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Budget 2014 provides $7.7B for energy, electricity supply By Clifford Stanley
THE sum of $7.7 B has been allocated to the energy, power generation and supply sector this year, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said in the 2014 Budget presentation. He said the object is ensuring, in the first place, that Guyanese benefit from a more reliable, dependable and affordable supply of energy. And, secondly, that Guyana successfully pursues the path of sustainable electricity generation from renewable resources for domestic consumption, as well as for developing a regional market for energy. The Minister disclosed that, in 2013, Government had hoped the realisation of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project (AFHP) would have been well underway towards Guyana becoming self-sufficient in electricity generation from renewable green technology. He said, notwithstanding exhaustive efforts by both Government and the internationally reputed private sector partner to keep Parliamentary Parties and other stakeholders informed, the National Assembly still failed to grant unanimous consent to the legislation prerequisite to a project so essential to realising a better Guyana. Dr. Singh said: “Nevertheless, we remain resolute and have re-engaged with existing partners to realise the anticipated transformation that will be ushered in by this project.” He disclosed that no progress having been made on the matter of adjusting electricity tariffs in Linden, sums totalling $3.2B had been allocated to meet the cost of maintaining the subsidy in Linden and Kwakwani. ELIGIBLE BENEFICIARY With respect to the Old Age Pensioners Electricity Assistance Programme, the value has been increased by 50 percent, from $20,000 to $30,000 per annum, for each eligible beneficiary. For hinterland electrification, 2014 will see the completion of the distribution network in Matthews Ridge, expansion of the electricity system in Port Kaituma and the distribution of 540 solar home systems to 10 hinterland villages benefiting in excess of 3,000 hinterland residents. Residents will continue to receive training to operate and maintain these units. In excess of the $200M sum has been budgeted for the implementation of activities targeting improved management capacity and capabilities, operational efficiency and loss reduction. There will also be four new sub-stations, one each at Liliendaal, Ruimveldt, Golden Grove and Columbia. In addition, the sub-station at Onverwagt will be upgraded, transmission lines installed from Columbia to Onverwagt and new fibre optic cables laid from Sophia to Garden of Eden. Additionally, in excess of $200M have been budgeted for the relocation of the power plant at Lethem and the upgrading of current supply in Culvert City, Mahdia and Linden. With respect to loss reduction, the rehabilitation and reconfiguration of distribution networks will continue unabated in order to improve efficiency. The remetering programme, using smart meters, will continue utilising modern technology to combat the theft of electricity. REMAINS COMMITTED Government remains committed to the micro-hydropower interventions in the Chiung River at Kato and is, currently, reviewing the design and financing arrangements to make this a reality. About developing a regional market for energy, Minister Singh said Guyana is pursuing initiatives with both Caribbean and Brazilian private sector partners to harness its vast hydropower capabilities to becoming a supplier of sustainable and renewable energy to regional and hemispheric neighbours. “To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), establishing a Guyana/ Brazil Joint Technical Group, has been concluded with a mandate to identify concrete actions and timelines for the construction of a hydroelectric plant in the Mazaruni and the transmission lines necessary to export electricity to Brazil and further afield.” Highlights of key energy, electricity supply allocations in 2014 budget: • $3.2 billion allocated to meet the cost of maintaining the electricity subsidy in Linden and Kwakwani. • $200 million budgeted for the relocation of the power plant in Lethem and the upgrading of power supply in Culvert City, in Lethem, and in Mahdia and Linden. • Upgrade of Substation at Onverwagt to be completed; installation of transmission lines from Columbia to Onverwagt; laying of new fibre optic cables to be laid from Sophia to Garden of Eden also to be completed. • Solar home systems to be given 10 hinterland villages. • Distribution network in Matthew’s Ridge to be completed; Port Kaituma network to be expanded • Old Age Pensioners Electricity Assistance increased by 50 percent.
GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 5, 2014
During Budget debate…
Ramsammy under rice role in Guya
- says delayed shipment of paddy, By Vanessa Narine RICE is an example of where investment is playing a significant role in Guyana’s development story, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said Thursday night. He made the statement when he announced that the delayed shipment of paddy and rice to Venezuela is scheduled to reach the neighbouring country on April 18. Speaking during the 2014 Budget debate in the National Assembly, the Minister said:“In 2012, export to Venezuela accounted for about 70 percent of Guyana’s rice. “In 2013 it accounted for 58 percent and we expect that it will be about 38 percent in 2014, not because of a reduction in the amount going to Venezuela, but the export size would have grown,”
he explained. There had been concerns over the stability of Guyana’s rice trade agreement with Venezuela but those were put to rest after the Agriculture Minister gave his assurance that there are no problems with the market. He said the rice importing authority in Venezuela concluded the purchase orders and shipping schedules for that began last week. Guyana and Venezuela have agreed on the amounts and price for Guyana’s paddy and rice and, based on the agreements, this country expects to ship close to 200,000 tons at a price that is similar to last year’s. Ramsammy maintained that Guyana’s rice sector has a growing export market. EXPRESSED OPTIMISM Turning his attention to
the performance of the industry, the Agriculture Minister pointed out that Guyana defied the odds against weather and other challenges in 2014 and he expressed optimism that the rice targets will continue to be significantly surpassed, as in previous years. He said:“Rice defied the odds of weather last year, including a full blown drought in the first quarter of 2013 and a threat from paddy bugs, to produce a record of 535,000 tons of rice and export almost 400,000 tons. “These farmers deserve our support and our unconditional applause. They live in this country. Who will not be counted among us that will unconditionally applaud the achievements of our rice farmers? “Not only have they produced, they did at a yield that ranks among the best in rice growing countries, with at least an average above five tons per hectare in every region of Guyana.
In libel case…
Nandlall rejec Kaieteur Ne By Vanessa Narine
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ATTORNEY-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, on Thursday, filed an affidavit in the High Court, responding to the one in answer on behalf of Adam Harris, Mohan Lall (Glenn Lall) and National Media and Publishing Company Limited, do all defendants in the multi-million-dollar lawsuit surrounding the two ‘Dem Boys Seh’ de or columns in the Kaieteur News. The AG is contending that the defendants have not advanced any good cause, legal basis or jurisprudential rationale for the discharge of the ex parte injunction granted in the case by the Chief Justice. The legal action followed a letter sent to Kaieteur News Editor Adam Harris by the AG’s lawyer demanding that he retracts damning accusations in the two articles and offer an apology within 24 hours or face legal proceedings. The AG secured an interim injunction that prevents Kaieteur News from “further publishing the said or any similar libel to that effect concerning the plaintiff (Nandlall) as contained in articles published in the Kaieteur News newspapers on the 28th day of February, 2014, in a column styled ‘Dem boys seh’ captioned ‘Tax Dollars Going to Sleep-In’ and on the 2nd day of March, 2014, in a column styled ‘Ah Kneel Deh Pun A Hustle’, until after the hearing and determination of the summons. The AG is claiming damages in excess of $20M for the publication of both columns, aggravated or exemplary damages in excess of $10M, costs and further or other orders as the Court deems just. In Thursday’s affidavit, Nandlall stated that satire and social commenAG Anil Nand taries expressed in slang, creole expressions or howsoever are not defences