Gov’t to address malpractices by marriage officers
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2008
The administration through the Ministry of Home Affairs and the General Register Office (GRO) is working on measures to address the issue of misconduct by some marriage officers through the provisions of the Marriage Act.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee today during an address to over 200 Marriage Officers at a conference held at the Police Sports Hall, Eve Leary hosted by the GRO urged them to operate within the law when issuing marriage licences or face the consequences.
“What I do find however, is that there appears to be no end to the malpractice performed by some Marriage Officers. For example, I was made to understand that dates are changed on marriage registration forms. This is illegal and has dire consequences for persons who perpetrate such acts,” Minister Rohee said.
The Marriage Act deals with the legal and religious aspects of marriage and makes the necessary provisions thereto.
In relation to the legal aspects, Section 4 (1) stipulates that the Minister of Home Affairs may appoint any fit and proper person to be a Marriage Officer of Hindu, Christian and Muslim religion.
The Minister has the full power under Section 11 of the Act, on good cause shown, revoke the appointment of an officer if he/she fails to adhere to the requirements.
Minister Rohee expressed concern over the instances where marriage officers issue licences to females under the age of 16 years which is against the law since the new age of consent is 16 and over.
“Prior to this amendment the age of consent was thirteen years. There would be the need, therefore, for an amendment to be made to the marriage Act in keeping with the new age of consent. I intend to pursue this matter with the Attorney General,” Minister Rohee assured.
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Efforts underway to enhance security at Courts
-Minister Rohee
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2008
The law enforcement agencies have recognized the need for more ‘security’ at the courts and recent unfortunate incidents which occurred at the Georgetown Magistrate’s court have underscored the need for urgent action.
In an invited comment Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee said that prisoners making contact with relatives while in Court and deranged persons entering the courts are issues which are of concern to this Ministry.
“The incident (prisoner involved in altercation with police rank) brings into greater focus the need for enhanced security not only for Police ranks who escort the prisoners or who are supervising while in the court building but also for persons who may be attending court, magistrates as well…so we have to look at this,” Minister Rohee said.
In relation to persons of unsound mind entering the Magistrate’s Court, Minister Rohee said, “the Commander of ‘A’ is aware of this situation and since it is under his jurisdiction he will have to pay close attention to it because these things are happening too often. I think it’s a matter that has to be addressed very urgently.”
In October last year, Minister Rohee visited the Georgetown Magistrate’s lock-ups to check on the process of transporting prisoners in order to come up with measures to prevent them from returning to the prison with cell phones, weapons and drugs.
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Pomeroon can supply Caribbean’s food needs - Minister Persaud
Georgetown, GINA, January 22, 2008.
Farmers of the Pomeroon in Region Two are being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities available and advance agricultural production to meet the Caribbean’s increasing demand for food.
The productive capacity of the Pomeroon was highlighted today during farmers’ meetings with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team of technical and regional personnel in upper and lower communities of the river.
Farmers were informed of the increasing interest being showed by several Regional States such as Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados to source food from Guyana. At present, teams from these countries are assessing the opportunities available in the country to meet their food demand.
Minister Persaud also highlighted the importance of clusters to help farmers increase competitiveness by enabling them to utilise the opportunities that exist for increased food production. This is also important in light of global price increases for food and increasing demand for agricultural produce. Farmers were urged to pursue initiatives such as the revitalization of the Guyana Agricultural Producers Associations (GAPA).
Minister Persaud addresses a farmers' meeting in the Lower Pomeroon
Reference was made to the interest by some States to source agricultural produce directly from the Pomeroon through which there are ongoing arrangements while others have been expressed.
Velma Da Silva, a farmer of the Lower Pomeroon told the Minister’s team that there is a Barbadian investor recently indicated an interest to source organic produce from the Pomeroon. He is also willing to help farmers with cultivation. She urged other farmers to look towards such opportunities and urged that they form themselves into groups to take advantage of the potential that exist.
The need for a financial facility that will provide loans for agricultural activities at low interest rates was highlighted as a means to help small farmers increase production and productivity. Minister Persaud pointed out that financial institutions have been constantly encouraged to place special emphasis on agriculture especially with regard to helping small farmers.
The granting of land titles to farmers to enable them to access loans from the Banks and need to address the non-occupancy of some lands that have been abandoned for years by their owners were highlighted as other constraints to agricultural development in the Pomeroon. Farmers were told that the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission will be asked to intervene while they were urged to up production with focus on more non-traditional crops which are increasingly being demanded.
