CABINET PRESS BRIEFINGS
BY SECRETARY TO THE CABINET
AND HEAD OF THE PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT, DR. ROGER LUNCHEON

PRESS BRIEFING

Wednesday, 16 July 2003

AGENDA

1. SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RACISM

2. MOCO MOCO HYDRO POWER

3. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: GUYANA POWER & LIGHT

4. FUEL SMUGGLING

MOCO MOCO

Cabinet was briefed on the current status of the damage at the Moco Moco Hydro power facility in Lethem.

The estimates provided for the correction to the damages caused by natural forces, including a cost of $50 -$60 M GYD and a time frame ranging for about 6 - 18 months.

The impact of the loss of power on the community has been quite significant, especially to the business sector.

The Prime Minister indicated that additional generator to boost the amount of power being provided by diesel is introduced and additional proposals for providing power to the community would be evaluated and brought to Cabinet’s attention.

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON RACISM

The President received a country call from Mr. Don Don Diene, the UN Special Rapporteur on Racism and Xouopholia.

Over the coming weeks, Mr. Don Don Diene would be meeting a cross section of the State, Government and non-government bodies compiling information for his report.

Mr. Don Don Diene informed the President how well received was the Government of Guyana’s willingness to entertain the visit.

He further explained the scope of his mission and the steps that had been arranged for the visit.

The Special Rapporteur would meet Government Ministers in State functionaries and visit various parts of Guyana.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: GUYANA POWER AND LIGHT

Cabinet reviewed the report by the shareholders of the Guyana Power and Light at its recently held Annual General Meeting on Monday, July 14, 2003.

The report dealt with the activities of the firm now under State management.
* Liquidation of indebtedness
* Rehabilitation of Terms mission and
distribution
* Power purchasing agreements
were the main short to medium term goal as the firm recommitted itself to private investment.

For consumers, the expectation is reliable service, expanded service and tariff increases that were likely to be small for 2004.

The Board of Directors consisting of Mr. Ronald Ali, Mr. Errol Cheong, Mr. Carvil Duncan, Mr. Narvan Persaud and Mr. Winston Brassington was returned as was the Auditors, McRae & Ram.