PRESS BRIEFING

Wednesday, May 28, 2002

A G E N D A

1. Contracts

2. Review of Independence Celebration

3. Scholarship Policy

4. Public Sector Modernization Plan Public Consultation

5. NPAS

6. Crime and Security

CONTRACTS

HEALTH
2003-05-27
SUPPLY OF SPARES FOR TWO BOILERS FOR THE GEORGETOWN PUBLIC HOSPITAL CORPORATION

US$66,000.00

WORKS
2003-05-27
SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF X-RAY EQUIPMENT FOR THE DEPARTURE TERMINAL: CHEDDI JAGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TIMEHRI

US$154,000.00

INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS

Cabinet reviewed the celebrations of the 37th Anniversary of Independence held in Region four, Georgetown, and in the other nine Regions.

Ministers attended the nine Regional activities and gave favourable reports on the activities. The coastal Regions continue to implement the more elaborate celebration and Ministers Satyadeow Sawh and Manzoor Nadir commented on the activities in Regions 6 and 2 respectively.

The activities in the hinterland Regions were smaller but participation was lively. Rain was a constant threat especially in Region 7.

The Georgetown celebration was well attended and Minister Gail Teixeira was congratulated for the well planned and executed night programme.

In his presentation, the President invoked the spirit of our fore fathers and their contributions to the changes that are continuously taking place in Guyana.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION: PSMP

The final Draft Report of the Design Phase of the PSMP is now available.

The Report is available on the Office of the President’s web site and hard copies and CDs are also available to the public from the Project office.

A Public Consultation plan has been completed and its implementation will soon begin.

The Georgetown round of activities will concentrate initially on Public Officers at all levels in the Service.

The attention would then focus on the other stakeholders including the Unions, restructuring workers in the Service, the Private Sector and the rest of the Public Sector.

Importantly, the Public Consultation would continue in all ten Regions at which time, stakeholders there would also consulted.

It is anticipated that an ongoing process will eventuate in which the implementation of the approved Design would benefit from Monitoring and Evaluation and Reporting.

NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA SYSTEMS

The National Protected Area Systems (NPAS) was the focus of the Cabinet Sector Strategy session at the meeting of May 27, 2003. This followed an earlier review done on April 24, 2003.

Cabinet reaffirmed its intention to continue its engagement with the World Bank on the NPAS project accepting the planned phased approach that had identified pilot areas for initial attention.

Cabinet recognised the role of the Protected Area Secretariat and the EPA in providing Government of Guyana ownership of the process while reiterating that the many lead Agencies identified were administering an approved programme on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

Cabinet endorsed the twin focus of the World Bank Project of addressing National capacity in Institutions, Legislative and Administration arrangements for Protected Areas as well as the Site.

Specific implementation and considerations are involved in Protected Areas Designation.

Cabinet continued its discussion on the financial mechanisms to support Protected Areas and emphasised its support for BEST PRACTICES.
2.

Cabinet was unequivocal on its long-term commitment to development in the context of Protected Areas and insisted that models of Protected Areas will be introduced and would allow scientific/technological applications in National Resource Management to be always compatible with its commitments to protect the environment.

With its endorsement, Cabinet has now initiated the next steps on its commitment to create Protected Areas and the specialised Agencies would be engaging Guyanese stakeholders, international environmental borders and the donor community in further advancing the process.

Cabinet concluded its review of policies and practices governing Tertiary Education in Guyana.

Still outstanding is the review of the Student Loan Agency, which provides a facility for students to access loans from Central Government for attendance at the University of Guyana.

On April 18 and 25, 2003, Cabinet reviewed its policies in granting of scholarship awards and noted the following:-

*Scholarships offered being available to all Guyanese; a corollary of which is FULL PUBLICITY.
2.

* Public funding of private students on overseas scholarships is PROSCRIBED, corollary is that such funding is available locally;

*Scholarships awardees are obligated to serve Guyana;

Corollary:
(1) They must return home

(2) If funded, they must be Contractually bonded;

? Special programme exist for Amerindian students and Hinterland scholars.

For the year 2003, the Special Cuban Scholarship programme, engineered by President Jagdeo and for three (3) years, offers 109 Guyanese the opportunity of professionally qualifying themselves.

CRIME AND SECURITY

The increased joint services activities continue in the Buxton/ECD area. The operations that include cordon & search operations, interdictions ambushes etc. were done by joint patrols. Results have been promising with findings and reduced crime.

There was evidence in the Buxton community that the enhanced security presence was supported by villagers.

Not unexpectedly critical voices have been raised about alleged excesses during those exercises. The expectation is that this operation will continue in the short term.