PRESS BRIEFING

Friday, October 3, 2003

A G E N D A

1. CONTRACT

2. WORLD CUP CRICKET

3. REVIEW: AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

4. COMMUNIQUÉ AND FOLLOW UP

5. 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF PPP/C GOVERNMENT

CONTRACTS

Cabinet offered its No-objection to the following contracts being awarded.

WORKS
2003-09-30
DEVELOPMENT OF A SHORE ZONE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR GUYANA’S SEA DEFENCE
EU86,400.00

WATER
2003-09-30
CONSTRUCTION OF PURE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM AT BARTICA FOUR MILE HOUSING SCHEME
G$28,488,625.00

COMMUNIQUÉ FOLLOW UP

The imminent end of the Parliamentary Recess will restore Parliament as another arena for the fulfilment of the agreements made in the May 6th Communiqué and Follow up Agreements.

Conclusions would be sought for specific Parliamentary undertakings e.g. Appointments of Constitution bodies and post holders.

A large body of subsidiary legislation will occupy the attention of MPs in the upcoming session

At the more direct political engagements of the High Representatives, Bipartisan Committee and the two Leaders would separately and collectively direct on completely addressing mutual commitments.

Implementation of the Monitoring Mechanism has kicked off and the must initial reactions have been positive.

In essence, the Communiqué as a contributory step to constructive engagements within the body politics remains on course.

CRICKET STADIUM

Guyana is pressing on with its efforts to be a venue for hosting matches in the upcoming Cricket World Cup. Fundamentally the efforts centres on having a suitable Cricket Stadium.

All interested parties are working with the Government of Guyana to bring clarity to the various aspects of the reality of building the Stadium and Guyana becoming the venue for the World Cup.

The actual mechanics of the selection process have been recently unveiled and Guyana will be competing on the basis of its sports facilities and infrastructures, accommodation facilities, telecommunication levels, security situation, customs, immigration, traffic control and other related factors.

Decisions can be made as early as in 2004. With regards to the bidding process, there is some convergence between the timetable of implementation, timetable of Infrastructure Development on roads, air transport, housing, and those parameters to be evaluated in the bids of potential venue, hosts for the World Cup.

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Major infrastructure works that are in the implementation stages are:
• The CJIA
• The four lane highways on the southern entrance into the city of Georgetown.

• A growing housing construction Sector

• Reform of the Telecommunication Sector.

Importantly, Private Sector interest is unabated and the idea of Guyana not hosting the World Cup venue is clearly unpalatable.

AMERINDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

September 2003 has come to an end and the celebrations have concluded.

What has been demonstrated is a most comprehensive and ambitious PPP/C Government strategy for the all round development of Amerindian peoples and their community.

The month long activities have given glimpses of the Government wide ranging interventions in:

(1) Economic development in the Hinterland communities;

(2) Improving delivery of goods and services in the Hinterland communities;

(3) Addressing Human Resources development among Amerindians;

(4) Statutory and Constitutional Revision of the status quo of Amerindians.

Much work remains, but in the capable hands of the young Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, the PPP/C Government looks enthusiastically into a continually improving future for our Amerindian brothers and sisters
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in the communities and better integrated into one multi-cultural society.

11th ANNIVERSARY OF PPP/C IN OFFICE

Guyana will be celebration the 11th Anniversary of the PPP/C Government in office arising from its victory at the historic free/fair election of October 5th, 1992.

Since the return of Democracy, Guyanese have seen advances in every sector of national life.

The business of governing has seen initiatives of the most fundamental nature centering on:

(1) Increased accountability, transparency and most important oversight of the Executive Branch of the Government by a Parliament with extended powers;

(2) Increased Inclusiveness both by Constitutional means and by political accord;

(3) Parliamentary Democracy has been strengthened.

The PPP//C Government has and continues to fulfil its commitments to Guyanese in the important areas of social services.

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The figures reflected primacy of the commitment and the consistency: Education, Health, Human Services and Social Security.

A veritable revolution in housing coupled with a very necessary policy change with regards to land distribution and titling.

The economy saw impressive advances initially but growth has been slowed and aggravated by both external and internal factors.

The body politic is slowly healing after the turbulent days of post 1997 elections.

New leadership in both major Parties and the involvement of both civic and external agencies have furthered this process.

In this, the beginning 11th year of the PPP/C Government in office, the PPP/C Government remains committed to its pledge to Guyanese:

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(1) Accountable and transparent Government;

(2) Equitable distribution of social goods and services;

(3) Economic growth and development;

(4) Social justice, peace and stability.

The PPP/C Government welcomes the support of Guyanese regardless of their differences, in struggling to achieve greater heights for Guyana.