DPI, Guyana, Sunday, Janaury 21, 2018

The first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub for 2018 was officially launched on January 17, in Sisters Village on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB).

Cutting of the ribbon: Director of Community Development and Social Management, NDMA, Phillip Walcott assists two young members of Sister Village to officially launch the ICT hub. Looking on is Commander of ‘B’ Division Lyndon Alves.

The ICT hub’s establishment was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry of Public Telecommunication (MoPT), the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Addressing residents, Director of Community Development and Social Management, of the NDMA, Phillip Walcott said the government is working to introduce more governmental services online. Soon, residents of Sisters Village will be able to apply for Birth Certificates, Passports, make Land Registry queries and access other services online. Walcott urged villagers to share their knowledge with others who are willing to learn, “so no one gets left behind as the country moves into the digital age”.

Also expressing his satisfaction with the establishment of the ICT hub was Commander of ‘B’ Division, Linden Alves. The Commander noted that the community will now be able to benefit from the internet service. He also expressed appreciation to the MoPT, on behalf of the Guyana Police Force, and made a commitment that the GPF is prepared to collaborate to establish hubs in other communities.

In August 2016, a survey was conducted in the village by Regional Staff of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) to determine the youth population, the number of micro, small, and medium enterprises; safe spaces within the community and the cost of assessing internet service, among other factors.

Commander of ‘B’ Division Lyndon Alves and Director of Community Development and Social Management, NDMA, Phillip Walcott.

Following a thorough assessment, it was discovered that the Sisters Community Centre was inhabitable as a result of vandalism.  However, through Community networking, the decision was made to approach the GPF to assist with providing a safe space within the Sisters Police Station to facilitate the ICT hub. Commander Alves readily agreed to the idea.

The Sisters Police Station has a youth group of over 70 youths between the ages of seven and eighteen. These youths are involved in skills building activities such as arts and craft which they proudly displayed at the launching ceremony.

This hub takes the total to 17 established in Region 6, with a further 18 more slated to be operational by December 2018.  Hubs have so far been established in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine, and Ten.

ICT Hubs are being placed strategically across the country to allow persons to access the internet and government services online. The NDMA, which falls under MoPT, is tasked with rolling out the public internet service.

By: Samuel Whyte

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DPI, GUYANA, Saturday, January 20, 2018

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, today, said she is proud of the Ann’s Grove community for the transformation she has seen in just under a year.

Minister Broomes stepping with the Ann’s Grove Warriors masquerade band.

Last July, Minister Broomes took the mining syndicate initiative to the East Coast Demerara community. Today, upon her return, by the community’s invitation, the Minister said she is pleased with the work the community has done towards the syndicate movement.

Roy Kingston heads up the Ann’s Bee mining syndicate which comprises just over 20 members from Ann’s Grove and nearby villages. Since learning about the initiative last year, Kingston said the syndicate has acquired seven blocks in the Cuyuni River, Region Seven area.

He added that it was “just a matter of time” before miners in the syndicate begin mining two of those blocks after receiving the permission of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

“I’m asking you to make good use of the syndicate,” Minister Broomes charged the miners and resident present at the meeting.  “Ann’s Grove is on the verge of becoming a significant mining community,” Kingston assured.

The Pastor making a difference

During her meeting last year with the community, Minister Broomes also addressed the concern of residents. Local Pastor Roxanne Hanover, had raised the issue of school drop out and teenage pregnancy in the “backdam” of Ann’s Grove. Minister Broomes had advised Hanover to create a community group to address these concerns. Hanover followed that advice and the Ann’s Grove Parenting Association was created.

Since September, the Association has been working with young parents in the community to arrest several social ills. “From that group we probably have over 100 parents every two weeks gathering together”, Hanover pointed out.

During those sessions, Hanover explained that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) conducted sessions on skilful parenting, assisted parents to get birth certificates and facilitated opportunities for young single parents to be gainfully employed. Talks, through the CPA, were also facilitated on the importance of children attending school. “I can tell you we’ve had some improvements”, Hanover told Minister Broomes.

Minister Broomes, in commending the initiative, pointed out the importance of people taking action to make a difference in their communities.

The Ann’s Grove Sisters Group

Also inspired by Minister Broomes during her visit last year were a group of women who the Minister charged to organise themselves and work for their community.

President of the Sisters and Brothers Group of Ann’s Grove, Unice Fortune reported how the group banded together, elected executive members and carried out community self-help activities like clean-up campaigns and charitable donations to schools and the less fortunate.

“We…wish to say a big thank you to Honourable Simona Broomes and team for the great work they have started in Ann’s Grove. We are very grateful. We promise in everything we do to give it our best, and nothing but our best”, Fortune stated even she added that the group looks forward to “bigger and better things” in 2018.

