Agriculture diversification moves forward
Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2008
Significant achievements were made through the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure that its mandate for 2007 was attained, particularly as it related to improving services offered to farmers to support further agricultural development.
Non-Traditional Crops and Agricultural Diversification
The non-traditional crops sector recoded increased exports and introduced several new crops to the overseas markets, especially in North America.
Another notable activity in this area was the start of construction of the $89M packaging and storage facility at Parika to boost the non-traditional crops sector, to increase exports and promote more value-added products.
Efforts to encourage advanced agricultural diversification continued with various initiatives, some of which were guided by the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Diversification set up following the Agricultural Diversification Summit hosted in December 2006.
Approval of the US$21M Agricultural Diversification Initiative and the US$6M Rural Enterprise Agricultural Development (READ) Project is another major success for the Ministry since these projects will add to ongoing diversification activities.
Improved Services to Farmers
Services offered by the Ministry were reviewed and various adjustments made to ensure more opportunities for agricultural stakeholders and to promote a more business-like approach to support further profitability of their activities.
The extension services programme was revamped with new initiatives that included training of farmers/residents as extension agents, development of a Farmers’ Manual as a form of technical assistance, and establishment of several information technology (IT) centres.
A marketing centre was established at the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) to assist farmers, exporters, processors and others with pertinent information.
In an effort to ensure the safe use of pesticides and toxic chemicals, amendments to the existing Act were pursued while construction of the laboratory at Mon Repos was completed and is awaiting installation of equipment.
Livestock and Poultry
One of the main activities pursued in 2007 was improved breeding stocks through which several animal breeds were imported and farms were developed by private investors with support from the Agriculture Ministry.
Other activities were done through the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) to ensure that improved breeds of animals are made available to farmers while investments were made to establish new pastures.
Regulations were updated to address the sale of chicken and the quality of feed available to farmers to guide development in the poultry sector. These regulations are being implemented and necessary monitoring is being done.
Attention was given to animal health and safety through increased surveillance for Foot and Mouth Disease at all ports of entry and Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). A simulation exercise for Bird Flu was successfully conducted at Laluni to ensure Guyana is adequately equipped to deal with a possible outbreak of the disease
Avian Influenza Simulation Exercise - August 8, 2007
Fisheries
Among the main achievements in this sector were completion of the Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) that outlines strategies to develop the various sub-sectors and re-activation of the Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC) that advises on the sector’s continued growth.
Additionally, new initiatives were pursued to tackle piracy including strong collaboration with fishermen’s cooperative societies and law enforcement agencies. Two boats and engines were purchased by the Ministry to assist with patrols while, through the intervention of President Bharrat Jagdeo, $5M was made available to initiate an Anti-Piracy Revolving Fund.
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) secured an additional $15M to set up a modern communication system with heightened efforts by the GDF, especially the Coastguard, in dealing with piracy.
To further boost the aquaculture industry, the Ministry continued providing support to the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana (NAAG) and began construction of a new hatchery at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. 
Minister Persaud with fishermen at a Georgetown fisheries operations
Forestry
Of significance in this sector was the passing of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) Bill as part of efforts to modernise the entity’s operations and continue the sector’s continued growth.
Several regulations were promoted for improved wood processing standards and procedures while countrywide sensitisation seminars were held to ensure that stakeholders are aware of the regulations.
Focus continued on the promotion of lesser-known species to reduce dependency on popular wood types while other activities were taken to boost monitoring and management of the sector.
Rice
Exports of rice recorded the highest in the last decade despite production being affected by inclement weather and increased costs of fertilizers, spare parts for machinery and fuel.
Government’s intervention to deal with the rising production cost resulted in the removal of Valued Added Tax (VAT) from fertilizers and spare parts for machinery used in the rice industry. Additionally, the Excise Tax on fuel was reduced.
Other major achievements to boost the rice industry included launching of a $1B financial facility that provides loans to rice stakeholders at reduced interest rates, major waters works in Region Two and provision of improved extension and research development services.
Additionally, seed paddy plants were commissioned at Leguan and Crane while construction of another at Black Bush Polder commenced.
Sugar
Although the sugar industry was affected by several major challenges, the new factory at Skeldon advanced as the diesel generators of the co-generation plant were commissioned.
Additionally, a lot of emphasis was placed on accelerating work on the agricultural component of the Skeldon Modernisation Project (SSMP) and on upgrading of various factories particularly the plant at Enmore to accommodate establishment of a packaging facility.
