Guyana observes Breast Feeding Week
Georgetown , GINA, September 11, 2004
"Exclusive Breast Feeding - the gold standard, safe, sound and sustainable", is the theme under which Breast Feeding week will be observed from September 12 through 18. To mark the occasion, a week of activities has been planned to observe the week, countrywide.
The Ministry of Health has mounted massive campaigns to alert mothers that breastfeeding alone is needed for the first six months of a baby's life. Here are just some of the many good reasons why you should breastfeed your baby:
- Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk has the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than manufactured products.
- Breast milk has agents ( antibodies ) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Breastfed babies are more able to fight off infection and disease, such as diarrhea, ear infections and respiratory illnesses like pneumonia. They are sick less often and have fewer visits to health care clinics.
- Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose weight after pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding you might have after giving birth.
- Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
- Breastfeeding can help you bond with your baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted.
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GDF soldiers off to French Guiana for two weeks training exercise
Georgetown , GINA, September 11, 2004
The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in its continuing efforts to prepare soldiers for thier role in National Defence and Security, will be joining their French counterparts in Cayenne , French Guiana to participate in a jungle exercise.
The GDF platoon departs Guyana on September 13 and is scheduled to return on September 27. The contingent is expected to be trained in a number of exercises, which include: patrolling, tactical river crossing, navigation, close country warfare and swimming.
This collaboration is an annual event between the two countries and will also allow the French troops stationed in Cayenne , to be trained by GDF instructors.
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Guyana avoids TIP sanctions
Georgetown , GINA, September 11, 2004
Guyana has successfully avoided sanctions for alleged inactivity to address incidents of Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
Yesterday, President George W. Bush announced that four countries have avoided sanctions under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000.
A release from the White House said “Because of significant steps their governments have taken to fight trafficking in persons … Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guyana and Sierra Leone, deserve recognition for their quick action to address problems noted in the Department of State's June 2004 Trafficking in Persons Report.”
Head of the anti-Trafficking in persons Task Force and Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick said “I am pleased, but not surprised.”
She added that efforts will continue and the Government will not rest until the United States recognizes that the Government of Guyana is serious about protecting its people from TIP.
After Guyana was ranked a tier three country by the US State Department the Government took speedy action to address the matter.
Earlier this year, the Minster stated that there was no trafficking trade in the country.
Therefore, what initially began as a TIP campaign, later became a TIP prevention campaign geared at making people aware of TIP and its consequences.
TIP deals with the recruitment, transportation, harbouring, abduction and coercion of someone for the purpose of exploiting that person's vulnerability.
In August last, the Minister said she was very optimistic that Guyana will move from tier three to tier one status.
Although there are no sanctions on the country, Minister Shadick said she would now like to see a reclassification of Guyana 's status.
Shadick however, is now interested in knowing on what tier Guyana will be placed. The report by the White House did not indicate any new tier ranking for the country.
The US report stated that the four countries made notable progress in key areas including prosecution for TIP-related cases, drafting new anti-trafficking legislation and conducting high profile awareness campaigns.
The task force visited communities in each administrative region as part of its awareness and prevention campaign.
The US report also stated that the steps taken by the four countries will spur the international community into action.
The task force will continue its campaigns countrywide.
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A new frontier in agriculture
- Minister Sawh visits Intermediate Savannah
Georgetown , GINA, September 11, 2004
Guyana 's Intermediate Savannah is now becoming a new frontier in agricultural development as farmers are expanding and diversifying their production.
During a recent outreach to Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh visited two farms operating in the area.
Minister Sawh and a team of officials visited the Dubulay Ranch owned by Alex Mendez and the Goldfield Investments Farm owned by Gobin Dwarkha.
At Dubulay, several crops are being cultivated along with the rearing of cattle and other livestock. Proprietor Alex Mendez said it is a challenging task to farm in the area due to the soil type, the heat, the high transportation costs and the peculiarity of the land which makes it hard to irrigate.
He stated that they have not found a niche as yet as they are experimenting with several crops including sorghum, corn, and citrus. The cattle and buffalo, however, are thriving there, since along with savannah grass mineral supplements are given to the animals.
He pointed out that if someone is willing to invest in the savannah by providing transportation and markets for produce farmers there would be successful, since it is costly to transport their produce to Georgetown .
