Gov’t working to enact Firearm (Amendment) Bill shortly
-Home Affairs Minister
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
The administration’s commitment to curb the use of illicit weapons will further be demonstrated when the Firearm (Amendment) Bill is enacted early this year.
In May 2007, the Firearm (Amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly stipulating increases in fines and penalties for persons who are found in possession of unlicensed firearms. One of the penalties is the refusal of bail to persons who are charged.
“I am hopeful that in the first quarter of this year, we would be able to sign the Order putting in place or activating the legislation that we have passed on firearms where the issue of illegal firearms will be addressed with people not receiving bail,” Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee said.
The amended Firearms Act stipulates that any person who purchases, acquires or has any firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm licence in force at the time, will be fined between the range $50,000 and $100,000. When found guilty, a fine ranging between $150,000 and $500, 000 together with imprisonment for 10 years will be inflicted.
The Firearms (Amendment) Bill was last revised in 1993, having been enacted in 1940.
Minister Rohee had indicated that there has been an influx of illegal weapons, particularly through smuggling across the country’s borders which is contributing to criminal activities.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in collaboration with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) during last year confiscated a number of illegal weapons during its stop-and-search exercises.
During the period January 1 to November 8 there were 126 illegal weapons seized.
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National Drug Strategy Master Plan for review in March
-Minister Rohee
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
Government’s quest to arrest drug trafficking will be furthered when its $650M National Drug Strategy Master Plan (NDSMP) will be thoroughly reviewed in March to evaluate aspects that have been implemented and those that require immediate attention.
“This year we will have the mid term review of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan…we have the persons in place who are now currently doing the preparations for this one-day activity. We have targeted the first week in March,” Minister Rohee assured.
The Home Affairs Minister said the persons who have been appointed to conduct the preparatory work are members from the Joint Services and those serving on the National Commission on Law Order (NCLO).
Government has made progress in achieving several aspects of the Plan These include: identifying funding sources locally, signing and ratifying international agreements/conventions, strengthening health and family life education, and computerising the Immigration and Criminal Investigation Departments.
The administration launched the plan to foster institutional, participatory and democratic approaches towards the achievement of a crime-free and healthy society, founded on the principles of social justice, rule of law and respect for authority.
The plan which was launched in 2005, involves legislative requirements dealing with the narcotics, money laundering, and food and drug Acts.
A modernised forensic laboratory and several rehabilitation centres will also be established.
Meanwhile Minister Rohee said the two task forces dealing with fuel smuggling, illicit weapons and drug trafficking are serving well.
“In the past we did not have the level of co-ordination as we have now in these task forces….I think that each member of the task force give an appraisal of the task force and had it not been for these task forces, the level of co-ordination would have been severely affected….You can only appreciate the existence of these task forces by understanding what would have happened if they were not there.”
He said, “The problem in working in the security sector, calls for painstaking behind-the-scene work. It has to do a lot with intelligence gathering.”
The Inter-Agency Task Force on Narcotics and Illicit Weapons and the Fuel Smuggling Task Force members are sharing information and intelligence-gathering in the fight against drug trafficking and fuel and other contraband items.
In December, the Government of Guyana and the local law enforcement agencies were praised by United States Ambassador to Guyana, David Robinson for the efforts being made to tackle drug trafficking.
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Women Parliamentarians discuss sexual violence
- commits to” Stamp it out”
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
Female Members of Parliament from the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), the Alliance for Change (AFC), and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday met to discuss and provide feedback on the sexual violence Paper “Stamp it out”.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand who led the discussions at Cara Lodge, Ouamina Street said that women’s voices are needed on the Paper’s proposals since there are many social issues that affect women. The theme for the session was “Women of one cause”.
The Parliamentarians said that sexual violence is an issue that needs to be addressed and their involvement is necessary.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand makes a presentation at the Stamp it Out consultation
Many examples of young girls who were raped and molested were cited by the participants who committed to stamp out violence among the young generation. They all supported the proposals contained within the document.
Debra Backer of the PNC/R called for corporate bodies to be more active in the fight against sexual violence. She said that scholarships can be offered to students in the sociology department of the University of Guyana to complete post-graduate studies as this will equip students with more experience and training.
A section of the parliamentarians at the consultation
AFC’s Sheila Holder noted that the laws should be severe to punish perpetrators. Her view was supported by other members who said that victims have suffered because of the judicial system. Guyana’s laws relating to sexual offences dates back to 1894.