Ongoing interventions to boost agricultural production in the Pomeroon and surrounding areas include construction of a sluice at Charity and ongoing development of the Cozier scheme. Additionally, establishment of a mini packaging and storage facility to cater for processed fruits and vegetables from the Pomeroon is being pursued.
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More interventions to help Pomeroon farmers deal with flooding - focus on more D&I improvement
Georgetown, GINA, January 22, 2008.
Government will be investing more than $1M to undertake further drainage and irrigation improvement in the Lower Pomeroon while consideration will be given to another important project to aid D&I in the Dredge Creek/Kaikaburi area, Upper Pomeroon.
These interventions are intended to help Pomeroon farmers deal with the effects of climate change which have resulted in greater rainfall intensity and increased water levels. As a result of the heavy rainfall, there has been runoff of excess water from the savannahs which has contributed to accumulation in several farmlands.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team of technical and regional personnel today visited several areas that were severely affected, including Little Try Best, Lower Pomeroon and Dredge Creek/Kaikaburi in the Upper Pomeroon.
Minister Persaud addresses Little Try Best farmers' meeting
Meetings were held with farmers and residents and discussions were focused on short and long-term interventions to relieve them from flooding during heavy rainfall and high tides so that they can expand cultivation and improve production.
At Little Try Best, farmers proposed a project that will protect several acres of farmland from flooding and support advanced agricultural development. Since it was accepted by the technical team and the Minister, farmers were informed that arrangements will be made to implement the works immediately.
The project will be carried out with the $1M that was committed several years ago by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds for D&I upgrading in the area, but which was never utilised by farmers. A proposal for a bigger project, which was put forward by another farmer and which is estimated to cost in excess of $2M, will be reviewed by engineers.
Minister Persaud interacts with farmers at Little Try Best, Lower Pomeroon
Minister Persaud said the intention is to help relieve farmers immediately with implementation of projects for which resources are available while other larger proposed investments will require technical and financial considerations.
In addition, focus is being placed on the provision of other forms of assistance to help those severely affected farmers whose livelihoods depend mainly on farming to return to their activities as quickly as possible. Assistance with planting materials and chemicals such as fungicide are being offered in this regard.
Farmers expressed satisfaction with the support being offered and made recommendations for other initiatives to boost agricultural and livestock production in their area including pig rearing.
They were told that this has been recognised as an area with great potential and through the intervention of President Bharrat Jagdeo resources were made available to initiate a pig breeding programme.
Approximately 150 pigs were imported from Suriname and the United States to start the project through which the animals are being bred at the Guyana Defence Force’s East Bank Demerara farm and at the Guyana School of Agriculture, East Coast Demerara. The project seeks to make available improved breeds of pigs to farmers across the country to develop their stocks.
Minister Persaud makes a point at Dredge Creek farmers' meeting, Upper Pomeroon
During the meeting at Dredge Creek, farmers were informed of the assistance with planting materials and chemicals and were asked about possible D&I recommendations that could eliminate the threat of flooding and boost farming activities.
Farmers suggested establishment of an additional outlet from the Kaikaburi Canal into the Pomeroon to help drain the area since the main channel, Dredge Creek, cannot adequately discharge the excess water during the heavy rainfall. Technical officials from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) have been tasked with reviewing the proposal.
Following the 2005 and 2006 flooding, Government committed and delivered on the provision of two excavators to improve D&I in the Upper and Lower Pomeroon. These have since been used to empolder farmlands and excavate drains in several miles of farmlands.
During the meetings today, farmers reported to the Minister that the works done with the machines have been very beneficial since the areas that have been improved were not affected by the heavy rainfall.
In addition to the provision of the two machines worth more than $60M, resources were spent to procure pontoons that are being used to transport the excavators from one area to another.
Also following a visit to Region Two last month by Minister Persaud, approximately $1M in fuel was provided to help reduce the costs associated with operations of the machines.
Regional Chairman Ali Baksh, NDIA’s Chief Executive Officer (ag) Lionel Wordsworth and Chief Crops and livestock Officer Brian Sears were among those present at the meetings.
