|
Negotiations for the reconstruction of MOH building ongoing
- but is not number one priority
THE Ministry of Health (MOH) is currently in negotiations as it seeks to undertake the reconstruction of its head office, but Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, affirmed that while there are no concrete commitments towards financing, the Ministry will not confuse its priorities.
“I am not going to make the Ministry of Health the number one priority. Outside of committed funds the priorities are the Psychiatric Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and Skeldon Hospital,” Ramsammy said.
He explained that the efforts being made in other areas will continue and focus will not be shifted to the Ministry of Health.
To this end, Ramsammy concluded that the reconstruction of the Ministry of Health building is a separate priority and added that he is currently in the process of mobilising resources to fund the effort.
Additionally, the Health Minister stated that his staff is doing a “marvellous” job given the circumstances.
“We have limited space but the morale of the staff is still high and they’ve been able to perform at high levels,” he said.
However, Ramsammy acknowledged that this will change over time since the present performance cannot be sustained for very long given the working conditions.
“The environment has been constraining,” he explained.
He added too that he has not pursued the police’s investigations into the Ministry’s fire but has left it up to the relevant authorities.
“I am sure that as they have new information they will let us know but as of now I do not know much about it,” he said.
The Ministry of Health’s head office complex was gutted on July 17, 2009.
(Vanessa Narine)
BREAST cancer is Guyana’s number one cancerous disease
- early detection is key to prevent it becoming fatal
By Vanessa Narine
BREAST cancer is Guyana’s number one cancerous disease and affects not only women but men also and early detection will ultimately result in a healthier nation.
This disclosure was made by Minister of Health, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, who also noted that as men age their testosterone level decreases causing occurrences of the disease.
“A lot of men think that they cannot get breast cancer but in fact they can. It is not something that can’t happen; it is just more rare,” Ramsammy asserted.
The Health Minister explained that most men find this astonishing since they never considered themselves as having breasts.
However, he said that this is a fact of life and pointed out the fact that as men get older their breasts become more visible.
In Guyana, Ramsammy stated that 478 women are registered with breast cancer, which is an “aggressive disease.”
“Unless diagnosed quickly breast cancer could prove fatal,” the minister stressed.
To this end, he pointed out the need for increased awareness which enables early detection and prevention. “There are interventions that could stop it,” he said.
Among these interventions is surgery to remove the breast which, Ramsammy stated is being done on an increasing scale in Guyana. Other interventions include radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which involves medication.
Unfortunately, the Health Minister pointed out that the medication is extremely expensive and adds a “huge” expense to the public sector’s acquisition of drugs.
However, Ramsammy said these interventions are not necessarily independent of each other since they can be administered together.
On Friday, at the Guyana Defence Force Ground, Ramsammy along with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alfred King, launched the ‘Pink Ribbon’ amidst a gathering of students.
Ramsammy stated that in the same way the HIV/AIDS ‘Red Ribbon’ has been made popular, efforts are being executed to achieve the same with the ‘Pink Ribbon’.
October is designated as Breast Cancer Awareness month; efforts by different stakeholders are being executed to raise the level of awareness to assist in the fight against cancer.
“This month we highlight the fact that cancer, and in Guyana moreso breast cancer, is a huge public health problem like in every country,” the Health Minister said.
In addition to the Ministry of Health’s efforts, long standing cancer awareness advocate, Avon, also had activities to support women affected by the disease and propel the awareness.
One of the initiatives is ‘Pink Hand Band’ project which, with the contribution of $200, the contributor gets to wear one in support of the call for positive action.
The band carries the words ‘Early detection can save lives’ as well as ‘Give and it will come back to you’.
Decentralising Guyana’s health-care system
- widening access to quality, specialised healthcare
A GINA Feature by Rekha Budhna
BAREFOOT doctors, non-existent health centres and meagre health services were prominent characteristics of the health care system in Guyana’s outlying regions.
