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Agri ministry to expand livestock sector

As the Government of Guyana seeks creative ways to divert attention from traditional crops, the Ministry of Agriculture has embarked on a project aimed at transforming the beef and diary industry to accommodate large scale production.
            Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud said that based on technical research, he has concluded that the cattle sector is an area which can achieve feasible, vibrant diversification if given the necessary investment.
Minister Persaud was speaking on the Agriculture Export Diversification Programme at the National Meeting for Livestock Farmers held by the Guyana School of Agriculture in Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. 
He stated that government recognises the need to diversify the agriculture sector and it has come up with a project that would make a meaningful impact.
“The ship for transforming the livestock sector is leaving the port,” the Agriculture Minister said while urging sluggish farmers to catch up.
The minister remarked that Guyana has tremendous capacity for taking care of its domestic needs while becoming a lead exporter in beef and at the same time satisfying its demands for quality.
The diversification programme also includes alternative crops, livestock as well as aquaculture.
“Within the ambit of this project we are mulling types of legislations, institutional frameworks, policies and we have engaged a consultancy firm to guide in the interventions we need to make and to provide technical assistance”.
Minister Persaud noted that there is no coherent institution which can coordinate the crucial aspects of the livestock industry since this is currently fragmented under different agencies.
             However, he disclosed that a Bill has been passed in Parliament which will allow for the establishment of a Guyana Livestock Development Authority to adequately guide and manage the sector.
            The project will also see the construction of a veterinary laboratory in Mon Repos that will facilitate the conducting of tests and implementation of a robust animal health surveillance systems.
However, consultants have determined that Guyana’s herd size, of about 280,000 heads, is not sufficient to support additional export as well as local demand.
Minister Persaud explained that in an effort to support farmers, government is investing $400M matching to assist in herd expansion, pasture preparation and improve genetic stock.
            In order to accommodate the explosion of the cattle population, the ministry is also looking for additional land all across the country.
            The minister said discussions are ongoing to acquire land in the intermediate savannahs, the left Bank of the Abary River, 7,000 acres in Berbice for repossession and vast areas in Region Nine that have been lying idle.
            The issue of herd management was also stressed since Minister Persaud said “everyone will not be able to acquire pasture in their backyards”.

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Government to construct $206M abattoir

The Government of Guyana is discussing the construction a state-of-the-art facility where cattle can be prepared, in accordance with health safety regulations, for both local and overseas markets.
            Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud made the disclosure today during the National Meeting for Livestock Farmers at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).
            The forum was held to discuss with cattle farmers the various measures being adopted to expand the beef industry under the Agriculture Export Diversification Programme.
            The minister said the construction of the abattoir is expected to cost $206M and although Region Five was suggested, the location of the facility is still to be determined.
            He noted that government is thinking to have the abattoir built through the public/private partnership agreement with the private sector.
      Minister Persaud said all cattle preparation facilities must be up to standard if local farmers are to export beef on a large scale.
            He mentioned that farmers have lamented that Guyana has long been without an acceptable abattoir facility which can meet the specifications of international animal health and safety regulations.
           

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Cabinet concerned over industrial unrest

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon said that cabinet is very worried over the state of industrial unrest in the country.
Dr Luncheon was speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President today and stated that Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir has provided Cabinet with an update on the situation.
            He highlighted four areas of concern including the disputes between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union (GAWU); the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) and the Guyana Post Office Corporation and the casual workers.
            The GuySuCo employees are disputing the annual production incentive provided by the company and Dr Luncheon disclosed that there is a deadlock at conciliation.
            However, he noted that the union has proposed that the parties go to arbitration on the matter.
            According to Dr Luncheon, Cabinet was of the view that resolution was necessary to prevent exacerbation in the industrial environment and any negative impact on the economy.
With regards to the matter concerning RUSAL and the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union, Dr Luncheon noted that operations at the company have continued in full swing since the resumption of work.
He mentioned that the petition by workers to have the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board de-recognise the union is currently being processed.
Dr Luncheon added that the Post Office Corporation has since settled the matter successfully with the re-employment of about 80 workers.
The Cabinet Secretary also pointed out that the wage dispute between GPL and GPSU which was at arbitration is now at a standstill.
He explained that a difficulty has arisen over the composition of the tribunal that was set up to arbitrate, bringing the process to a halt.
Minister Nadir had dismissed claims that the labour department had failed in its mandate to intervene in the dispute between RUSAL and the Bauxite Union.
The minister explained that the department had done all in its power to assuage the situation and has been involved in taking the matter to its farthest point.