At Dubulay a small abattoir was constructed which will be fully operational by Christmas. It is expected that about 10 animals would be slaughtered per month to supply local demand. The facility will be upgraded and he hopes to look into overseas markets in the future. In the meanwhile the meat would be sent to Bounty Farms Limited to be packaged and labelled.
Mr. Mendez also cultivates red beans at the farm, which has recorded success. He has brought a combine from Brazil and mechanized the harvesting process.
When asked what has motivated his success, Mr. Mendez said it is a love of farming and a bond with the land.
Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Dr. Oudhu Homenauth said the cultivation of soya bean has been successful, but like rice, it needs to be done on a large scale to be profitable. Several facilities must be constructed including storage and drying facilities.
Minister Sawh said youths should take notice of this pioneering spirit and get involved, since it allows many advantages and opportunities. He assured that Government will continue to provide necessary support to the agriculture sector.
At Goldfield Investments, crops being cultivated include passion fruits, cherries, sorghum, corn, soursop, papaya, red beans, mango, pineapples, guavas and citrus.
Corn is being cultivated on 300 acres of land and the produce will be sold to local mills which manufacture chicken feed. There is also a plant nursery, providing seedlings and small plants for planting. Crop rotation is being done on the concession to ensure that fertility of the soil is enhanced. Crop rotation reduces the fertilizer requirements.
At present the black-eye and red beans cultivated at the farm supply the local market. A simple, locally-made dryer is being used to dry the beans so to be packaged for sale. The management of the farm is looking to expand its market for peppers, which are successfully grown on the farm.
The owner is now starting to rear pigs, using an integrated farming technique. The sorghum and corn cultivated on the land would be used to feed pigs and the waste generated would be fermented to produce biogas which would be used to cook.
Several houses have been constructed for workers who have come all the way from Paramakatoi in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni).
Several pens have been constructed for the rearing of chickens which will be used mostly for egg production.
The savannahs offer an ideal investment climate for pioneering farmers and entrepreneurs in agriculture and agro-industrial development. The Intermediate Savannahs' eco-zone is considered the "second frontier" for major agricultural development, after the highly-populated low-lying coastal area dominated by rice and sugar cane.
There are about 80,000 hectares of grass and scrub tree-covered savannah in the eco-zone and about 50,000 hectares of soil with fair to good potential for agricultural development. The soils of the savannah have been generally classified by the United Nations' Soil Survey as land capability Class 11, moderate agricultural land.
NARI has also been actively involved in assisting farmers in the Savannahs with technical assistance to further enhance their farms and production systems.
Several large and small-scale farmers have benefited from Government's distribution of over 50 land leases in the area. These include large-scale investors such as LIDCO, Georgie Caribbean, Alex Mendez and Goldfield Investments, as well as small farmers in the Wiruni Savannahs.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh speaks with farmers from Paramakatoi at the Goldfield Investments Farm, Intermediate Savannah, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh takes a ride on one of the tractors used to harvest red beans at the Goldfield Investments Farm, Intermediate Savannah,
Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).
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Crane, Zeelugt and Tuschen to benefit from new and improved services-Minister Baksh
Georgetown , GINA, September 11, 2004
Residents of three communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) will be benefiting from new services shortly, said the Minister of Housing and Water, Sheikh Baksh and Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon.
“These were promises I made to the residents of the community and they are being fulfilled”, said Minister, Sheikh Baksh during his tour of the various communities.
Residents of Crane Housing Scheme said that they have been waiting for a long time for electricity and improved roads.
Minister Baksh told the residents that the Government is currently working out an electricity plan for the residents to pay a small sum whilst the Government will pay the balance.
The residents complained of the low water pressure they are receiving from the Pouderoyen pump station.
The Minister told residents, that the well station at the Crane Housing Scheme will be reopened.
Residents called for more involvement of community groups to monitor the works done in the community and to represent the community.
This was welcomed by Dr. Luncheon who was also present at the community meeting. Dr. Luncheon urged the rest of the residents to join the group as they can do much for their community.
Residents of the Zeelugt Housing Scheme will benefit from upgrading of all roads, drains and culverts and better water supply from next month.
“I am not here to promise you but to tell you that these works are already being tendered for in the newspapers”, said Minister Baksh.