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Secondary Schools Drama Festival winners to participate in CARIFESTA
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2008
Several youths have been able to realise their talent in the allied-arts through the Secondary School Drama Festival which is held biennially by Government through the Ministry of Education and used as another platform for youth empowerment.
This year the festival, will present an opportunity for students in secondary schools across the country to showcase their talent during Guyana’s hosting of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X in August.
The Ministry in April this year will stage the 6th Secondary Schools’ Drama festival which is open to all secondary schools including the private sector, according to Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts in the Ministry, Desiree Wiles-Ogle.
The event will be featuring performances in myths and legends, storytelling and social issues in society. The Allied-Arts administrator noted however, that the myths and legends aspect will be a major focus since it is a part of Guyana’s culture that will be expected for CARIFESTA X.
The Caribbean Mythology and Modern Life, a book done by Guyanese literary icon Paloma Mohammed has numerous written plays on local mythology which is a good resource for schools according to Ogle.
The Theatre Guild Playhouse which is at present being restored in a partnership effort with Government and the private sector is scheduled to host this year’s event. Ogle is eager to see the Playhouse completed since it has served as an “intimate setting” where the youths can project their voice and showcase their talents.
The venue has a 40-year history of promoting the arts through cultural expression and has been the arena where several of today’s recognised performing artists realised their talent.
Minister within the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox has engaged in discussions with several schools across the country about the event.
The Playhouse, according to the Minister, is an arena which has supported the performing in schools which is a supplementary medium to academic performance it became a part of the Caribbean Secondary Education Council’s (CSEC) curriculum.
Students from the Berbice Multilateral School were the first to benefit from this curriculum and performed exceedingly well at CXC.
The fifth drama festival was held at the Theatre Guild Playhouse, in 2006 with participation from secondary schools in Belladrum, North Georgetown, Annandale, Abrahams Zuil, Sophia and Anna Regina.
North Georgetown Secondary emerged winners of the competition and represented Guyana at the last Caribbean drama festival with a play taken from the book, Caribbean Mythology and Modern Life.
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Guyana stabilising HIV epidemic
-Minister Ramsammy
Government, GINA, January 23, 2008
Guyana’s aggressive response to HIV/AIDS has seen the epidemic stabilising over the past three years as it pursues the goal of having no child born with HIV.
Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy made this assertion while speaking at the presentation of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) Workshop today held at the Grand Coastal Inn, East Coast Demerara to discuss the 2007 UNGASS Report and to allow for stakeholders to arrive at consensus agreement on the target for 2007-2011.
He said that all Guyanese should be proud of the country’s effort in fighting HIV.
Guyana’s HIV/AIDS response programme provides comprehensive care, treatment, and support or all people living with HIV.
The first case of AIDS in Guyana was diagnosed in 1987 and Government has taken cognisance of the devastating effects of the deadly disease and developed a national multi-sectoral approach.
In 1989, the National AIDS Programme (NAP) under the Ministry of Health was established and resulted in the development of the Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic, the National Laboratory for Infectious Diseases and the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS).
In 1992, the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS) was established and charged with the role of setting up the national response to the HIV epidemic. Regional
AIDS Committees (RAC) were also established to coordinate ands implement HIV/AIDS activities at the sub-regional level.
The National Policy on HIV/AIDS which was first approved in Parliament in 1998 and revived in 2003, reflected universal access to adequate treatment for those persons living with HIV.
Additional policy decisions, such as no stigma or discrimination when applying to social benefits and universal access to Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) have also been integrated into the most recent revision of the National Policy during 2006.
The implementation of these policies and programmes has lead to a decrease in not only the number of persons being infected but also a reduction in the prevalence rate of HIV in the different cross sections of society.
In 2002, 9.5 percent of all deaths were attributed to HIV/AIDS. This number has reduced significantly to 6.4 percent in 2007 and is expected to be further reduced to 5.6 percent by 2011.
Government is also working to strengthen its national capapcity to deal with the HIV epidemic by allocating more resources to be used in the fight against the disease.
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Religious leaders deliberate on sexual violence Paper
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2008
Religious leaders from various organisations, the mandirs, masjids and churches today met at the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Boardroom to further deliberate on the proposed laws in the Paper “Stamp it out”.
Leading the discussion were Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, Ms. Gail Teixeira Presidential Adviser on Governance and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Trevor Thomas.
Minister Manickchand said the inputs of everyone are needed on the Paper, especially from members who have a major role to play in society.
