Coartem to be introduced in Mahdia
Georgetown, GINA, March 24 2005
Malaria is the most important and the most widespread of the transmissible diseases. It threatens almost one third of Humanity, affects around 600 million people and is responsible, each year, for more than 2 million deaths.
Caused by microscopic parasites, ‘Plasmodia’, this disease is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito.
Minster of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said today in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) that “malaria has been a serious public health problem that has been with us for a long time”.
He said this problem is most prevalent in hinterland areas and unlike other disease, malaria is not easy to diagnose, since it has to be done with a microscope and this requires trained personnel.
Minister Ramsammy said that in 2005 the Ministry is moving the malaria programme into the regional health services so there would be local personnel to deal with this problem. He added that medical personnel such as medexes and community health workers will be trained in the regions.
He said it is difficult to have person travel to Georgetown for testing and this is the reason why it is important to have trained personnel in the regions to undertake diagnosis of the disease and administer treatment to infected persons.
Minister Ramsammy said Government this year, will focus on making drugs available to persons infected with malaria at the community level.
He said Guyana has access to the best drugs available to fight malaria in the world. Minister Ramsammy pointed out one weakness in Guyana is the lack of access to malaria drugs and that has to change.
In Region 9 the programme has been successful. “We are now starting in the most problematic area region 1” said minister Ramsammy. He said that by July all relevant health workers will be trained and have the drugs available at the community level. He said there will also be health experts from the ministry to give support in Region 1.
The Minster said there will be ongoing training of health workers. He said the medexes and community health workers will be required by law to undergo training.
He added that health workers will be required to retain 10% of their smear testing slides and health experts will check the slides every month so the Ministry could audit the diagnostic process, the reason for the clinical audit is in the effort to provide quality medical service.
Minister Ramsammy said currently a clinical trial is being carried out on another drug in Mahdia, Region Seven. The Ministry is testing a second drug that will be used to treat persons who are allergic and do not respond well to the initial drug and in the event of a Coartem shortage. He said there is always the need for an alternative.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) scientific protocol, given the population, has required that 120 persons be tested with a second line drug combination, Mevfloquin plus Artesunate before the drug is introduced.
Minister Ramsammy said already 100 tests have been undertaken and the remaining 20 is expected to be completed by next week at which time Coartem will be introduced in Mahdia as the first line drug.
Minister Ramsammy said Coartem was not introduced in Mahdia because of the clinical testing of the second line drug. This second line drug will also be as a combination therapy for those who do not respond well to Coartem.
Government has been working through the Ministry of Health to ensure adequate work is done so as to have a quality programme to assist those who are suffering with malaria.
TOP Legislation on Tobacco Control to be ratified
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon at his
weekly post Cabinet Press Conference, disclosed that the Ministry of Health would be moving to Parliament to have Framework Conventions on tobacco control ratified. Cabinet agreed to ratify the Conventions at its meeting of March 22, 2005.
“The Ministry of Health would be moving to Parliament with the enabling motion adoption of which would see Guyana depositing the Instrument of Ratification at U.N Headquarters in New York”, Dr. Luncheon said.
The Convention will set standards for advertising and publicity for health warnings about Tobacco usage.
TOP Mc Doom residents complain of M&CC neglect
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President Jagdeo to revisit
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
Residents of Mc Doom, Greater Georgetown yesterday implored President Bharrat Jagdeo to intervene and bring relief to residents from the deplorable state of the community.
They met the Head of State when he was at the East Bank road to check on the progress of the four-lane highway.
They are contending that neglect from the Mayor and City Council has resulted in bad drainage and impassable streets in the area.
“This is nothing new. I have already spoken on this. I have asked Minister (Clinton) Collymore (Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development) to consult on whether we need to make changes there in the Council and the management,” he told residents.
According to residents, there are two main access streets to be done in the area. The area has potable water and electricity, but the state of the roads is causing much inconvenience.