Developmentally, it is the existence of proper healthcare that directly influences growth and progress of all sectors within an economy and this recognition is the basis for Government’s magnified emphasis on the provision of health care, in recent years, with the construction of state-of-the-art hospitals across the country. Commitment is further manifested in financing gap analyses, significant endowment from the national budget. Available empirical evidence proves that allocations have increased steadily over the years.
The ‘Nation’s Health is its Wealth’ is the principle which has led the Administration’s health related policies and programmes, which are aimed at ensuring the delivery of quality health care to residents countrywide.
The increased emphasis on investment in the sector has resulted in a much more modernised system where citizens can access a wide range of services daily, ranging from treatment for viral infections like the common flu to complicated surgeries.
Despite logistical challenges, many riverine communities which were cut off from the primary system in the past, unable to access health care, now benefit from modern health huts, centres and hospitals. Residents now receive treatment and medical advice from health care professionals stationed in their communities.
Widening access to health care
The provision of health services in the hinterland has always been a challenge due to the difficulty in traversing the terrain and the distance from well populated areas with life services like potable water, electricity and roads.
With the modernisation of the health sector, efforts were made to erect quality service facilities in far-flung communities. Today, instead of having to travel to Georgetown to access health care, residents are able to visit well equipped centres and huts to receive treatment. [*Photo of baby being immunized]
However, to access specialised care, patients are required to travel to the major hospitals and for this, through investment, ambulance services have been provided. In cases where persons have to be airlifted from outlying areas, the medivac system for which special aircrafts have been procured has been useful.
Where government has been unable to provide specialised services, there has been useful collaboration with external support groups.
Rural hospitals, with relevant services and facilities installed, have been constructed in Diamond, Kamarang, Kumaka, Leonora, Lethem, Linden, Mabaruma, New Amsterdam and Suddie, reducing the pressure on the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Investing resources for better facilities
Health care investment has been at the forefront of the annual budgetary allocations. When Government took Office in 1992, spending in the health care sector amounted to a paltry $725M. Today the amount has been increased to $12.8B.
In 2006 the sector was allocated $8.5B while the allocation was increased to $10B in 2007 and $12.1B in 2008.
The allocation for 2009 was $12.8B, catering specifically for the completion of the National Psychiatric Hospital at Canjie ($32.3M), the construction of the new GPHC in-patient facility ($1.1B) and the completion and operation of the Linden Hospital Complex ($481M).
Additionally, $2.5B has been earmarked for expenditure on drugs and other pharmaceutical supplies. $190M will go towards a Basic Nutrition Programme which is expected to see the continued registration of beneficiaries, manufacturing Sprinkles and the distribution of nutritional supplements and food voucher-coupons to benefit 20,000 people.
Infrastructural developments
The establishment of more diagnostic and health centres is aimed at creating a medical facility support framework around the GPHC, reducing the burden on the institution and allowing faster and more efficient service. The construction of these new outlets is part of a wider national health sector reform programme being aggressively pursued by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration. The primary intention is to provide improved service to Guyana’s growing population.
Diagnostic and Treatment Centres have been constructed at Suddie ($250M) and Diamond ($131M). Another at Mahaicony was commissioned on July 14, 2008.
These centres are outfitted with an eye clinic, general, orthopaedic and gynecological facilities, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), observation, emergency vital support, HIV testing, RBS, endoscopy, general ex-ray, ultrasound and dentistry capabilities.
The Linden Hospital Complex, commissioned on February 2008, and costing $2B, comprises six wards, an operating theatre, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), pediatric services, laboratory, blood bank, gynecology ward and obstetrics department.
The Kumaka Hospital in Region One (Barima/Waini) currently serves more than 10,000 people mainly Amerindians from Moruca and nearby communities such as: Kamwatta, Manawarin, Santa Rosa, and Waramuri, and facilitates improved services in the areas of general medicine, vector control and dentistry.
