CABINET has afforded the National Task Force some $36M for the rehabilitation, restoration and renewal of Guyana in preparation for the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations in May 2016. This approval was sought through a memorandum that was submitted to Cabinet by Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. The memorandum sought to bring to a minimum, complications arising from torrential rainfalls that would hinder the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations next year.
Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman made this disclosure at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency.
A multiparty task force was established over a month ago to examine the country’s drainage settings and measures required to rehabilitate the city itself. In this regard, Trotman pointed out that Cabinet has reviewed some of the recent and laudable efforts of the task force. Moreover, he charged it with overseeing works for the restoration of the city and the removal of any likely impediments during the 50th Independence celebrations.
“This task force will have representations from various committees as well as the coordinating committee that is looking into our 50th Anniversary celebrations,” said Trotman.
NATIONAL COMMEMORATION COMMISSION
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Education, a National Commemoration Commission has been established for the planning of national events, primarily the 50th anniversary celebrations. President David Granger himself, has charged the Ministry with carrying out this Commission.
The establishment of the Commission was formally approved by Cabinet on July 22nd. The Commission will be co-chaired by the Ministers of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Nicolette Henry and will include representatives of several government agencies, ministries, civil society, organisations, and the diaspora community.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is currently in the process of convening the Commission and establishing a formal Secretariat and dedicated working Committees to carry out planning activities for Independence Day next year.
The Commission is slated to publicise its full mandate and the activities planned for the country’s 50th anniversary, come mid-August.
Since its formation, the task force, stimulated by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure itself, has been active in restoring the city given the recent inundations. The community of Albouystown was the hardest hit in Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) followed by Ogle and Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara, as well as Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
The unusual torrential rainfall caused businesses to come to a standstill owing to the damaging floodwaters. The Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) has reported some amount of cattle deaths and poultry loss in the same areas as well as acres of cash-crop losses.
Government was forced to activate the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC), an element of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), that is a part of the task force set up by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure.
The task force was quite effective in restoring the city in a time of need as a systematic plan was set up to help persons to move around in their communities.
In this regard, Government has lauded the efforts of the task force and has given it the responsibility of ensuring that torrential rainfall, which usually occurs in May-June, does not hinder the activities of the country’s 50th anniversary celebration, come May 2016.
Minister of Tourism, Cathy Hughes and Minister of State Joseph Harmon visited the Caribana celebrations in Toronto, Canada last weekend to meet with the diaspora and to promote the “new” Guyana and its preparations for its 50th anniversary.
Trotman disclosed that the trips by Harmon and Hughes were partially funded by the Government of Guyana and private interests.
By Shivanie Sugrim