PRESS BRIEFING
Wednesday, July 28, 2004

AGENDA

1. CONTRACTS

2. TRAFFICKING IN PERSON
(LEGISLATION ON WEBSITE)

3. AMELIA’S WARD WATER PROBLEM:
GUYANA WATER INC.

4. REVISION OF AMERINDIAN ACT

5. POULTRY PRICE INCREASES

Cabinet at its meeting held on July 27, 2004, offered its no-objection to the award of the following contracts:-

HOUSING Construction of roads, drains and structures in Vigilance South Housing Scheme
G$28,236,588.00

HOUSING Construction of roads, drains and structures at Amelia’s Ward, Phase II, Linden
G$38,394,675.00

HOUSING Supply and installation of transmission and distribution mains from Weldadd to Profit, West Coast Berbice
G$19,646,500.00

HOUSING Supply and installation of transmission and distribution mains from Fellowship to Abary
G$31,078,000.00

HOUSING Upgrading of roads in Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Phase 1, 2 and 3
G$39,785,900.00

G$39,785,900.00

EDUCATION Removal and safe Disposal of Asbestos from the Bladen Hall Multilateral School, East Coast Demerara, Region 4
G$27,031,046.00

EDUCATION Removal and safe Disposal of Asbestos from the North Ruimveldt Secondary School, Georgetown
G$25,632,600.00

AMELIA’S WARD WATER PROBLEM

Cabinet reviewed the actions of the Guyana Water Inc in responding to the water shortages in Amelia’s Ward.

• The well pump was damaged and become unserviceable;
• The provision of a back-up water supply system was delayed until a protest was taken to the Regional Administration at which time the Minister was notified;
• The protestors continued their action including blocking the Highway and preventing Guyana Water Inc. engineers and technicians access to the site;
• The pump supplied from Georgetown was found defective after installation;
• A pump suitable for replacement was retrieved from Linden where it was available during the shortages.
Cabinet commented adversely on this example of a lack of coordination between the Guyana Water Inc. Division 3, Linden and its Headquarters.

POULTRY PRICE INCREASES
Data from the Commerce Division in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce was presented to Cabinet about the 10 - 15% increase in wholesale prices for fresh poultry products in the market places.

These increases have been associated with records of falling productions that have not been substantiated .

For some time rumours of smuggling, exports and hoarding have been circulating in the industry.

Cabinet mandated an immediate and collaborative investigation by staff in the Ministries of Agriculture and Tourism, Industry and Commerce to provide additional details about the activities in the Sector including production, exports, wholesale and retail dynamics among suppliers, producers and consumers.

UPDATE: TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS
The campaign continues.
US Federal authorities are currently in Guyana and are being exposed to various aspects of the Administration’s campaign and the social realities in Guyana.

The police continue to provide support in enforcing the Legislation. The Combating of Trafficking in Persons Bill is with the Parliament Office.

The Bill seeks to introduce criminalising of the Trafficking and provides for sentencing- related guidelines.

Importantly, the Bill legislates for assistance and protection for victims and for the creation of a National Body to oversee implementation of the Act.
The Bill is expected to be laid before Parliament on August 5, 2004.

Cabinet also authorised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to accede to the UN protocol to prevent or suppress Trafficking in Persons especially women and children.

This Protocol accompanies the accession by Guyana to the International Convention against Trans-national Organised Crime