Also in that Region a modern hospital was also built at Mabaruma, at a cost of over $120M, which includes four expanded wards with 36 beds for in-patients, an X-ray department, operating theatre, delivery room and additional supporting departments.
Guyanese are now accessing eye surgeries at the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Centre located in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) which is being operated by Cuban Doctors with the assistance of qualified Guyanese Doctors who are being trained to eventually take over the operations. This is the first of its kind to be built in the Caribbean and is capable of facilitating approximately 10,000 eye surgeries per year.
The centre, commissioned on July 25, 2009, cost $140M and is currently staffed with 40 medical personnel, including doctors, nurses, technicians, bio-medical engineers and support staff. Services include corrective refractive error, cataract, glaucoma, and retinopathy and retina detachment. [* Photo of Ophthalmology Hospital]
The old New Amsterdam Hospital located at Charles Place, also in Region Six, was built in 1884 and reconstructed in 2003 at a cost of $2.3B. It was re-commissioned on February 20, 2006 and is currently offering services in dentistry, ultrasound, general ex-ray, endoscopy, RBS, HIV testing, emergency vital support, observation, intensive care, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, out patients and in-patient ,occupational therapy, gynecology intensive care unit, observation and emergency vital support.
The Kamarang Hospital located in Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) was constructed at a cost of $13.5 M and commissioned on 13 January, 2004 .This project has been providing medical services to the surrounding communities of Chenowing, Jawalla , Kaikan , Kako, Paruima, Phillipai, Quebanang and Waramadong.
The Lethem hospital is the leading health institution in Region Nine and is outfitted with modern equipment. The facility is offering a range of services that include a theatre, in-patient and out-patient facilities, a pharmacy and a laboratory.
Raising the level of training
Providing state-of-the-art facilities requires the presence of trained personnel. Over the years, changes have been made to several pre-existing training programmes in an effort to adapt to evolution in the field of education, increasing population and health challenges.
In the past, only nurses could access the medex training programme, and as such for every medex that was trained, the system lost a trained nurse. Today, school leavers are allowed to join the programme providing that their marks at the national examinations are strong. This has resulted in an increase in applications, allowing the Ministry of Health more flexibility in the deployment of medical staff to manage health facilities across the country.
Persons in the sector are given the chance of serving their community after training and this provides job opportunities for young people from interior locations seeking to make a difference in the health sector.
The medex training programme was further redesigned to take into consideration changes in the level of education and qualification for persons applying for the programme. The Alternative Medex Pathway for Training Programme offers training for a 42 month period instead of 18 months as it was previously administered.
The Community Health Worker functions primarily in health huts and centres, allowed to provide moderate nursing and midwifery services under supervision. In the past appointment to this position required only the recommendation of the community, however, today, recognising the rising level of education among persons in the Amerindian community, Government has created programmes for upgrading and specific training.
Other areas of training at the community and regional level include dental technician and the dentext diploma and certificate, after which persons can apply to enter the dental surgeon programme at the University of Guyana.
PNCR parliamentarian Debbie Backer referred to Committee of Privileges
- to consider disciplinary action against her
PEOPLE’S National Congress Reform (PNCR) Parliamentarian Deborah Backer has been referred to a Committee of Privileges to be disciplined for offensive remarks she made against the army on October 15 sitting of the National Assembly.
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh told the House that Backer in her presentation on the motion on the deployment of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Personnel to Trinidad for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting suggested that the soldiers are going there to torture people.
He said Backer’s statements cast aspersions on the hard working men and women of armed forces who serve their country as well as the region when called upon.
Singh contended that the PNCR member’s unfortunate remarks must be harshly condemned and called on Members of the House to unanimously signal their disapproval of her offensive uttering.
The minister said Prime Minister Samuel Hinds has written the Speaker of the House, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran on the matter.
Mr. Ramkarran acknowledged receipt of the Prime Minister’s letter but said he was unable to forward the correspondence to Backer because he received it late in the morning.
