CABINET intends through several measures and initiatives to re-engineer the way the Government does business and how it delivers goods and services to the Guyanese people, President Bharrat Jagdeo announced yesterday.

Reporting on Tuesday's Cabinet retreat at a news conference, he said all the ministries have packed work programmes and he intends to assess the performance of each ministry based on its schedule of projects.

He told reporters at the Office of the President that the packed work programme is also aimed at creating a society that will allow greater inclusion and strengthen Guyana's democracy.

The Government has a track record of delivering on its plans and programmes, he said, adding, "This year and in the coming years we intend to progressively improve on our performance and ability to improve the living conditions of all our people."

He projected that this year's overall work programme will be "another building block as we continue to construct a Guyana that all of us can be proud of."

He announced his office would be restructured a little in an effort to ensure appropriate monitoring of projects and programmes.

President Jagdeo pointed out that some of the plans, programmes and policies discussed at the retreat were based on commitments the governing People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) alliance made to the Guyanese nation in its elections campaign manifesto last year and through various public statements.

The programmes and policies for this year have an organic link with the National Development Strategy (NDS), he said, noting that although discussions on the strategy have not been completed, the document was tabled in the National Assembly and will be the subject of parliamentary consideration.

He pointed out that although the retreat focussed largely on plans and programmes for 2002, these were placed in a strategic context - a five or 10-year period.

The policies, projects and plans for the Government's work programme for this year are aimed at creating more jobs and a better quality public service, he said.

Each ministry has a packed work programme which was formulated at the day-long Cabinet retreat at the Ocean View Convention Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

It is important to note that the retreat came during the preparation of the 2002 Budget and this, President Jagdeo said, would allow for the priorities and plans to be catered for in the National Budget.

The Office of the Prime Minister will this year explore ways of supporting the gold, diamond, bauxite and quarry industries, the President said. He said too that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will be strengthened to provide a better service to miners.

The Prime Minister's office will also work to ensure that the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), fulfil its contractual obligations and that consumers do not pay for "the inefficiencies" of the power company, the Head of State asserted.

He indicated that with the Government providing the bulk of financing to GPL - US$25M - for the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme, it will be insisting that the power company work on the programme "expeditiously". Under the programme, for which the Government financing comes from the Inter-American Development Bank, 55,000 households are to be provided with electricity over the next five years.

As a shareholder in the utility, President Jagdeo said the Government will be insisting that GPL examine renewable sources of energy, citing hydropower as an example and emphasising that going this route is "absolutely necessary."

GBC, GT&T MONOPOLY TO END
The President said also that the Office of the Prime Minister will continue with work towards reforming the telecommunications sector and ending the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company's (GT&T) monopoly of this sector.

In broadcasting, the President said reforms in this sector will see an end to the radio monopoly being held by the state-owned Guyana Broadcasting Corporation.

The Office of the Prime Minister will also take on some of the responsibilities of the Information Technology (IT) Unit that is being created at the Office of the President to coordinate the Government's robust IT programme.

The administration proposes to set up IT centres across the country, and from these, President Jagdeo said, citizens will be able to access the Government's services "on-line" from the centre/s in their respective community.

The Government's aim is also to computerise all the country's primary and secondary schools in three to five years, he said.

FINANCE
The Ministry of Finance's programme for this year includes developing support programmes for "economic diversification", such as petroleum exploration, the Georgetown/Lethem road, and a deep-water harbour.

The President said too that the ministry has been tasked with putting together legislative and other reforms that would reduce the cost of capital to the private sector. In addition, he said the Ministry of Finance will be reviewing the tax regime to support the private sector.

The Guyana Revenue Authority will be strengthened, he said, while the ministry will be looking at widening the tax base.

President Jagdeo said the ministry will also have to clarify the Government's financial and accounting procedures, as even staff in management positions are not clear about the procedures. Procurement legislation will also be tabled in Parliament shortly, he said.

Emphasis will also be placed on donor coordination and mobilising more financial resources for developmental projects. The ministry will also implement policies to ensure a stable macro-economic environment, he said.

EDUCATION
The Ministry of Education will this year take a "firm grip" President Jagdeo said, on "the management level of schools" to ensure that teachers do a day's work like they are supposed to.

He said in some cases, teachers don't go to school on time and some leave during school hours. This affects the school syllabus, the President said.

Where control is good, the school tends to perform better, he said.

The President said that some attention might have to be placed on management training.

The Education Ministry will also be seeking the involvement of civil society in the management of schools, especially Parent Teachers Associations.

The President said another avenue that can be pursued in ensuring good management of schools is to have regular unannounced visits to schools by inspectors.

He said the ministry will this year also look at developing a coordinated maintenance programme for schools in Guyana. He stressed that the regions will have to play a significant part in this endeavour to inform the central ministry of a school's need of repair.

In addition, the President said that about 40 secondary schools are needed in order to meet the Government's programme of universal secondary education. He said these 40 schools can either be new schools all together or converted community high schools.

The ministry will also seek to expand the teaching of Spanish and Portuguese.

