$300 M allocated for Tourism Sector
- Emphasis on CARIFESTA X preparations
Georgetown, GINA, February 25, 2008.
The 2008 National Budget has made a procession of $300 M that will contribute to the enhancement of the tourism industry. A major aspect of this improvement will be infrastructural facilities.
While tourism is not a traditional sector for Guyana, Government has placed high priority on actively promoting accelerated diversification of the economy, as such non-traditional sectors like tourism are targeted.
The budgetary allocation will be spent on the upgrading of venues that will be used when Guyana hosts the tenth Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA X) which is expected to generate a great deal of activity for the domestic tourism industry.
CARIFESTA X is expected to be the cultural highlight of the Caribbean when it is held in August and will provide an excellent opportunity for Guyana to solidify its image as a tourist destination in the region.
Government has projected that the hosting of CARIFESTA X will have a positive effective on the economy since the hosting of the celebrations is expected to generate further economic activity is several sectors during 2008.
During 2007 Guyana hosted the Cricket World Cup 2007 games at the newly constructed Providence Stadium. This paved the way for Guyana to embark on Sports tourism, and in the promotion of this aspect the Government has allocated $259 M for the construction of an Olympic sized swimming pool, rehabilitation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the National Gymnasium, upgrading the Colgrain Pool, and the purchase of sports gear and equipment.
Government has planned to target the nature based tourist markets where emphasis will be placed on niche sectors such as yachting, birding, and eco-tourism.
The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in last year’s budget received $65.6 M to promote and market Guyana as a unique tourist destination.
In the 2008 Budget other sectors that complement tourism including Works and Transportation sectors have also benefited as they have received significant allocation.
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Police demonstrate process of ballistics examination
- it is as accurate as fingerprint testing
Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2008
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) through Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe today carried out a demonstration exercise of the way in which the Force conducts ballistics tests.
The exercise which was done at the Police Officers’ Mess, Eve Leary was aimed at clarifying misinformation peddled in some sections of the media that the Force’s method is not accurate.
Recently, in the media former US Army Sergeant Mr. Alfonzo Martin, criticised the local Police saying that it is incapable of carrying out proper ballistic tests, claiming that all spent shells can reveal is to classify the type of weapon and not to identify the weapon used in a particular incident.
Asst. Commissioner Slowe said though he has no intention of discrediting the views of the ex-soldier, scientifically he is incorrect. 
Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe demonstrating to members of the media
“Given my background and training in the area, I thought perhaps it is just right for me to come and clarify the issue… I don’t know the gentleman. Therefore, I cannot seek to discredit his credentials or anything like that. However, in relation to the science that he was dealing with I will deal with,” Slowe said.
The Asst. Commissioner who has represented Guyana at several training programmes on forensic science with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said a ballistic test can be done to determine if a particular weapon was used at more than one scene. This, he said can be done by examining casings recovered from scenes.
“If you find a casing at a scene, then a casing at a another scene, they can put it under the microscope and examine the marks that I told you about, the primer, the casing itself, the ejector mark, the extractor mark, and once you do a thorough microscopic examination, you are able conclusively to say that this particular casing that I find here is the same, casing fired from this particular weapon,” Slowe said.
“You don’t have the weapon so you cannot say….he (ex-soldier) was talking about the bullet…now you find a casing, you can say that this particular weapon was used at several scenes but you cannot say that these weapons have killed or injured anybody because you have not recovered the bullet.”
Slowe said the ballistics test method that is being used by the Guyana Police force is used scientifically worldwide and once all the necessary tools are there, its 100 percent accurate.
“I am not here to talk about the competence of the person who is examining, but I am talking about the science meaning all things being equal, that is to say, you have the necessary equipment, competent persons, recover the casing. You are able without any doubt to state accurately, so this is not only in Guyana; this is established all over the world.”
He said, “The accuracy of the ballistics they say is just as accurate as the fingerprint, it’s a 100 percent, the science that is. We are not talking about human error. Therefore, you cannot discredit the science. What they can attempt to do is discredit the process.”
Meanwhile, in relation to the issue of unprotected crime scenes, the Assistant Commissioner of Police said efforts are being made to address this problem, one of which is training.