The Speaker said he has examined the issue and found that a prima facie has been made and has referred it to the Committee of Privileges which takes disciplinary action against members of the august body.
The PNCR-1G on Thursday boycotted the sitting of the National Assembly and Ramkarran informed the House that the parliamentarian in question nor her colleagues provided him a reason for their absence.
Some 90 ranks including members of the Guyana Police Force will join their CARICOM counterparts in providing security support to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting scheduled for November 21 to 30.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee speaking at the October 15 sitting of National Assembly said the local contingent will depart Guyana on November 17 and return on December 2.
He pointed out that the management and operation of the troops to be deployed is in accordance with the Visiting Forces Act 2007 of Guyana, the Visiting Forces Act of Trinidad and Tobago and the Treaty of Security Assistance among CARICOM Member States.
Backer apart from her offensive comments on the army spoke in support of the motion. (Tajeram Mohabir)
Twenty-one persons convicted for tax laws infringements
- 346 matters pending in the courts
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has reported that over the past nine and half months 21 persons have been convicted for various infringements of the tax laws, while 346 matters are pending in the courts, five of which are before the Appellate Court.
GRA has charged several persons with failing to file Income Tax, Property Tax and Value Added Tax returns. Other offences for which persons have been charged include: failure to remit taxes deducted from employees earnings, failure to pay Income tax, and intent to defraud the state by dealing in uncustomed goods and harbouring and storing uncustomed goods.
A GRA release said: “Under Section 216 of the Customs Act Chapter 82:01 persons who knowingly deal in uncustomed goods or harbours same with intent to defraud the revenue of any duties thereon will be liable to a find of treble the value of the goods and one year imprisonment and the respective goods forfeited.”
It added that persons who file returns or pay taxes after the due date are required by law to pay a penalty of two per cent of the tax assessed. Where the Commissioner-General has issued a demand notice to a taxpayer for the submission of a return, a penalty of five per cent of the tax assessed will apply if the return is not submitted within the time specified in the notice.
Interest is charged on all late payment of taxes at the primary lending rate as published by the Bank of Guyana plus 500 basis points and is applied to the total principle tax due or payable, and which includes penalties which form part of the tax assessed.
Commissioner-General of the GRA, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur, said the agency will impose and enforce penalties in accordance with the law, noting that a number of taxpayers continue to break the law despite being served with notices.
He said that persons should not even attempt to use ignorance as an excuse given the huge sums spent yearly to produce thousands of printed materials that are distributed to taxpayers and the general public at various forums, and the many radio and television programmes conducted by the GRA. There is blatant disregard for the law, as many persons repeatedly commit the same offence, Mr. Sattaur said.
Meanwhile, arrest warrants have been issued for the following persons:
* Lloyd Rose of 5-6 Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara;
* Jaipaul Rampersaud of Lot 3 Bel Air, Blygezight, Georgetown;
* Joycelyn Bentick of 85 Williams Street, Kitty;
* Tacquin Soochan of 34 King Street, Georgetown;
* Roopan Ramotar of 10 Spring Gardens, Essequibo Coast;
* Chetram Jagatnarine of 20 Canefield Settlement, East Canje, Berbice;
They are also required to appear in court to answer charges of various breaches of the tax laws.
Taxpayers are reminded of their obligations to file returns and pay their taxes on or before the statutory due dates.
Retirees have to help guide younger ones in sector
- Agriculture Minister tells workers at award ceremony
THE contribution of employees to the agriculture sector over the years was recognised and lauded and new retirees were told that they still had a significant role to play in guiding the younger persons in the sector. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud made these remarks during the Ministry’s annual long service and retirement award ceremony.
Twelve retirees were awarded along with nine persons who have served at the Ministry for 20 years and another for 21 years.
The minister expressed gratitude for the dedication, commitment and continued efforts of the staff over the years, saying that their contribution have served to make a difference in the sector and urged that others work to maintain the momentum.