“I promised them, although the responsibility for roads and drains between Mocha and Industry is the City Council’s, we will help. So, I will visit that area sometime next week,” he said.
President Jagdeo explained that the M&CC’s neglect of the City has caused his Administration to start road works and clean-up campaign in several communities in central Georgetown, but the Administration will have to examine the option of including these outskirt areas in the programme.
A resident raised concerns about provisions for school children in the traffic when the four-lane highway is completed. To this end President Jagdeo and the Road Project Coordinator Walter Willis assured residents that sidewalks will be built at both sides of the road from the Ruimveldt Police Station to the Demerara Harbour Bridge to ensure the children’s safety.
TOP Extension of four-lane highway being examined
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President Jagdeo checks road, stadium progress
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
The possibility of extending Guyana’s first four-lane highway to reach as far as the stadium site, Providence, is being examined even as the highway is still under construction.
This is according to President Bharrat Jagdeo who visited the project site, along the East Bank Road, Region Four, last evening where he had a first hand look at the progress made so far.
The four-lane highway starts at Ruimveldt and ends at the Demerara Harbour Bridge.
“We were just discussing the possibility of extending the four-lane all the way to the stadium because originally we had decided to end it at the Harbour Bridge, but now we are working to see if we can’t bring the four-lane all the way to the stadium. That would be very important to handle the kind of traffic that would be out here,” President Jagdeo said.
Construction of the four-lane highway began in November 2003, with an 18 month duration, putting the completion deadline at May 9, 2005. At present the $US10M project is 75 per cent completed and according to Project Coordinator of the Third Road Project Walter Willis, it is two and a half months behind schedule. He attributed this to several factors, including excessive rains and untimely delivery of construction materials, as well as unavailability of construction materials.
The President said “We are very concerned about the delay and that is why Mr. Willis is working on getting the contractors to complete the four-lance project as soon as possible. We are concerned about the congestion it’s causing and the inconvenience. Several persons have been working on this – the Police, the Minister of Public Works (Anthony Xavier) and I hope that that situation would improve over the next few weeks.”
There are still some critical sections of the road to be done, but “I know Mr. Willis is trying to arrange so that it causes the least inconvenience. But it is necessary and I urge people to bear with us while this construction is going on,” he added.
This is phase one of the road project. The second phase entails construction of a four-lane highway from the Harbour Bridge to the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling costing US$6M.
The Head of State also spoke with workers on the road project, noting that they have the opoprotunity of working on one of the country’s historic highway.
Meanwhile, the President also checked on the progress of the US$25M stadium. At present work is being done on the area that will house the body of the stadium.
The President noted that his visit was prompted by the recent awarding of the contract to the Indian construction company Shapoorji Poollingi to built the stadium to host World Cup Cricket games 2007.
Works are expected to start in about six weeks. The stadium is being funded by a US$6M grant from the Indian Government to Guyana and a US$19M soft loan from the Exim Bank of India. It will have a seating capacity of 15,000.
President Jagdeo noted that houses will be built nearby to provide accommodation for the World Cup fans and the area will be developed to ensure the daily use of the stadium, even after the World Cup Cricket.
TOP Frenzied Easter/Phagwah weekend in Guyana!
-Government spending $1M to support events
Georgetown, GINA Thursday, March 24, 2005
The next two weeks will see a flurry of activities boosting Guyana’s visitor arrivals. The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce is set to take advantage of them to repair Guyana’s image after travel advisories issued as a result of the flood saw arrival figures dropping by 7 percent in January and 14 percent in February.
The Phagwah festival will kick off on Saturday March 26 all across Guyana as Hindus join with other Guyanese and visitors to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It is also a festival that celebrates romance and courtship.
On March 26, there will also be the Rupununi Rodeo in Lethem Region 9, an event that has grown in prominence on the tourism calendar. The event marks one of the major Easter weekend activities drawing larger crowds each year.
