Press Briefing
Tuesday, April 1, 2003

1.CONTRACTS

WORKS
2003-04-01
SUPPLY OF BOULDERS FOR EMERGENCY SEA DEFENCE WORKS AT PROFIT/FOULIS, WEST COAST BERBICE
G$20 M

WORKS
2003-04-01
REHABILITATION OF THE LEGUAN STELLING,
REGION 3

G$57,369,130.00

HEALTH
2003-04-01
SUPPLY OF EMERGENCY DRUGS FOR THE REGIONS

G$57,369,130.00

HEALTH
2003-04-01
SUPPLY OF DIETARY ITEMS FOR THE GEORGETOWN PUBLIC HOSPITAL CORPORATION

G$13,901,398.00

EDUCATION

2003-04-01
CONSTRUCTION OF THE UPPER CORENTYNE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRE WORKSHOP BUILDING

G$133,519,910.00

CONSTITUTIONAL APPOINTMENT

On March 24, 2003, President Jagdeo informed the Leader of the Opposition Political parties of Parliament of his resolve to move ahead with the appointment of Constitutional Bodies.
The President disclosed his extreme concerns about the failure to appoint the Leader of the Opposition as well as the failure to reconstitute the Constitutional Bodies.
As such, the governing party PPP/C would soon be electing its members to the Parliamentary Appointive Committee.
In the meanwhile, President Jagdeo in his correspondence of March 24, 2003, has indicated to Parliamentary Opposition Leaders his nominees for appointment to the Service Commissions, appointments, which should have been made after the meaningful consultation with the Leader of the Oppositions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has been instructed by the President to initiate the necessary steps to appoint categories of members of the Service Commissions.

CUBAN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

The special Cuban Scholarship programme organised on the occasion of President Jagdeo’s visit to Cuba enters its 2nd academic year 2003 - 2004.
124 Guyanese students are in Cuba finishing their 1st year of study under the programme. Over 70 of these students are beginning their studies to become medical doctors. The 2003 - 2004 academic programme has already started.

Already in Cuba, are the final three (3) scholarship awardees for 2003, enrolled in the Physical Education/Sports programme.
The Office of the President has completed its selection process for awards in Medicine and 24 students have been identified.
Their departure for Cuba is imminent.
The attention is now focused on the selection process for about seventy (70) awards in Engineering, Agricultural and Health Services.
Their departure is planned for later this year.

REMEDIAL WORKS: EAST DEMERARA WATER
CONSERVANCY DAM

The current dry spell continues. The low water level in the Conservancy continues. Currently two (2) contractors are working on the Cane Grove to Annandale segment of the embankment where the worst slippages have occurred.
NDIB is supervising the remedial works. Weekly reports are being provided to the Cabinet Sub-Committee.
The remedial works are expected to be considered before the onset of the anticipated rains.