Local Government Commission - Guyana

Amerindian Heritage Month 2023

The Management and staff of the Local Government Commission happily join the rest of Guyana, and more specifically, our Amerindian brothers and sisters, on the journey to which we all have been excitedly looking forward to every September since 1995 as we highlight, reflect on and celebrate the special achievements of our Indigenous people in their villages and communities across our Country.

We are reminded that Amerindian Heritage Month activities, namely the widespread display of Amerindian culture vide their art and craft, cuisine, music, dances, food, beverages and other aspects of Amerindian traditional lifestyle, have been kept alive due in large measure to the late President Cheddi Jagan’s designation of September10, 1995 as Amerindian Heritage Day in memory of Mr Stephen Campbell, the first Amerindian to enter the Parliament of then British Guiana on September 10, 1957 and His Excellency and his Government determining that the entire month of September be celebrated annually by all Guyana as Amerindian Heritage month.

The celebration has expanded over the post-1995 years to highlight the special achievements of our Indigenous people, and consequentially, it does provide an opportunity for all Guyanese and non-Guyanese to be able to view, experience and be reminded of the culture of Amerindians in the many villages and communities across our Country. It is indeed a unique culture that most have grown to respect, cherish and help to preserve.

The Local Government Commission wishes to encourage all of Guyana to support and participate in as many of the activities planned by the Amerindian Village Councils and by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. These activities include the

i)Opening of the Amerindian Heritage Month 2023 Celebrations at the National Park on September 01, 2023 at 18:00hrs with a Cultural Extravaganza

ii)Fitness walk on September 03, starting 06:00hrs from Umana Yana

iii) Stephen Campbell Event on 10th Sept. at the Umana Yana commencing 6 P.M

The significance of Emancipation Day - Guyana Chronicle By Norma Whittaker, former Minister of Local Government

For your information.

2023-06-25 | URGENT Public Notice

- DHB to temporarily close in JULY

The Hon. Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works, wishes to notify the general public of the impending closure of the Demerara Harbour Bridge for a period of three (3) days in the last week of July 2023.

This closure is scheduled to start from 11:59 pm Monday 24th July 2023 to 11:59 pm Thursday 27th July 2023. This is to facilitate the replacement of span nine on the bridge.

Advised by his technical staff at the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation, the Minister says this specific time period is based on the tide between the 24th of July to the 29th of July. While the logistics for this replacement were also meticulously planned during the closure of the school term, to ensure a smooth transition, and as little inconvenience to the public as possible.

This notice is also being made one month ahead of schedule to ensure persons and businesses make requisite changes where necessary: persons travelling out of the country at the time of the closure, those with doctors’ appointments and other important engagements, etc., are being urged to note these changes.

Minister Edghill, says the government understands the significance of this replacement and is committed to seeing this project through, as this new retractor which spans 170 feet long and 40 feet wide and is valued at $1.2 billion, will result in a much smoother operation (retractability) in the future, which will also enable wider vessels to pass through the channel.

The Minister is appealing to commuters and businesses for their understanding and support during these three days of closure of the bridge, as the replacement of span nine cannot be done while traffic is flowing.

Last year September, span nine was damaged when the Panamanian flagged vessel, MV Tradewinds Passion crashed into the bridge during a retraction period and rendered the bridge inoperable for several days.

Since then, that damaged section of the bridge had to be repaired several times, while plans were being made to replace the unit altogether.

Repairs to span nine were undertaken by a local company, Industrial Fabrications Inc (InFab), which was completed in late 2022.

In May this year, span nine was transported from the dockyard to the bridge for the perfect time and tide for installation.

-END-

A message from Hon. Sonia Parag, Minister of Public Service on the occasion of Public Service Day 2023

Global survival relies on the sustainability of services necessary for human life – access to clean water, healthy foods, proper healthcare, housing and education, just to name a few.
Notably, public servants are the ones tasked with ensuring the sustainable advancement of each of these sectors and many more.

From the Head of State of a country to the trainee clerks and cleaners, public servants are truly the unsung heroes of the world; the backbone of any civilised society.

Today, on June 23, 2023, we join our colleagues in the United Nations to salute the past, present and future public servants of the world, especially the Guyanese men and women who continue to go above and beyond to build our country.

The Government of Guyana has recognised that the happiness and comprehensive wellbeing of our public servants are critical to national development. As a result, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led administration will continue to provide public servants with all that they need to thrive, not only in their workspaces, but in their homes and within their families as well.

We hope to achieve personal, community and national prosperity by investing heavily in the things that matter most – better infrastructure, improved access to housing and water, proper healthcare, and many opportunities for academic advancement and capacity-building.

As a people, and as employees of the public service, we have much to achieve. Our successes will be many; it will be collective, and it will be equitable.

The journey to a prosperous life, as a One Guyana, has only just begun.

A blessed Public Service Day to you all.