| Finance Minister optimistic about a January 2005 National Budget
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
Government is optimistic that the National Budget for 2005 will be presented long before the Constitutional March deadline.
During an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar said the Administration is aiming to present the budget in January of next year.
For the past few years, the Budget was presented in March.
“We are working towards a January deadline. We are carrying out our exercises as usual and so I think we will be able to make it for January,” the Minister said.
For successive years since 1992, the Administration’s budget exceeded the previous year, with the 2004 National Budget being the largest to have been presented in the history of Guyana.
The $75.6B 2004 Budget was presented by Minister Kowlessar on March 29, 2004 to the National Assembly and subsequently passed, with a significant portion being allocated to the social sector.
According to the Budget estimates, 9.4 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product was allocated to Education or some $14B, the largest ever in Guyana.
The budget usually emphasises some key elements that have been recurrent in budgets presented by the PPP/C Administration since 1992, including a strong emphasis on the social sectors.
Last year’s budget did not contain new taxes.
TOP
Unavailability of birth certificate is no reason to deny children entry in schools
– Cabinet reiterates
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
The unavailability of a birth certificate is no reason for a child to be denied admission to a school.
This is the policy of the Administration and Cabinet has directed that it be enforced.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today said that the Administration was notified of cases where children were denied entry on this basis.
“Arising from the many Cabinet and Ministerial outreaches and also from other sources, Cabinet examined the allegations of students who have been denied entry to schools because of the unavailability of birth certificates. It was noted that parents blame school authorities for refusing their children entry into schools without birth certificates,” he said.
Consequently, Dr. Luncheon said, “Cabinet instructed the Ministry to re-issue and enforce the policy that school age children are not to be refused entry into schools solely on account of their non-possession of birth certificates.
Meanwhile, the HPS said that Government is continuing its plans establishing multi-purpose centres to decentralise key Government services in all the Administrative Regions. Dr. Luncheon noted that this includes the issuance of birth certificates.
In hinterland locations, he noted that special exercises are being conducted to provide birth certificates to Guyanese.
A birth certificate is a legal document which establishes a person’s correct name, place and date of birth and nationality. Applicants can go to any Post Office and purchase a Birth Certificate form for $30, fill in the relevant information, and return it to the Post Office clerk.
The birth certificate would then be processed and posted to the applicant. This process takes approximately one month.
In cases of emergency, applicants could call personally at the General Registrar’s Office, on the second floor of the Guyana Post Office ((GPO) with their identification card.
Birth certificates can also be obtained for children born overseas to Guyanese parents.
TOP
Prime Minister Hinds attends Eid Fest 2004
Georgetown, GINA Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds deputising for the President, yesterday attended Eid Fest at the Anna Catherina Masjid, West Coast Demerara. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said, “The discipline emphasised during the month of Ramadan, fasting and learning to do without, overcoming material needs and needs of the body could be good for Guyana”.
He went on to say, “Guyanese see other people in other parts of the world who have much more than Guyana and there is the temptation to migrate. People must overcome the attraction for material things and stay here and work together to build Guyana”.
Because Guyana is in the early stage of development, the discipline displayed by Muslims in the month of Ramadan is good for Guyanese.
The Prime Minister commended the organisers of the Fest for using the end of the Holy month of Ramadan to bring people together since this is what Guyana needs at this time.
He said that efforts by the Muslim Youth League, the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity and the United Sadr Islamic Anjuman to bring people of different religions together through religious and various social activities are commendable.
Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick, also attended the event and said parents have the responsibility to teach their children moral and religious values. She stressed this in light of recent reports of violence against youths and committed by youth.
The audience was also addressed by Raymond Azeez, Marketing Manager of NCN radio, who spoke of an Eid celebration at State House at the invitation of President Bharrat Jagdeo to mark the end of Ramadan in 2001.
He said that event marked the beginning of togetherness of the Muslims in Guyana.