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President, other CARICOM leaders in Suriname for youth development discussions

President Bharrat Jagdeo and other CARICOM leaders arrived in Paramaribo, Suriname today to participate in an intense two days of deliberations on youth development in the Caribbean - their circumstances and measures to ensure that their future is promising.
The President and a Guyanese delegation, which includes the Minister with responsibility for youth, Dr. Frank Anthony, arrived at the Royal Torarica Hotel, from where it is anticipated that they will forward Guyana’s agenda relating to its national youth policy.
This meeting holds historic significance since it would be the first Summit of the Conference of Heads of Government - the highest decision making body of the Community - on youth. It would be the culmination of a three-year probe into their circumstances - a task given to the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development (CCYD).
The CARICOM Heads of Government had mandated the Commission to conduct a “full scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and to make recommendations on how best to empower them and improve their well-being.”  
After three years of concentrated research, the CCYD now has its draft report titled Eye on the Future: Invest in YOUTH NOW for the Community Tomorrow. This Report was presented at the Youth Summit, which encompassed a Regional Youth Forum, a Special Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Youth and Development, and now a Heads of Government Summit on Youth Development.
The report, conducted by former World Bank Economist, Jad Chaaban, is accompanied by a cost/benefit analysis, “Costs and Benefits from Investing in Youth in the CARICOM Member States: A Quantitative Assessment of the Youth Development Strategy”. Chaaban believes that by quantifying the economic impacts of young people’s socio-economic challenges, there could be a correction of the systematic underinvestment in youth development programmes in the Caribbean.
The Regional Youth Forum has been supported by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and looked at, among other things, increasing young people’s contribution to the national and regional youth agenda.
Much anticipation surrounds the Heads of Government Summit which is supported by the European Union through the Caribbean Integration Support Programme.
It is set to counter a mind-set that youth are, for the most part, apathetic towards serious issues which affect their daily lives. The CCYD consulted with more than six thousand young people across the Region who articulated their challenges.
In is also anticipated that Heads will hold some discussions on the earthquake which ravaged their sister CARICOM member-state Haiti, and measures that they have begun to take as it relates to assistance.
Prime Minister of Jamaica, Bruce Golding, is expected to update colleague heads on intervention made of the grouping’s behalf thus far.

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Gov’t school feeding programme to be extended
- Ministry signs contracts with suppliers

Government in its quest to reduce illiteracy in schools has introduced several programmes geared at providing necessary implements to encourage increased attendance and higher levels of excellence.
Under its School Feeding Programme, the Ministry of Education has recorded success in increased punctuality and attendance in the 10 Administrative Regions. In this regard, the School Feeding Programme will be extended to include other communities this year as Government is increasing the spending on these programmes.
Minister of Education Shaik Baksh, this morning, signed contracts with local conglomerates Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) and Banks DIH for the provision of Topco fruit juices and biscuits respectively to fuel its programme on the Coastland.
 In collaboration with the private sector, the Ministry will be providing biscuits and fortified fruit juices for students at the nursery and primary levels. The programme will commence next week, where schools on the Coast and Riverain areas will receive snacks to distribute to children on a daily basis. Regions to benefit from this programme include Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).


Hinterland students benefiting from Government’s School Feeding Programme which is being expanded this year.

