The Bartica district hospital will soon be upgraded to offer modern services in keeping with government’s thrust to upgrade the Bartica community to township status.

During a visit to the hospital today, the President committed to Nurse-in-Charge Patricia Smith to accelerate repairs to the nursing theatre. The Regional Administration has commenced work in phases but because of insufficient funds, work has been halted.

The Nurse-in-Charge requested specialists since the number of referrals to Georgetown is high.

The Head of State said that the public system suffers from a shortage of specialists. He added that efforts are ongoing to request specialists from overseas. These include India and China. The Cuban Government has already committed to assist in the health sector

However, he noted that it might be difficult to have specialists stationed in Bartica hence government may have to take the approach of ‘visiting’ specialists.

The Head of State also met with the Head of the Malaria Control Department, Dolly Clementson and informed her of government’s efforts to improve the programme. This, he said, includes the distribution of 20,000 impregnated bed nets.

He added that government, through the Ministry of Health, is working to decentralize the national malaria programme. He assured that more money would be made available to the Region by the end of this year.

While at the hospital, the President also met patients and other persons awaiting medical attention.

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H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira, Commissioner of Police

Winston Felix and other Officers of the Guyana Police Force outside the new Bartica Police Station

Bartica police ranks were urged to deliver services of the highest standard even as they move to occupy the new $37M station built by government. President Bharrat Jagdeo commissioned the station today.

The Head of State said the way the Force is perceived by the public harms or improves its image; hence officers’ performance should be of the highest level.

“My government will not endorse or support any act of corruption or inefficient or discourteous service. If, I, as President could listen to people in various meetings across the country, even when they criticize me, I would sit and talk to them, why can’t constables or public servants do the same?” the President asserted.

The President urged officers not to compromise their integrity. He advised that they be courteous and professional.

“I expect that from all public officers, not only the Police.”

The Head of State said the image of the Police Force does not rest only with the behaviour of the ranks but is also attributed to irresponsible journalism. The media, he said has the authority and power to create impressions on the minds of people.

Citing a case of irresponsible journalism, the President noted that when the ranks shoot a bandit, some media houses always produce eyewitnesses, but when a law-abiding citizen is murdered, one hardly hears of an eyewitness.

The President welcomes the recent ruling in the US pertaining to journalistic sources in criminal cases.

“There is no attempt by my government to muzzle the press in Guyana. However, the media has the power and must use it responsibly. There are forces at work that portray negativity only.”

He advised ranks to use the new station as a base to improve the image and security of Bartica, as it is a gateway to Guyana’s rich interior.

On the issue of human rights, he encouraged ranks, to at all time respect this.

“I want ranks to note that if criminals point guns at them, they must protect themselves at every time, because they have families too; they have to respect human rights and follow due process, but at the same time, defend themselves.”

He reiterated that law enforcement is a top priority for his administration. He noted the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the laws, pointing to the recent National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

He said that crime is not a political issue and called on all stakeholders to assist the police in crime fighting.

The President said the Bartica Police station is one of many government is building across the country, and ranks must not at any time forget their interaction with the people as they assume their offices.

Government from time to time criticizes the force, but it is not because their efforts are not appreciated, it is just to make the service better, the President said. He added that the same applies to the Judiciary.

Home Affairs Minister (acting) Gail Teixeira, said the new station adds vibrancy to the emerging Town, given its ideal location to access the interior.

“There are big things happening in Bartica, therefore, it is important that law enforcement is ahead, hence the construction of the police station.”

She made mention of the $300M that has been allocated this year to the Police Force for capital works to construct buildings and purchase vehicles among others.

Minister Teixeira spoke of the recruitment of the Neighbourhood Policing Group, which will cater for about 600 persons, between the ages of 18 and 45 years. This programme has already been advertised.

The Neighbourhood Policing Group will work under the Divisional Commander in the respective areas to maintain peace and stability in communities.

The Minister is urging Barticians to “keep an eye on our policemen to ensure they maintain their professionalism.”

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Commissioner of Police Winston Felix. He commended the force and urged them to maintain their professional attitude and stick to the motto ‘to serve and to protect’. He indicated that there are three stations soon to be built- Diamond/Grove, East Bank Demerara, Sophia, Greater Georgetown and Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.