Spiritual Advisor, Maulana Noor-Ul-Nadi of Pakistan, encouraged Guyana’s Muslims to be good Muslims not only during the month of Ramadan, but throughout the year, so that they can be good examples in society.
Roshan Khan, President of the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity and Shabir Hussein, President of the Muslim Youth League, also addressed the gathering.
Eid Fest was organised by the Muslim Youth League in collaboration with the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace and Religious Solidarity and the United Sadr Islamic Anjuman.
The event was also attended by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Doodnauth Singh, Liaison Officer to the President, Robert Persaud, Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prem Misir, members of the Opposition, members of the Diplomatic Corps, a representative of the Inter-religious Organisation and Imams and Muslim representatives from across Guyana.
TOP
PNCR still to respond to Govt. offers to restart engagement process
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
Even as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration continues its efforts to restart engagement with the Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) to discuss outstanding national issues, the exercise seems to be one in futility.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin began the Constructive Engagement Process on May 2, 2003. Earlier this year, Corbin aborted the process. His predecessor, the late Desmond Hoyte, did the same thing with the Dialogue Process between himself and President Jagdeo in 2001-2002.
Out of these engagements, several agreements were reached and progress was achieved. However, the Administration says the PNCR has consistently belittled these achievements and has blamed Government for one reason or another.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing today said the re-engagement could address “outstanding issues, arising from the paused Constructive Engagement, grasping at those available opportunities flowing from former US President Jimmy Carter’s visit. The Administration has made repeated and diligent efforts to re-engage the PNCR, even appointing a high representative and calling for reciprocal action by the PNCR. So far, all of these efforts have been futile.”
It was agreed that Government and the main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform would each name a representative early to engage in issues as agreed to during the August visit of Head of the Carter Centre Jimmy Carter to Guyana.
“The PNCR has refused to name its representative and is yet to respond to the PPP/C Administration’s latest offer for the President and the Leader of the Opposition to meet during the initiation of the re-engagement,” he said.
After meeting both President Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Robert Corbin, Carter had said he is confident that, in the near future, there will be a resumption of communication between the political Leaders following his talks with them, with the premises being the communiqué, the National Development Strategy (NDS) and work of the Constitutional Committees.
The PNCR has publicly stated that it is testing Government’s goodwill on the agreements reached during meetings with Carter.
“It would seem that the PNCR, in its own deliberate judgement, is insisting that the Administration perform certain confidence-building acts prior to any such re-engagement. Surprisingly, those PNCR demands by the PNCR deal with the very same issues that the PPP/C Administration has identified as outstanding issues, at which the re-engagement is aimed,” Dr. Luncheon said.
Carter was invited by President Jagdeo to Guyana to assess the future role of the Carter Centre in Guyana. He had discussions with President Jagdeo, the Chancellor, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice, the PNCR, the PPP/C Members of Parliament of both ROAR and GAP/WPA, the international donor community, the Chairman and Commissioners of the Ethnic Relations Commission, President of the Bar Association, representatives of the private sector and trade unions, the Rights of the Child youth group, and others.
The Carter Centre began work in Guyana more than 12 years ago, when former President, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, expressed a desire to heal political divisions and ethnic polarization in Guyana.
TOP
Printing Error!
Wrong Minister’s signature on Official Gazette declaring public holiday
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
The recent incorrect placement of the signature of the Home Affairs Minister on the Official Gazette was an error made by the printing company.
Guyana National Printers Limited (GNPL) has a monopoly on the printing/publication of the Official Gazette.
The signature of the Minister of Home Affairs-on-leave, Ronald Gajraj, was in the November 6, 2004 issue of the Official Gazette, declaring November a public holiday - Deepavali.
The Ministry of Home Affairs says that the Minister-on-leave did not sign the notification as the acting Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Gail Teixeira, on October 15, 2004, did this.
Today at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon said, “much of the printing is supported by modern technology. The printing of certain annual notices is done by the company resorting to reusable templates with the appropriate date change.”
