PRESS BRIEFING
Wednesday, February 26, 2003

1. CONTRACTS

EDUCATION 2003-02-24 Engagement of an International Literacy Specialist for the Basic Education Access and Management Support Programme

G$874,276.65

EDUCATION 2003-02-24 Engagement of an International Student Testing and Continuous Assessment Specialist for BEAMS

G$809,351.40
EDUCATION 2003-02-24 Engagement of a Teacher Training Specialist for BEAMS

G$304,200.00
WORKS 2003-02-24 Feasibility studies to Improve the Southern Approach to Georgetown

G$303,271,410.00
LOCAL GOVERNMENT 2003-02-24 Provision of a Supervisory Services Related to the Mandela Avenue Landfill Site: Georgetown Interim Disposal site

G$156,312.00

2. PRESIDENT’S MEETING IN WASHINGTON

Cabinet met on Monday, February 24, 2003.
President Jagdeo left Guyana on the morning of Tuesday, February 25, 2003 for USA.
There he will meet with the IMF, World Bank on a few issues related to the Fund Programme, the PRGF and the Bank operations.

3. MASH WRAP UP

Cabinet again complimented Minister Teixeira and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for managing another successful Republic Day/Mash celebrations.
Cabinet also recognised the efforts of the Regional Administrations in hosting Flag Raising ceremonies in their separate Regions, which were attended by Cabinet Ministers.
Cabinet additionally recognised the successful actions taken by the Law Enforcement Agencies in providing revellers with a crime free period of celebrations.

4. CRIME

Minister Gajraj updated Cabinet on developments in the Security Sector.
Reduced intensity overall which may have been related to the increased levels of security around the Republic Day/Mash celebrations.
Slippages in security along the Buxton area of the East-West road corridor.

5. ELECTRICITY

The Prime Minister, the Government point person in the Utilities Sector and Minister Shaik Baksh, the Head of the Cabinet Selected Committee negotiating with AC Power made presentations to Cabinet.
The Prime Minister has been engaged in a long round of meetings with major shareholders both to inform them of the situation affecting power supply in Guyana and more importantly, the possible steps being considered by the two shareholders, the GOG and AC Power to remedy the situation.
Minister Baksh gave a detailed report on the status of the decisions with the representatives of AC Power.

6. WATER

Minister Baksh report to Cabinet on the problems in the Water Sector will continue at the Cabinet Meeting.
Concerns existed about the falling levels in the Conservancies and resulting scheduled provision of services by the Guyana Water Inc.
Cabinet also explored the financial operations of the Sector in 2002 and plans for 2003.
It was noted that operating costs have increased significantly, mostly related to increasing electricity changes. The Minister predicted that the rising electricity charges would lead to tariff adjustments.