Referring to the new stock of staff now entering the sector, the Minister pointed out that it is good to see highly qualified young people interested in agriculture. However, he stressed the need for hands-on experience and pointed out that the retirees can assist in helping the younger staff to get over the learning curve quickly.
Noting that it always seems as though farmers and others demand more of workers in the Ministry, Minister Persaud told his staff that they should feel proud that more is expected of them since it reflects the confidence of the farmers in their capability to deliver the services.
Emphasising the importance of the sector to the country, Minister Persaud stated that this year the sector received its highest budgetary allocation of $8B which is a reflection and testimony of the good work of employees in the sector and farmers. He pointed out that agriculture makes the highest contribution to the economy through its earnings as it relates to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and stated that the future of the country depends on the viability of the sector. In this regard, he pointed out that persons within the sector must continue and enhance the work in the sector.
The retirees were Planner IV Jacqueline Nero, Fisheries Assistant Keith Myers, Agricultural Officer Winston David, Agricultural Officer Francis Park, Caretaker Victor Baird, Carpenter John Boucher, Typist Clerk II Maureen Taylor, Hydromet Technical Assistant Agatha Joseph, Research Assistant Bidwani Sawh, and Cook Liloutie Boodram. (GINA)
Farmers’ have access to huge market opportunities
- Prime Minister at ‘Essequibo Nite’ celebration
PRIME MINISTER Samuel Hinds performing the duties of President on October 23 joined hundreds of residents from various parts of the country and Essequibians to participate in the celebration of ‘Essequibo Nite’ 2009 held at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground to promote locally-grown produce and manufactured items.
The event which is held annually, aims to promote harmony and unity among all people as well as give persons an opportunity to market their products.
The event was organised by the Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council in collaboration with the private sector and included exhibits from the Essequibo Technical Institute, Bank of Guyana, IPED, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture among others.
Mr. Hinds, who represented the President at the event, told the gathering that he was pleased to be in the County to attend the event.
“As you would have seen in the newspapers he’s in Canada teaching more about the Low Carbon Development Strategy so I am here holding the briefing for him,” he said.
He noted that the activity has attracted a large number of participants over the years since it was initiated in 1999 and highlights Guyana’s locally grown and manufactured products at both the local and international levels.
Mr. Hinds said that the event (Essequibo Nite) is to celebrate with farmers for their hard work since the country needs food and they contribute to food security.
“Our farmers toil night and day during rain or shine to bring food that we consume. It’s a difficult life but we are hoping and planning that life for farmers will get better in the future.”
He noted that one of the challenges faced by farmers is the control of water. The administration has over the years invested much resource in improving the supply of water and Drainage and Irrigation to all parts of the country.
Recalling the history of farmers growing their own food, Mr. Hinds said that Government sees a great future for farmers since the idea of growing their own food was initiated by Guyana’s late leader Dr Cheddi Jagan who always encouraged farmers to grow more food to supply Guyana’s population as well as generate a surplus to export to other countries.
He said that farmers have access to huge market opportunities and are capable of capturing half of the US$3B per year that is being spent by the Caribbean to import food. He said if this market was accessed it would double Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mr. Hinds noted that people should always learn from others which would make themselves as well as the country a better developed and more self-sufficient place.
“All of the other countries that we admire, they have grown better day by day and they did that by learning from each day’s experience, and then making it better the following day. And so I hope that our farmers will not hesitate to show what they might have learnt so that our best yields will become the standard and the average yields.”
He also lauded the rice industry for its recent achievement in producing 50 bags of rice per acre compared to the previous 25 bags..
He noted that while the activity will allow farmers, producers and manufactures to exhibit their produce; it also allows for persons to explore business and market opportunities. It also helps to harmonize and unite Guyanese.
Essequibians were also lauded for the development of their Region. “I congratulate you all for the great improvements in this region in all areas especially in the housing sector which has greatly improved.”
Region Two Regional Chairman, Ally Baksh said that ‘Essequibo Nite’ has been a tradition which is highly anticipated from persons across Guyana.