Several of the leaders were vocal on some of the prevalent issues that occurrs in society frequently. Rape and what provision can be put in place for victims and the perpetrators were highlighted.
Minister Manickchand said she noted the proposals and will seek to implement the measures to protect the perpetrators since they need to be rehabilitated as well.
Religious leaders from various organisations interacting with Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand on the proposals in the Paper “Stamp it out”.
The leaders are calling on the Minister to introduce sex education in schools, provide counselling and programmes for perpetrators and victims, and ‘safe homes’ and create employment for victims
The Minister observed that the consultations were very informative and noted that people have an interest to “Stamp out” sexual violence. The Minister urged the leaders to take more active roles.
The Paper was supported by the leaders who urged that legislation would be enacted as soon as possible.
“Stamp it out” consultations began in November to garner the people’s input. So far over 50 consultations have been completed by the Human Services Ministry were successful.
Several legislative changes are proposed in the Paper such as the introduction of sex offences Court, referral centres in hospitals and changing the definition of rape. Due to the present laws which dated back to 1894, victims are not adequately protected and given justice.
By March 2008, the draft Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament.
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Region 10 has vibrant work programme, contrary to PNCR claims
-Minister Lall
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2008
Claims of discrimination by the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Ten are fictitious and are aimed at creating the perception that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has not been working in the interest of the region’s residents.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall today said that the Region Ten officials, who made the claims during a press conference yesterday at Congress Place, Sophia were involved in putting together the region’s annual budget and that the People’s National Congress Reform PNCR is included in this process.
Minister Lall said that the PNCR‘s claim that the region received no money for culture, youth and sport and was unable to provide for its youths is contradictory as the budget would include money for all projects to be executed in the region for any particular year. The Ministry allocates resources according to what the region would have requested.
All the regions receive budgetary allocations with the figure requested increasing yearly. The Local Government Minister said that on most occasions the Ministry tries to fulfill their requests.
Never in one particular year would the ministry have resources to fulfill the needs of all the administrative regions, he said.
There have been instances when government allocated large sums for the development of Region Ten, but the region’s officials did not spend the money.
Minister Lall said that Region Ten is doing exceedingly well at the moment and last year the region completed its capital and current work programmes.
Linden, the region’s central point has been receiving tremendous support from the government outside of the annual budget. In the area of electricity, government has been subsidizing the rates, which has been costing it hundreds of millions of dollars.
With respect to the claim that contractors who are awarded contracts in the region are not hiring residents, Minister Lall said that it is not the ministry’s requirement that contractors hire people within the region of the contract.
He said that contractors should offer jobs to locals and it is an area that can be considered by the government.
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GRA offers forum for ‘public figures’ to make them conversant with VAT
- to allow them to make factual statements
Georgetown, GINA, January 23, 2008
Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur, today, offered to hold a forum to give public figures an opportunity to become more conversant with the Value Added Tax (VAT) which will allow them to make factual statements to the public.
Describing as troubling the statements emanating from ‘public figures’ the GRA in a statement said, “It is appalling that these persons including Parliamentarians and political leaders do not seem to want to understand the VAT but instead continue to mislead the gullible Guyanese populace in what seems to be intended to serve their narrow political or self interest.”
Sattaur is quoted as saying, “it is inexcusable that Parliamentarians in particular do not understand or do not want to understand the VAT when the law to implement the new tax, had to be debated and passed by the National Assembly.
The problem also is exacerbated by having a very ‘shrewd’ business community which seems to want to prey on the gullibility of the public,” the satatment said.
Referring to a recent media report attributed to the opposition People’s National Congress Reform which blamed VAT for price increases on items such as garlic, milk, potatoes and locally grown vegetables which are zero rated, Sattaur said it is the view of the GRA that the ignorance fuelled by these mischievous public figures to use the ‘blame game’ contributes to businesses charging unconscionable prices for basic commodities.
The Commissioner General said that it is bothersome that persons continue to make careless statements which only lead to the continuing exploitation of consumers by some businesses.
“I heard of a call to reduce the rate of VAT so that the price of locally produced rice could be reduced. Rice does not attract VAT. In fact following concerns by rice farmers we have agreed to grant them a zero-rated concession on spare parts for machinery used in the rice sector,” the Commissioner-General said.
