PRESS BRIEFING -
Wednesday, April 21,2004

AGENDA

1. CONTRACTS

2. OUTREACH PROGRAMME

3. CEMENT SHORTAGES

4. TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

5. BUDGET 2004

CONTRACTS

Cabinet offered its no-objection to the award of the following contracts:-

LEGAL AFFAIRS Renovation works to the Deeds Registry, Georgetown
G$21,868,698

HEALTH Supply of breast milk substitute
G$16,795,500

WORKS Rehabilitation of Wismar to Wisroc Road, Linden
G$50,000,000

AGRICULTURE Rehabilitation and construction of Structures: Middlesex/Pomona, WUA, Region No. 2
Poor Rural Communities Support Services
Project
G$22,154,077

AGRICULTURE Rehabilitation and Construction of structures: Fairfield Vilvoorddeen, WUA, Region No. 2
G$15,994,221

AGRICULTURE Rehabilitation and Construction of structures - Vergenoegen Water Users Association - Variation Works - Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project
G$2,257,777

CEMENT SHORTAGES

Cement shortages continue in Guyana and as a result black market pricing maintain an unacceptable high cost for the much- demanded commodity.

Cabinet continued its follow-up on the situation and the outcome of the remedial action being taken.

Cabinet had earlier agreed to institutional arrangements being involved to access extra regional imports of cement.

Importers were identified and encouraged to participate in the extra regional trade in cement.

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Cabinet was informed that those interventions have not provided the desired outcome as the commodity is still in short supply.

The Regional supporter, T.C.L. has been unable to provide prompt and regular supplies of Guyana’s burgeoning need for cement.

TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

Anecdotal evidence suggests that trafficking in persons may be taking place in Guyana.

The extent and the impact would be part of ongoing studies into the social aberration.

The Government has decided to mount a programme to address this matter.

Cabinet has identified the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security as the lead Agency for that effort.

The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security has been tasked with generating a national strategy and implementing the strategy to combat T.I.P.

To support the effort to fully characterise the Guyana situation, Public Awareness Campaign have been identified as a tool to be utilised.

The Public Information/Awareness campaign would target susceptible populations and provide the public with necessary information about the activity.

Also identified for inclusion in the strategy is the Tool of Enforcement with which State and Government enforcement Agencies working in concert and regularly would serve to maintain a Guyanese environment hostile to the development of the criminal activity.

GOVERNMENT OUTREACH
Cabinet continued its outreach activities and reviewed the feedback for the most recently concluded activity in West Coast Berbice.

Cabinet noted the large turn out at the numerous public activities and more importantly the volume of issues raised by residents of the communities.

The Ministerial delegation drew to Cabinet’s attention the main sectors identified for action, Water, Health and Basic Physical Infrastructure (roads, drainage and irrigation).

The residents were advised about planned projects/intervention outlined in the National Budget and to be implemented in their communities.

Projects being planned for development with the implemented by SIMAP/BNTF in those communities were also disclosed to the satisfaction of the residents.

Cabinet felt that its resort to increased outreach was justified by such responses and committed itself to continuing the policy.

BUDGET 2004
The estimates for 2004 were approved by Parliament on Friday, April 16, 2004.

The tabling of the 2004 Estimates took place on Monday, March 29, 2004.

Two weeks later on Tuesday, April 13, 2004, the Budget debates started lasting until Friday, April 16, 2004.
The withdrawal of the main Opposition Party, PNCR from the Budget debates was very noticeable during this period.

The actual Estimates were then considered and approved finally by the House on Friday, April 16, 2004.