PRESS BRIEFING
Friday, February 24, 2006
AGENDA
1. CONTRACTS
2. AMERINDIAN ACT
3. UPDATE OF LEAF/LEAP
4. EU SUGAR ACTION PLAN
5. MASHRAMANI CELEBRATIONS 2006
CONTRACTS
SECTOR |
DATE AWARDED
|
ACTIVITY |
VALUE |
WORKS |
FEB. 21 |
REPAIRS TO CUFFY SLUICE
|
G$15,274,700.00 |
WORKS
|
FEB. 21 |
FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE SEA DEFENCES UNDER THE 9TH EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT FUND
|
EURO 214,861 |
HOUSING
|
FEB. 21 |
CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINS AND STRUCTURES AT BLOCK 1, GROVE, EAST BANK DEMERARA
|
G$17,757,459.00 |
HOUSING |
FEB. 21 |
CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINS AND STRUCTURES AT ECCLES, EAST BANK DEMERARA
|
G$16,732,100.00 |
HOUSING |
FEB. 21 |
CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, DRAINS AND STRUCTURES AT VENEZUELA HOUSING SCHEME, BATH, WEST COAST BERBICE
|
G$23,615,493.00 |
UPDATE: LEAP/LEAF
Cabinet was provided with an extensive Report of the mid term status report of Linden Economic Advancement Project by .its Director Ms. K. Whalen.
Having successfully completed the mid term review, Ms. Whalen was in a good position to inform and to respond to concerns raised by Cabinet members.
The recently completed mid term review disclosed that the targets of benchmarks for most of the components of the LEAP were met.
Impressive were the achievements of the targets on job creation, business incubation, and business training benchmarks.
Cabinet was reassumed about adequate geographic coverage of the entire Region 10 with regards to access to deliverables of LEAP.
Infrastructure component and LEAF, the revolving Credit Scheme came in for focussed attention because of intercurrent problems.
LEAF appeared more troublesome, as the European Delegation had communicated the EC’s injunction on retaining GUYFLAG as the Financial Manager of the Credit Scheme and importantly their decision to suspend distribution of loan financing until a successor to GUYFLAY was appointed.
Ms. Whalen was reassured that the Government of Guyana was working with stakeholders to resolve that issue.
Overall, implementation was on track and expectations were high that that situation would continue.
AMERINDIAN ACT
The Amerindian Act is now on the law books.
After an exhaustive process spanning successive PPP/C Administration, the Amerindian Act was successfully piloted through Parliament by Minister Rodrigues.
The process clearly precluded anyone, other than the forgetful and dishonest from rejecting the Bill with claims of being an imposition on Amerindians.
As it stands now, the Act has created a body of legal provision to address Amerindians living within titled and untitled communal lands.
The Act reflects what is current in Guyana and embraces the obligations to Amerindians that the PPP assumed in its 1992, 1997 and 2001 Elections Manifestos.
Significantly, the Act seemlessly dovetails with the Administration’s current practices with regards to all aspects of Amerindian life.
No one can pretend that this Act will be the final word on legislation about Amerindians but in 2006 it is obvious that it is the most acceptable and consistent with today’s reality.
EU SUGAR ACTION PLAN
Cabinet was given a further update on the preparation of Guyana Sugar Action Plan commissioned in the wake of the unprecedented cut in price of African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) Group preferential sugar exports to the EU.
The Guyana Action Plan presents Government’s intended strategy to adjust to the cuts by preparing the Industry for reforms.
The plan is being formulated with widespread and broad based consultations with stakeholders.
Guyana, among CARICOM sugar producers, is the most likely sugar industry to survive and improve despite the EU cuts.
The major thrust is for the Industry in Guyana to diversify and be more competitive in sugar production, Value-Added Activities, marketing and sales.
The abrupt EU cuts call for substantial investments to fast track the process of reforms to diversify and to improve competitiveness.
In finalising the Action Plan, Government would be concluding its 2nd public consultation in Port Mourant Berbice, on Monday, February 27, 2006, after the successful held initial one that was hosted at Tower Hotel on Wednesday, February 22, and to which all the national stakeholders were invited including organised labour, private sectors, parliamentary political parties and regional representatives.
MASHRAMANI CELEBRATIONS 2006
Mashramani 2006 will long be remembered for its memorable features.
The mood of participants was infectious and outgoing. The mood was associated with high levels of participation by State, Government entities and civil society.
The scale of the Costume and Float Parade this year was unprecedented within recent times.
The public was exposed to themes that reflected Guyana diversity, economy and artistic abilities.
The public itself was robust in its attendance and participation in the Mash activities this year.
The scale of the participation in Mash is a good barometer of the progress that has been made in Guyana in achieving unity and togetherness about national events.
It augurs well for the 40th Independence Anniversary celebration in May 2006.
TOP |