In the 2008 National Budget the security and defence sector received $13.7B to improve their capabilities.
An allocation of $660M will be expended to develop an integrated crime and violence information system to monitor trends in crime and violence and allow for more targeted evidence based interventions.
Design and commencement of the construction of a forensic laboratory and a modern police training facility will also be done.
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Efforts underway to accelerate verification process
Agri Minister visits compensation desk
Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2008.
Farmers of the lower East Coast Demerara whose crops will be affected in the identified zone for clearing by the Joint Services, as part of its ongoing security operation, will be compensated at the earliest through a verification process even before the clearing is undertaken.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud explained that once the Joint Services has identified an area for clearing, work will proceed to verify with the farmers with the intention of effecting payment immediately, so the farmers do not have to wait until an area has been cleared.
The Minister made the remarks during a visit to the compensation centre at the Friendship Methodist Church, East Coast Demerara, which was established to assist farmers of the Buxton/Friendship area who were affected by clearing of the backlands.
The centre, which was established on February 18, is being operated by a multi-stakeholder body that includes representatives from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Joint Services, Ministry of Agriculture and the farmers’ committee in the area.
The forms collected at the centre are reviewed for verification which includes physical confirmation of the land, after which the results from this process are assessed by a technical committee for the award of sums to be paid to the farmers.
Since establishment of the centre on February 25, a total of 63 farmers have made claims for trees and crops destroyed by the clearing exercise. An on-the-ground verification process was conducted on February 24 along Brushe Dam, since it is the only area cleared so far, to determine the level of damage and legitimacy of the farmers’ claims.
However, of the 23 farmers who registered that they were cultivating along Brushe Dam, only eight participated in the verification, although they were notified of the exercise through their representatives and via telephone contact.
The process has already been completed for the first batch of eight farmers who have already signed contracts paving the way for payments to be made within several days. During the visit, several farmers who have already signed their contracts for the compensation, met Minister Persaud and expressed dissatisfaction with the sum.
They were advised that there is a process whereby they can appeal and based on the validity of their claims, the individual matter will be addressed.
“That appeal is done once we would have sorted out everyone at the verification and made initial or interim payments or those that we cannot finalise, that we then re-look at each of those farmers who may have not been satisfied or believe that they were not treated fairly, for that appeal mechanism,” the Minister explained.
It was noted that in cases where a final settlement cannot be concluded, the process will proceed with interim payment and the final payment will be settled as soon as possible.
The compensation settlement is derived from market value for the crops and based on experience and the system being utilised for similar processes during the construction of the Berbice River Bridge and Essequibo roadway. Minister Persaud explained that mechanism employed in the previous projects is being used because it is necessary to ensure consistency with Government’s policy and the procedures for dispensing compensation.
The centre will be relocated to other communities where clearing activities will take place.
So far, the Joint Services has cleared Brushe Dam, Buxton and is preparing to move in the east to west zones of the identified areas.
The Joint Services has indicated that once clearing is completed, some crops will be allowed to be cultivated in the cleared area and farmers will be advised.
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Cuban delegation visits Leonora and Diamond diagnostic centres
Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2008
Today, the Cuban delegation in Guyana for the 24th Session of the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission visited the Leonora Diagnostic Centre and the Diamond Hospital to familarise themselves with the progress being made at the facilities.
The public health sector has been the main beneficiary of Cuban cooperation in Guyana.
The delegation was led by Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana, Francisco Marchamte and the Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Investment and Collaboration of the Republic of Cuba, Orlando Requeijo Gual. Also present were senior officials of Guyana’s Ministry of Health, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud and Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kumarie Jaipersaud.
Members of the Cuba delegation and senior Ministry of Health officials visit the Leonora Diagnostic Centre. From left to right (Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Dr. Rody Cerbantes, Director of the Diagnostic Centre, Dr. Jesus Fernandes, Head of the Cuba Medical Teaching Programme, Dr. Manuel Perez, Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Investment and Collaboration of the Republic of Cuba, Orlando Requeijo Gual, Director, Regional Health Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kumarie Haipersaud, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, and Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana, Francisco Marchamte)
The Leonora Diagnostic Centre under the directorship of Dr. Jesus Fernandes, provides x-ray, maternity and neo-natal services. There is an intensive care unit, laboratory, stitching room, dental room, injection room, and sterilization room. There is also a central sterilizing unit to avoid any chance of cross-contamination. This replaces the previous facility’s method of sterilization, which was boiling.