Permanent Secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry, Angela Johnson said the completion of the project was another step forward in the implementation of a larger national programme of activities designed to improve the security in the region and the rest of the country.

She said it evokes some pride among them by being associated with the magnificent edifice and expressed gratitude to the Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford and other members of the Bartica Community Policing Group.

The project attracted the involvement of a wide cross-section of the Bartica Community during the gestation period, which is tangible evidence of the improved police facility in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), according to Johnson.

“For the Guyana Police Force, today’s event represents the fulfillment of the desires of police ranks to work in an improved physical environment which is conducive to high work output.”

The Bartica police station was constructed at an overall cost of $37M. It will house the Bartica Post Office, Magistrate’s Court and barracks. There is also a two-storeyed female dormitory.

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July 21, 2005

Bartica will have the modern amenities necessary to give it secondary township status.

President Bharrat Jagdeo today unveiled a $2B plan to take the community forward at the commissioning ceremony for the Bartica Police Station.

Within a month, Government is going out to tender for a $600M contract to pave from first to sixth streets, Bartica and, from first to seventh avenue under the initial phase. Other streets will be covered under the second phase.

This will be followed with the tendering of the new $100M market at First Avenue, Water Front. The President said this would create some problems during the construction period, as there will be inconvenience. He urged that they be patient as the end product will be well worth it.

The Head of State spoke of the $398M state-of-the-art Bartica Secondary School which will have all facilities, including male and female dormitories, science and computer laboratories, a home economics department, physical education facilities as well as constant water supply. The contract was recently awarded for its construction.

“ It is a modern secondary school that will give our children a better learning opportunity and environment.” The new school will be situated three miles into the Bartica/Potaro Road and closer to various communities.

The President said that if the three projects were combined they would total $1.2B, which will be spent this year, in addition to the $37M for the Bartica Police Station, $134M on the housing scheme at Four-Miles and $480M on the Water Treatment Plant.

This effort, he said, is replicated across the country including in Linden and Berbice.

“We are spending $2B on Bartica and this include regional allocations for the year. It took some time for us to get the money to fund the township, even though we are currently repaying foreign debt which takes up a substantial amount of our income.”

The President explained that his government inherited over US$2M in foreign debt burden but has managed to repay more than US$1B. “Unfortunately the administration in this generation has to repay this tremendous burden.”

The President said that this modernization thrust is being funded even at the time when Guyana is faced with US$200M fuel bill.

He singled out some of the modernization projects, which are taking place across the country. They are the Ogle Airport, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the East Coast Demerara road, hotels, Convention Centre, the East Bank Demerara four-lane highway and the Skeldon Modernisation plan.

“ These things are being done because we need to shift the country forward to provide enhanced levels of services. Bartica is definitely growing in various areas and on this note we need to be more tourism-conscious.”

The President noted that government will work with the private sector to stimulate tourism growth in Bartica. “ As we get the debt down and restore financial viability, we need to modernise the whole nation and giving township status, supports the overall modernization plan.”

Charity, Supenaam, Bartica and Parika are earmarked for Secondary Township in the first phase while Mahaica/Mahaicony, Rosignol, Grove/Diamond and areas in Berbice are listed in the second phase.

The President said the resources have to be found to put in place the facilities necessary for township status. He noted government is working toward improving services in the various sectors.

He said there is improvement in the health sector but, recognizes there are still areas to be enhanced. The President disclosed that Government has had three offers to build medical schools.

He said the New Amsterdam Hospital has been completed and new ones are to be built at Linden and Mabaruma. Additionally, all regional and district hospitals are to be rehabilitated.

Government has already started cataract surgeries and oncology and cardiac programmes are to commence soon.

In the education sector, the President spoke about the great improvement in the area of teacher training. He said government is examining the possibility of offering University degrees online for students in outlying areas.

“ We are trying to construct an information technology base so that people can eventually do a degree programme without leaving their community. We are also emphasizing universal education and reform in this sector.”

He said these changes would not come without difficulties, as Guyana cannot control many external decisions, one of which is the European Commission’s decision to reform the sugar regime with drastic cuts up to 39 percent, which will undermine the modernization of the Sugar industry and devastate our economy.

President Jagdeo also spoke of the threats Guyana faces from migration.

He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to a better life for Guyanese .

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