Climate Change
During 2007, the National Climate Unit and National Climate Change Committee and an additional 35 monitoring stations were established in the country. Focus was placed on capacity building in the respective agencies to meet the commitments of the Kyoto Protocol and Bali Road Map.
Guyana was also represented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (CoP) meeting in Bali, Indonesia, which focused on initiatives to tackle climate change globally.
Drainage and Irrigation
To combat the effects of climate change, approximately $2.2B was invested through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, the Mahaica, Mahaicony, Abary Agricultural Development Authority and the various Regional Administrations to improve drainage and irrigation in several areas.
Some of the activities undertaken were the purchase of more equipment such as pumps and excavators, clearing of various canals and outfalls channels, construction/heightening of embankments and rehabilitation/reactivation of structures such as sluices and kokers.
Long boom excavator at work at Mon Repos,ECD
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FAO plant specialist to support Agriculture Ministry in weed control
- Minister Persaud hopeful of early design, implementation
Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2008
The Ministry of Agriculture has taken a further step to curb the problem of weeds and pesticides which often present major challenges to Guyana’s drainage and irrigation system.
The Ministry has invited Weed and Plant Protection Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) Ricardo Labrada Romero assess and design a control programme and today he met Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at his Regent Street Office. Director of the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) Odhu Homenath also participated in the discussions.
His work in Guyana will include tackling among other things, the antelope grass which Minister Persaud explained, has cost government more than $700M to clear from drains and canals.
“When the project gets off I do hope that it will aid in that effort of better water management and also at the same time, we can look at other problems we encounter not only in canals but in other areas… I look forward to an early completion of your project design and implementation,” Minister Persaud told Mr. Romero.
The project is one which Minister Persaud said has attracted the interest and patronage of Head of State President Jagdeo who is also eager to see technology being utilised as a control method.
A staff of the Ministry recently returned from China with a wealth of knowledge in various methods of weed control and will be aiding the Ministry in its efforts.
“We do manual cleaning and we make full use of our excavators, but we have to look at new ways and benefist from research and science out there that can deal with the problem of weeds,” Minister Persaud noted.
The specialist expressed his eagerness to start the project as well as explore new initiatives such as the implementation of biological or non-chemical control methods to prevent environmental harm.
He added that he also intends to propose some measures that can contribute to better productivity of Guyana’s irrigation channels as well as other aspects of drainage and irrigation.
During his tenure in Guyana he will be working along with the Pesticide and Control Board, the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO).
The use of manatees has in the past been one of a number of biological control methods used in Guyana. This method has been widely suggested in the Caribbean and other parts of the world.
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Capacity building top priority for Fire Service in 2008
-Chief-Fire-Officer
Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2008
The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) will be working on improving its capability and efficiency during this year and against this backdrop, it will be pursuing further training for its ranks at both the local and overseas levels.
“We intend to put a lot of emphasis on training especially overseas, once the budgetary provision is there. There will also be focus on public education. This is another area we will be looking at,” Fire Chief Lawrence David said.
The GFS will also be looking at ways to increase its water supply in fire-fighting including inspecting hydrants across the country.
“Water for fire fighting purposes will have to be looked at. So we will be intensifying our inspections on fire hydrants and where there are defections, we will report it to the relevant agencies or in some cases we make the necessary interventions,” David asserted.
The department will increase gear and outfit for its ranks’ safety during fire fighting exercises.
In 2007, a total of 1,075 reports were made to the Service out of which nine deaths occurred and 460 persons were made homeless. There were 184 false alarms.
The Fire Chief said during this year, the department will be looking at issues where there are unnecessary congestion in stores, limited internal fire protection and one exit which poses a threat to escaping if there is a fire.
The department will also be working with relevant agencies to address the problem where gas stations are opening additional sections like food marts and workshops which the Fire Chief said is dangerous.
The GFS has received tremendous support from the administration through several initiatives including the establishment of more modern fire stations.
In 2007, the administration continued to demonstrate its commitment to enhancing the operations of the GFS through several interventions including in the areas of training, building more modern fire stations and providing the necessary resources.
Equipment worth $24M was purchased and $556.5 M was provided for land and water equipment. The capital budget for the Fire Service was $114.4M, with the current budget being $343.1M.