He noted that the purpose of the event is not only to showcase the products made by Guyanese but to also give persons a chance to socialise with individuals from across the country, especially those from Amerindian communities.
“We are a region that produces many things in the area of agriculture-fish, shrimps, eggs, provision, rice, citrus and many other areas…our region plays a very important and significant role in promoting our country.”
The event was officially declared open after the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
‘Essequibo Nite’ was first hosted in 1999 following the establishment of a committee to conduct an aggressive promotion of the country’s locally-grown products. (GINA)
GHS stages impressive floral exhibition at Umana Yana
The Guyana Horticultural Society (GHS) on Saturday at the Umana Yana staged an impressive Exhibition and sale of horticultural products which encompassed a wide range of colourful flowers, hanging baskets, indoor and outdoor plants, fruits and vegetables and even jams and jellies made from the latter.
The occasion which fascinated and captivated the steady flow of keenly enthusiastic viewers, was an ideal opportunity for home makers to zero in on the best in plants and other botanicals for the Christmas holidays, and at bargain prices.
The exhibition and sale for the first time in about 10 years represented a movement away from the annual horticultural competition held at this time of year at the same venue. With scores of florists and other stakeholders teaming up their energies and resources, and fully supported by members of the public, the occasion was a great success.
President of the Society, Ms. Allison Noord, explained that the exhibition was more a sneak preview botanicals which will be on display when the Society holds its Garden Competition next year.
NGOs are conduits of social services - UNDP Deputy Representative
NON-GOVERNMENTAL organisations (NGOs) are conduits of social services that aid development in different areas and because of the quintessential roles they play they are an important part of society.
These were the sentiments of the Deputy Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF), Mr. Rudi Luchmann who voiced his views in a recent press briefing.
“NGOs are a very, very important part of society and UNICEF has funded them in the past and will continue to do so,” he declared.
He cited one role of the NGOs as that of piloting programmes in different areas.
“They pilot programmes that we yet have to be convinced of in terms of their effectiveness, efficiency and outreach,” the Deputy Representative said.
To this end, he added that UNICEF is taking measures to make the efforts of the non-governmental organisations more sustainable.
He said that once initiatives are being piloted by UNICEF partners, his organisation ensures that rigorous evaluations and reviews are done to ensure, at crucial benchmarks times, after which outcomes are fed back to various stakeholders and provisions are put in place for continuance of the effort.
“This is so that the services provided by NGOs are made more sustainable so that children, particularly, can benefit over a longer period of time,” Luchmann offered.
The Deputy Representative added that the NGOs play many different roles in bringing across certain key demands.
“These efforts complement our work. It complements our activities and our advocacy for children’s rights at various levels,” Luchmann posited.
Of primary importance, he pointed out that through NGOs many messages are channelled directly to the community, to the grassroots.
“NGOs are able to get through to the community that would otherwise be beyond our reach because no government counterpart will be able to do so,” he said.
To this end, Luchmann pointed out that key demands are being met since, in an effort to create a caring environment for children, behaviour patterns are being changed and children’s needs are being met.
He explained that the participation of NGOs facilitate the involvement of persons at the grassroots level which, in turn, enables the acceleration of much needed information to the policymakers. “The NGOs are the best working tools to meet targets.”
The Deputy Representative added too that not only are NGOs assisting with meeting certain goals but, they are also making crucial steps in the interest of children.
This, Luchmann stated is key since UNICEF is committed to supporting the future and the children are the tomorrows of a nation.
Additionally, Luchmann stated that there is a need for stronger collaborations and networking to be established among NGOs to achieve greater effectiveness.
West Demerara commuters delayed because of one-lane traffic
COMMUTERS travelling from the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara, at approximately 10:00 hours yesterday were understandably annoyed after they were forced to wait for an additional half of an hour before they were able to cross the Demerara Harbour Bridge. This in addition to the time they already waited until the bridge reopened for traffic after the scheduled 08:30 hours closure to traffic.