Minister Broomes noted she was proud of the community and encouraged them to keep working to make a difference. “You have it within you to press the switch in your life and make it bright. We will transform Ann’s Grove, as a people, like we will transform Guyana”, Minister Broomes said.

Keeping masquerade alive

Meanwhile, Minister Broomes gave her commitment to sponsor the community’s masquerade band for Mashramani. The Minister issued this promise after expressing how pleased she was to see the preservation of the communuity’s culture, “I’d rather have you use your energy to maintain your culture than fight each other.”

Leader of the Ann’s Grove Warriors masquerade band, Otis Barry, described the Minister’s commitment, “as a big relief for me.”

For Barry, masquarde dancing is a family tradition. “I feel like is a family thing everybody keep stepping”, he said. Barry, who learned from his father, teaches the dance to boys in the community, including his young son, who range in age from four-14. Barry added that he works hard to build the group and the support from Minister Broomes will go towards properly outfitting the band when it competes at masquerade competitions and other Mashramani festivities.  

Roxanne Hanover updating Minister Broomes on the successes of the Ann’s Grove Parenting Association.

President of the Sisters and Brothers Group of Ann’s Grove, Unice Fortune giving an update on the group’s activities.

Roy Kingston head of the Ann’s Bee mining syndicate.

Otis Barry leader of the Warriors masquerade band.

By: Tiffny Rhodius

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, January 19, 2018

The National Assembly on Friday night adopted the Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Standing Committee on Appointments to address matters relating to the Appointment of the Accountant and Attorney-at-Law of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), respectively.

Minister of Social Cohesion and Chairperson of the Committee on Appointments, Dr. George Norton.

Surendra Lall Boodhoo has been appointed as the Accountant of the FIU, while Yonette Romao Scarville is appointed the Attorney-at-Law.

Minister of Social Cohesion and Chairperson of the Committee on Appointments, Dr. George Norton moved the motion, which is in keeping with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Amendment Act 2015.

The two persons were selected by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments from shortlists provided, based on applications in response to public advertisements.

Dr. Norton told the House that the position of Accountant was advertised and subsequently 10 persons were shortlisted, but nine were interviewed after one applicant withdrew from the position.

After deliberations, the Committee reached a decision by majority and recommended Surendra Lall Boodhoo as a suitable person to be appointed as the Accountant of the FIU.

According to the Minister, the Committee had advertised for the position of Attorney-at-Law and subsequently shortlisted six applicants, but interviewed five, since one applicant withdrew. Yonette Romao Scarville was subsequently appointed by majority selection.

The Social Cohesion Minister said there were 20 meetings of the Committee. The Opposition raised concerns with the time it took for appointments to be made, however, the Minister explained to the House that there were several challenges to the process.

He expressed satisfaction that approval was granted by both sides of the House for the appointments to be made.

By: Stacy Carmichael

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DPI, GUYANA, Friday, January 19, 2018

The Third Report of the Standing Committee on Appointments to address matters relating to the Nomination and Appointment of Members to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), following brief debates, was on Friday night adopted in the National Assembly.

The motion for the adoption of the report which was moved by Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton reads “whereas the parliamentary standing committee on appointments agreed to uphold resolution no 68 of 2014, which approved the list of entities to be consulted for nomination to the ethnic relations commission; and whereas the entities met and made submissions of their nominations between April 27, 2016, and January 25, 2017.”

The National Assembly also approved the appointment the following persons from the following categories as members of the Ethnic Relations Commission:

Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton

Christian Bodies

Dr. John O. Smith

Hindu Bodies

Sister Rajkumarie Singh

Muslim Bodies

Mr. Roshan Khan

Labour Movement Bodies

Mr. Norris Emanuel Witter

Private Sector Organisations

Major-General (Retd.) Norman Mclean

Youth Organisations

Mr. Deodat Persaud

Women Organisations

Ms. Ruth Howard

Cultural/Ethnic Bodies

Afro-Guyanese

Mr. Barrington Braithwaite

Indo-Guyanese

Mr. Neaz Subhan

Indigenous/Amerindian Bodies

Mr. Ashton Simon

Minister Norton disclosed that there were nine meetings of the Committee, but difficulties were encountered with the Indo-Guyanese body. He acknowledged that more consultations with the citizens would have been welcomed.

However, he told the House that persons were not as responsive even when the deadlines were extended.

The Opposition raised concerns with the length of time it took for persons to be appointed the Commission. Minister Norton said while an earlier time would have been appropriate for such an important body, there were several hindrances to the process.

He expressed satisfaction that the appointments have been approved. The last ERC was dissolved in 2011.

By: Stacy Carmichael

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DPI, GUYANA, Friday, January 19, 2018

The Interim Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services, and the First and Second Special Reports of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services of the Tenth Parliament, were adopted in the National Assembly, on Friday.

