The masses will turn out in their thousands at the P.P.P/C rallies....and at the polls they will be endorsing the P.P.P/C

quote:

Originally posted by albert:
The masses will turn out in their thousands at the P.P.P/C rallies....and at the polls they will be endorsing the P.P.P/C

i think you are having a mental break down.

PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2


Amaila Falls Hydro-Power Project

The Caribbean should be pushing for renewable energy because of its vulnerability to fossil fuels, Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said and in this regard and despite challenges, Guyana would be pursuing renewable energy in the form of hydropower, one way or another. Guyana Power & Light Inc. Chairman, Winston Brassington, noted that it is likely that construction of the Amaila Falls hydropower plant will start by year end or early next year.

The project which has the capacity to provide over 140 megawatts of electricity is to be located along the Kuribrong River in Potaro, Region Eight. Guyana’s fuel import bill is US$350 million, and the President has said that the development of renewable energy sources is needed to increase energy security and maintain macro-economic stability.

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Horse man..deep down in their heart you know you will be supporting the peoples party,the working class party,the Guyanese party...the peopls progressive party civic....on election day put your X by the cup...

PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

A hydro facility has been the dream of governments since the 1960s. A modest Tiger Hill hydroelectricity plant was proposed by the PPP Government at that time. In the 1970s the PNC expended a very large sum of money to construct a road leading to the site of a large facility at Mazaruni. This failed because it was too ambitious, could not attract international financial support and, allegedly, some international intrigue. Now, nearly forty years later, we are on the verge of finally laying the most important foundation for the development of our economy.

Hydro electricity will promote another dream of the two main political parties in Guyana, namely, an alumina plant to process bauxite ore which Guyana has been exporting for more than seventy five years. The colonial powers never saw it as being in Guyana’s interest, which it clearly was, to promote investment in electricity generation so as to speed up industrial development by means of an aluminium smelter which would have propelled Guyana into a noted industrial power in the region and moving Guyana forward from a primary producer which would have added great value to our bauxite

While Guyana needs hydro for its own economic development, our friends are beginning to look to Guyana to provide hydro electricity for their economic development. Brazil has shown keen interest in constructing a hydro electric facility in the Mazaruni to supply electricity to northern Brazil. This region of Brazil is currently being supplied by Venezuela from its Guri Dam plant. But the recent drought has reduced the supply of electricity from Guri Dam and Brazil is looking not only to diversify its supply but to insure against disruption. This need is going to become greater as time moves on because Brazil is poised to grow by leaps and bounds and so is its demand for cheap and clean electricity. Guyana is therefore in a position to become a substantial producer and exporter of power in the near future. This offers the prospect of massive economic development for Guyana.

(www.conversationtree.gy)

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2



The Amaila Hyropower Project
The Amaila Hydropower Project is a planned hydroelectric project (approximately 165MW capacity) to be located in western Guyana, a small South American country. The project also includes a new 270 km transmission line and new substations near Georgetown (Guyana's capital). Currently, nearly all electric generation in Guyana is provided through small units burning either diesel or heavy fuel oil. The planned Amaila Project would be a substitute for these expensive generation facilities. It would not only provide a clean renewable energy source, but also represent important foreign exchange savings for the country by reducing Guyana's dependence on expensive imported fuels. The reliable and more economic source of electricity would also encourage investors to assess possible investments in the mining sector in Guyana, which has often been identified as having substantial potential.

A comprehensive Environmental Social Impact Assessment is being updated to reflect the latest design and to incorporate an extensive environmental and social baseline and impacts analysis. The remote site location requires no resettlement of people and the Company is actively engaging communities during the planning of the project.

The Amaila Hydropower Project will generate reliable, affordable and clean energy for the people of Guyana for decades to come, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing generation, and will improve electric power reliability essential for Guyana's continued future development.

Rafael S. Herz
Senior Vice-President
Project Manager: Amaila Hydropower Project

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

Guyana, the "land of many waters," is rich in hydro resources and deserves to benefit from its own natural wealth. The construction of a new 165MW hydroelectric facility creates an opportunity for Guyana to generate its own power from a clean, natural source and with it a dependable, affordable source of electricity fostering growth and economic development in the country. The plant, located where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet, will deliver electricity to Guyana's capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line. Construction of the hydro facility and electrical interconnection is anticipated to begin in late 2011. It will take approximately four years to complete.

Benefits to the people of Guyana:

•The project will immediately provide local communities with employment opportunities as well as the opportunity for expanded sales of goods and services.
•The plant will provide power reliability to meet Guyana's future needs.
•Over time, the project will lower average wholesale energy costs.
•It will spur additional economic investment resulting in more jobs and stronger infrastructure.
•Twenty years from now, the Project will be transferred to Guyana Power & Light (GPL) at no cost.

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

Project
Powering Guyana’s Future Development
The Amaila Hydropower Project will generate reliable, affordable and clean energy for the people of Guyana for decades to come. The project is a fundamental component of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy, and will significantly lower the the Guyana’s carbon footprint while reducing the country’s long term energy costs and exposure to imported oil price volatility. Improved electric power reliability is essential for Guyana’s continued future development.

The Project
The Amaila Hydropower Project involves the construction of a hydropower plant in the area of west-central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet. Electricity produced at the plant will be delivered to Guyana’s capital, Georgetown, and its second largest town, Linden, by an electric transmission line. Construction of the plant is scheduled to begin in late 2011. It will take approximately four years to complete.