Some of the proposed changes in the Paper are to abolish preliminary enquiries, introduce integrated services at hospitals and establish a sex offences court.
“Stamp it out” is a Paper with proposals to strengthen protection against sexual violence and reform the laws on sexual offences. It was launched in October by the Human Services Ministry and over 50 consultations were held countrywide to garner the public’s input.
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President led way in propelling successful events in 2007
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 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.
 President Jagdeo with other Heads of Government during the 12th Special Meeting of CARICOM Heads to discuss rising food prices-December 7, 2007.
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 in which he called on the Commonwealth Countries to recognise 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 during a Sideline meeting during the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting at the Guyana International Convention Centre in Georgetown-October 16, 2007
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 as the ruling was 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 western neighbour, 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 liberalisation
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.
Debt Relief and the economy
Debt Relief has been another area on which the Head of State has been thoroughly involved 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.
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.
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 organisations 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 Sugar Modernisation Project.
 President Jagdeo inspecting the new Berbice River Bridge under construction in Region Six-November 16, 2007
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Prisons aiming for self sufficiency in food
-Prison Service, Agriculture Ministry sign MOU
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
The Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the restart of agricultural activities at the prisons to ensure self sufficiency in food.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee speaking at the signing which took place in the Home Affairs Boardroom said the MOU will serve as a momentum to the general plans of government to revitalise farming at the prisons.
“We found that the prison service has tremendous potential to make a significant contribution to the agriculture sector even if it is mainly to ensure it becomes self sufficient in food and other agriculture products …. I have great hopes that this plan will succeed,” Minister Rohee said.
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The GPS during last year had submitted an Agricultural Business Development plan to the Ministry of Agriculture for consideration since the Ministry will play a major role in its implementation.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said it indicates a growing willingness by his Ministry to facilitate assistance for both public and private agencies in developing their agriculture programmes. He is optimistic that the plan will enable economic opportunities.
“As envisioned in the business plan, not only would the prison through these efforts be able to feed itself thus reduce the allocation it receive from the Finance Ministry in this area, but also become an economic opportunity …We will be able to work in terms of research, propagation and breeding in the long-term, so there are some opportunities for us in that regard,” Minister Persaud said.
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According to the plan,surplus produce will be sold on the domestic market. A management committee will overlook the project and technical personnel from the Ministry of Agriculture will also be involved.
The Agriculture Ministry will be pursing a similar arrangement with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) which is to be completed in two-weeks.
The Prison Service once had an active farm that provided some of its food requirements.
Government had promised that work will be done to utilise the prisons’ estate to cultivate and rear livestock and produce more food.
The administration sees this as easing the budgetary allocation for dietary expenditure as money will be used in other areas. Every prisoner costs the State approximately $19,000 per month.
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President sends congratulatory message to new Barbados PM designate
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo has sent a congratulatory message to new Prime Minister designate of Barbados, David Thompson following his victory at the recently concluded election in that Island.
According to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the President said in his message, “The people of Barbados have decided, in the exercise of their democratic right, to entrust the reins of Government to you and the party you lead.”
The Head of State then expressed, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, warmest congratulations and wished the Prime Minister designate and his party, the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) a successful term in Office.
“I look forward to working closely with you in the years ahead for the mutual benefit of our countries and the further integration of our Region,” the message further stated.
Former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur and his Party, the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), were defeated recently when the DLP gained a landslide 20-10 victory over that party.
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Ferry services to be further enhanced
- to aid increased agricultural production
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008.
More investments will be made during this year to significantly improve ferry services at various locations such as Essequibo and Bartica and to reintroduce services to other areas including the Berbice River.
Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn said this is aimed at aiding advanced agricultural production in the targeted areas since the services will provide the necessary transportation for produce to be taken to available markets in other parts of the country.
“We want to stimulate agricultural and other production in these areas. They produce the food and we fetch it and the passengers, reduce the cost of living, have greater production and maybe in a few years’ time our vessels will be going into regional trade carrying food. That is our vision,” he told members of the media at a press conference on January 16 at the Ministry’s, Kingston office.
When the Berbice River Bridge is completed, resources such as the vessels will be relocated to boost services at other locations particularly the Adventure/Parika crossing and at Leguan Island.
At present, the Essequibo ferries are operating on a flexible schedule since a decision was taken by the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) to have the vessels clear the sand bars in the river only at high tides until dredging activities could be done.