Today, Dr. Luncheon explained how the signatures got crossed on the Official Gazette of November 6.
“It has been brought to the Administration’s attention that a publication in the Official Gazette was issued under the signature of Minister Ronald Gajraj and this was in the instance of the Diwali publication – the notification. The management of the National Printers has confirmed that that was an error and that error was theirs. And it arose when the existing template was changed to reflect the new date, but unfortunately it did not extend the change to Minister Gail Teixeira’s name being inserted,” Dr. Luncheon said.
According to Dr. Luncheon, her name was used as the issuing authority at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“The National Printers has acknowledged its error and has provided a correction in the November 13 issue of the Official Gazette,” he added.
Dr. Luncheon said efforts are being coordinated between the two entities – GNPL and Office of the President to prevent a recurrence.
When asked if anyone was penalised for the printer’s mistake, Dr. Luncheon said Office of the President was only recently provided with this explanation by the GNPL, but ‘it does seem to be a type of error that the modern use of technology and lack of adequate supervision can cause. The agency has corrected and identified its errors and I suspect that the management and Board will be dealing with the Government’s concerns.”
TOP
Government has measures in place to protect children against abuse
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security says there are measures n place to protect children from any form of abuse.
Minister within the Ministry, Bibi Shadick said yesterday that her Ministry gives zero tolerance to child abuse of any sort.
Minister Shadick stated that she personally thinks that the persons who commit such abuse should be severely punished.
She noted that the Ministry recently concluded discussions on setting up child protection committees in all the regions of Guyana.
The main function of these committees will be to prevent the abuse of children.
These committees will also be providing counseling to the community, especially to the victims.
Minister Shadick also noted that the Probation Officers of her Ministry are always available to give advice and to counsel the victims and even the perpetrators.
She said measures are in place to reach out to all the communities in the country.
She said her Ministry and the Government would always be there to assist and extend a helping hand to the Guyanese people.
TOP
It is an honour for Guyana to host Rio Group - Minister Insanally
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
At the XVIII Rio Group Summit held earlier this month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Guyana was unanimously chosen to host the XX Meeting of the Heads of State and Government in 2006.
Guyana represents Caricom at the Group and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudy Insanally attended the meeting.
Speaking with the Government Information Agency today, Minister Insanally said it is an honour, not only for Guyana but for the Region, that Guyana was chosen to host the meeting
According to Minister Insanally, this is the first time that a Caricom country was chosen as the temporary secretariat of the Group and starting in January 2005, Guyana will be a member of the Troika charged with the coordination and representation of the Group's interest and activities. The other members of the Troika will be Brazil and Argentina.
The Minister said this position will allow greater promotion of Guyana as the gateway to the South and as the chair of the Group in 2006 it will allow for the development of real links with Latin America and a reaching-out to the hemisphere.
According to Minister Insanally, the Rio meeting saw the convergence of views from the Group and Caricom on a number of issues, especially on Haiti, which featured predominantly at the Meeting.
The Permanent Mechanism of Political Consultation and Coordination--the Rio Group (GRIO)-- was created in 1986 in Rio de Janeiro. Members include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay and a representative from Caricom.
At the Cartagena Summit in 2000, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua were allowed to participate in the GRIO as full members and no longer as rotational representatives, which had been the practice up to that time.
The main objectives of GRIO were set out in the Declaration of Rio de Janeiro in 1986 and include
- Expanding and systemizing political cooperation among member states
- Examining international issues which may be of interest and coordinating common positions on these issues
- Promoting more efficient operation and coordination of Latin American cooperation and integration organizations
- Presenting appropriate solutions to the problems and conflicts affecting the region
- Providing momentum, through dialogue and cooperation, to the initiatives and actions undertaken to improve inter-American relations, and
- Exploring jointly new fields of cooperation which enhance economic, social, scientific, and technological development.
The Rio Group has been recognized as a legitimate and trustworthy interlocutory by other countries, including Canada, Japan and India, and by other associations, such as Caricom and the European Union.