There are three parts to the Project:

•Hydropower Plant.Construction of a dam where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet will create a reservoir upstream of the dam. The project is expected to have the capacity to produce 165 MW of electricity by releasing impounded water through turbines specifically designed and built for the plan.
•Transmission Lines. Electricity will be delivered from the hydropower plant to Georgetown and Linden through a high-voltage 230-kV transmission line that will be built along with electric substations in Linden and Georgetown. The 270 km long transmission line will be supported on towers approximately 36 m tall and 300 m apart, carrying two circuits thus providing redundancy in the event of loss of one circuit.
•Access Road. In order to access the Project site, new roads will be constructed and some existing roads will be upgraded. A new road approximately 65 km long will be built connecting the project site to the existing Bartica-Potaro Road. Another new road approximately 20 km will be constructed from the existing Mabura Hills Highway to the Essequibo River. Other existing roads will be upgraded in order to provide access needed to move the equipment, supplies, and personnel to build the Project, as well as for future operation and maintenance of the plant and transmission lines. Construction of access roads began in 2010 and will be completed in advance of the construction of the Hydropower Facility.
Experienced Sponsors
The Project is being developed by Amaila Falls Hydro, Inc (AFH), a member of the Sithe Global Group, which is a leader in the international energy industry. Sithe Global’s core management team has successfully led the development or acquisition of more than 50 power plants comprising over 15,000 MWs globally. AFH will lead the financing, management and construction of the hydropower plant and transmission lines – bearing all the development risk for the Project. GPL will own and operate the Project for 20 years, after which the facilities will revert to the Government of Guyana (GoG), at no cost, through a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) arrangement.

The construction of the hydro facility and the electrical interconnection will be designed and built by China Railway Engineering Corporation, one of the world’s largest infrastructure construction firms.

After conducting an open tender process, the GoG contracted Synergy Holdings to design, build, and improve the main access road to the Project, and to clear vegetation for a portion of the transmission line corridor. The GoG is responsible for the financing, construction, and operation of the access roads.

Commitment to Environmental Planning and Mitigation
The Amaila Hydropower Project is committed to Guyana’s sustainable development vision. Protecting environmental biodiversity and minimizing adverse impacts to local communities are important factors in project implantation. The project sponsor AFH is taking numerous steps to minimize the project’s adverse impacts and enhance project benefits.

As part of this commitment, AFH has updated the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment as a supplement to the previous EIA reviewed and approved by the Guyana EPA. This updated ESIA was prepared to be consistent with Guyanese standards and international safeguard policies. AFH will continue to actively engage local communities and stakeholders throughout the planning, implementation, and life of the Project.

Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been drafted to reflect the final Project design, as well as current environmental and social conditions in the Project area. The ESMP will provide guidance for management activities in the following areas:

•Environmental and social control and mitigation measures for project construction and operation;
•Environmental and social monitoring program for both construction and operation;
•Worker health and safety plan, procedures and controls;
•Environmental contingency plan and procedures;
•Environmental, health and safety management system (including personnel, training, documentation, etc.);
•Public consultation and disclosure.
Social Responsibility. The Project recognizes its responsibility to mitigate social impacts during construction and operation. Some of the actions that will be taken include:

•Locating worker camps away from local communities;
•Requiring workers to comply with a Code of Conduct while ensuring fair and transparent treatment;
•Controlling traffic to the Project during construction; as well as controlling the use of the access roads;
•Ensuring Amerindian traditional uses and access to land areas near the Project site are maintained;
•Maintaining communication ties with rural communities in the region of the Project and ensuring an effective inquiry/grievance mechanism is in place; and
•Working closely with Government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) in order to implement certain aspects of the Project

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

Where will the dam be built?
The dam will be built in west central Guyana, where the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers meet.

How big will the Project be?

The Amaila Hydropower Project consists of a hydropower dam, built at the confluence of the Amaila and Kuribrong rivers. The electricity will be generated by specially-designed turbines and delivered to substations in Linden and Georgetown by a new 270 km long 230-kV high voltage transmission line. The Project is currently expected to produce up to 165 MW of installed power capacity. A new access road approximately 67 km long will be built from near the village of Kaburi to the hydropower site, along with a new 18 km long road from Mabura Hills Road to Essequibo River. These along with some road upgrades will facilitate movement of the equipment needed to build and operate the hydropower plant and electrical interconnection facilities.

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Good posts ASJ.

PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

How long will it take to build?

Construction of the hydropower facility and electrical interconnection is anticipated to begin in 2011 once the access road is completed and debt financing has been obtained. Construction of access roads began in 2010 and will take about 8 months to complete. The hydropower facility and electrical interconnection will take about four years to complete and start delivering electricity in 2014.

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quote:

Originally posted by Mitwah:
Good posts ASJ.

Mits, more or less like a blog where all are expected to contribute and critique.

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quote:

Originally posted by asj:

quote:

Originally posted by Mitwah:
Good posts ASJ.

Mits, more or less like a blog where all are expected to contribute and critique.

.

I would like to see this project comes to fruition.

PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

Who is building the dam?

The Project is being developed by Amaila Falls Hydro, Inc (AFH), a member of the Sithe Global Group, which is a leader in the international energy industry. Sithe Global will lead the management and construction of the hydropower plant and transmission line. Sithe Global’s core management team has successfully led the development or acquisition of over 50 power plants comprising more than 15,000 MWs globally. Since combining forces with the Blackstone group in 2005, Sithe Global has achieved financial close on three greenfield projects totaling 1,725 MWs and nearly US$3 billion, including the 250 MW Bujagali Hydroelectric Project in Uganda, which will effectively double that country’s generation capacity.

