Wednesday, May 21, 2003

AGENDA

1. CONTRACTS

2. COMMUNIQUÉ

3. FLOOD COMMITTEE

4. JOINT SERVICE OPERATIONS

5. TEACHERS’ STRIKE

COMMUNIQUÉ

The most initial area of compliance with communiqué undertakings has been in the Parliamentary/Legislative realm. Since that signing, Parliament again became the forum at which constitutionally mandated Parliamentary Reforms are being implemented.

By the end of week, Friday 23rd, the full compliment of Committees would be established. Arising from those developments, the reconstituting of the Service Commissions now imminent and so is the functioning of the Sectoral Committees.

The spirit and language of the Communiqué prevails and those developments have contributed the increased confidence in the process.

THE GTU STRIKE

Cabinet welcomed the information about the teachers returning to work since striking from 5th May.

The mutual undertakings in the Terms of Resumption were noted and discussed.

The onus is now on both the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) to implement those mutual undertakings and heal the breaches in their relationships.

The TOR called for sharing information about circulars relating to financial conditions of service with the teaching staff as well as steps to address the unresolved issues surrounding payment of those allowances.

The Union undertook to have striking teachers back in the classroom by Friday 23rd May, 2003.

JOINT SERVICE OPERATIONS

The latest operation in Buxton has intensified actions against the criminal gangs in Buxton.

Joint patrols have been in action around the clock engaged in a variety of tactics against the criminals there.

Successes have been achieved in the operations despite the armed resistance of criminals and the support provided to them by others.

Lives have been lost but the erosion being done to the criminals hold on the community of Buxton is increasing.

The ultimate goal of the Law Enforcement Agency of cleansing the community of criminal element remains unmet but the overall assessment is more encouraging than ever before.

FLOOD COMMITTEE

Cabinet noted the onset of seasonal rains.

Flooding has resurfaced in some areas and Cabinet Ministers have been assigned to areas hardest hit in Region 10.

Concerns about the East Demerara Water Conservancy were addressed in a report that reviewed the progress being made by the four (4) contractors on strengthening the dam and repairing the areas of slippages.

The onset of the May – June rains has increased the level of water in the Conservancy and close monitoring is being carried out on the rate of increase. Judicious discharge of water from the Conservancy is planned to maintain the water at the predetermined level.

CONTRACTS

SECTOR
DATE AWARDED
ACTIVITY \
VALUE

WATER
2003-05-20
CONSTRUCTION OF PURE WATER SUPPLY NETWORK: BLOCK B BEST HOUSING SCHEME
G$12,122,000.00