TOP
Stadium development continues
Georgetown, GINA, November, 17, 2004
World Cup Cricket 2007 is the next big event for the sporting fraternity in Guyana and the Caribbean. Guyana will be having a Cricket Stadium in time to host World Cup matches.
The Government has plans in motion to ensure the country’s ability to host matches allotted to Guyana.
The Local Organising Committee is in Barbados, along with representatives from two Trinidadian designing companies, to discuss the design of the stadium and budget, complying with the standards of the International Cricket Council.
Two representatives of the local World Cup Cricket Committee, Walter Willis and Naresh Harnandan are representing Guyana meeting in Barbados.
Special representatives of the Board, Clive Lloyd and Rohan Khani, will be representing Guyana at the next World Cup Cricket meeting to be held shortly.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Gail Teixeira said the process of bidding by construction companies is expected to begin shortly.
The construction of the stadium will start in April 2005. Land preparation is in progress and the tendering process for piles and the construction of the foundation has started.
On November 11, Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar and Representative of the Export-Import (Exim) Bank of India, Tarum Sharma, signed an agreement for the US$19M concessional credit line, to fund the World Cup Cricket stadium.
Another agreement for a US$6M grant from the Government of India was signed.
The US$25M project has a concessional credit line of a 20-year repayment period, including a grace period of five years, at an interest rate of 1.75 per cent.
TOP
Minister Jeffery attends Teacher education symposium under BEAMS project
Georgetown, GINA Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Minister of Education, Henry Jeffery in his address at the opening of the National Symposium on Teacher Education said, “It is well recognised that teachers are the bedrock of the education system”.
However, he said any discussion on improving education in Guyana must be done in the context of the resources of the country and there is no idealised quality. The quality of education is related to the resources available.
The symposium started today at the Ocean View International Hotel with the theme, “Our Teachers, Our Schools: Teacher education in Guyana for the 21 st Century.”
Minister Jeffery pointed out that Guyana spends 20 percent of Government revenue and 8.3 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product on education. He said that the national effort in this regard surpasses that of any other Latin American or Caribbean country.
Despite this, the amount spent for each child is only US$200 in comparison to Trinidad and Tobago, that spends US$1200 per child and Barbados US$2000 per child. The Minister pointed out that per capita income in these countries are much higher than Guyana’s.
Minister Jeffery said this is recognised by the Education Fast Track Initiative run by the World Bank.
He advised that that education practitioners guard against ideological discourses on educational development and seek to have plans rooted in reality. He said that many people in the education sector would argue for the adoption of certain best practices when these practices may not be suited to Guyana’s environment.
He urged stakeholders to be evidence-based in their discussions throughout the symposium.
The Minister went on to say that the sharing of visions and policy papers should be improved to allow stakeholders to be knowledgeable about their roles and be more involved in the decision making process.
And since the education sector in Guyana has limited resources, teachers must be more innovative and ensure that each child who leaves a particular grade level must be equipped with skills relevant to that grade.
Chief Planning Officer, Evelyn Hamilton, said in her address that within the last 20 years there has been a teacher education component as the Ministry recognises the importance of quality teacher education.
She said that the symposium sets out to contribute to the design for a teacher education framework.
Chief Education Officer, Ed Caesar, in his remarks, said that the symposium is part of the teacher preparation component of the US$55M Basic Education Access and Management Support Programme (BEAMS).
This component allows for participation of stakeholders in the policymaking process. In this regard, he urged all attendees to participate fully in the two day workshop.
Principal of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), M. Fanfair said that the teacher preparation sub-component is part of the development plan that includes quality, equity and human resource development.
She said that CPCE will be responsible for implementing a Teacher Quality Commission that will look at the development competencies of teachers, overseeing numeracy and literacy programmes, testing to support educational development and the crafting of a master plan for the development of the teaching career.
Remarks were made by Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana James Rose who complimented the Government for the BEAMS project but stressed the need for such initiatives in the higher education arena.