China Railway Engineering Corporation, one of the world’s largest infrastructure construction companies with significant experience building hydropower plants, will be building the power plant station and transmission lines.

Synergy Holdings, a Guyanese and U.S based company, has been contracted by the Government of Guyana to construct new and upgrade existing access roads to the hydropower site.

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.

quote:

Originally posted by Mitwah:

quote:

Originally posted by asj:

quote:

Originally posted by Mitwah:
Good posts ASJ.

Mits, more or less like a blog where all are expected to contribute and critique.

.

I would like to see this project comes to fruition.

We all would, as it would be a tremendous help to the country's development, and methinks that all parties should contribute to make it happen.

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

How will it be financed?

The Amaila Hydropower Project is a private sector-led project. The developer, Amaila Falls Hydro, Inc., is bearing the development risk of the Project and Guyana Power & Light will not pay for power until after commercial operation and independent testing. This is a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) arrangement, where after 20 years from the date of start up, the Project reverts to the Government of Guyana at no cost.

The Project will be financed by debt funding from multilateral and development financial institutions and equity from Sithe Global. The Government of Guyana is responsible for the financing, construction and operation of the access roads.

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

Will it affect local communities?

The Amaila Hydropower Project is committed to ensuring the local communities and cultures are not adversely impacted. No communities are located directly near the hydropower site, and the access road and transmission line will be located outside of communities and Amerindian Lands. Amaila Falls Hydro, Inc. is working with community members in the region to ensure that traditional uses in the Project area are not disrupted.

No resettlement is required for the hydropower site or the access road. The transmission line will be located outside of local communities and will largely be within State lands. A short portion of the alignment within Georgetown may require resettlement due to encroachment on the existing GPL right of way.

The Project construction will require over 1000 workers. Amaila Falls Hydro, Inc. is working with the EPC Contractor to ensure that local Guyanese workers and suppliers are able to compete for work and providing services on the Project construction, including recruitment efforts in major cities like Georgetown, as well as smaller interior communities closer to the site.

Sithe is proud of its environmental and social standards exhibited in Sithe’s past projects. Many of these projects included participation of multilateral lenders well known for requiring stringent environmental, social and safety standards. Amaila Falls Hydro, Inc. is working to develop strong partnerships with local communities and NGOs to ensure to help make the Amaila Hydropower Project and better project for Guyana.

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

How will it affect the environment?

The Amaila Hydropower Project is committed to protecting biodiversity. The Project planning process includes extensive environmental impact analyses to ensure international standards are met. The Project conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment in 2001 and received Guyana EPA approval. An Addendum EIA was also prepared in 2008. To further ensure environmental safeguards are in place, an updated Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) was conducted in 2010 (copy available on this website). The results of the ESIA analyses will ensure that the Project meets stringent environmental and social standards to minimize and mitigate negative impacts and enhance positive benefits for Guyana.

The Project will also develop an Environmental Social Management Plan (ESMP) which incorporates the results of the ESIA and provides a framework for implementing initiatives in the following areas:

•environmental and social control and mitigation measures to minimize and mitigate negative affects during Project construction and operation;
•environmental and social monitoring to review the effectiveness of the ESMP programs for both construction and operation;
•worker awareness training to ensure procedures are properly followed;
•environmental offset or compensation initiatives;
•cooperative initiatives with the Government of Guyana, local communities, and non-government organizations to better implement certain environmental programs;

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

THE AMAILA HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Benefits to Guyana

The Amaila Hydropower Project will bring reliable, affordable electricity to Guyana, spurring jobs and economic growth, while expanding the country’s infrastructure.

Guyana, the “land of many waters”, is rich in hydro resources and deserves to benefit from its own natural wealth. The Project gives Guyana the opportunity to generate its own electricity from a clean natural source.

The Amaila Hydropower Project is critical to Guyana’s future. “Energy powers many aspects of human life, from light bulbs to refrigerators, cell phones to computers, and homes to hospitals.” The United Nations Development Program stated that energy is “central to sustainable development”. “It affects all aspects of development – social, economic and environmental – including livelihoods, access to water, agricultural productivity, health, population levels, education, and gender related issues.” Without access to modern energy, countries are unable to sustain economic growth. Guyana has been waiting a long time for hydropower. Now is the time to make this energy a reality.

Abundant, reliable electricity supply

The Amaila Hydropower Project will help to improve the dependability of the energy supply in Guyana by providing up to an estimated 165 MW of renewable energy. The Project includes a new double circuit high voltage 230-kV transmission network that will form the backbone of a new high voltage super highway — enhancing the reliability and deliverability of electricity throughout the country.

Affordable Electricity

With the Amaila Hydropower Project, electricity will be generated at lower costs than by imported oil. Power generation costs will be reduced and ultimately, consumers will benefit from this lower cost and more affordable electricity. Affordable and reliable electricity will support businesses, encourage jobs, and spur economic development.

Reducing GHG Emissions

The deforestation caused by the project will result in only about 8% of the greenhouse gas emissions that would have been emitted by the existing traditional oil fired power plants based on a 20 year period. The project will lower the country’s carbon footprint and provide the people of Guyana with a dependable energy source, while reducing the country’s long term energy costs.

Supporting Economic Growth

The Amaila Hydropower Project is the largest foreign investment and infrastructure project in the history of Guyana. It has the potential to support Guyana’s overall economic growth, based on a reliable, affordable electricity grid for its industries and businesses.