At that time, the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), the Ministry’s body responsible for dredging, was facilitating major repairs of its main dredge, Steve N at a cost of $30M.
Upon completion of the repairs, the dredge was assigned to carry out emergency works in the Demerara channel which was heavily silted-up and caused difficulties with loading and offloading of important products. Dredging in the channel is still ongoing and when completed, focus will be placed on the Essequibo area.
Minister Benn explained that the action taken to operate the ferries on the tidal schedule resulted in great savings in expenditure and removed the inconveniences which follows when a vessel runs aground on the sand bars.
There are plans to carry out various activities to further improve service and the safety and comfort of passengers and crew at all locations. In this regard, efforts will be made to carry out upgrading to buildings that house marine staff at Adventure, Leguan, Bartica, Georgetown, Rosignol and New Amsterdam.
The Port Kaituma stelling will also be repaired to further enhance services to that location that was reintroduced during last year after nearly 20 years. Since its recommencement, the service has attracted an increased number of passengers and cargo.
Additionally, discussions are continuing with the Chinese Government to acquire two new ferries that will mark the first phase of a plan to retire the existing vessels which have been in operation for more than 70 years. The two new roll-on roll-off ferries were initially intended for the New Amsterdam/Rosignol crossing but with construction of the Berbice River Bridge, the vessels will operate at the Parika/Adventure crossing.
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Feasibility studies for Linden-Lethem road link expected to start shortly
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2007.
Government this year is seeking to accelerate development of an integrated infrastructure that includes the Guyana/Brazil highway, a project that holds bright prospects for transforming Guyana.
Plans are being put in place to shortly commence feasibility studies for improving the Linden/Lethem roadway.
Such a linkage is expected to increase national income and improving living standards since it will contribute to expansion of markets, increase competitiveness of Guyana’s products and provide more jobs.
At a press conference on January 16 at the Public Works Ministry, Coordinator of the Work Services Group Rickford Lowe said a contract has been approved for award to Mott Mc Donald Limited of the United Kingdom in association with a local consultancy firm, CEMCO Incorporated to conduct the feasibility studies.
Consultants from the UK Company are expected to arrive in Guyana shortly to commence work.
The project is being undertaken by the Government with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through which the Technical Cooperation (TC) is intended to support improvement of the transportation link (Georgetown-Lethem) between Guyana’s north and south regions. This will enhance regional integration and accessibility to facilitate trade and cultural exchanges.
The first Phase of the TC targets preparation of the pre-feasibility study that will present a set of alternatives to be analyzed in Phase II (feasibility studies). The TC was signed last August by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh and IDB’s Country Representative Sergio Varas-Olea.
The Guyana/Brazil highway will provide full integration with the countries of the Guianese Shield Hub since it crosses the proposed East-West transport network connecting Venezuela with Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.
A feasibility study was carried out in 1989 with funding from the European Union (EU) and in 1994, the Government of Guyana commissioned an environmental impact assessment. A second feasibility study was done in 2000.
The Guyana/Brazil road project is in keeping with the administration’s vision for infrastructural development through which many highways, roads and bridges have been constructed or upgraded to enhance transportation and communication countrywide.
Some of the major projects undertaken over the past five years include construction of the East Bank Demerara four-lane road, rehabilitation of the Georgetown to Rosignol roadway and construction of two heavy-duty bridges at Mahaica and Mahaicony.
At present, government is constructing a bridge across the Berbice River to link Regions Five and Six. The bridge will also create easier transportation access between Guyana and Suriname.
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Canje water supply restored
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
The water supply in several communities in Region Six has been restored after the distribution was interrupted last Friday due to a pump malfunctioning at Cumberland, Canje.
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) expeditiously restored the water supply following replacement of the damaged pump.
During this time the residents of these areas were receiving a reduced level of water from the Sheet Anchor well.
At present residents of Cumberland, Caneville and Number 2 Village, Canje are receiving adequate water supply.
Meanwhile, Adventure, East Coast Demerara residents were also affected when their water supply was interrupted when a transmission line suffered a ‘blow out”.
The line has been replaced and the residents are receiving sufficient water supply.
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New dormitory under construction at Orealla
-to facilitate students of Siparuta
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
Significant emphasis continues to be placed by the Government on enhancing the education drive in hinterland communities. Orealla, the only Amerindian community in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) is also a beneficiary of development projects including health and agriculture.
Situated 60 miles up the Corentyne River with a population of about 600, Orealla will soon benefit from a new dormitory that will also facilitate children from neabouring Siparuta.
