Cabinet Press Briefing Notes

PRESS BRIEFING

Wednesday, April 27, 2005

AGENDA

CONTRACTS
RECOVERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
PARLIAMENT
NATIONAL ELECTIONS 2006

CONTRACTS

Cabinet at its meeting of April 26, 2005, offered its No-objection to the award of the following contracts:-

SECTOR

ACTIVITY

VALUE

WORKS

Routine Maintenance Management of Corentyne Highway, New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek - Routine Maintenance Management Programme - Main Road Rehabilitation Programme, Phase II

G$42,550,540.00

RECOVERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

Cabinet was again updated on the status of the Recovery Assistance Programme.

The Cabinet was informed that the distribution of the Household Assistance component was ongoing but slowed as a result of data management issues.

Inputting and verification of data concerning claimants continued with the small business and cash crops component.

With the upcoming rainfall in mind, the rice farmers’ component was settled with the agreement on procurement of seed paddy and also the formula for agreement on payment of other aspects of their assistance.

Cabinet continued to stress the urgency of the Secretariat expeditiously concluding all provision of the support promised for the Recovery Assistance Programme.

The Drainage Task Force continued its work with the design and award of contract for emergency works including:-

Main Drainage canals on East Coast/East Bank;
Work in the Conservancy water courses and channels along with stock piling of needed materials;
Drainage/Irrigation rehabilitation works of canals and structures in Region 4;
Drainage and rehabilitation works of canals and structures in Region 3;
Drainage and rehabilitation works of canals and structures in Region 5;
Rehabilitation access works at Flagstaff.

Importantly, the Task Force is working on the Disaster Management Protocols that would see close monitoring and evaluation by stakeholders of the opening and closing of kokers and sluices and the water levels in the conservancies.

PARLIAMENT

The Cabinet meeting of April 26, 2005, reviewed the Report on Parliamentary activities for the week ending April 23, 2005.

The significantly increasing workload of Parliamentary Committees was noted including the sessional, special and selected Committees.

Cabinet noted the imminent return of the Senior Adviser Sir Michael Davies and the Commonwealth’s commitment concerning his meetings with the Executive and others with the stated intention of its outcome influencing the conclusion of his findings.

Cabinet also reviewed the Administration’s planned legislative Agenda for 2005 highlighting both the financial, health services and natural resources sectors.

NATIONAL ELECTION

The preparations for general elections for 2005 continue to be of heightened public importance.

That work of GECOM is progressing with inputs from the Administration, donors and other Stakeholders working with the recommendation of the Needs Analysis in mind.

The interest of the donors is evident by the current visit of Commonwealth specialists to meet with Stakeholders. The continuous efforts by the PNCR and now the group referred to as the combined/Parliamentary Opposition are also being given prominence in the public domain but are increasingly being discredited by informed and knowledgeable findings and reports.

The Administration remains committed to the successful conclusion of the efforts of the Constitutional body GECOM to have the constitutionally due Election in 2006.