The Amaila Hydropower Project: Powering a Better Future for Guyana and its People

By providing a stable and dependable source of energy for citizens as well as businesses, the Amaila Hydropower Project will provide the country with a much needed electricity infrastructure to support the country’s economic development. The added infrastructure will help attract foreign investment and bolster local business and entrepreneurs.

At first, the power will benefit those currently connecting to the grid. In time, small communities located in the interior will also benefit from the Project, which will provide low cost electricity – encouraging expansion of the electric grid.

Renewable, affordable and reliable energy will help Guyana tackle these challenges, providing the foundation for economic development.

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2


Friday, July 16, 2010

Framework agreement for the Amaila Falls hydropower project was signed in Shanghai, China

A framework agreement for the Amaila Falls hydropower project was signed in Shanghai, China yesterday, with President Bharrat Jagdeo in attendance.

The agreement formalizes the cooperation between the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated, Sithe Global Amaila Holdings Limited, the China Development Bank, and the China Railway First Group Company Limited. “It sets out the parties’ intention to reach financial closure on the Amaila Falls project within 12 months or ideally sooner”, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh told the National Assembly yesterday, saying also that it was a “historic moment.” President Jagdeo is in China as part of a Caricom delegation.

“The Amaila Falls project is the biggest infrastructure investment in our country’s history. From the start of it operations, it will provide value to Guyanese citizens and the wider economy through cheaper electricity, while simultaneously enabling Guyana to switch from nearly 100% dependence on fossil fuel sources for electricity generation to nearly 100% clean, renewable energy sources”, the Minister said.

He pointed out that 20 years after it begins operation, the hydro-plant will be transferred to the people of Guyana at zero additional cost, thereby “bequeathing long-term independence, national competitiveness and environmental sustainability to our children and future generations”. Singh said that the project will involve utilizing less than 0.001% of the State Forest area. “The government is firmly committed to ensuring that the project complies with both national and international social and environmental safeguards”, said the Minister.

Singh was, at the time updating the National Assembly on the establishment of the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) and the progress on the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and he said that in 2010 and 2011, between US$40M and US$60M will be invested as equity in the Amaila Falls hydropower project.

He recalled that on Tuesday, Jagdeo and Norway’s Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg announced that the GRIF will be operational within the coming month. He said that Guyana wants to see a legally binding treaty agreed under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) as soon as possible but pending the agreement of such a treaty, the government supports a number of interim measures. The minister pointed out that Guyana has endorsed the Copenhagen Accord, supports the Interim REDD+ Partnership and there is the Norway agreement.

Norway intends to pay US$250M by 2015 for Guyana’s forest climate services. Brazil’s Amazon Fund –atUS$1B by 2015 – is larger, Singh said. “However, relative to the size of the forest covered by the agreement, the Guyana-Norway agreement is by far the world’s most valuable agreement of its kind”.

Singh said that the GRIF will support the implementation of priority LCDS investments from 2010 to 2015, unless it is superseded by an agreed UNFCCC or other international mechanism. The GRIF will be established to meet two objectives.

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quote:

Originally posted by albert:
Horse man..deep down in their heart you know you will be supporting the peoples party,the working class party,the Guyanese party...the peopls progressive party civic....on election day put your X by the cup...

Deep down? i am PPP all the way.

PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2


ONGOING WORK FOR THE ROAD BUILDING IS *CONTINUING:

A bit behind schedule:

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quote:

Originally posted by Horse Man:

quote:

Originally posted by albert:
Horse man..deep down in their heart you know you will be supporting the peoples party,the working class party,the Guyanese party...the peopls progressive party civic....on election day put your X by the cup...

Deep down? i am PPP all the way.

Thanks, I was having some doubts, maybe because of your critique of the PPP/C so many times.

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PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2



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Yes, under the PPP there has been a lot of progress, some progress was made under the PNC too. But this progress under the PPP, asj, does not reach the working people sufficiently.

Please see:

School cleaners protest US$79 salary
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol Thursday, 01 September 2011 12:11



Several government-employed sweeper cleaners on Thursday took their plight of lowly-paid salaries- half the minimum wage- in front of the Ministry of Finance. Under the umbrella of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the female-dominated picketers also chanted slogans, calling for better pay.

Miriam Fordyce, who is a sweeper-cleaner at Hopetown Nursery School, West Coast Berbice for more than 10 years, said she experiences great difficulty surviving on GUY$15,800 (US$79) per month. The party noted that the minimum wage is $32,207 (US$161), an amount that the cleaners are not being paid. Depending on assistance from her husband and other persons, the mother of five children said she is also not entitled to benefits from the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). “We don’t pay NIS so if you are sick, you cannot carry in sick leave, I feel bad because we are not getting any benefit if you sick,” she told Demerara Waves Online News (www.demwaves.com).

Rushell Britton,34, of Hopetown Primary School is in a similar plight, saying that she is often forced to borrow to sustain herself and her three children. “Sometimes things rough with the children, sometimes I borrowing, borrowing when I get the money all got to pay back in debt. I ain’t seeing my way,” she told Demerara Waves Online News.