These units are fully equipped. The neo-natal unit has an incubator and an infant warmer. The laboratory comprises a microscope, three types of centrifuge, a haemoglobin meter, water bath, and scale.
The centre is fully staffed with 28 Cuban medical practitioners and Guyanese auxiliary staff. The Cuban staff is accommodated in four flats that were rehabilitated in mid-2007. The flats are equipped with bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and bathrooms.
They are also equipped with telephones, electricity, water, and cooking gas. All the bills at these quarters are paid by the region.
Members of the delegation inspecting equipment at the Diamond Hospital.
Dr. Persaud said that the rehabilitation of the Leonora Cottage Hospital into a Diagnostic Centre has enabled the provision of better services for communities along the coast to Parika. “This is good since Tuschen is expanding into a large residential community,” he said.
The commissioning of the Centre is scheduled for Friday, February 29. However, work has already begun on the site. The Centre has already been stocked with drugs and medical supplies.
During the visit to the Diamond, East Bank Demerara Hospital the delegation was given a tour of the facility by its Director, Dr. Jorge Sugranes. They were informed that the centre offers various services including ultrasound, phlebotomy, x-ray, and dental. There is also a 24- hour emergency service.
This centre, which was commissioned on October 12, 2007 by President Jagdeo has had a tremendous impact on the health sector because it has expanded the country’s surgical facilities. “Previously, we relied heavily on GPHC alone. West Demerara Hospital, though they have a theatre, lacks the support staff (human resources) needed for surgery,” said Dr. Shamdeo.
The Diamond facility is aimed at accommodating persons along the East Bank Demerara corridor and precludes the need for patients to travel to Georgetown to seek medical attention. 
Cuban delegation and senior Ministry of Health officials visit the Diamond Hospital. From left to right, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Cuba’s Ambassador to Guyana, Francisco Marchamte, Director of the Hospital, Dr. Jorge Sugranes, Vice-Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Investment and Collaboration of the Republic of Cuba, Orlando Requeijo Gual, Head of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Dr. Rody Cerbantes, Director, Regional Health Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Kumarie Haipersaud and behind Dr. Sugranes, Commercial Consular of the Cuban Embassy, Pedro Arteaga.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said that between October 12, 2007 and January 4, 2008 an estimated 13,900 patients were seen, diagnosed and treated at the hospital. This included just under 100 surgeries and surgical procedures. He said that on a daily basis 200-250 patients are examined and treated.
The agreement between the Governments of Guyana and Cuba is that the Cuban staff at these institutions will be in Guyana for five years. Dr. Persaud highlighted the fact that the hospitals will be staffed with Guyanese at the end of the five years. “It will be an integrated process. As the trained students keep coming back and they qualify as doctors, we are going to place them in these centres so that there can be continuation in the services,” said Dr. Persaud.
The Leonora Diagnostic Centre and the Diamond Hospital are two of four institutions that were earmarked for construction under an agreement between the Governments of Cuba and Guyana.
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Focus on youth development continues this year
Georgetown, GINA, February 25, 2008
Securing a bright future for Guyanese youths who account for 23.6 percent of the population, has been an ongoing feature of government through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
The $119B National Budget which was presented in the National Assembly by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh outlines a number of programmes which cater for boosting skills training and adolescent health.
This year $35.7M has been allocated for the purchase of training materials, sports gear, workshops and general maintenance of the Sophia and Kuru Kuru Training centres, Madewini, Smythfield and Vryman’s Erven youth camps.
Additionally, $20M has been allocated for the establishment of facilities in Crabwood Creek, Calcutta and West Canje to expand programmes.
Last year, $30M was allocated for the retooling of workshops at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) and the Kuru Kuru Training Centre, while 1.5B was allocated for a five-year programme to equip 25,000 youths with skills training.
Through these robust programmes, several youths from all regions of Guyana, who did not receive primary or secondary education, have been given a second chance to shape their lives.