HEALTH
The Ministry of Health will this year work towards finalising a national health care plan, President Jagdeo said. The ministry will seek to improve its human resources pool, training more nurses and technicians and recruiting more doctors.

The focus will be on primary health care, with special attention on the prevention of diseases. He added that educational campaigns will be undertaken to sensitise citizens of the need to be responsible for their own health.

The Head of State said the Ministry of Health will look at developing incentive packages for the private sector to get involved in offering specialised health care services while the Government would consider some fiscal and other incentives.

In addition, the ministry will also look at developing standards quickly for both the public and private sector health care institutions. It will also seek to address negative attitudes of certain health care workers; reduce long waiting periods for treatment at health centres and hospitals, and improve delivery and availability of medical supplies especially to hinterland and rural areas.

MINISTRY OF LABOUR, HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY
The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security will be working towards improving the industrial relations climate in Guyana, but he said this needs the "goodwill" of all involved.

He said the ministry will work towards developing a labour market information system.

Regarding old age pensions and public assistance, the ministry will seek to clamp down on those who falsely pose as representatives of pensioners and collect money, Mr. Jagdeo said.

On the issue of child abuse, the President said this is a "major, major problem", especially since the Police and courts sometimes do not treat child abuse cases with the seriousness these deserve.

He said there are cases where magistrates urge parents to take money from the child abusers in order to settle the issue.

"We have to do something," the President asserted, adding that this is a very serious matter.

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND WATER
President Jagdeo said the Ministry of Housing and Water will continue with its expansion programmes. Major emphasis will be placed on building houses in new government schemes.

The Government proposes to build about 500-700 houses a year through a Government revolving fund, Mr. Jagdeo indicated. The ministry will also seek to accelerate the processing of land titles.

The President pointed out that portfolio Minister Mr. Shaik Baksh said that some 5,000 titles can be handed out annually. The ministry is to look at means of moving this up to 10,000-15,000 annually, he said.

The ministry will also work on a policy paper that outlines its land distribution system and this is to be tabled for debate in the National Assembly.

In the water sector, the President noted that the Inter-American Development Bank-funded US$30M remedial maintenance programme for Georgetown will get under way.

Work will also continue towards bringing on stream the Eccles to Friendship, Bartica- Four Miles and La Bonne Intention (LBI) water schemes.

President Jagdeo pointed out that 162 miles of new pipelines are to be laid this year and another 20 squatting areas are to be regularised over the same period.

MINISTRY OF CULTURE, YOUTH AND SPORT:
This ministry will strive to finalise its national policy this year, while youth training and leadership programmes for young people will be a major focus.

President Jagdeo said the ministry will also undertake programmes to engender a stronger sense of patriotism in young Guyanese. The ministry will use musical training programmes and other opportunities to get children away from the streets and drugs.

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS
This ministry will continue its focus on rebuilding and rehabilitating roads, bridges and sea defences, President Jagdeo said. The rehabilitation of the Mahaica to Rosignol highway, a four-lane road between Ruimveldt and the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the New Amsterdam to Moleson Creek Highway will begin this year.

The ministry will commence the construction of 60 bridges across the country as part of a larger bridge building project.

Emphasis will be placed on the construction of the bridge across the Berbice River. Improvement of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri and the Ogle Aerodrome are also on the cards for this year under the ministry's works programme.

The East Canje airfield is also to be developed into a secondary airport. A new market will be constructed at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

In addition, a huge task of the ministry will be getting rid of derelict vehicles on the roadways.

The President said notices will be given to persons to remove their unused vehicles and other unwanted property from the road, and if it is not, the Government will do the job and dump the junk at the Eccles "graveyard" (dumpsite).

He said too that for projects being implemented, the ministry has been tasked with ensuring that there is value for money. The ministry will be seeking the cooperation of local communities to help in the supervision of projects. (Aspects of the programmes of other ministries in tomorrow's issue.)

He stressed the point Friday while reporting at a news conference on the Tuesday Cabinet retreat which set the focus for ministries this year.

He said all sectors under the Home Affairs Ministry, including the Police Force, Fire, Prisons and Immigration, will be looked at during this year in a committed effort to strengthen them.

For the Police Force, various ranks will be trained both locally and overseas while some police stations will come in for rehabilitation this year.

He said too that efforts will be made to strengthen the forensic capability of the Force.

Mr. Jagdeo said some attention will be placed on improving immigration services and special emphasis will be placed on the attitude of immigration staff at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

The President said the prisons are severely overcrowded, mainly by persons serving minimum terms. He indicated that more than 50 per cent of the inmates in the prisons are serving sentences of three months or less.

He said there has to be reforms of the prison service and this will have to be achieved with the cooperation of the judiciary.

Instead of sending persons to serve short jail terms, they could be put to do community work, he said. Prison facilities in Georgetown, Mazaruni, New Amsterdam, Timehri and Lusignan are to be repaired.

The President said too that the services provided by the General Registrar Office will be enhanced.

He added that a meeting will be convened between the Police, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, Customs and the Army to define the role each will play in battling the trafficking of illicit drugs.

We reported yesterday on the work programmes he outlined for some ministries.