Fordyce and Britton were among those who picketed for fatter pay packets outside the Finance Ministry. While chanting “Reduce Jagdeo pension and pay the sweeper-cleaners their money,”, “Increase salary for sweeper cleaner, less pension for Jagdeo,” and “Where is the democracy in the distribution of wealth,” they also held placards. The slogans on the placards included “AFC says school cleaners are human beings too,” “AFC says school cleaners provide a valuable service too,” “Where is the concern for the working class,” “AFC says $15,000 per month a national disgrace” and “AFC says school cleaners deserve a decent wage,”

The AFC claims it has seen a directive by the Finance Ministry to the Regional Democratic Councils that that sweeper cleaners must be considered contract service providers and not as public servants and so they cannot be paid the minimum wage. “The AFC submits that there is a strong element of criminality associated with such directive,” said the party, adding that many of the sweeper cleaners have been working for at least 10 years. The party noted that several schools have been asking parents to contribute monies to help pay that category of workers more. “It is debasing and dehumanizing for persons to work for less than a minimum wage,” said party presidential candidate, Khemraj Ramjattan from the picket line.

Source

Elections are around the corner and it is during this season that many seek to resurrect their political life. Of course, these periodic, arm chair experts and failed politicians will be making many critical evaluations of the past 5 years and will be promising to do so much should they themselves be given a ‘5 year’ but in the end it is up to the Guyanese voting population to make a proper assessment of who or which political party is better equipped to take them forward and which party has a record of fulfilling promises. On this note I will outline a few ongoing efforts as well as promises fulfilled by the PPP/C since they came into office

1. It is under the PPP/C that Guyana attained the rank of one of the highest developing countries in the Education Index of the United Nations Human Development Report. Equitable access to free education from nursery through secondary is a major reason for Guyana’s estimated literacy rate of 96%, one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere during this time. The education sector continues to receive the largest chunk of the National Budget, with allocation this year being $24.3B, an increase of $2.5B. A US$5.1M Guyana Improvement Teacher Education Project was initiated which further ensures that Guyana’s children receive the best possible education. 70 secondary schools are to be equipped with modern IT labs by September of this year and this will complement Guyana’s first learning channel which was launched in April of this year.



2. It is under the PPP/C that budgetary allocations to the security sector increased from $13M in 1992 to $1.9B IN 2011. It is also under the rule of the PPP/C that the Citizen Security Programme, the aim of which is to create safer neighbourhoods, came into being. One component of this initiative saw the successful completion of the Comprehensive Training Programme in 2009 by 308 police officers. This programme equipped them with the requisite skills to train new recruits and other ranks in modern policing techniques.An Integrated Crime Information System(ICIS) for the force is also being developed, the design of which is to enable policy makers and law enforcement agencies to identify crime trends, examine their causes and devise objective solutions to combat them.The construction of a state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory has already begun and this will complement other measures such as the installation of Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in and around the capital city which is expected to enable prompt response by police patrol squads.



3. Ensuring that adequate healthcare is accessible to the entire population regardless of the location, though at times challenging, is yet another one of the fulfilled promises of the PPP/C. Residents in remote and outlying areas can now boast of having access to basic healthcare through the construction of health huts and health centers and the placement of trained medical personnel to man these centers. There have been major improvements to the Georgetown Public Hospital which now allows it to offer advanced services in many areas including surgeries. Apart from highly trained medical practitioners being at the facility, groups of specialist doctors now visit the institution from time to time carrying out surgeries including kidney transplants and heart surgeries in the process. Health facilities were also constructed in Linden, Mabaruma, Lethem, New Amsterdam, Diamond East Bank Demerara , Port Mourant, Mahaicony, Leonora and Suddie, just to name a few.



Space and time constraint only allows me to delve into the 3 areas above but there’s more than enough out there for readers to get a view of the points being raised. While the ears and eyes of the Guyanese public is being bombarded with sensationalism and misrepresentation development is taking place everywhere. And this is evident when one visits any of the city’s streets or any of the many new housing schemes. All is not perfect but there are those who for reasons of selfishness would want us to believe that nothing at all has been done. These bitter folks have their individual grouses and this is evident in their vitriolic and often outlandish pronouncements. While preaching ‘change’ etc they exhibit signs of the ‘them’ v/s ‘us’ mentality.



Truly Yours

Louis Kilkenny

But albert, why are you all only paying sweeper/cleaners, who are mainly women, and many are single parents, who ensure a proper teaching environment in our schools a mere $15,800 a month when Gail Texeira, a Presidential advisor, is paid G$880,000 per month, or US$145 per day, and Odinga Lumumba, another advisor is paid G$660,000 per month or US$110 per day? For purely propaganda work, Dr Randy Persaud was reputed to have been paid US$10,000 per month plus benefits and allowances for the year he was here, and Dr Misir is reputed to be paid the same for the two jobs he holds, totalling some US$220,000 per year.

Further, the pension package of the President and Opposition Leader is some $4.5 million a month, or US$750 a day, when the working person's old age pension is $7,500 a month or US$1.25 per day - and these people have to attain the age of 60, while the President and Opposition Leader get theirs upon demitting office regardless of age.

quote:

Elections are around the corner and it is during this season that many seek to resurrect their political life. Of course, these periodic, arm chair experts and failed politicians will be making many critical evaluations of the past 5 years and will be promising to do so much should they themselves be given a ‘5 year’ but in the end it is up to the Guyanese voting population to make a proper assessment of who or which political party is better equipped to take them forward and which party has a record of fulfilling promises. On this note I will outline a few ongoing efforts as well as promises fulfilled by the PPP/C since they came into office

1. It is under the PPP/C that Guyana attained the rank of one of the highest developing countries in the Education Index of the United Nations Human Development Report. Equitable access to free education from nursery through secondary is a major reason for Guyana’s estimated literacy rate of 96%, one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere during this time. The education sector continues to receive the largest chunk of the National Budget, with allocation this year being $24.3B, an increase of $2.5B. A US$5.1M Guyana Improvement Teacher Education Project was initiated which further ensures that Guyana’s children receive the best possible education. 70 secondary schools are to be equipped with modern IT labs by September of this year and this will complement Guyana’s first learning channel which was launched in April of this year.