A representative of the National Advisory Council of Education and the Guyana Teachers Union also made brief remarks.
The lead paper was presented by International Specialist on Teacher Education for BEAMS Dr. Paula Mark, titled “Teacher education for the 21 st Century.”
Dr. Mark stressed that the quality of teacher education is dependent on the education system.
The BEAMS programme costs US$55M and its three components are civil works to improve school environments, organisational strengthening and school performance. The programme is sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank.
TOP
Permanent river defence earmarked for Craig
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
Permanent river defence works will begin shortly at Craig, East Bank Demerara, according to Minister of Public Works and Communications, Anthony Xavier.
“We have evaluated the problem and realized that permanent works have to be done to prevent further flooding,” pointed out Minister Xavier.
He wants to reassure residents that his Ministry had advertised for the project and bids have gone to the Central Tender Board. At the next Cabinet sitting it will be up for approval.
“Within a week the contract will be awarded and work will begin immediately,” stressed Minister Xavier.
However, at the moment, the water at Craig has run off and more sand bags are being placed at the breached areas. A contractor is on site to see the work is carried out effectively.
“We have a duty to improve the lives of Guyanese, and we will continue to do so,” Minister Xavier added.
Prior to the flooding at Craig, the Public Works Ministry had constructed 1,000 feet of earthen embankment and 150 feet of revetment at an estimated cost of $3.9M.
The permanent work includes revetment work with boulder slope.
TOP
Road rehabilitation ongoing in the City
Georgetown , GINA, November 17, 2004
Several roadways in the City are being rehabilitated by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications. This follows concerns expressed by President Bharrat Jagdeo about the condition of some of the roads in Georgetown.
"We are concerned and I mean if you drive around the city, most of them have deteriorated. So the President has asked me to work in collaboration with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) to have these roads done," says Minister of Public Works and Hydraulics Anthony Xavier.
Government allocated $100M for the rehabilitation of roadways, including streets in Alberttown, Queenstown, Kitty, Campbellville and Bel Air. Other streets that have been repaired include Quamina, Church, Water and Middle streets.
Road repairs are also underway in West Ruimveldt, Albouystown and Charlestown.
Minister Xavier is satisfied with the progress being made. He said infrastructural development is the way forward in any country.
Lloyd Rawlins, Works Superintendent at the Public Works Ministry, is overseeing the project.
TOP
CANU dumps US$1.8M worth of cocaine in the Atlantic Ocean
Georgetown, GINA, November 17, 2004
Some 18 ½ miles offshore members of the Customs and Anti Narcotic Unit and Police Force today dumped 59 kilogrammes of cocaine and 600 grammes of heroin into the Atlantic Ocean.
The drugs were seized from cases and investigations concluded in the Magistrate’s Court.
Deputy Head of CANU Orvin Nedd told reporters that the drugs were valued at approximately US$1.8M.
Field tests were done to ascertain the authenticity of cocaine and heroin before they were dumped.
The cocaine destroyed was found in egg balls, phoulouri, pepper sauce, rum, letters, picture frames and book covers and swallowed by mules.
According to one CANU officer, the heroin was discovered at Ogle Aerodrome on a Venezuelan national and the street value is an estimated US$50,000. The 27 bottles of rum containing liquid cocaine were valued at approximately US$15,000 per bottle.
Nedd noted that CANU will continue in its efforts in controlling narco-trafficking. The biggest drug bust by CANU for the year was 45 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in fish at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The case is now before the Court.
Established in 1995 in a bid to step up the fight against narco-trafficking, CANU has developed a good working relationship with the Police.
Each year officers from the Guyana Police Force and CANU undergo intense training in narcotic investigations.
They benefit from training organised by the Caribbean Regional Drug Law Enforcement Centre (REDTRACK) in Jamaica, and also in Trinidad and Tobago, the USA and Brazil. The training includes basic and advanced narco training and crime analysis.
TOP |