The following are highlights for the other ministries:

AGRICULTURE
The Ministry of Agriculture will continue this year to focus on restructuring the sugar and rice industries. It will also place attention on drainage and irrigation, rehabilitating D&I systems at Nos. 52-74 Villages Corentyne, Cane Grove, Golden Grove, Canals Polder, Black Bush Polder, Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Association and Somerset-Berks.

President Jagdeo said the ministry will also look at expanding its extension services and finding new ways of providing those services.

"You have some hardworking people, but you have some dismal failures," the President said of extension officers.

He noted also that the National Agricultural Research Institute should focus more on research and should be the "incubator" of ideas for farmers, instead of getting into agricultural activities such as "selling duck chicks'.

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, CROPS AND LIVESTOCK
The President said fisheries legislation, which is important for Guyana to tap into the European market, is the major target of the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock this year.

In this area, he said there is room for doubling exports of shrimp and 50% of this can be had from aqua-culture activities. He said focus will also be placed on upgrading packaging facilities, boosting dairy milk production and developing the livestock sector.

MINISTRY OF TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
Getting two pieces of legislation tabled and passed in the National Assembly will be an area of much attention for this ministry. These, President Jagdeo said, are the Tourism Authority Act and the Small Businesses Act.

The ministry will also look at creating new industries in the garment, information technology and tourism sectors, for example, the President indicated.

He said the ministry will also strive to encourage the creation of more micro enterprises and will pay some attention to developing industrial estates.

It will also focus on promoting Guyana as a destination for tourism and investment.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
President Jagdeo said the primary focus of this ministry will be preserving the territorial integrity of Guyana. The ministry will also pursue bilateral programmes of cooperation of an economic nature.

It will also promote Guyana, seek investment and do research on key areas of a foreign affairs nature, namely on borders and on economic diplomacy, the President said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also tasked with organising five major international conferences in Guyana this year. The two main ones are the Caribbean/UK Forum in April and the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in July.

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION:
This ministry will be looking at improving collaboration with other ministries this year.

It is also tasked with increasing opportunities for trade and investment and diversifying exports. The ministry has the job of safeguarding Guyana's positions in major international negotiations, namely that of the World Trade Organisation, the African Caribbean and Pacific/European Union, the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

PUBLIC SERVICE MINISTRY
The ministry will be working to improve the delivery of public services, intensify the anti-corruption drive campaign, develop a staff appraisal scheme, complete a human resources data-base and improve human resource development.

It will also work along with the relevant stakeholders in reviewing Public Service rules and work with the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) towards a multi-year wages and salaries agreement.

President Jagdeo said the ministry is to provide counterpart support to the public sector reform project.

The ministry will also work to foster better relations with the GPSU. President Jagdeo said it is very important that the two agencies see each other as partners in the same area.

OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
President Jagdeo said this ministry will be strengthened in terms of staffing to implement the Government's and Guyana's legislative agenda.

He said what this involves is bringing in place the number of Parliamentary Commissions, Select Committees and Management Committees.

It will also ensure better functioning of the National Assembly taken into consideration the various constitutional changes.

President Jagdeo said a unit will be created to deal with governance and compliance with the constitutional obligations.

MINISTRY OF LEGAL AFFAIRS AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS
This ministry and the Attorney General's Chamber will continue the law revision process through the involvement of various stakeholders such as the Bar Association and the Judiciary.

The ministry will also embark on revising the rules of court in consultation with stakeholders; expand powers of the Ombudsman to include other areas, commence discussions on setting up a Parliamentary oversight committee on the Judiciary, enhance the efficiency of the Deeds Registry and finding mechanisms to reduce delays and the use of modern technology in the court system.

President Jagdeo said he has had discussions about expanding the powers of the Ombudsman so that people can have a recourse.

MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The ministry will continue to implement the Urban Development Programme involving the six municipalities and to work at developing landfill sites. It will also seek to activate several new landfill sites for waste disposal; work along with local bodies to address littering, noise nuisance, squatting, and encumbering on reserves.

The ministry will also be working with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) to identify areas for garbage disposal across the country. It will also focus on the NDCs to hopefully allow them more autonomy in the management of their resources but at the same time to ensure that they comply with their financial regulations of the government.

President Jagdeo said his government is very concerned that many of the NDCs do not comply with financial regulations.

The ministry will also offer support to finalise the Local Government reform process so that local government elections can be held this year. It will also focus on improving coordination with various ministries that interact with local government bodies.

MINISTRY OF AMERINDIAN AFFAIRS
This ministry will train and offer closer guidance of local government and Amerindian council officials to carry out their duties.

President Jagdeo is also optimistic that the Government will be able to put in place the Indigenous People's Commission as part of the new Constitution. It will continue the land demarcation exercise and commence discussions on the processing of claims for the extension and creation of new Amerindian communities.

The ministry will also continue the massive $15M anti-Acoushi Ants project. It will support many of the Amerindian communities by providing foodstuff, equipment and materials; established a Library for Hinterland students at the Amerindian Hostel; and swear in many of the Amerindian Captains as Justices of Peace so that they can serve their communities.