery for common eye illnesses such as cataract, ptergium and extopia.

• Public Works Minister Anthony Xavier is the new Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport. And, Director of the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), Harry Narine Nawbatt has been appointed as Minister of Public Works and Communication.

• The Alliance For Change (AFC), the newest political party on the local scene, was officially launched. Co-founder Raphael Trotman will be the AFC's presidential candidate for the elections scheduled for next year. Fellow co-founder Khemraj Ramjattan was named chairman and leader of the AFC.

• Construction of the main access bridge to Anna Regina New Housing Scheme on Essequibo Coast has been completed at a cost of $8.9 million.

• The Government of Guyana has awarded several contracts worth $50 million to be executed in Region Two through Basic Needs Trust Fund. Two are for the rehabilitation of dormitories at Anna Regina Multilateral School and upgrading of several streets in the town.

• “Sincere congratulations on behalf of all of our people and Government. You have all done exceedingly well and made us very proud.” This was the congratulatory message offered by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the Guyana Cricket Team on their victory against Barbados in the final of the first ever KFC Cup Cricket played at Bourda Cricket Ground recently.

• On October 15, the first children's centre in Region Two was commissioned by Minister Satyadeow Sawh. The Suddie/Maria's Lodge Women's Development Committee Day Care Centre and Play Group at Suddie costing $10.6 million and furnished at a cost of $2.2 million was constructed under the Poor Rural Community Support Services Project.

• The Caribbean Development Bank has approved funding for two primary schools in Region Three. The Maria's Pleasure Primary School in Wakenaam, and the Greenwich Park Primary, East Bank Essequibo, could be completed by May next year.

• The Government of Guyana on October 27 presented US$40,000 to the United Nations and the Red Cross as Guyana's contribution to assist the victims of the Asian earthquake and Hurricane Katrina.

• The G$350 million National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment launched by the President earlier this year will begin next month in the coastal regions at identified enterprises where training for the “out of school” youths will take place.

• A five-year tourism blueprint that is expected to guide Guyana's fledgling tourism industry along a sustainable path to make it one of the stronger economic pillars should be ready next month. With assistance from Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Tourism Consultant, Dr. Philip Heneghan, a final version of the plan would soon be ready for distribution.

• The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) has donated $1.3 million in equipment to the Guyana Prison Service to assist in the promotion of educational sessions for inmates.

• Another local company, Edward B. Beharry and Company Limited, has been certified for meeting international standards. The company recently attained the ISO 9001 (International Standardisation Organisation) certificate.

• The local malaria programme has been boosted with the return of a team of community health workers who have completed training in microscopic techniques in neighbouring Venezuela. The 10 health workers have already been dispatched to specific areas to begin imparting their knowledge to others to assist in strengthening the malaria programme.

• Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on October 6 commissioned two new photovoltaic systems (solar panels) at Kato, in Region Eight and Paruima, Region Seven.

• The infrastructure of the public sector will be further developed when a cardiac centre is installed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The Government of Guyana has contracted an independent group in the United States to have cardiac surgeries done in Guyana.

• Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta joined with health officials on October 14 to lay the cornerstone of the new G$100 million modern hospital at Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

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

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael