 Discharging of injunction against ERC, a worthy decision- HPS
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President today said that discharging of the injunction filed by the Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin against Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) and its members, Carvil Duncan and John Willems was a worthy decision by Justice Diana Insanally.
“The paralysis to whatever extent it was instituted by the Ex-parte granting of the injunction was politically inspired and sought to have an impact on the functioning of the Commission…the particular juncture of the general and regional elections was no coincidence when that intervention was made,” the HPS said.
He said that this injunction, along with the one that was filed against the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) was a plot to silence these bodies.
“Currently, the ACB is without a representative from the Leader of the Opposition despite repeated requests since June, when the former appointee by Former President Hoyte volunteered to resign,” he lamented.
He added too, that Government has been trying to constitute the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), requesting Corbin to nominate a member to sit on this body, but again he has not responded thus far.
He said that all these non-responses and move to take injunctive actions against these important bodies, statutory and otherwise, remain part of a grand strategy to prevent them from discharging their responsibilities, particularly in the context of the upcoming elections and from the perspective that these bodies may very well have contributions to make that Corbin and his ilk want to thwart.
The injunction against the ERC was filed in May by Corbin, who claimed that the Commission was an unconstitutional body.
Justice Insanally, in handing down her judgment on November 22, said that one cannot wait four years later to take such an action, when an election is approaching as interlocutory injunctions and Ex-parte applications are only filed in matters of emergency.
Meanwhile, Edghill, who is now a candidate to the poll, announced that he will no longer be serving in the capacity as chairman of the Commission; even though, there is no rule that necessitate his resignation.
He said that, “the objectivity and the integrity of the Commission must not be destroyed because of any personality. I would like to give the assurance to the people of Guyana, in as much as the injunction has been discharged, I will not be interfering or making any decisions on the behalf of the ERC during this period of the election.”
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UNASUR representatives added to list of external observers- HPS
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President today said that Cabinet remains pleased with the management of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), leading up the general and regional elections, which is just about one week away.
Dr. Luncheon disclosed that a team from the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) has now joined the list of external observers. This team is drawn heavily from Brazil, Venezuela, Paraguay, Ecuador and Suriname. The latter is also on CARICOM’s observer team.
Additionally, there is also a team from the Commonwealth as well as from within the local diplomatic community.
The HPS also spoke of the largely hitch-free conduct of the Disciplined Services November 21 polls. He said that the campaign itself provided Cabinet with an opportunity to examine the conduct of the contesting parties, supporters and the media.
With regards to the political parties’ Code of Conduct, GECOM and public observers have been inundated with complaints of the removal, destruction, and defacing of campaign paraphernalia such as posters, banners and billboards.
He noted that observations continue to be made about the use of political platform by the contesting parties in ways that they themselves complained, are not consistent with undertakings and commitments made under the Code of Conduct.
As it relates to the media, the HPS said that observations and complaints have also been made about the rather radical departure of understood professionalism by media operatives, especially in the print media.
When asked about November 28, elections day, being a national holiday, Dr. Luncheon said that the issue was discussed at Cabinet but a definitive decision is yet to be made.
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Cabinet gives green light to four contracts
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
At a post-Cabinet media briefing today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon advised that Cabinet at its November 22 statutory meeting, offered its no objection to four contracts that will boost the health, and agriculture sectors and infrastructural development.
The approved contracts are as follows:
SECTOR |
TENDER |
VALUE OF AWARD |
Agriculture |
Construction of a greenheart revetment at the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EWDC) |
$38.4M |
Health |
Supply and delivery of laboratory consumables including re-agents and supplies. |
$120.6M |
Works |
Remedial work to the breached section of the river dam at Fort Ordnance, Region Six.
Supply of 22, 500 ft one-inch diameter hot-dip galvanised anchor chains for the Demerara Harbour Bridge. |
$26.6M
$56.7M |
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Cabinet congratulates district 10 for winning national schools championships
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
During today’s media briefing held at the Office of the President, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon extended Cabinet’s congratulations to education District 10 –Upper Demerara Kwakwani, for again securing the top spot in the annual National Schools Athletics, Cycling and Swimming Championships 2011.