Minister Baksh explained that this is a targeted programme where 322 Nursery Schools and 327 Primary Schools will benefit. These will cater for over 51,000 students. At the Primary level, students from Grades One and Two are benefiting from this initiative in Coastal and Riverain areas.
The annual cost of this programme to Government is $800M and Minister Baksh stated that the programme provides a nutritious snack for students which has served to improve health and concentration.
The Minister noted that with the supply of locally produced fruit juices for the programme, farmers will be encouraged to ‘Grow More’, since the demand will be higher.
Representing Banks DIH were Marketing Director George McDonald and Company Secretary Terry Bynoe. Assistant General Manager of DDL Tarachand Khelawan said the company will be providing five flavour of juices to the programme including cherry, passion, pineapple, guava and fruit punch. He pointed out that the juices are made from local fruits and this will provide an opportunity for farmers to supply larger quantities, since in the past the company had limited its intake to supply existing markets.
The Ministry has three separate school feeding programmes one of which provides hot meals to students of Hinterland communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.
. This programme is effected under the Education For All/Fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI) in collaboration with residents of the communities who have constructed the kitchens and who supply the produce.
Minister Baksh explained that at the end of 2009, approximately 83 schools were covered under the programme and 15,000 students at the Primary level have been benefiting.
The annual cost of the programme is over $500 M and there are plans for this to be extended this year, the Minister said. In 2010, the Ministry hopes to have an additional 29 schools benefit from the programme.
Meanwhile, hinterland students have also been benefiting from a peanut snack programme which provides cassava bread, peanut butter and juice as a nutritional snack. There are also plans to extend this in 2010 so that more students can benefit. Last year, 14 schools benefited from the programme and it is expected that an additional 26 schools will be added this year. This year’s project is expected to cost $30M.
The programme is managed by the Society for Sustainable Operating Systems (SSOS) and member of the Society Jerry La Graw stated that every child in the chosen schools receive the snack on a daily basis. He pointed out that findings from a survey of the programme shows clearly that there has been a marked increase in attendance and concentration among the student population.
Over 500 farmers earn from this project through the supply of raw materials including fruits, peanuts and cassava. The project commenced in 2005 as a pilot project and La Graw stated that since then through the SSOS there have been technical improvements so residents are able to process peanut butter, cassava bread and other products in the Rupununi which are consumed under the programme.
            Last year, Government allocated $710M in the National Budget to expand the school feeding programme to be effected at 100 primary schools in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.
The school-feeding programme was introduced in the late 1980s as part of a poverty eradication project conducted in Third World countries, aimed at assisting families who were unable to provide sufficient meals for their children while at school. In 1995, the World Bank Programme ceased its supply of goods, and Government decided to take over the responsibility for the entire programme, since many students were benefiting from it.

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Gov’t officials to meet Bartica miners and residents
- To discuss mining, forestry, developmental issues

In ensuring greater transparency and inclusion in the governing process, Ministers of Government will be meeting residents and miners of Bartica and nearby areas on Saturday, January 30, to discuss mining, forestry and developmental issues.
Acting Prime Minister Robert Persaud will be heading the team which comprises Minister of Transport and Hydraulics and Chairman of the Land Use Committee Robeson Benn, Chairman of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission William Woolford and Chairman of the Guyana Forestry Commission James Singh.
            The visit will seek to clarify issues of concern to miners and residents alike as it relates to mining issues, since there have been recent efforts to misled miners.
            Minister Benn recently rebuked the ambitions of those wishing to undermine the Committee’s efforts. The Land Use Committee was established by President Bharrat Jagdeo to create conditions necessary for a harmonized sustainable utilization of resources in the mining and forestry sectors.
The Minister had explained that efforts were recently made in Linden and Bartica to misinform miners, especially small scale miners and instill unjustified fears and anxieties with respect to the committee and its functions.
“I wish to join in the widespread condemnation of these negative efforts and, I urge that the stakeholders in the sectors await the imminent provision of the protocols which would indeed, I am sure belie the mischievous representations that are now abroad, in some quarters,” Minister Benn said.
The committee comprises officials from the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the Guyana Forestry Commission and is working according to the laws and as such there will be no veto in favour of the forestry sector as against the mining sector.
           

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Cabinet approves four contracts

At a post-Cabinet media briefing today, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon advised that Cabinet at its January 26 statutory meeting, offered its no objection to four contracts in the areas of health and training.
            The approved contracts are as follows:

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Cabinet deems MEN’s week activities remarkably successful – HPS
…PNC/R’s criticisms fail to recognize importance of issue

At his weekly media briefing today at the Office of the President, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Cabinet Secretary, revealed that Cabinet has been encouraged by the recent MEN’s week activities organized by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security and the Men’s Empowerment Network (MEN), and deemed it “remarkably successful”.
            “Cabinet views that the level of support by stakeholders and the responsiveness of the male adult population augured well for the future. Dr. (Myles) Munroe’s message, Cabinet felt, that targeted males as well as the Guyanese society, was deemed unambiguous, timely and appropriate. His call to take stock of the future of Guyana by improving the quality of the lives we live today, Cabinet thought, that the message resonates,” he noted.
            Dr. Luncheon was also very critical of the response of the main opposition party, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), to the activities, citing them for adopting a “very awkward, useless, irrelevant attitude… when they are dealing with or confronting systemic issues”.
            He stressed that the PNC/R are trying to settle scores, rather than focusing on the big picture.