More than 1,000 of these youths are expected to acquire skills in carpentry, welding, masonry and Information Technology, this year after the second phase of the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment under the Board of Industrial Training commences.
During the budget presentation Minister Singh noted that $60M has been allocated for the expansion of this programme.
The Sophia and the Kuru Kuru Training Centre on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway have been two of the well known centres that offer skills training to youths from all regions of Guyana under the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme (YEST).
The youths are also given the opportunity to gain work experience as the programme caters for public and private sector work attachment.
Those who complete their tenure at the Kuru Kuru Centre, particularly those from the hinterland regions have become pioneers in their communities, opening businesses and creating employment for others.
The centre which provides skills training in business study, carpentry, electrical installation, joinery, masonry, motor mechanics, plumbing, welding and fabrication also stands to benefit from expansion to accommodate the large number of students who apply to the institution
The NOC in Essequibo which has long been serving as an institution for discipline, has also been providing training opportunities for youths.
The institution benefited from a $50M rehabilitation programme in 2007 which saw upgrading of the administrative building, the male and female dormitories and a computer laboratory.
The students also benefited from an integration programme which allowed students to attend schools within the community. This enabled a number of them to attain Caribbean Secondary Examination Council (CSEC) qualifications.
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Guyana Prisons Service receives inspection, transportation boost
Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2008
Government has boosted the safeguarding mechanisms of the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) with the introduction of a baggage scanner that is capable of thoroughly inspecting all paraphernalia entering and leaving the Camp Street Prison.
The scanner which was installed at a cost of $4.5M was handed to Director of Prisons Dale Erskine by Minister of Home Affairs Clement today in the foyer of the Camp Street Prison where it is located. The handing-over ceremony was done in the presence of other Prison officers.
A new minibus valued at $2.3M was also handed over to the GPS today as part of Government’s commitment to improving and strengthening the Service’s performance and efficiency.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Director of Prisons Dale Erskine and other prison officers in the presence of the new mini-bus.
In an invited comment Erskine expressed his optimism that the new equipment will enhance the Prison’s ability to carefully inspect all possessions which may present a threat to the security of the prisons.
“We are in the business of security and we always have to enhance our ability to ensure our prisons remain secure. So equipment like this will give us that capability to search in a much more defined manner and we are happy that we are able to have this machine provided to us by the Government,” Erskine said.
The new working baggage scanner at the Camp Street Prison
Several past efforts to boost security have been made by the GFS. Mock exercises at the Camp Street Prison were held to ensure that officials at the facility are prepared for any possible breach of security.
Workable systems to control prison protests have also been working well. Effective training of ranks to deal with the multi-dimensional challenges in the prison environment, developing security capabilities at each prison location and reducing dietary expenditure through self-sufficiency have been undertaken.
Additional resources have been dedicated this year to improve the GPS. The 2008 National Budget has allocated $97M for the upgrade of the Mazaruni Prison, the Georgetown Prison dormitory and the completion of a training facility for prison officers at Lusignan.
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Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission agree on 2008/2009 work programme
Georgetown, GINA, February 26, 2008
The 24th Session of the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission on Economic and Technical Co-operation concluded with the signing of the Agreed Minutes by the Heads of both delegations at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry John Isaacs, who led Guyana’s delegation, at the closing ceremony said he was happy with the achievements at the end of this meeting. Guyana will benefit from assistance in several areas including agriculture and education and sports coaches. 
Permanent Secretary, John Isaacs (L) and Cuba’s Vice-Minister within the Ministry of Foreign Investment and International Collaboration Orlando Requijo Gual (r) signing the agreed minutes
Cuba’s Vice-Minister within the Ministry of Foreign Investment and International Collaboration Orlando Requijo Gual, said the two countries have enjoyed good relations for over 30 years as part of the south-south co-operation which has enhanced the future of both countries.
They agreed on a biennial work programme for the 2008/2009 period with focus on strengthening the existing co-operation programmes and developing areas of mutual interest. Discussions centered on co-operation in the health, agriculture, transport and marine affairs, culture and sports, education and trade.
Guyana and Cuba established diplomatic relations in 1972. The 25th Session of the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission is expected to be convened in Havana, Cuba in 2010.
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