Government is supporting this activity to the tune of $500,000. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir said that this assistance is focusing on mobilizing and supporting craft production since the Rodeo is also a market place for the produce of the Region.
Subsidy from Government is also being used to sponsor an archery competition. In addition, the Ministry will be funding the cost for local and international media teams to cover the events so that it can be promoted as an international and domestic tourist activity.
On Sunday, Bartica will come alive with the main events of the Bartica Regatta. Another $500,000 is being shelled out by Government, to provide resources for the clean-up and beautification of Bartica.
Minister Nadir said that the Bartica Regatta is one of Guyana’s historical Easter events but now that the Ministry is developing water based tourism in Essequibo more emphasis is being placed on the event.
The Regatta has emerged as a Premiere Easter activity that is being promoted internationally. The Government subsidy funded the local promotion of the activity, sponsored the cash prizes and trophies for some of the bigger races and a live outside broadcast by the National Communications Network. Central Government has refurbished the main pavilion at the Regatta site.
Members of the media will also be taken to the event by the Guyana Tourism Authority.
This year it will be even more special with about 12 yacht owners from North America and Europe participating in the event.
There will be kite flying and family picnics across the country on Easter Monday with one of the largest gathering at 63 Beach Corentyne, Berbice. Each year the family picnic attracts hundreds of people from across the country.
TOP Regional Tender Board appointments announced
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
At his weekly post Cabinet press conference, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, announced the appointment of the Regional Tender Boards for the ten Administrative Regions.
Dr. Luncheon indicated that the Ministries of Finance and the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board recently concluded the appointments.
"The Regional Executive Officers currently in Georgetown have been advised of the composition of their respective Regional Tender Board", Dr. Luncheon said.
Each Board of five members has two nominees from the Regional Administration and three nominees from the National Board.
The composition of the Board is as follows:
Regional Tender Boards Approved by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board
1) Regional Nominees
I. Oass - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
O. Ram - Building Overseer
National Board Nominees
A. Ramascindo - Minister's Representative
O. Sealy - ROC's Representative
M. Rupnarayan - CA Sub-Treasury
2) Regional Nominees
B. Jaggat - P.A.S. (Finance)
U. Dyal - CA Sub-Treasury
National Board Nominees
- Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
V. Samaroo - RDC's Repersentative
P. Anrood - Supt. of Building
3) Regional Nominees
M. Khan - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
M.N. Amed - Councillor
National Board Nominees
I. Ali - Head, CDB Unit
A. Yacoub. - Regional Engineer
N. Jethu - CA Sub-Treasury
4) Regional Nominees
C. Corlette - Businessman/Councillor
M. Khan - Businessman
National Board Nominees
M. Deen - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
O. Lam - CA Sub-Treasury
N. Mc Garrell - Senior Planner
5) Regional Nominees
B. Bisnauth - Production Manager
W. Cummings - Headmistress
National Board Nominees_
J. -Narine - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
D. Fraser - C.A sub-Treasury
O. Tahal - Work
6) Regional Nominees
N. Ramkissoon - Deputy Regional Executive Officer (Ag) (Chairman)
J. Leitch - CA Sub-Treasury
National Board Nominees
N. Pompey - RDC's Representative
C. Baker - Works
Z. Mustapha - Minister's Representative
7) Regional Nominees
M. Dick-Grant - Minister of Religion
R. Mackey - Storekeeper II
National Board Nominees
G. Misir - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
E. Louis - CA Sub-Treasury
H Ali - Minister's Representative
8) Regional Nominees
M. Francis - Retired Vice Chairman/J.P
Parasram - Businessman
National Board Nominees
P. Ramotar - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
J. Khan - CA Sub-Treasury
L. Garnett. - Works
9) Regional Nominees
W. Tony - Chairman RDC Committer/Businessman
J. Yow - Businessman
National Board Nominees
D. Kissoon - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman) . C.Rodney - Engineer
A. Beckles - CA Sub-Treasury
10) Regional Nominees
H. English - Regional Engineer
R. Morian - Project Manager/Consultant
National Board Nominees
H. Rodney - Regional Executive Officer (Chairman)
J. Dennis - C.A. Sub-Treasury
E. Lall - Minister's Representative
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Environmental enhancement programme for April
Georgetown, GINA Thursday, March 24, 2005
The environmental enhancement component of the South Georgetown Rehabilitation Programme, launched in November 2004, is set to begin in April.