Sattaur said that the public should be reminded that VAT has the positive attribute of broadening the tax base and also widening the tax net thereby expanding the tax roll. It is likely to contribute to increases in revenues to the state which allows for future tax reforms to take place.
Prior to the introduction of VAT, the tax system did not allow for much flexibility in making fundamental changes. With higher revenue collection there is much that can be done to reform the other taxes. VAT is the first major step to reforming the tax system.
The VAT which was implemented from January 1, 2007 replaced six taxes. The Consumption Tax that was imposed on most goods and services imported and in some cases on manufactured goods at rates ranging from 10% to 128%. Eighty five items are zero rated from VAT
VAT allows businesses to recover the tax charged on imports/purchases (input tax) from the taxes collected on sales (out put tax) and therefore businesses can operate more competitively in their pricing, compared with what obtained when Consumption tax had applied. The consumption tax was part of the cost of the goods acquired by businesses and naturally would have resulted in higher mark up being charged on commodities that are now subject to the VAT imposed at the time of the sale.
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Winfer Gardens Primary gets library
Georgetown, Gina, January 23, 2008
Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr Desrey Fox today officially opened the library at the Winfer Gardens Primary School, East Street Georgetown as part of the school’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
The simple ceremony began with prayers by a student Nadia Hudson while another student Nadia Rajnarine recited a poem. The Minister after giving some brief remarks was invited to cut the ribbon and tour the library.
Minister Fox cuts the ribbon to open Winfer Garden Primary, Library
The Minister in her remarks congratulated the school’s administration for taking the initiative by having the library started. She said that it takes leaders to initiate projects like those.
The Minister encouraged students to utilise the library to its fullest noting that reading leads to understanding which allows persons to critically explore the world. She described reading as a skill for life without which a person is considered disabled.
The Minister also complemented the head teacher for the cleanliness of the building and compound. She said that it is good to see the Parent Teachers’ Association fully involved in not only the education but also the physical environment for learning.
The library has about $250,000 worth of books including textbooks, encyclopedias and children’s story books. Some of the books were presented to the school by the Ministry of Education while others were donations from The Georgetown Reading and Research Centre following a book fair held at the school. A parent with library skills assisted to organise the library.
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Health Ministry intensifies Malaria fight in 2008
Government, GINA, January 23, 2008
Malaria, a disease spread by the anopheles mosquito, is a serious challenge to most countries of the Americas. Guyana has initiated an aggressive programme that is proving successful. There was a 50 percent reduction rate in malaria cases last year and in 2008, the Ministry of Health will be intensifying its campaign to eliminate the disease.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud today reported that there is about 11, 065 malaria cases in the country at the end of the fifty-first epidemiological week. A total of 20, 784 cases were recorded for the corresponding period last year while the result for the last epidemiological week is expected shortly.
The Ministry of Health at the beginning of 2007 set a target of less than 15, 000 cases and achieved this target. This year, a target of less than 8,000 cases of malaria is expected to be achieved.
The CMO also reported that for Plasmodium Faclifarum (another type of malaria infection), there are about 4,082 cases as compared to 9,130 for the corresponding period last year. For Plasmodium Vivax there are 6,412 cases as compared to 10,419 in 2007. There are several other species of malaria infections but not so prevalent.
The intensified efforts by the Ministry will include a five- year malaria plan for Region Nine to be implemented shortly. This will be funded by the Global Fund at a cost of US$ 3.7M.
A technical team from the Global Fund will be in Guyana before March this year when the Ministry of Health will be involved in contractual discussions with specific targets being set.
The plan includes during the initial stages that every health-care worker is properly trained to perform microscopy and the Ministry will equip each health facility in Region Nine with a working microscope.
Funds will also be used to procure additional sums of bed nets for distribution which has proven effective in reducing the spread of malaria.
The Ministry through the Global fund project will also be making available gasoline for use by these vehicles involved in the programme.
Additionally, a malaria control plan has been developed and is being executed in four stages. The Ministry has been proactive in the fight and as a result a Malaria Prevention Council was established.
The council comprises Toshaos of the various Amerindian villages, health care workers, members of the religious community, housewives and teachers while the Ministry is in the process of establishing malaria clubs to increase its education and awareness efforts.
Malaria is transmitted through infected mosquitoes from one person to another. Persons who are infected experience symptoms similar to that of influenza including fever and aches.
Persons traversing interior locations and who are engaged in activities such as mining and logging are the most vulnerable to the disease.
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