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Cabinet remains concerned about ongoing impact of El Nino weather phenomenon

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, today stressed that Cabinet remains worried about the drought-like conditions that persist along the coast as a result of the El Nino weather phenomenon, and will continue to monitor the situation closely and adopt additional measures that are deemed necessary to bring relief to those affected.
            The Cabinet Secretary was, at the time, addressing the media at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President.
            He noted that Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, briefed Cabinet on the situation, pointing out that the impact on the coast has been most felt by the large-scale farming community, particularly rice farmers, in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six.
            “Minister observed that the levels of fresh water in the conservancies were of much concern, markedly reduced, leading to pumping of water into the conservancies to maintain irrigation of farming lands and communities,” Dr. Luncheon said.
            He noted that Minister Persaud had told Cabinet that water diversion, mechanical pumping and rationing will continue to be exploited by his Ministry, but if the drought-like conditions continue to prevail for most of the first quarter of this year, other options would have to be looked at to bring relief to affected individuals and communities.

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Guyana prepared to provide long-term support to Haiti-HPS

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon at a post- Cabinet press briefing today said that Government is prepared to support the long-term response for Haiti, planned by CARICOM to go beyond immediate disaster interventions. This effort will be led by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA) of which Guyana is a participating State and the CARICOM Community.
            The HPS said that the dire post-earthquake situation in Haiti continues to engage the attention of the Government. He said that the overwhelming support displayed by Guyanese to the appeals of the National Committee for Haiti Relief as well as other entities who are mounting similar humanitarian appeals.
            “Those responses are reflective of Guyanese established record of sympathy and concerns for those in distress,” Dr. Luncheon said.
            He said that Cabinet endorses the actions taken by the Committee as it promoted charitable humanitarian responses among the sectors and along the length and breadth of Guyana.
            The funds collected by the Committee would be used to support the CARICOM health initiative in Haiti, as well as non-health related responses. Contributions of dry goods, clothes, pharmaceutical and other supplies would also form part of Guyana’s response.    
            On January 26, a vessel with four containers packed with flour, refined coconut oil, pharmaceuticals, water and clothes departed from the John Fernandes Wharf, Water Street, for Jamaica, the established focal point, from where it will then be transported to Haiti.
            Additionally, the Committee continues to receive funds and other resources from corporate Guyana, religious bodies and kind-hearted Guyanese.

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Gov’t will not undertake measures that jeopardize mining sector – HPS

Cabinet Secretary. Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet press conference at the Office of the President today stressed that Government will not undertake any measure that will harm the mining sector, and remains open to discussions and consultations to that effect.
            “We are committed to the growth and development of the mining sector and what we intend to introduce is not a threat to the sector,” Dr. Luncheon said.
            He highlighted that Government has heavily supported the industry over the years, which has led to its rapid expansion. Of this, he said, Government is “unashamedly proud”.
            “We take all the plaudits for what the mining industry has become over the years, where we took it and where we are today. We’re proud of that and that’s what this Administration did, both in the good times and for those who remember, the bad times, when the price collapsed and the Government intervened in so many ways to support the affected miners,” the Cabinet Secretary stated.
            He noted that the facts that miners are mobilizing to defend the gains that they have made point to the success of Government’s effort to protect and promote the industry.
            Dr. Luncheon further stated that many of the smaller miners are being manipulated, and misinformed about Government’s intentions towards the industry, by those who have vested interests and beliefs about the sector, and noted that these energies can be better utilized.
            “Half of this energy that has been spent mobilizing and moving around ought to be placed in a constructive dialogue among stakeholders to get a better understanding of what is necessary, what is to come and to put in place the specific interventions and contingencies that are necessary to keep the mining industry on its upwards trajectory,” he urged.