This phase of the programme is aimed at influencing residents of Charlestown, Albouystown and La Penitence to keep their environment clean and healthy and will be launched on April 4.
The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, the Mayor and City Council, the Pan American Health Organisation, the private sector and community groups are collaborating to implement this programme.
In November, $40M was committed to road rehabilitation, the cleaning of drains and alleyways, the re-opening of the Sussex Street Koker, minor de-silting of the Sussex Street Canal and the current environmental programme.
The environmental programme has two components. These are:-
- The provision of a solid waste collection programme which consists of the provision of bins and dumpsters, and twice weekly collection of garbage.
- A public awareness campaign that includes a house-to-house public education programme and a television advertisement campaign.
In light of the recent floods, the programme has gained significance improper solid waste disposal and poorly maintained drains and canals are contributory factors to flooding.
TOP Assessment exercise for farmers and small business owners have started on the E.C.D
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
Farmers and small business owners in flood hit-areas will soon benefit from the Governments assistance package. Yesterday assessment exercises were conducted at several villages along the East Coast Demerara.
During the afternoon several Ministers visited the areas on the ECD to have an update on the progress made during the assessment.
Approximately $2.8B has been allocated for the recovery assistance package.
In several villages along the ECD assessment teams met livestock owners, cash-crop farmers and small business owners to gather information on their losses.
Commissioner of the Geology and Mines Commission Robeson Benn has been appointed as the Coordinator of the Office of the President Recovery Planning and Implementation Secretariat.
Mr.Benn is also being supported by a technical team and representatives of affected areas, they are also working along with members of the Auditor General’s Department who will be involved in ensuring transparency in the distribution of financial assistance.
While on his visit to Better Hope, ECD Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh said the Government is working to ensure people would be able to return to their livelihood.
He said the assessment exercise is an effective one and the team is working diligently to ensure that an efficient evaluation and assessment is being done.
Also at Better Hope Minister of Human Service and Social Security Dale Bisnauth said this contribution is going to benefit the people who have lost their livestock and businesses, he said clearly this will help to make a new start.
Residents at Better Hope expressed satisfaction for the assistance and said it will help them tremendously to rebuild and purchase new stock.
Minister Public Service Jennifer Westford, who visited Nabacalis said apart from the assistance for farmers and small business owners there, is also another package for households that were affected by the flood.
The package will be $10,000 for each household. She said that the procedure has not come on stream yet but perhaps early next week it will be done.
In its effort to restore Guyana, Government continues to ensure measures are put in place. So far flood relief include $150M to rehabilitate school, $50M for the restoration of health centres and a $320M intervention in the water sector.
The Task Force on Drainage in the city identified several immediate projects. Subsequently $100M was allocated to address these.
The expenditure to be incurred for the short-term drainage work in the flood –hit areas will exceed $800M. The total cost to restore Guyana is estimated in excess of $6B.
Minister Westford speaks to a resident of Nabacalis at his home
TOP Books donated to Parliament Library
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran and Liaison Officer to the United Nation Population Fund (UNPF), Patrice La Fleur today donated several books to the Parliament library.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran received the books on behalf of the Parliament library.
The United Nation Population Fund, several months ago, held a two-day meeting for parliamentarians under the theme “Leadership As A Vital Tool Against HIV/AIDS”.