2. It is under the PPP/C that budgetary allocations to the security sector increased from $13M in 1992 to $1.9B IN 2011. It is also under the rule of the PPP/C that the Citizen Security Programme, the aim of which is to create safer neighbourhoods, came into being. One component of this initiative saw the successful completion of the Comprehensive Training Programme in 2009 by 308 police officers. This programme equipped them with the requisite skills to train new recruits and other ranks in modern policing techniques.An Integrated Crime Information System(ICIS) for the force is also being developed, the design of which is to enable policy makers and law enforcement agencies to identify crime trends, examine their causes and devise objective solutions to combat them.The construction of a state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory has already begun and this will complement other measures such as the installation of Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in and around the capital city which is expected to enable prompt response by police patrol squads.



3. Ensuring that adequate healthcare is accessible to the entire population regardless of the location, though at times challenging, is yet another one of the fulfilled promises of the PPP/C. Residents in remote and outlying areas can now boast of having access to basic healthcare through the construction of health huts and health centers and the placement of trained medical personnel to man these centers. There have been major improvements to the Georgetown Public Hospital which now allows it to offer advanced services in many areas including surgeries. Apart from highly trained medical practitioners being at the facility, groups of specialist doctors now visit the institution from time to time carrying out surgeries including kidney transplants and heart surgeries in the process. Health facilities were also constructed in Linden, Mabaruma, Lethem, New Amsterdam, Diamond East Bank Demerara , Port Mourant, Mahaicony, Leonora and Suddie, just to name a few.



Space and time constraint only allows me to delve into the 3 areas above but there’s more than enough out there for readers to get a view of the points being raised. While the ears and eyes of the Guyanese public is being bombarded with sensationalism and misrepresentation development is taking place everywhere. And this is evident when one visits any of the city’s streets or any of the many new housing schemes. All is not perfect but there are those who for reasons of selfishness would want us to believe that nothing at all has been done. These bitter folks have their individual grouses and this is evident in their vitriolic and often outlandish pronouncements. While preaching ‘change’ etc they exhibit signs of the ‘them’ v/s ‘us’ mentality.



Truly Yours

Louis Kilkenny

albert, why are you all only paying sweeper/cleaners, who are mainly women, and many are single parents, who ensure a proper teaching environment in our schools a mere $15,800 a month when Gail Texeira, a Presidential advisor, is paid G$880,000 per month, or US$145 per day, and Odinga Lumumba, another advisor is paid G$660,000 per month or US$110 per day? For purely propaganda work, Dr Randy Persaud was reputed to have been paid US$10,000 per month plus benefits and allowances for the year he was here, and Dr Misir is reputed to be paid the same for the two jobs he holds, totalling some US$220,000 per year.

Further, the pension package of the President and Opposition Leader is some $4.5 million a month, or US$750 a day, when the working person's old age pension is $7,500 a month or US$1.25 per day - and these people have to attain the age of 60, while the President and Opposition Leader get theirs upon demitting office regardless of age.

quote:

....Elections are around the corner and it is during this season that many seek to resurrect their political life. Of course, these periodic, arm chair experts and failed politicians will be making many critical evaluations of the past 5 years and will be promising to do so much should they themselves be given a ‘5 year’ but in the end it is up to the Guyanese voting population to make a proper assessment of who or which political party is better equipped to take them forward and which party has a record of fulfilling promises. On this note I will outline a few ongoing efforts as well as promises fulfilled by the PPP/C since they came into office

1. It is under the PPP/C that Guyana attained the rank of one of the highest developing countries in the Education Index of the United Nations Human Development Report. Equitable access to free education from nursery through secondary is a major reason for Guyana’s estimated literacy rate of 96%, one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere during this time. The education sector continues to receive the largest chunk of the National Budget, with allocation this year being $24.3B, an increase of $2.5B. A US$5.1M Guyana Improvement Teacher Education Project was initiated which further ensures that Guyana’s children receive the best possible education. 70 secondary schools are to be equipped with modern IT labs by September of this year and this will complement Guyana’s first learning channel which was launched in April of this year.



2. It is under the PPP/C that budgetary allocations to the security sector increased from $13M in 1992 to $1.9B IN 2011. It is also under the rule of the PPP/C that the Citizen Security Programme, the aim of which is to create safer neighbourhoods, came into being. One component of this initiative saw the successful completion of the Comprehensive Training Programme in 2009 by 308 police officers. This programme equipped them with the requisite skills to train new recruits and other ranks in modern policing techniques.An Integrated Crime Information System(ICIS) for the force is also being developed, the design of which is to enable policy makers and law enforcement agencies to identify crime trends, examine their causes and devise objective solutions to combat them.The construction of a state-of-the-art Forensic Laboratory has already begun and this will complement other measures such as the installation of Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in and around the capital city which is expected to enable prompt response by police patrol squads.