New and existing fire stations were upgraded and renovated. On September 26, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee commissioned a $35.1M fire station in Linden.
In 2006, the capacity of GFS was further boosted with the acquisition of 10 fire tenders and one Land Rover at a cost of $60M. Anna Regina, Leonora, Linden, Timehri, Ogle, New Amsterdam and Corriverton each received one fire tender, while the Land Rover boosted the Central Fire Station fleet in Georgetown.
Meanwhile, government will be establishing an auxiliary unit that will comprise trained persons from the communities to assist the Service’s fire-fighting efforts
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Education Minister launches workshop on teacher education and training
Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2008
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh today declared open a one-day workshop on teacher education and training and the Minister charged stakeholders to make bold inputs which will serve to strengthen the Education Strategic Plan.
The workshop held at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Battery Road, Kingston saw participation of several stakeholders from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the University of Guyana (UG) and experienced education managers.
The objectives of the workshop, the Minister explained, are to review teacher education and training; assess the quality of teacher education and training; determine the number of teachers to be trained over the next five years at the nursery, primary, secondary and technical/vocation levels and the cost for such training. This will enable the Ministry to decide on the institutional and administrative changes required to promote and sustain effective teacher education and training in Guyana.
The Minister pointed out that there is need for an in-depth look at what is being done within the sector and how the quality of education being delivered can be improved. He noted that this is an area of concern and that Government is working to improve the situation.
The programme featured an overview of education and training, examining the number of teachers trained at the CPCE over the last five years by specialisation pre-service, in-service and distance modes; the number of teachers leaving the service over the last five years; the total and unit cost of teacher training at pre-service, in-service and distance modes; assessment of the numbers of teachers to be trained and the annual cost over the next five years: pre-service, in-service, distance mode and by specialisation.
Other issues to be examined dealt with teacher education and training programmes at CPCE and in-service training centres which would include entry requirements, programme design, curriculum and quality assurance. This will also be done for UG with stronger linkages with CPCE being forged.
Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox in her brief remarks, noted that there is need for the sector to ensure that it continues training to make sure that the teachers deliver quality education to children who are the future leaders.
She also urged that during the deliberations, participants take a humanistic approach, since teachers are sent to outlying areas to take up positions and need to be given enough information on the culture and lifestyle of the residents of these areas.
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Commercial enterprises must register with Labour Ministry – Chief Labour Officer
Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2008
All commercial enterprises where labour is employed are required by law to register with the Ministry of Labour, Chief Labour Officer Mohamed Akeel said today. Failure of an enterprise to do so constitutes a breach of the labour laws and does not preclude the inspectors from visiting an enterprise.
Inspections identify delinquent employers who are then invited to attend the Ministry’s educational programmes geared to improve their knowledge of the labour laws.
Production and productivity will be the focal areas of the Ministry when training seminars are held for employers. Human and other resources are not being utilized efficiently.
Many businesses are going under or are stagnated because they fail to employ ‘best practices’ when employing resources. This, Akeel said, could be detrimental to the economy since it could create unemployment and lead to the closure of industries.
Akeel expressed concern over the number of complaints coming from persons employed in the hospitality industry from which 246 complaints were received last year. They included failure to: pay wages, pay in lieu of notice and produce record of wages.
The Labour Ministry last year merged the Labour and Occupational Safety and Health Departments and retrained its inspectors, making it possible for one person to inspect all breaches at worksites. This move increased the number of worksites inspected from 650 in 2006 to 2278 in 2007.
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Labour Ministry commences post-holiday inspections of businesses
Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2008
In its continued effort to ensure that workers’ rights are protected, the Ministry of Labour commenced an inspection exercise aimed at ensuring that all persons employed by commercial enterprises during the Christmas holiday shopping season were paid overtime and other benefits as prescribed by law.
Chief Labour Officer Mohamed Akeel today said that the inspections at the beginning of the year was normal since during the Christmas shopping season businesses opened for longer hours.
The fan-out exercise would be conducted over the next two weeks. All commercial enterprises in urban areas that employ workers will be inspected. Akeel said even though the law allows stores to be opened between 07:30 h and 20:00 h daily it does not allow for employees to work those hours.
The law he said, limits the hours of work to 7 ¼ daily and not more than two hours overtime per day or 20 hours overtime per month. The employers of these enterprises he said were expected to arrange a shift system for the employees.