The project will cost approximately $15M and is expected to be completed by April.
According to Regional Chairman of Region Six, Zulficar Mustapha the dormitory will cater for students who have to travel long distance to get to school and will reduce transportation cost.
The children will have free meals, accommodation and a high quality education provided by the community’s schools.
Mustapha noted that last year a new health centre was built at a cost of $5M to facilitate easier access to medical care.
At present, residents are benefiting from the service of a boat donated to the community by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
It was noted during last year many developmental projects were completed to enhance the image of the community.
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Sir James Douglas likely to be included in list of historic Guyanese
Georgetown, GINA, January 17, 2008
A Guyanese born in the early nineteenth century who made an indelible mark on the Province of British Columbia and Canada, but who little is known about, has been discovered and is expected to be given formal recognition.
Sir James Douglas, born in Belmont, Mahaica in 1803, to a mother who was a slave and a father who was a wealthy Scottish sugar merchant is expected to be given memorial recognition.
Through the auspices of President of the Canadian Cultural Association of British Columbia, Clyde Duncan, efforts are being made with support from Government to honour Sir Douglas in this regard.
Duncan is a Guyanese who departed for Canada with his parents in 1967. He was former Chairman of the Advisory Committee on diversity issues in Vancouver, Canada He is at present serving as a railway Union activist.
Mr. Duncan today met with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Canadian High Commissioner Charles Court, representatives of the National Trust, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Belmont, Mahaica Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) among others to discuss a proposal made to celebrate the life and work of Sir Douglas. The meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minsister Samuel Hinds (right) in discussion with Clyde Duncan (second left) and other members of his team.
Duncan in an invited comment said his talk with the Prime Minister and several other Guyanese about Sir James Douglas is intended to establish platforms for commemoration so that Guyanese in the education and other sectors can benefit.
Duncan, while explaining the biography of Sir Douglas said his commemoration is in keeping with the 150th anniversary of the Province of British Columbia and Canada. Sir Douglas was the first governor of the Province.
Sir Douglas according to Duncan departed British Guiana with his mother, father and brother Alexander for Scotland where they received their education.
From there the family migrated to Chester in England then to Montreal in Canada where Sir Douglas worked his way up to Governor of British Columbia.
He added that key attributes of Sir Douglas during that time in history, was his instrumentality in inviting American blacks up north where the gold rush was peaking.
The National Trust of Guyana which is involved in the preservation of Guyana’s history and culture has agreed to the proposal for commemorative activities for Sir Douglas since it is will strengthen cordial relations in areas of institutionalized cultural heritage.
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TB programme gets transportation boost
-World Bank donates over mini-bus
Government, GINA, January 17, 2008
A crucial aspect for effective medical treatment is transportation infrastructure to ensure speedy response to cases.
Today, the Ministry of Health’s response capacity was boosted with the acquisition of a mini-bus donated by the World Bank for the tuberculosis (TB) programme.
“In order to regulate the quality of services offered, the Ministry of Health is ensuring that we have technical personnel to visit these places and monitor the services. We … want to be able to be at the sites, where services are being provided to ensure that these services are being provided on a timely basis and to a certain minimum quality,” Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said.
World Bank Represenative, Miguel Mercado Diaz hands over mini-bus keys to Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
He noted that the World Bank has been one of the major partners in the health sector and in the initial years when Guyana was mobilising resources for HIV and TB programmes the institution was one of the agencies which readily offered assistance granting US$10M.
Part of the TB programme saw the development of the Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) which is available in all ten regions. The Health Ministry intends that by 2010, every person who has TB will be in a treatment programme that is also supported by DOTS.
The DOTS programme is available not only for those who are living with TB in the communities but also in the prisons.
World Bank Representative, Miguel Mercado Diaz hands over keys to the mini bus to Health Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy
The donation will assist the Ministry of Health built capacity of the local level in different areas of information systems, clinical guidelines, patients’ satisfaction, support to the DOTS worker and the overall monitoring and evaluation of the clinics.
World Bank, Representative Miguel Mercado Diaz committed his organisation’s continued support for the development of Guyana.
“The World Bank has been a partner to the Government of Guyana in fighting and reducing poverty. This is the main goal of the bank and in conjunction with the Government we have several initiatives aiming at that goal. I also want to commend the G0overnment for their efforts in fight HIV/AIDS which is a disease affecting all levels of the population,” Diaz said.
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