Commendation was also extended to education District 11 –North Georgetown and District 13 – South Georgetown for gaining the second and third spots, respectively.
“Congratulations to those students who participated and made it a truly competitive event,” he said.
The Education Ministry and the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) pulled off its 51st annual National Schools Athletics, Cycling and Swimming Championships 2011 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with participation from 1600 students and officials, from the various education districts.
The championships were held from November 14 to 18, and encompassed meets in athletics, cycling, swimming and other events.
Digicel was one of the main sponsors of the event as it was last year. Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Limited, Guyana UK Sports Development Association, Giftland OfficeMax and Kashif and Shanghai were among last year’s sponsors as well. This support from corporate entities aids the Ministry of Education to effectively carry out the planned events.
The national schools championship has over the years produced many of Guyana’s national athletes who have represented the country overseas displaying their talents.
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Cabinet’s mood is no different – Dr. Luncheon
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2012
Yesterday being the last Tuesday before the 2011 General and Regional Elections, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon described the Cabinet’s mood as ‘up-beat’.
“Over the last year I have been advising the media about the confidence and how aggressive the government feels about its mandate, its record, and its discharge of its responsibilities,” he said.
He added that as a whole the members of the Cabinet continue to express the sentiment that they have worked, produced, contributed and that there is a lot for them to be proud of.
The serving members of the Cabinet have been initiating programmes and policies that have been of great significance to all Guyanese irrespective of ethnicity, age, gender, and location. Successes can be seen in improvements in the health, education, social, housing and water, public works, Amerindian affairs and security sectors.
The Cabinet was selected mainly from the List of Candidates submitted to the electorate by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in 2006 and included some technocrat Ministers, for which the Constitution has a provision.
The Members of the Cabinet are President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodriques-Birkett; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Kumar Singh; Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Jennifer Webster; Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn; Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh; Minister of Agriculture, Robert Montgomery Persaud; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand; Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Charles Ramson; Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali; Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad; Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker; Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.
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National School of Music adds to Guyana’s growing cultural assets
-President Jagdeo, at commissioning ceremony
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
Guyana’s long elusive quest for a national institution where music can be taught to children of this country came to a reality today when President Bharrat Jagdeo officially unveiled the plaque to commission a spanking new facility at Brickdam and College road, Georgetown for the National School of Music.
The President said that he is extremely pleased with efforts made by Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to accomplish the feat.
President Bharrat Jagdeo officially unveils the plaque to commission the National School of Music.
This institution, the President said will not only add to the stock of growing cultural assets that Guyana possesses but, will aid in the resurgence of music in this country.
“We think through this school and its outreach programmes we can involve people who never had a chance to study music formally and to be trained to be part of this cultural resonance that we are having in Guyana,” President Jagdeo said.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony who also addressed the gathering, comprising music teachers, students and members of the music fraternity said that, “it is an historic day for Guyana and its people”.
President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture Alfred King touring the National School of Music
This elusive dream of such a facility, he said became a reality as a result of several partners who never faltered in such a project, including that Guyana Music Teachers’ Association and the Ministry of Health through the Health Sector Development Unit.
“The Ministry of Health allowed us to access funds for this magnificent building…if we did not have their support then this would have never been possible here today,” Minister Anthony said.
The facility, Dr. Anthony said will serve as Guyana’s premier institution for music education in Guyana.
The National School of Music, Brickdam and College road, Georgetown
Music education is not new to Guyana, in fact history has shown Guyana’s integral role and, “while we will continue to encourage all efforts to enhance the wide spread of music education in Guyana, we believe that this time has come for a dedicated music school,” Minister Anthony said.
The school, he added will be a catalyst to propel the next wave of music development in Guyana, and having recognized this, Government will be investing in the development of its human resources to meet the capacity of delivering the right practical and theoretical training for prospective students.
Dr Anthony said that Guyana’s musical folk heritage is rich and quite unique and thus “we need to research it and document it so it can be transferred from one generation to the next”.
Against this background, he said that the school will serve in that capacity, to help convey that musical folk heritage; since the country’s musical history remains untaught and practically undocumented.