The Ministry of Labour represents workers in the absence of the workplace being represented by a union. Last year the Ministry collected over $17M in unpaid wages and benefits owed to employees and 26 enterprises were placed before the courts for various breaches against the Labour and Occupational Health and Safety Act.
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New primary school for Santa Mission
Georgetown, GINA, January 9, 2008
The Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Education have been working closely to ensure all of the nation’s children are educated and toward this end new educational institutions are continually being built and existing ones rehabilitated especially in Amerindian communities.
Santa Mission, the lone Amerindian community in Region Three, located about 31/2 km up the Demerara River will soon benefit from a new primary school building that will have greater accommodation capacity.
Regional Chairman of Region Three, Julius Faerber said the community currently has both a nursery and primary schools, however, due to the deterioration of the primary school building the Government has allocated over $14M for the construction of a new one.
Construction started in October and is expected to be completed by the end of this month. The existing building had the capacity to accommodate 192 children while the new school will serve over 400 students.
“This school, like all others that the government is building will ensure in the
long - term that more children will gain access to education and would give rise to more people becoming literate.” Faerber said.
Government has placed more emphasis on educating Amerindian children in order that they benefit like other sections of society and play their part in national development.
Hundreds of schools have been built or rehabilitated in Amerindian communities nearer to children’s homes to encourage attendance.
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Restructuring of housing sector to continue
-repossession of ‘unused’ houselots to take place
Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2008
Minister of Housing and Water Harry Narine Nawbatt says that his Ministry will continue with its aim towards restructuring the housing sector by ensuring that all persons who applied for house lots up to 2003 are allocated their lots.
The Ministry plans to, during this month, commence work on applications for 2004. It is therefore, requesting that persons who applied for houselots before 2004 visit the Ministry of Housing for their interviews.
According to the Minister, the Ministry hopes to fast-track the process and anticipates that by the end of 2008 it would be able to allocate lots for 2005-2006.
Although many persons have the perception that there are unoccupied lots in housing schemes, Minister Nawbatt said the Ministry can only offer houselots where they are available and in most cases, the lots in housing schemes are already allotted.
The Ministry of Housing will be implementing the repossession policy this year and allottees who have either failed to pay for those houselots or to construct buildings on them will be targeted.
Minister Nawbatt said the Ministry cannot continue to allocate houselots and persons are not building. He said some allottees reside overseas and simply abandon their land while believing that they still have some claim to the lots.
While he understands that there are some people with financial constraints who cannot build immediately, the Minister says his Ministry cannot continue to allow this practice.
However, the Ministry is encouraging persons who are currently constructing homes to build houses that are comfortable and according to housing requirements.
Minister Nawbatt said allottees experiencing problems can approach agencies such as Food for The Poor and Habitat for Humanity to assist them in building.
The Ministry has taken into consideration special cases and will assist large families and persons that are handicapped or HIV positive.
In 2007, the Ministry allocated 2053 houselots to persons who had sent in applications. In squatting areas, 740 persons were relocated and in housing schemes, 1313 houselots were allocated.
Minister Nawbatt explained that although there has been reduced squatting, there are still several instances of this occurring and the Ministry has been making special provisions for those persons, especially some who were squatting along the railway embankment and have applied up to 2005. It is expected that these persons will be allocated lots and relocated.
In the Sophia Police Station compound five persons were found squatting and this is against the law, the Minister said. However, he pointed out that the Ministry provided houselots for all of those persons to move, but only three have moved so far.
The Housing Minister said his Ministry will be lenient and reasonable as possible but it cannot encourage and allow persons to be squatting in areas that are unsafe for them since, in some cases, persons are living in close proximity to electrical wires.
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Suddie Diagnostic and Treatment Centre to become operational next month
Government, GINA, January 09, 2008
The much-anticipated Diagnostic and Treatment Centre at the Suddie Hospital, Region Two is expected to become operational next month.
This assurance was today given by Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran during an inspection visit of the facility. He was accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Hydar Ally and a technical team from the contracting firm, Roy Bassoo and Sons Contracting Services.
“We are at the final stages in the preparation aspect of getting this facility ready in time for it to be commissioned next February. Civil works are virtually completed and under the supervision of a technical Cuban team, the equipment is being installed,” Minister Ramsaran said.
Currently, a 500-kilowatt power generator and other electrical panels are being prepared for installation. The generator was procured at an approximate cost of $10M and will provide a 24 hour supply of electricity to the hospital.
