PRESS BRIEFING
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
AGENDA
1. CONTRACTS
2. PARLIAMENT
3. SPRING TIDE BREACHES
4. CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION
PARLIAMENT
The first post recess session of the National Assembly is scheduled for Thursday, October 20, 2005.
The Agenda, already publicised, will see the introduction of a number of Bills and the tabling of Regulations and Motions.
Importantly, the Amerindian Bill 2005 will be taken through its Second Reading.
Some special interest groupings have sought to impress on the public concerns about the Bill and its content.
Cabinet agreed that the Bill will go to a Select Committee where these special interest groupings and other concerned would have their say.
Electoral legislations addressing continuous registration have been tabled.
Significantly, the Motion in the Sir Michael Davies’ Report on the Needs Assessment of Parliament will be tabled.
It is the intention of the Administration to have a Parliamentary process examine the Report, subsequent to which, recommendations approved by the House will be presented to the Executive for implementation.
The Government legislative programme for this session is being finalised.
SPRING TIDE BREACHES
Whether it was the full moon or caused by climate change, villagers in the East and West Coasts of Demerara have all agreed that they have never seen anything like the high tides of Sunday, October 16 and Monday, October 17, before.
The damage was significant to the victims of the breached and over-topped sea defences.
Several housing units have been utterly demolished, others flooded out with loss of much private property livestock, etc.
The Administration has responded quickly and aggressively with evacuations, establishment of shelters for about 50 families and mobilisation for sealing breaches.
Cabinet noted the need to relocate those victims who were squatting on the sea dam/ reserves and has initiated steps to correct that situation.
$200 M GYD has been identified for emergency works to repair the sea defences.
Fortunately, much of the salt water leaves the land between tides.
NATIONAL REGISTRATION
The commencement of continuous registration on Monday, October 17, 2005, signalled the end of the old system allowing for registration to be conducted every working day at the 23 centres.
In the earlier years, National Registration was carried out by the National Registration Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
In the 1990’s, the powers were given first to the Chairman and later to the Elections Commission as it stands now.
The use of the 2001 official voters list as the base for commencing the continuous registration has been approved by the Commission and is now law.
This exercise that started on October 17, provides for the registration of Guyanese who are qualified to be electors on the qualifying dates. (Persons who would be 18 years on March 31, 2006, or born on or before March 31, 1988).
Electors already on the 2001 official voters’ list would only need to update by changing/ correcting their particulars especially address, marriage and other spelling errors.
The Administration is pleased with this development and encourages Guyanese to utilise the opportunity to register fully and in a timely way.
CONTRACTS
SECTOR |
DATE AWARDED |
ACTIVITY |
VALUE |
LOCAL GOVERNMENT &
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT |
2005-10-18 |
REHABILITATION OF DEN AMSTEL COMMUNITY CENTRE, REGION NO. 3 |
G$15,483,822.00 |
LEGAL AFFAIRS |
2005-10-18 |
CONSTRUCTION OF FORT WELLINGTON MAGISTRATE’S COURT, REGION NO. 5
|
G$18,015,368.00
|
HOME AFFAIRS |
2005-10-18 |
PROCUREMENT OF ARMS AND AMMUNITION FOR THE GUYANA POLICE FORCE |
G$15,863,610.00 |
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT |
2005-10-18 |
CONSTRUCTION AND DELIVERY OF SCHOOL FURNITURE FOR SCHOOLS IN REGIONS 3, 4 AND GEORGETOWN DISTRICT
|
G$36,609,600.00 |
HEALTH |
2005-10-18 |
PROCUREMENT OF LABORATORY REAGENTS AND SUPPLIES FOR THE REGIONS
|
G$26,879,991.00 |
HOUSING |
2005-10-18 |
SUPERVISION OF CONSTRUCITON AT WESTMINSTER AND ONDERNEERING, WEST BANK DEMERARA, REGION NO. 10
|
G$20,500,000.00 |
AGRICULTURE |
2005-10-18 |
CLEARANCE OF UPSTREAM OF THE LAND OF CANAAN FIVE-DOOR SLUICE, REGION NO. 4
|
G$18,975,000.00
|
OFFICE OF THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION |
2005-10-18 |
PURCHASE OF STATIONERY AND OFFICE SUPPLIES FOR CONTINUOUS REGISTRATION OFFICES IN REGIONS NO. 1 – 10
|
G$21,527,800.00 |
FINANCE |
2005-10-18 |
SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF AN INTEGRATED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM FOR TAX AND CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATION AND RELATED SERVICES
|
US$3,862,633.00 |
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