The workshop, which was held in Trinidad & Tobago, hosted parliamentarians from various countries throughout the Caribbean.
Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, DR. Shanty Singh of the GUM Clinic, Patrice La fleur of (UNPF) and lurlene Nester of the PNCR attended the meeting.
The meeting was to promote awareness among parliamentarians who have a leading role to play in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The books will be of great benefit to all, as it will educate persons in high offices of the importance of their commitment in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The meeting sought to ensure and promote increased awareness and support for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support issues among peers and other local officials and authorities.
Promote and increased the levels of financial and other resources for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support programmes within all relevant Ministries.
TOP 124 MILLION TOWARDS CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT IN REGION NINE.
GEORGETOWN, GINA, MARCH 24, 2005.
Amerindians continue to benefit from infrastructure development with the National Budget allocating 124 Million Dollars to Region Nine, (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu).
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta concluded a three-day visit to Region Nine recently.
Amerindians of Region Nine said that they continue to benefit from Government’s continued commitment to better their lives through improved services.
They noted that schools were built, but were over populated after some time.
The Minister pointed out that Government has noted this problem and has constructed bigger institutions and in cases, schools have been extended.
Minister Nokta explained that the government represents everyone; as such development is a priority for all.
During his visit to the communities, the minister said that Fairview would get a new teacher’s quarter.
While in the Region, Minister Nokta commissioned a new school at Woweta.
The school is to be fenced shortly.
He also handed over a new chainsaw to the community at Woweta.
The community of Toka will have its health centre fenced, so said Minister Nokta.
Surrounded by the Pakaraima Mountains, is the community of Karasabai, which has a population of more than fifteen hundred persons.
The Amerindians of Karasabai on Tuesday last, paid tributes to the father and late President of the Guyanese nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
They came out in their numbers to pay tribute and marched from the airstrip to the monument site that they built for Dr. Jagan.
There was a wreath laying ceremony by the Minister and his team as well as members f the community.
The Minister explained to the community that Karasabai would have a new school.
Accompanying the minister on his trip were members of the Progressive Youth Organisation, Kweku Mcdonald, Telma Luking of the Women’s Progressive Organisation and regional chairman Ali Baksh of Region Two, (Pomeroon/Supenaam)
Amerindians were encouraged to start women’s groups as well as economic groups.
These groups would benefit not only the communities of Region Nine but also tourists who visit the area.
Elderly folks of the communities were encouraged to pass their tradition to the upcoming generations in an effort to preserve their culture, the Minister observed.
The Chairman in his remarks urged them to make use of the natural resources that are found in their communities.
He explained that residents in Region Two are making the best use of the natural resources and have been benefiting tremendously.
He noted that the resources are there and that they have had training sessions from the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues on how to develop their communities through the use of natural resources.
Since the PPP took office in 1992 and to date, developments in all Regions are evident.
Amerindians, who live in remote hinterland areas, now have modern Schools for their children, Health Centres, Hospitals, Teachers quarters and NDC’s offices among others.
Amerindian students, who have excelled in CXC and CSEC examinations, earned themselves scholarships both locally and overseas.
The budget is continuing to grow every year, which means higher allocations to the various Regions and more developments in infrastructure, roads and water supplies.
Amerindians noted that life is becoming easier and modern.
They explained that from Georgetown to Lethem, it took them days, but with the government’s commitment to develop Guyana, the reality of taking just a few hours has come through with improved roads.
Soon, the Takutu Bridge will be realised to link Guyana and Brazil, where the two neighbouring countries relations will be further strengthened.
A modern and state of the art Hospital costing more than two hundred and fifty million dollars ($250M) will be constructed in Lethem.
TOP Information on distribution of grant to be announced next week
Georgetown, GINA Thursday, March 24, 2005
Coordinator of the Office of the President’s Recovery Planning and Implementation Secretariat Robeson Benn said he is a bit surprised that in spite of the information provided in the media persons turned up to the assessment centres on East Coast, Demerara expecting to receive the across the board $10,000 grant.