The bridge was reportedly undergoing maintenance hence the inconvenience for commuters with only one lane of traffic from the eastern end allowed passage while hundreds of vehicles were lined up on the western side waiting to travel across to their respective destinations.
Swami Purnananda Primary School observes World Teachers Appreciation Day
THE Swami Purnananda Primary School, located in the compound of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha at Cove and John and run under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, observed World Teachers Appreciation Day through the sponsorship of the school’s vibrant and cooperative Parent Teachers Association (PTA), and other parents.
The school celebrated the commemorative day with cultural presentations, where every class was featured in cultural items including skits, dance, patriotic and other songs, poetry, and an acrostic presentation.
The feature address was delivered by the Chairman of the PTA, Mrs. Sheelawattie Gulchand, who expressed appreciation to the school’s dedicated headmaster and staff members for the wonderful work they have been doing, and encouraged them to continue their endeavours in this noble profession. She emphasised that the Swami Purnananda Primary School is one of the schools that has excelled in recent years in the Grade Six Assessment Examinations.
GPL 10th anniversary dinner..
Power company moves to cement ties with media
THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) which is observing their 10th anniversary this month, last Friday evening, hosted a media appreciation dinner at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street, Georgetown.
During the interaction, media operatives were urged to forge a working relationship with the power company and were introduced to their new public relations personnel.
Chairman of GPL, Mr. Winston Brassington, told the media operatives that October 1, 2009 represents a distance of 10 years of GPL and as such they value the media as the key stakeholder for rational engagement.
“As you all know it’s a very challenging time for GPL but we are moving in a good direction and one of the reasons to have this dinner is to set the framework so that we can have an engaging and productive relationship,” he explained.
Mr. Brassington urged the media personnel to sit and have conversations with GPL officials present.
He added that it will set the tone for future engagements and the media and GPL can speak honestly and in this way the accurate reportage will appear in the news.
Meanwhile, GPL Media Consultant, Mr. Ron Robinson said that GPL is premier service provider which has a new Public Relations (PR) body which is there to help the media understand the technical aspects of GPL.
Mr. Robinson pointed out that as such the reports in the media will be accurate because they have qualified employees to clear the air on technical and engineering matters of the areas of operations throughout the country.
He explained that GPL will not attempt to cover up anything because they have nothing to hide. “But I do believe that when certain explanations are given it is not properly reported and as a result GPL gets blamed for matters they are not responsible for.”
Mr. Robinson told members of the media that GPL intends to forge a stronger relationship with them so that their reports will be fair, accurate, and timely.
GPL Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bharat Dindyal declared the dinner open and gave brief remarks as well.
He stated that the event is a very special occasion even as GPL is being accused of defending themselves forever.
He added that currently GPL is in a very difficult situation like Mr. Brassington said but significant and great things are happening.
“We are going to see investments and improvements, the construction of new facilities and in a matter of weeks the new Kingston Plant will be operational,” he said.
Mr. Dindyal told the gathering too that there will be development within GPL and old GPL will fade into the dark eventually although the company is under a transformation process, the blackout woes will be reduced significantly and continued maintenance works and upgrading of the system will take place. (Michel Outridge)
Dharmic Sabha Mahila Mandalee hosts annual children’s party
MAHILA MANDALEE (the women’s section of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha) annual children’s party which was held yesterday at the Dharmic Sabha’s Kendra was truly enlightening
The Sabha in a release said the occasion was attended by more than 300 children from East and West Coast Demerara, West Berbice and Georgetown.
“A large number of children performed in concert and treated their peers to beautiful dances, songs, poems, and other items.
“One item of the programme which had the children vying for prizes was the quiz session which was hosted by members of the Dharmic Naujawan.
“Children knowledgeable about Diwali, their scriptures and major Dharmic events won prizes to laud applause from the audience,” the release stated.
The children received toys, take away bags, treats and lots to eat and drink.
|