Additionally, the x-ray machine to be used at the facility has arrived and is expected to be installed early next week.
Minister Ramsaran, whilst speaking to the media, said the new facility will become the first referral institution in Region Two and will provide a range of new services not offered in the Region.
This includes services such as laboratory, intensive care, hematology, x-ray, ultra-sound and improved gynaecological services.
During the initial stages, the Suddie centre will be staffed by Cuban medical and technical personnel. Guyanese doctors and specialists under training will assume responsibilities eventually.
The Suddie, Leonora, Mahaicony and the recently commissioned Diamond Diagnostic and Treatment Centres as well as the $140M Ophthalmology Centre are projects implemented through a collaborative effort between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba.
The contracts for the construction of these institutions were finalised between Guyana’s President, Bharrat Jagdeo and Cuba’s President Dr. Fidel Castro in February 2006 during a three-day visit to Cuba by President Jagdeo.
The Diamond Centre, commissioned on October 13, 2007 has to date, provided services to approximately 14,000 people from the East Bank of Demerara and surrounding villages.
These centres are part of Government’s effort to diversify health-care delivery to all the regions and to bring ease to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GHPC).
Meanwhile, the Leonora and Mahaicony Diagnostic Centres are almost completed. Equipment to be used in these facilities is expected to arrive in the country shortly, after which the centres will become operable.
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Local Government Ministry achieved 98% of 2007 projections- Minister Lall
Georgetown GINA January 9, 2008
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall has rated the achievement of completed projects undertaken by the Ministry for 2007 at 98 percent. Special mention was made of Region Ten which had completed 99.98 percent of its capital projects. This disclosure was made during his end-of-year media briefing today at the Ministry.
Lall said the Ministry received a budget of $13.4 B from Central Government to execute programmes in the 10 Administrative Regions and six Municipalities.
All sixty-five (65) Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) were given a total of $195M ($ 3M each) by Central Government as a subvention. Programmes to utilize the funds were proposed and approved by the Ministry and successfully implemented under the supervision of the respective Regional Democratic Councils.
Five municipalities received a subvention of $ 5M each while Georgetown was given $20M. In addition to this allocation the Ministry undertook other infrastructure works in the localities.
The collection of rates and taxes by Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) and municipalities were of concern to the Ministry. Minister Lall said that the taxes collected by NDCs and municipalities are used to meet administrative costs and to execute minor developmental works.
In 2007, $546,753,398 was estimated to be collected by NDCs but only a total of $267,643,778 was actually collected representing 49 percent of rates and taxes while the projection for the six municipalities for 2007 was $977M but only $767 M was collected.
This shortfall resulted in them being unable to provide the required services. Addressing the request for increase in rates and taxes Minister Lall said the main issue to tackle is collection. Citizens were not paying the NDCs and municipalities monies owing to them.
An increase in rates and taxes he said would result in the same 50 percent of persons who are already paying, paying more. New and innovative initiatives must be derived to encourage more persons to pay.
Last year Central Government was forced to bail out the Georgetown Municipality after lack of funds caused a strike by contractors who were owed monies. The Minister had told the Council that they needed to improve their collections. One entity at that time had owed the council close to $100M.
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Britain considering President’s ideas to combat Climate Change
Georgetown, GINA, January 09, 2008
Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of the British Diplomatic Service, Peter Rickets says he will be heading home to Britain with a strong message on the challenge facing Guyana as a result of Climate Change.
The Under-Secretary met with President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday last at the Office of the President to discuss among other things, the President’s initiative on Climate Change and other matters relating to the Commonwealth countries.
“I had a very interesting meeting with the President. We talked about a lot of things….Climate Change, for example, and the President has some very interesting ideas which he’s been talking to my Prime Minister, Gordon Brown about,” Rickets explained after the meeting.
Rickets alluded to the President’s offer of donating Guyana’s entire rainforest in the service in the battle against climate change. The President made the offer during a memorable speech in October last during the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting opening ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre. Britain has since been considering the offer while other Heads of Government have welcomed the initiative.
“I think being here…I can see why climate change is a real challenge for Guyana,” Rickets contended as he observed the inclement weather patterns and the constant rain.
“Britain is very much at the heart of trying to help the President in his reform measures and I am going back with some new ideas I can think about,” Rickets posited.