This caused some level of confusion at some of the centres but this was quickly sorted out. Mr. Benn said information is still being collected and validated from the Statistical Bureau and registration centres to compile a master list.
Information on how this grant will be distributed will be provided next week. Residents are being urged to wait until this is announced. Mr. Benn said that no assessment is required for the distribution of the grant.
Mr. Benn said that some residents are of the opinion that grants have been distributed in some communities. However, he pointed out no community has received any form of assistance as yet.
He said that the media has an important role to play in ensuring that the correct information gets out. He said that if they are not clear on any thing the secretariat should be contacted.
Mr. Benn said that the grant is just a small part of the Government recovery programme.
Other highlights in the package include $150M to rehabilitate schools, $50M for the restoration of health centres and a $320M intervention in the water sector. The Task Force on Drainage in the City identified several immediate projects. $100M was allocated to address these. The expenditure to be incurred for the short-term drainage work in the flood-hit areas will exceed $800M.
The cost to restore Guyana after the flood is estimated in excess of $6B. President Jagdeo said last week that Government will be shouldering most of the cost for the recovery package.
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Consultations with citizens on Georgetown City Council to begin April- Minister Collymore
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
Minister in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Clinton Collymore disclosed yesterday that consultations with Georgetown citizens, especially rate payers, on the operations of the Georgetown City Council and what should be done with the Local Government body, will begin next month.
The Minister said that a definite schedule has not been finalized yet but the consultations with Georgetown communities will definitely begin in April.
In addressing the issue of an Inquiry into the City Council which is a separate activity provided for by the Municipal and District Councils Act and comments by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) that the removal, replacement or dissolution of the Council should be done through Local Government Elections or Municipal polls, Minister Collymore said, “They’re confusing two things altogether, the dissolution of the Council has nothing to do with Local Government Elections.”
Continuing, he said dissolution is an interim measure to deal with any possibility of delayed elections or any emergency within the Council.
“If elections have been held and the people subsequently agitate saying that there’s corruption, irregularities, mismanagement or neglect, the Minister by virtue of the law has to set up a Commission of Inquiry,” Minister Collymore explained.
He added that an Inquiry is independent of elections whether the elections are to come or elections have been held and by virtue of the results of the inquiry, the Minister has the power to do what is needed.
Minister Collymore cited Chapter 28:01, section 305 of the Municipal and District Councils Act which he noted provides for the dissolution of any Town Council.
The Local Government Minister reminded that both the Government and the Opposition Party at the Local Government Reform Task Force level agreed that if it becomes necessary to dissolve a Local Government body, whether it is a Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) or other, an Interim Management Committee of the same ratio would replace the elected Council. He recalled the removal of the Linden Town Council which was dissolved with the full involvement of the Opposition party and stated that soon the Rose Hall Town Council would be dissolved in the same manner.
“A precedence has been set and the PNC/R cannot have its cake and eat it at the same time,” Minister Collymore contended, emphasizing that full consultations will be done consisting of meetings with communities in various wards and with the citizens of Georgetown.
The Minister said that should there be an inquiry prior to the dissolution of a Council, then when the inquiry is over, the Commissioner submits to the Minister the recommendations and findings and if the findings include dissolution, the Minister has the option to dissolve, if it includes, besides dissolution, other measures like dismissing certain people, suspending them, transferring them or in some way, putting disciplinary action on them, then he does that,” he further said.
Minister Collymore said that his Ministry has for a long time been receiving complaints from citizens about the performance of the Council, irregularities and the Council’s neglect.
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Assessment of farmers and small business losses continuing
Georgetown, GINA Thursday, March 24, 2005
Assessment officers have recorded information from approximately 3,400 persons on East Coast Demerara for the assistance to farmers and small business owners package funded by the Government.