This, he said will be changing “as we await the release of Dr.Vibert Cambridge’s book on music in Guyana”.
A section of the gathering at the commissioning of the National School of Music
“Guyana musical history will be taught in the school curriculum…we must tell this generation of Guyanese about those inspirational figures that have really stood up and have made Guyana proud, especially Rudolph Dunbar, a Guyanese man who was the first person of African decent to conduct the London symphony,” Minister Anthony informed.
He also said there are many other illustrious Guyanese like Dunbar who have made a name for themselves and Guyana in the music fraternity.
In addition, Minister Anthony lauded the work of many music educators from the 1980s who laid the foundation for music in Guyana.
Minister Anthony also indicated that he school will be putting in place the necessary logistics for persons to write external examinations, until Guyana can develop its own certificate programme.
The school, he said will also be facilitating the implementation of a national countrywide music programme, based on the Venezuela module.
The vision of school is to ensure that every child is able to play a musical instrument. “We will be moving to popularize music in Guyana, since we know its tremendous benefits,” Minister Anthony said.
The school will open new opportunities and thus empower a new generation with the right skills to compose, play and blend new forms of music for all to enjoy.
“We are confident that with the opening of this school we will be opening a new chapter in the development of music in Guyana and that years to come we will look back and be proud,” Minister Anthony said.
The schools is equipped with modern classrooms and musical instruments.
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More development for Linden imminent-Presidential Advisor Ramotar- tells Lindeners during walkabout
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) presidential and prime ministerial candidates, Donald Ramotar and Samuel Hinds respectively, in continuing their campaign trail, with a few days left for General and Regional Elections, met with supporters in Linden today.
The candidates, with a large following, marched the streets of the mining town from the Avenue to Main Street, after which they spoke with supporters at Barrow’s Restaurant.
Presidential Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, on their walkabout in Linden
At the meeting, residents along with representatives from the varying religious organisations, expressed their gratitude to the PPPC party for the many developmental changes that have taken place over the years in the mining town, among which are the recent opening of a commercial bank along with a thriving bauxite company and an International Calling Centre, all when combined, offers thousands of Lindeners an opportunity to earn a living thereby contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of their families and society.
The PPP/C came in for high praises for its contributions to the continued advancement of the mining town and its environs from 1992 to present.
Speaking to the supporters, both Ramotar and Hinds pledged their continued support to the further development of Linden as it has now become the major transshipment hub for goods and services, commuters and business people en route to Northern Brazil via the Linden- Lethem road.
Ramotar said that if he wins the presidency, during his tenure, closer ties with religious organisations will be established, as they play an integral role in the creation of strong moral support in any society. “This is needed now in Guyana more than ever,” Ramotar said.
Presidential Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Donald Ramotar and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds flanked by supporters on their walkabout in Linden
Alluding to the fact that there is widespread racial harmony in the country now under the PPPC government, Ramotar said that “this harmony must be maintained at all costs,” while urging the party’s Linden supporters to ignore those that say this does not exist.
“The most important achievement the PPPC government has caused the country to realise, which no one can put a price tag to, is the freedom that was re-established in Guyana, so that everyone should have a right to speak their minds, without looking over their shoulders out of fear that someone may ostracize them,” Ramotar said.
A section of PPP/C Linden supporters gathered at Barrow’s Restaurant
It is because of this continued freedom that unity will abound for the continued development of Guyana, which ultimately will see Linden benefitting.
“With the establishing of an all-weather road, trade and other business activities in the community will increase, thereby causing the community to be rapidly transformed,” Ramotar said.
As the candidates continued their sojourn in Linden, interacting with residents, they met with more supporters who were gathered at the Watooka Guest House.
Hinds said that over the years, Guyana has been tremendously transformed, as the country was in deep debt, a situation which no longer exists. He added that its Gross Domestic Product has significantly increased as, “today, even as I speak to you, Guyanese have three times as much money as they had in 1992, a sure sign of transformational development.”
Presidential Advisor and Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic, Donald Ramotar interacts with supporters at the Watooka Guesthouse, Linden
This Hinds said is largely the result of Guyanese coming together and executing a number of developmental plans and policies of the PPPC government, which has resulted in a complete turnaround for bettering the lives of all Guyanese.