The President’s Climate Change Initiative aims at incentives to reduce deforestation and stipulates that this should be integral to any agreement on climate change. Guyana’s rainforest traps carbon dioxide and converts it into carbon and could be integral in the global fight against climate change. With carbon having monetary value, the Head of State believes that Guyana should be compensated for its standing forest and for its efforts to preserve its rainforest.
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President led the way in propelling successful events in 2007
Georgetown, GINA, January 09, 2008
The Year 2007 proved to be significant for Guyana and has been described by Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo as a memorable one, with Guyana being recognised worldwide through its hosting of a number of international events.
Several successful initiatives were spearheaded by the President and will be remembered for years to come including the Jagdeo Initiatives on Climate Change and Agriculture.
The Jagdeo Initiative on Agriculture
The Initiative on Agriculture is an exercise formulated by the President to identify and define key, critical and binding constraints to reposition and develop the agriculture sector in the region and practical interventions at both the regional and national levels to alleviate the constraints. It requires the involvement of agriculture stakeholders across the region through their respective Agriculture Ministries and private sector teams.
In December last and as a result of the rising cost of food and fuel throughout the Region, the 12th Special Meeting of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre where it was decided that the Jagdeo Initiative on Agriculture would be placed in the forefront since it is crucial to the Region.
The Jagdeo Initiative on Climate Change
The Climate Change Initiative, which aims at incentives to reduce deforestation and stipulates that this should be integral to any agreement on climate change, also garnered much success in 2007.
The President recognized that Guyana’s rainforest trapping carbon dioxide and converting it into carbon could be placed in the global fight against climate change. With carbon having monetary value, the Head of State took full advantage of this initiative during the Commonwealth Finance Ministers’ Meeting’s opening ceremony which was held at the National Cultural Centre in October. The President delivered a memorable speech which called on the Commonwealth Countries to recognize the need for their support to allow for changes to the current Kyoto-Protocol that does not include incentives for countries with standing forests but instead, provides incentives for countries to replant their forests following deforestation.
President Jagdeo’s Climate Change initiative was further endorsed by over 150 Commonwealth Heads during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Kampala, Uganda.
Diplomatic achievements
2007 was also described as a ‘watershed’ year by the President who recalled that Guyana’s case for the demarcation of its maritime boundaries with Suriname was successfully argued before the Arbitral Tribunal of the Law of the Sea Convention. Guyana was successful in that the ruling went mostly in favour of the country and proved to be a victory for good neighbourliness for both Guyana and Suriname. It also ended a lengthy dispute and allowed for improved relations with Suriname.
As it relates to Guyana’s neighbour to the West, Venezuela, the two countries were able to clear up a dispute which seemed to be brewing as a result of an incursion into Guyana’s territory by the Venezuelan military. Following the issuance of a Note Verbale to Venezuela by Guyana, Venezuelan officials met with President Jagdeo one month later and expressed their country’s regret at the incident. They noted that Venezuela holds only good intentions for Guyana and Guyanese officials responded that the results of the meeting were positive.
Telecommunications liberalization
Aiming to liberalise the telecommunications sector in the country over the past few years, the President and his Government were successful in 2007, when the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T’s) Company’s monopoly in the sector was broken following Government’s efforts and another company, DIGICEL, entered the cellular phone market on February 14, 2007. This move allowed for citizens countrywide to equip themselves with cell phones and to benefit from low cell phone rates.
Progress was also made under the Presidential sector in a number of additional areas including in social services where the Head of State assisted a number of organizations through allocations to assist the poor and needy, in public works where the construction of the Berbice River Bridge advanced as well as the Skeldon Modernisation Programme.
Debt Relief and the economy
Debt Relief has been another area on which the Head of State has been thoroughly focused for prior to and in 2007 and Guyana was able to secure much of this from international institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank. Debt relief thus resulted in Guyana being able to save more financially to propel development in its various sectors.
The last year saw Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product growing by some five percent and this was not confined to traditional sectors, according to the Head of State. As the traditional rice and sugar sectors continued to contribute a significant portion to national output, there was also growth in a number of other areas that contributed to the positive performance of the economy. Areas such as the transport, tourism and telecommunications sector received a significant boost especially as a result of the international events hosted in Guyana and the visitors who traversed the country. Many new investment initiatives were also derived from these ventures in the form of hotels and other infrastructure.
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