3. Ensuring that adequate healthcare is accessible to the entire population regardless of the location, though at times challenging, is yet another one of the fulfilled promises of the PPP/C. Residents in remote and outlying areas can now boast of having access to basic healthcare through the construction of health huts and health centers and the placement of trained medical personnel to man these centers. There have been major improvements to the Georgetown Public Hospital which now allows it to offer advanced services in many areas including surgeries. Apart from highly trained medical practitioners being at the facility, groups of specialist doctors now visit the institution from time to time carrying out surgeries including kidney transplants and heart surgeries in the process. Health facilities were also constructed in Linden, Mabaruma, Lethem, New Amsterdam, Diamond East Bank Demerara , Port Mourant, Mahaicony, Leonora and Suddie, just to name a few.



Space and time constraint only allows me to delve into the 3 areas above but there’s more than enough out there for readers to get a view of the points being raised. While the ears and eyes of the Guyanese public is being bombarded with sensationalism and misrepresentation development is taking place everywhere. And this is evident when one visits any of the city’s streets or any of the many new housing schemes. All is not perfect but there are those who for reasons of selfishness would want us to believe that nothing at all has been done. These bitter folks have their individual grouses and this is evident in their vitriolic and often outlandish pronouncements. While preaching ‘change’ etc they exhibit signs of the ‘them’ v/s ‘us’ mentality.



Truly Yours

Louis Kilkenny

quote:

Yes, under the PPP there has been a lot of progress, some progress was made under the PNC too. But this progress under the PPP, asj, does not reach the working people sufficiently.

Please see:

School cleaners protest US$79 salary
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol Thursday, 01 September 2011 12:11

Hello Gerhard,

SCHOOL CLEANERS CONTRACT:

My understanding is that the Government contracts out school cleaning chores to contractors, and in turn contractors then employed their own workers to do the cleaning at an agreeable wage/salary before accepting the job. Sometimes I did understand that workers were paid for amount of square feet/and or rooms cleaned as per contract. Now if the Contractors is underpaying its employees and not providing them with benifits then my friend, it is a job for those concerned to change the system,
but I would not shared out blames towards the PPP/C.

I can understand that contracts are being given out on a bidding process......and the lowest bidder gets the contract.....and in order for him/her to accrue a profit for that contract then, he/she has to pay his/her workers accordingly.

Mind you, I am not saying or implying that paying wages below the minimum standard is right, but what I am saying is that an overall look into the system and see where we can improve for the betterment, is the correct way to go.

There are schools in different parts of the world where the same problem exits re: the following is one example: http://unitedvoice.org.au/file...report-FA-screen.pdf

I do hope that we can see a promise by the authorities to revise wages of school cleaners.

.

PPP ALL THE WAY: LET PROGRESS CONTINUES PART 2

Did we had school cleaners in the PNC days? I can remember clearly that parents used to supply toilet papers, soap, and even money to buy chalk and students were asked to sweep their class rooms, and teachers used to sell sugar cake to and plantain chips to..... if they had cleaners, it would have been one for every school, and that person used to walk with help, well those were not too good days...and I am not saying that we should go back to those days......

.

The PPP across the board needs to have a look at high taxes and salaries.

Corporate taxes are too high, VAT is too damn high.

quote:

Originally posted by Horse Man:


Deep down? i am PPP all the way.

yes horseman if you like what teh PPP does vote for teh CUP. If you feel that REgion 6 people who complain about teh PPP are mad vote for the CUP. If you feel the PPP isnt filled with teh corrupt and the greedy and they truly have concern for the Poor vote for the CUP. If you feel that teh intridction of VAT wa sgood vote for teh CUP.

If you dont think so then vote for any one else.

quote:

Originally posted by asj:

quote:

Yes, under the PPP there has been a lot of progress, some progress was made under the PNC too. But this progress under the PPP, asj, does not reach the working people sufficiently.

School cleaners protest US$79 salary
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol Thursday, 01 September 2011 12:11

Hello Gerhard,

SCHOOL CLEANERS CONTRACT:

My understanding is that the Government contracts out school cleaning chores to contractors, and in turn contractors then employed their own workers to do the cleaning at an agreeable wage/salary before accepting the job. Sometimes I did understand that workers were paid for amount of square feet/and or rooms cleaned as per contract. Now if the Contractors is underpaying its employees and not providing them with benifits then my friend, it is a job for those concerned to change the system,
but I would not shared out blames towards the PPP/C.

I can understand that contracts are being given out on a bidding process......and the lowest bidder gets the contract.....and in order for him/her to accrue a profit for that contract then, he/she has to pay his/her workers accordingly.

Mind you, I am not saying or implying that paying wages below the minimum standard is right, but what I am saying is that an overall look into the system and see where we can improve for the betterment, is the correct way to go.

There are schools in different parts of the world where the same problem exits re: the following is one example: http://unitedvoice.org.au/file...report-FA-screen.pdf

I do hope that we can see a promise by the authorities to revise wages of school cleaners.

.

Evening asj

Please see:

PPP oppresses the working people of Guyana

The Alliance For Change is once again dismayed at the level and magnitude of the oppression facing the working people of Guyana. It really appears that the State apparatus has been hijacked by a political cabal with no conscience concerning the endemic poverty that afflicts some segments of the society.

Recently, it has been brought to the attention of the party that sweeper cleaners attached to the school system with nine years of service and working for eight to ten hours daily are paid $15,800 per month despite the fact that the public service minimum wage is $32,207.00. We have learnt that such is prevalent in all regions across the country.

A directive sent by the Finance Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the RDCs and seen by the AFC, seeks to effectively usurp the authority of the RDC by imposing the stipulation that sweeper cleaners be considered as contracted service providers and not as public servants which would entail their entitlement to the minimum wage and the benefits associated with such.