The Interim Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic services was laid by MP Komal Chand and supported by the Government side of the House.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin.

Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin expressed hope that the Committee will continue to examine the performance of the rice sector in its upcoming session given its importance to Guyana’s economic development. While Guyana lost a lucrative rice market in Venezuela, Minister Gaskin noted that the sector was able to rebound, “a testimony of the sector’s resilience.” “Government looks forward to further good news in the sector”, he added.

In his presentation, Foreign Affairs Minister Greenridge noted that the Committee’s meetings started off acrimoniously but found common ground as it relates to inadequacies in the system as a whole.

Several weaknesses both financial and systemic, the Minister said, were discovered in many agencies, including lack of measures to prevent overpayment, accounting officers found engaged in questionable activities being shifted to other agencies and the absence of performance bonds. Both Opposition and Government sides agreed that these deficiencies in many agencies affected the efficacy of their operations.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings.

Recommendations of the Committee included an increase in the engineering staff at the Audit office, that interagency challenges be addressed in the Audit Report and that the Finance Secretary determine the criteria for writing off losses.

In her presentation on the First Special Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services of the Tenth Parliament, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe assured that the Government improved a number of services for citizens since taking office and will continue to do so.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings while supporting the adoption of the Second Special Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services of the Tenth Parliament assured that in Barima-Waini, Region One where a visit was made by MPs to the Mabaruma Hospital and other offices, there has been a decline in maternal deaths in that region and other improvements in the regional public health system.

Member of Parliament, Komal Chand.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenridge.

By: Stacy Carmichael

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DPI, Georgetown, Guyana, Friday, January 19, 2018

As the Regional bloc continues to face some financial challenges Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge said that Guyana has been honouring its financial obligations.

On Wednesday, Minister Greenidge responding to reporters’ queries about the financial challenges faced by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said, “The financial challenges faced by CARICOM are not the result of failure by Guyana to make its contributions”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

The Minister did, however, explain that CARICOM has been facing these financial challenges since the 2008 economic recession which shattered the economies of several of its Member States. While some have managed to rebound from the impact of the crisis, others have generally been unable to meet their financial obligations.

“CARICOM finds that is looking at greater needs, greater demands, expanding expenditure but the member states themselves have stated, for example in respect of this year and last year- we might something budgeting they are not prepared to find additional funds to do anything at all,” the Foreign Affairs Minister explained.

The pipeline of funds for various projects, according to the minister, has become more restricted and that poses a difficulty for CARICOM, especially as the international community embraces a variety of new challenges (e.g. environment, global warming). Moreover, new institutions are established which sometimes require additional technicians and more funding, making it increasingly burdensome for most countries.

When asked whether Guyana may be asked to pay a larger financial contribution to CARICOM, due to the recent large oil find, Minister Greenidge stated, “No, but I wouldn’t expect responsible CARICOM governments to be demanding that you pay now in anticipation of revenues to appear in 2020 or beyond.  We have always contributed to CARICOM development in accordance with our own capacity.”

CARICOM is one of the oldest integration schemes in the Western Hemisphere, the largest in terms of membership with fifteen nations. The main objective is to promote economic integration and cooperation among its members; the bloc of nations is financed through annual contributions by Member States.

By: Zanneel Williams

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DPI, GUYANA, Friday, January 19, 2018

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, Second Vice-President Rawlston Adams and Technical Director, Ian Greenwood and a team today visited the site where the Guyana National Training Centre (GNTC) will be constructed in Providence.

The current state of the National Training Centre.

The GFF President remarked that work on the Centre is progressing well, despite the initial completion date of January for the first phase being moved to April, following the inclement weather experienced during December last year.

Vice-President Adams said that despite the bad weather, a large portion of the infrastructural work has been carried out on the facility. He noted that sand-filling of the site is about 60 percent completed and the concrete curb wall is approximately 95 percent completed. Those works are being carried out by sub-contractor Nabi and Son’s.

By January 22, 2018, the main contractor Greenfields is expected to assume control and conduct the remainder of the works which include drainage, and laying of the artificial turf. Most of the materials are already on the ground while others are currently on their way to the country.

Once the artificial turf is handed over to the GFF, the facility is expected to be used immediately for training. The centre will also be outfitted with temporary stands for spectators and Tier-two lighting for proper illumination.

While the National Training Centre will focus mainly on being a developmental centre for footballers in Guyana, it will also be used for entertainment purposes as a means of having the facility maintain itself.

Once completed, it will be the first state-of-the-art football facility, that seeks to produce a cadre of footballers that will be a force to be reckoned with regionally and internationally.

President, Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde.

Guyana Football Federation, Second Vice President, Rawlston Adams.

By: Isaiah Braithwaite

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DPI, GUYANA, Friday, January 19, 2018

Some 1,600 sugar workers whose severances are $500,000 and less will receive their payment in full at the end of January.

