President joins inter-religious peace march
President Bharrat Jagdeo joins the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana at their Peace Rally in the City (OP/S.Prince photo)
Georgetown, GINA, January 16, 2006
Peace in Guyana, peace for the 2006 general elections and peace for the world at large were the calls of the Guyana Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) today as the organisation joined by civil society and the diplomatic community hosted a grand peace march in the City. Guyana for the past two elections has been plagued with post-elections violence spurred by political parties in many cases.
The march began at the Botanical Gardens and proceeded through Vlissengen Road, to North Road and ended in the vicinity of the St. George’s Cathedral.
Joining the march was Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo.
“I think it is an excellent initiative. I think if more Guyanese were to come out and stand up and let their views be heard. It is a self-fulfilling prophecy; we are going to have peace not just this year, but forever in this country. I am happy with the initiative and I want to thank and commend all those who organised it,’ the President said in an invited comment.
Co-Chair of the IRO Bishop Juan Edghill described the exercise as a peaceful and prophetic march that was intended for World day of Religion, observed yesterday. The Bishop expressed gratitude to those who participated, including the Head of State and the Canadian and British High Commissioners and the American Ambassador.
At the end of the march prayers were offered by religious leaders for the country and for peace.
Bishop Edghill said this is the first in a series of activities planned to promote peace in the country.
Secretary and Treasurer to the IRO, Roshan Khan explained that on February 1, the IRO will be inviting political parties contesting the 2006 elections to sign a peace pact “to renounce violence and make a commitment to sanction their operatives if they go in the direction of violence.”
Additionally, Bishop Edghill said that every Guyanese would also be called on to make a peace pledge that they would work for peace and desist from violence in the country, particularly at elections time. Persons taking the pledge would also be asked to wear a peace symbol.
The sport fraternity would also be involved in a torch exercise that would relay a similar message in various villages throughout the country, as well as in religious edifices.
Peace discussions would also be conducted via television and radio broadcasts.
TOP
President participates in 2006 Budget Consultation
Budget Consultations! Government officials, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar holds budget talks with members of the Private Sector at the Office of the President.(OP/Sandra Prince photo)
Georgetown, GINA, January 16, 2006
Government in the spirit of dialogue and consultation met key stakeholders to discuss the economic framework for 2005 and plans for the 2006 Budget at the Office of the President today.
The Government team, which included President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar and his Budget team, first met representatives of the business community.
The Private Sector Commission, Guyana Manufacturers Association, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce are among the major stakeholders that represented the business community.
Budget Consultations! Government officials, led by President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Finance Saisnarine Kowlessar holds budget talks with members of the Private Sector at the Office of the President.(OP/Sandra Prince photo)
The Government officials subsequently met the Guyana Trades Union Congress and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana, which represented the labour movement.
Minister Kowlessar had earlier indicated that these bodies will submit written and oral presentations, which will assist government in setting the framework for the 2006 Budget.
The discussions are part of annual interactive sessions hosted ahead of the Budget with various interest groups.
He said that even though all recommendations may not be reflected, the dialogue influence many of the plans.
Similar consultations are planned with other interest groups including consumer bodies.
Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing for the 2006 Budget presentation before the end of the month.
TOP
HPS updates donors on flood situation
- Briefing for political parties in the pipeline
President Bharrat Jagdeo meets donors after the peace march in the city
(OP/Sandra Prince photo)
Georgetown, GINA, January 16, 2006
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon will later this afternoon brief the donor community on the flood situation and government’s interventions.
President Bharrat Jagdeo today told several members of the donor community who participated in a peace march in Georgetown about Dr. Luncheon’s briefing.
Dr. Luncheon was responsible for the committee that coordinated with the donors during the January 2005 flood. Head of the Civil Defence Commission Col. (rtd) Chabilall Ramsarup will also attend that meeting.
Additionally, a similar meeting is being organised with the political parties.
Meanwhile, President Jagdeo took the opportunity today to briefly enlighten the diplomatic community about the flood situation. He told them of the East Demerara Water Conservancy level being extremely high at 58.55 GD. The ideal level is 57.50GD. The Head of State told them of the blowing of the conservancy through the Maduni sluice to ease the pressure on the dam and thereby reduce the incidence of overtopping and risks of breaches. However, this will increase flooding in Mahaica. The blowing, he says, will cease once a safe level is achieved.
President Jagdeo explained that the work done on clearing the vegetation in the conservancy after the January 2005 flood helped the situation significantly and avoided severe flooding on the coast.
Through the task force on drainage, the conservancy was deepened via the removal of vegetation and the conservancy dam was strengthened, as well as heightened in various parts.
TOP
TOP
President Jagdeo visit to Region six (January 17, 2006)
Photos provided by Sandra Prince, Office of the President)
An aerial view of the East Demerara Water Conservancy showing the nothern dam.
An aerial view of Mahaica/Mahaicony area
President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking with residents at Canefield new Housing Scheme, Canjie
Canefield new Housing Scheme, Canjie
President Bharrat Jagdeo making a point to a Canefield new Housing Scheme resident
President Bharrat Jagdeo at Fort Ordnance, Region 6
President Jagdeo at Fort Ordnance, Region 6
President Jagdeo at No. 9 village, where fish ponds are overtopping causing flooding in the residential area
President Jagdeo at No. 19 Village
President Jagdeo at No. 19 Village
President Jagdeo at No. 19 Village
President Jagdeo speaking to residents of No. 1 Village and Fyrish
President Jagdeo speaking to residents of No. 1 Village and Fyrish
TOP
|