According to the directive, “Budget agencies are reminded that Chart of Accounts 6111 to 6115 must correspond directly to the categorization used by the Public Service Ministry. Only employees who are appointed to permanent positions by the Public and Police Service Commission, Teaching Service Commission, or the Defense Board should be included in these categories. All other employees should be classified as “Contracted” or “Temporary” under Chart of Accounts 6116 and 6117. Please be reminded that sweepers/cleaners for schools are contracted service providers and should be reflected under Chart of Account 6284.

Such directive effectively serves as the basis for paying sweeper/cleaners, despite their many years of service, half of the minimum wage and denying them the benefits associated with the public service categorization. The AFC submits that there is a strong element of criminality associated with such directive. The AFC has also noted that the Ministry of Finance in executing such directive would override the authority of the RDC by sending such instruction to the REO who, in contravention of the stipulation of the constitution, functions also as the Chief Finance Officer. The REO (it should be underscored) is an officer within the authority of the Council.

This practice, can certainly be deemed ultra vires the dictates of the Local Democratic Organs Act, which stipulates that the State may delegate any of its authority to a Local Democratic Organ and not to staff within that Organ. This latest stratagem is another calculated manoeuver designed to maintain control. It is very sad that the sustained impoverishment of an important segment of our society is the product of such maneuvering. It needs to be made clear here that the decision to pay sweeper cleaners half of the minimum wage is thus a directive from the State and was not made at the level of the RDC.

As a result of this dire situation, teachers have had to resort to soliciting monies from parents to pay sweeper cleaners. A duty that rightfully belongs to the State. Sweeper/cleaners have complained to the AFC that they are much pained by this situation as their job entails a heavy work load over an 8 to 10 hour period. They have said that they have had to resort to second jobs to eke out a living.

The AFC calls for the notions of justice and equality to guide the further course of this matter. Sweeper/cleaners who are mainly single parent women, perform an invaluable service in the school system. We contend that their work is certainly of more usefulness than certain staff doing dubious work in the Office of the President. They maintain a healthy learning environment for the education of our children to take place. They should be immediately classified as public servants, paid a liveable wage and accorded the necessary benefits.

Source

and Stabroek News, August 18, 2011:

Hi Gerhard

Looking at the articles that you have posted, the thoughts that comes to me is that there might be a reason or reasons why sweepers/cleaners are paid a contracted amount of $15,800 instead of the minimum wage of $32,207.

1) These workers are not classified as public servants, but as contractural workers and as such it is left on the contractors to pay based on what he/she can afford. We cannnot expect that a contractor who has been receiving an amount of $15,800 to pay a janitor/sweeper would pay a higher amount.

2) Now this is important, whereas a Public Servant works 8 hours per day for a salary of $32,207 one cannot expect a janitor/sweeper who works 4 hours per day to be paid the same amount of that as a Public Servant. I do not know if janitor/sweeper stays 8 hours in school, as during my days going to school janitor/sweepers would come in after school hours an work for two to three hours and finished their chores, and this goes on for the entire week.

I guess that if you are a businessman and has a business, then I am sure that a worker that works 8 hours will certainly earns more than a worker that works 4 hours.

And in conclusions let me point out that during my days in school, janitor/sweepers never used to work 8 hours, I do not know what are their working hours now..........but if it is 8 hours, then I will certainly think that they deserve that public service minimum wage and all frills that goes with it. But if it is a four hours or less per day, then this will be a hard case to sell.

.

quote:

1) These workers are not classified as public servants, but as contractural workers and as such it is left on the contractors to pay based on what he/she can afford. We cannnot expect that a contractor who has been receiving an amount of $15,800 to pay a janitor/sweeper would pay a higher amount.

1) These workers are not classified as public servants, but as contractural workers and as such it is left on the contractors to pay based on what he/she can afford. We cannnot expect that a contractor who has been receiving an amount of $15,800 to pay a janitor/sweeper would pay a higher amount.



ASJ this is total bullshit, the government should have clauses in its contracts or Master Services agreements that stipulate that its contractors must abide by the labor laws and laws of the country otherwise they would lose the contract.

This is silly and it is skirting around the issue it is also something that goes to the heart of what people complain about this government today in Guyana there is no accountability.

Where is the government's accountability? These contracts should be rescinded immediately. We in the PPP need to stop making poor excuses to defend the indefensible.

This is wrong, whether you like it or not it is wrong and we in the PPP should not defend or attempt to defend it or tolerate it. This is what is kicking our ass daily down here.

Horsey aka Ossie R.

The following statement speaks for itself....the Janitors knew with was the contractual agreement and the payment package in advance...

quote....1) These workers are not classified as public servants, but as contractural workers and as such it is left on the contractors to pay based on what he/she can afford. We cannnot expect that a contractor who has been receiving an amount of $15,800 to pay a janitor/sweeper would pay a higher amount.

2) Now this is important, whereas a Public Servant works 8 hours per day for a salary of $32,207 one cannot expect a janitor/sweeper who works 4 hours per day to be paid the same amount of that as a Public Servant. I do not know if janitor/sweeper stays 8 hours in school, as during my days going to school janitor/sweepers would come in after school hours an work for two to three hours and finished their chores, and this goes on for the entire week.

I guess that if you are a businessman and has a business, then I am sure that a worker that works 8 hours will certainly earns more than a worker that works 4 hours....unquote