He also alluded to the fact that the freedom that was once fought for “by our Guyanese forefathers” has been accomplished under this regime and now citizens are enjoying their rights of having a wide range of services such as access to quality education and health care available to them, both on the coast and in the hinterland.
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OAS, CARICOM Observers call on Head of State
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
President Bharrat Jagdeo today met with observer missions from the Organisation of American States (OAS) and CARICOM, who have arrived into the country to ensure that upcoming regional and national elections, which is less than a week away goes off unhindered.
President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with OAS, Chief of Mission, Ambassador Professor Gordon Shirley (second from left), OAS Country Representative Dennis Moses (third from left) and Specialist Charlotte DcDowell (third from left)
OAS, Chief of Mission, Ambassador Professor Gordon Shirley whose delegation consists of about 25 persons, said that a number of issues were discussed in his meeting with the Guyanese Head of State, particularly as it relates to some of the concerns that have surfaced.
Among those present at the meeting were Specialist in the OAS Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation Secretariat for Political Affairs Charlotte McDowell and OAS Country Representative Dennis Moses.
President Bharrat Jagdeo in discussion with Head of the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission to Guyana Hensley Robinson and Deputy Lorna Simon.
Meanwhile, Head of the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission to Guyana Hensley Robinson said that his delegation 19 persons including three from the CARICOM Secretariat. He was accompanied by Lorna Simon, Deputy Chief of Mission to CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission.
Both delegations will also be meeting with the Chairman and other officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as well as members of the other contesting political parties.
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President paints Guyana’s image by 2015 – universal access to tertiary education one facet
-at public meetings in West Coast Demerara
Georgetown, GINA, November 23, 2011
President Bharrat Jagdeo spent a significant amount of his time describing what Guyana would look like by the year 2015 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) regime this evening as he met with residents at Cornelia Ida and Meten-meer-Zorg on the West Coast of Demerara, a mere five days before the hosting of the 2011 national and regional elections.
President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking to a large gathering at a public meeting in Meter-Meer-Zorg
The Head of State was joined by Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali and other party colleagues in speaking to residents at the two meetings that attracted a significant number of people.
He reiterated to the Region Three residents that under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme, being implemented at present, 90,000 families will get a free computer from the Government and the objective of making Guyana the most computer literate will be realized.
“Our aim is that within three years, Guyana will be tche most omputer literate country in the world…every single person will have access to the internet… in the United States of America, 50 million people don’t have a computer and don’t know how to use it. We can jump past the US.”
The year 2015 will also see universal access to tertiary education and, President Jagdeo said this can be done at an extent where degrees in Guyana and overseas can be pursued from the comfort of a student’s home.
Children greeting President Bharrat Jagdeo at a public meeting at Meter-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara
“We would have world class education where our children will be prepared to tackle the world, not only through the learning channel but through interactive modes using the computer in their own homes… a lecturer can sit in Georgetown and teach mathematics to children right across Guyana in their own homes and the children would be able to post questions and get replies,” President Jagdeo said.
With the launch of an online degree programme, he said residents from as far as Paramakatoi in Region Eight and Linden in Region Ten, who, under normal circumstances would find it costly to travel to the city, will benefit the most.
Residents of Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara escorting President Bharrat Jagdeo after a public meeting
“We are putting an e-library online so that people can stay in their homes and access books without travelling,” President Jagdeo said.
The rapid emergence of Information Communication Technology (ICT) will result in the entire government apparatus functioning online by 2015, according to President Jagdeo, making applications for important documents such as birth certificates and passports conducted without the hassle of long lines.
With government investing US$5M in the laying of a fibre optic cable from Brazil to make internet access cheaper and more reliable, President Jagdeo said the delivery of services such as healthcare and education and security will be significantly boosted.
A section of the gathering at the PPP/C public meeting at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara
In a country with six ethnicities, President Jagdeo said every group will reap the benefits of this future.
Mining, he said, will be doubling the revenue base of the entire country and with the opening up of the intermediate and Rupununi savannahs, rice will move from 400,000 tonnes to over one million tonnes.
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