Residents complained that several residents are leaving their taps open causing others in the low-lying areas to experience low pressure.
Minister Baksh warned the residents that officials of GWI will visit the area on September 13 and should they find residents with their taps open and water being wasted, they would have their services disconnected.
The Minister also told the residents that their community will be electrified from the first quarter of 2005. He said that Guyana Power and Light Company have already started to purchase the transformers and poles.
The residents however, will each have to pay the sum of $10,000 whilst the Government will pay the remaining cost.
Dr Luncheon during his remarks to the residents urged them to form a community group and monitor the works that are soon to be started in their community and that they can make representation on behalf of the community for further developments.
At Tuschen North Squatters Settlement, Minister Baksh told residents that they will soon benefit from paving and repairs to existing roads, drains and culverts, better water supply and electrification.
“These works are expected to commence in November 2004 and this is not a promise but a reality soon to be made evident in the coming months”, said Minister Baksh at the community meeting.
Residents complained that there are some residents who are building on reserves, blocking the drains and causing the community to flood during the rainy seasons.
The Minister said that such persons will be removed and given house lots where available. He told residents that Tuschen and Zeelught are the first two communities that will be benefiting from the new program of electrification of unserved areas; (phase one), a (countrywide program) that the Government of Guyana has started.
They too will have to pay $ 10,000 whilst the Government will pay the remaining cost.
“Residents of Tuschen you must come together and form a community group and monitor the works to be done in your community as you as group can represent the community as a whole when the works are not being done to specifications”, said Dr. Luncheon during his address to the gathering.
Residents promised Dr. Luncheon that they are going to form the community group.
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President commits $15M to Mabaruma road repairs
- Electricity, water in the pipeline
Georgetown , GINA, September 11, 2004
Residents of Mabaruma Settlement Region One (Barima/Waini) can look forward to an improved life very shortly.
The improvement will stem from the fulfillment of several promises President Bharrat Jagdeo made when he met them this morning.
Accompanying the President were Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues, Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford, Regional Chairman Norman Whittaker and the Regional Executive Officer Eshwar Dass.
Many of the roads within the Settlement are in a state of disrepair and the Head of State pledged $15M towards their improvement. This will be made available to the Region, in addition to the $5M in the Regional Administration's 2004 Budget. The roads targeted for repairs include those in Mabaruma Settlement, Hosororo and Kumaka Stretch /Water Front.
Residents also requested electricity for the Settlement and the President said that he is willing to grant it if the cost is minimal. The cost is estimated at $50M. President Jagdeo explained that this will be included in next year's budget, as the 2004 financial year has gone far. However, he committed to providing the money in the interim to install the power lines.
Concerns were raised about water supply. There is an ongoing water project in the area, but many residents are not satisfied with the progress. President Jagdeo said that the Minister of Housing and Water Shaik Baksh will return to the community and sort out the issues.
Calls were made for a Technical Vocational Centre. The Head of State yesterday committed to establishing one at the North West Secondary School . Today, he said that the same one will be used by the community in the evenings and Government will ensure that it is equipped.
This brought out the question of employment for persons within the Region, especially the young people.
President Jagdeo noted that Government is working on several initiatives, including investments by a private company AMCAR and one from China . These will create jobs he said, as the AMCAR venture has to do with garnering pineapples for the factory established in Region Two. The Tech Voc programme will also assist persons in becoming self-employed.
The Guyanese Leader also called on the young people to join the Guyana Police Force, which has at present 800 vacancies.
The President and his delegation were told of corrupt practices in the operations of the ferry to Region One. This will be looked into by the Administration, the President said.
Other issues to be looked into include a request for lower lease rates for pensioners (the cost is $3,600 annually at present) and transportation of pensioners to the hospital.
President Jagdeo also committed to contributing money to the Association of Farmers in the Region, which is interested in establishing a venture to purchase regional farmers' produce. It is alleged that they are treated unfairly by hucksters outside of the Region who purchase the produce.
The Head of State before wrapping up his meeting with residents urged them to capitalize on the Government of Guyana Programme that will see $30M being expended on spectacles for children and the elderly. The Regional Chairman was tasked with preparing a list of persons who need spectacles.
The President also visited the Kumaka Market Place and met shoppers and buyers.
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