This decision was made following a meeting between the government and the unions for the 4,763 redundant sugar workers of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Minister of Finance Winston Jordan said today.

Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan.

“I’m not saying they accepted it but we did put it to them. That proposal is to pay in full those whose severance is $500,000 and less and to continue to pay 50 percent as agreed with the others.”

The Finance Minister today initially brought a finance paper to the Committee of Supply, in National Assembly, for the sum of $1.75B for the payment of the sugar workers. Before voting on the allocation, Minister Jordan invoked Standing Order 76 to amend the figure to $1.931B.

While Opposition Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira objected to the non-written submittal of the amendment to the financial paper, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, moved a motion, invoking Standing Order 121, for the suspension of Standing Order 76 to allow the amendment without a written submission.

“The exigency of the situation requires that we pay the sugar workers their severance and the House is gathered today for the purpose of approving the severance,” Minister Trotman noted.

The government side of the House won the motion for the amendment without written submission and the supplementary appropriation was subsequently approved and passed as amended.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder told the Department of Public Information (DPI) following the approval of the supplementary provision that “one-third of the 4.763 workers would have been totally paid off for their service”.

Minister Holder assured that all benefits owed to the sugar workers will be paid by GuySuCo. “It all there in the cash flow for the company (GuySuCo) ) for this year, it’s all budgeted for it will be paid.”

The government has to pay out a total of $4.24B to redundant sugar workers. While the 2018 National Budget allocates $500M, this supplementary allocation will cover just over half of that pay-out.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said that today was a good day for sugar workers. “Today is a very great day in the National Assembly, the coalition government was able to pull together as much as it can to pay one half of the severance to some of the workers who are entitled to $500,000 and more and to pay 100 percent to all those who fall below.”

By: Tiffny Rhodius

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PM condemns Opposition for capitalising on sufferings of sugar workers

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, January 19, 2018   

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo called out the Opposition for their “delaying tactics” towards the government’s efforts to find funds to pay out severance to redundant sugar workers.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Today, Prime Minister Nagamootoo condemned the Opposition for using sugar workers for political mileage following the approval of a $1.931B supplementary allocation in the National Assembly towards the severance of the more than 4,000 sugar workers.

“For me, it was an emotional experience to sit there and seeing an opposition trying to frustrate the efforts of the government to find monies to pay the severance. They are actually celebrating the pauperisation of sugar workers and they are capitalising on their sufferings.”

The Opposition raised their objection to the permitting of the amendment of the figure of the supplementary allocation because there was no written submission. However, a government motion overcame those objections.

The Prime Minister noted that he was “disgusted” with the Opposition for misleading sugar workers. “I know the issue was portrayed by the Opposition as being that the government and GuySuCo were not paying the workers any severance. They went to the grassroots and tell people that they will not receive any severance pay,” he noted.

The government is working with unions to find alternative livelihoods for the redundant workers. “Today was a better experience that the unions came forward and that they want to work with GuySuCo  and all other related agencies to see how we can be able to deal with the impact of closure of estates and the modernisation of the sugar industry so that they do not suffer unduly,” the Prime Minister said.

Today’s supplementary approval will see some 1,600 sugar workers whose severance is $500,000 or less receive their full severance at the end of January while the remaining will receive half as previously indicated by President David Granger.

PM Nagamootoo made it clear that the government is working to secure the continuation of the sugar industry and the jobs of the remaining 11,000 workers contrary to the contentions of the Opposition. “We are in support of sugar workers. We know what any merger of the estate will cause, we’re trying to save the sugar industry.”

By: Tiffny Rhodius

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Georgetown, Guyana – (January 19, 2018) President David Granger was, today, paid a courtesy call by Brazil’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ricardo Jose Magalhᾱes Barros and a delegation from that country who are currently in Guyana on an official visit to discuss areas in which the two states can strengthen cooperation, particularly in the health sector. The meeting was held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.

From left: Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Lineu Pupo de Paula, Federal Deputy of São Paulo, Ms. Bruna Dias Furlan, President David Granger, Vice-Governor of Paranά, Ms. Maria Aparecida Borghetti and Brazil’s Health Minister, Dr. Ricardo Jose Magalhᾱes Barros at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The visiting Minister’s delegation included the Vice-Governor of Paranά, Ms. Maria Aparecida Borghetti and the Federal Deputy of São Paulo, Ms. Bruna Dias Furlan.

President Granger said that the fact that the Minister’s visit came so soon after his own State Visit to Brazil, shows a commitment and willingness on both sides to strengthen the cordial 50-year-old diplomatic relationship. The President also noted that while Guyana welcomes cooperation in the health sector, it looks forward to deepening cooperation in other areas such as oil and gas, infrastructure and environmental security. 

The visiting delegation also met with Minister of Health, Ms. Volda Lawrence and officials from the health ministry.