Coordinator of the Office of the President’s Recovery Planning and Implementation Secretariat Robeson Benn said that over 20 teams are working to complete this exercise.
Teams are expected to begin work on regions three and five next week.
Mr. Benn said that the Auditor General is playing an integral role in the data collection process and will ensure integrity in the distribution of assistance. he said that three officers from the Auditor General’s office are already in the field assessing the data collection process.
The technical team is working to ensure that there is high integrity in the data collection process.
At the end of this activity the secretariat will begin the verification of the information gathered. This will include on the ground interviews and observations.
It is estimated that it will cost over $6B to restore Guyana after the floods. $150M is being spent to rehabilitate schools, $50M for the restoration of health centres and a $320M intervention in the water sector. The Task Force on Drainage in the City identified several immediate projects. $100M was allocated to address these. The expenditure to be incurred for the short-term drainage work in the flood-hit areas will exceed $800M.
The secretariat at the Office of the President is up and running and compiling information in preparation of the distribution of assistance.
TOP Cruise ship with 116 Tourists arrives
Georgetown, GINA, March 24 2005
Guyana continues to make significant strides in its tourism sector as an aggressive marketing programme unfolds ( March 23, 2005). A cruise liner the “Clipper Adventurer” has arrived with 116 tourists from North America who are on a 16-day cruise which includes Guyana.
The media was afforded the opportunity to have a tour of the ‘Clipper’ the tour was led by the Chief Officer Andrey Eomania. The ship boasts accommodation for 120 guests along with the crew. The ship has a library, two bars, a dining area and a main lounge for the guests aboard.
Captain of the ‘Clipper Adventurer’ Philipp Dieckman said the guests aboard the Clipper are very interested in the rich fauna and flora Guyana has to offer. This influx of tourist is a direct indicator that after the recent flood disaster Guyana is safe to visit. The Captain expanded on this issue saying “the tourist would not be in Guyana if it was not safe for them to be here.”
The Captain said many of the tourists have indicated their wish to see the capital of Guyana, Georgetown. He said if this could be made possible it will attract more ships to come to Guyana.
Tourists from the ‘Clipper Adventurer’ are set to visit a number of resorts and tourist destinations in Guyana. They have already today visited and Baganara Resort and are expected to visit Saxacalli on March 25 2005.
Tom and Beverly Barlow, two tourists aboard the cruise ship, spoke excitedly on their visit to Kaieteur Falls explaining how much they enjoyed the scenery of the breathtaking fall and the famous fauna and flora, such as the cock-of-the-rock and the golden frog, species indigenous to the Kaieteur National Park.
They expressed how pleased they are with their choice to visit Guyana as part of the 16-day cruise emphasising how much they loved the unspoilt beauty of Guyana’s rich flora and fauna and how rare such beauty is to find.
Sally Carlson, another tourist, referred to Guyana as a ‘hidden jewel’ expressing how charming Guyanese are and how happy she is to have this experience of seeing beautiful Guyana in all its splendour and glory.
It was highlighted that Guyana is unlike many tourist destinations which only mainly white sands and blue water; the tourist said that the difference is what they are looking to experience.
Many of the tourists promised to return to experience more of what Guyana has to offer and said they would definitely recommend Guyana as a spectacular tourist destination to friends and family back home.
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Congrats Chandarpaul!
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President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, March 24, 2005
President Bharrat Jagdeo has extended congratulations to the new West Indies Captain, Guyanese Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
The President wrote the new Captain of the West Indies Cricket team ahead of the test series against South Africa that begins at Bourda on March 31. The President extended congratulation to Chandarpaul on his appointment, noting it’s an honour for Guyana. He also wished the Captain every success in the future.
“As recognition of your dedication and abilities, this honour is bestowed upon you and our country. We all join in wishing you best wishes for the future and brilliant success for the West Indies Team under your captaincy,” the President’s letter to Chardarpaul read.
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