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Gov’t criticism of judiciary focuses on procedures, not judgments – HPS

Head of the President Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, today stressed that Government’s criticism of the judiciary focuses on procedures, rather than rulings or judgments, as “the intransigence of entrenched forces intent to thwart the will of the Administration and not allow a just remedy to the (CLICO) situation” are permitted to continue.
            Dr. Luncheon was also critical of the unease of commentators to criticize others, including the judiciary, when Government is the prime target of criticism for the shortcomings that occur in the various sector of the country.
            The Cabinet Secretary was, at the time, addressing the media at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President.
            He highlighted that Guyana remains the only CARICOM country in which the collapse of the local CLICO subsidiary has not been suitably resolved for the benefit of those affected.
            “The President said money is available to deal with categories of the dispossessed of this CLICO debacle and he blames the judiciary for this most untimely response. The matter has moved off of the front burner in almost all of the CARICOM countries and as you said, it still remains something that is tossing and turning in Guyana,” Dr. Luncheon said.
            “The resort (of other CARICOM countries) to their judicial system on the groundswell of what impact it has on their former CLICO policyholders, their institutional investors and on the economy of those countries allowed a seamless resolution in the courts. Why is Guyana different? It can’t be the impact. The options are the same. Is it something unusual about those who are disadvantaged in Guyana?” he questioned.

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President calls for more military contribution-HPS

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon today reiterated the President’s call for more military contribution. The initial appeal was made by Commander in Chief, President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Annual Officers’ Conference, held recently at Base Camp Ayanganna.
            Dr. Luncheon said that the President used the opportunity at the conference to share his assessment of the challenges facing Guyana as well as the achievements, as the country move along the development trajectory.
            The HPS said that the Commander in Chief identified the basis for Guyana’s achievements since the early 1990s and restated the development strategy for the short to medium-term.
            “He consolidated the gains made over the decade of the 90s to the 2000s as being a priority,” Dr. Luncheon said.
            He said that the President identified efforts transforming the economy as imperative, while at the same time cultivating a sense of comprehensive security and belonging.   
            Emphasis was made on the many challenges in achieving the goal of comprehensive security. These include aspects of human security and its socio-economic status, conventional aspects of security, and cultivating the sense of belonging as wealth is created and increased economic growth offered benefits to the Guyanese population. 
            Dr. Luncheon said that in this context, the Commander in Chief felt that the conventional role of the military in contributing to Guyanese security, will have to be continuously rationalized. He added that in the face of the challenges facing Guyanese society, the President called for stronger efforts from the joint services in dealing with conventional internal security.   
            At the conference, the President highlighted that hydroelectricity, modern telecommunications and stronger links with Brazil have the potential to spur transformational economic growth from which all Guyanese are likely to benefit.
            The two-day conference was held under the theme “Re-engineering to enhance National Defence and Security.”

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Agriculture Minister, technical officials to meet with Region Ten farmers

As part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s outreach to various framing communities, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and a team of technical officers from the Ministry and its sub-agencies will be interacting with farmers and residents of Region Ten on Sunday, January 31 to discuss future plans for the sector.
            The interactive session is aimed at enhancing farmers’ capabilities to boost production and is in keeping with the continuation of the Ministry’s ‘Grow More Food Campaign.’
Discussions will also be centered on the El Nino conditions currently facing livestock and cash crop farmers and  the availability of water  for farmlands.
            During the exercise, farmers will be given the opportunity to interact with the Agriculture Minister and his team of officials on issues affecting their livelihood, such as, drainage and irrigation, animal and plant health and land space for agricultural purposes.

The schedule of meetings is as follows:

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Agri Ministry embarks on spraying exercise to guard against plant disease

As part of the Ministry of Agriculture's Musa Disease Management Unit efforts to deal with a disease affecting banana and plantain farms located at Zeelugt West and Tuschen Backdam an intensified spraying exercise commenced today.
       The exercise is a commitment fulfilled by Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud during an outreach in Region Three to interact with farmers last week where concerns were raised by farmers about suspected
Sigatoka Disease affecting their banana and plantain crop. It is also in keeping with the Ministry's efforts to ensure healthy crop practices are maintained.


Spraying ongoing at a Tuschen farm

     Minister Robert Persaud has since instructed a precautionary spraying programme be undertaken to protect banana and plantain farms from the disease; however, it is still not clear whether it is indeed the
Sigatoka disease since a sample was sent to the KABI Bio-science libratory in the United States for further analysis.
            The MUSA Unit which has been established with the Ministry's research arm, the National Agricultural Research Institute has also undertaken an aggressive sensitization programme in banana and plantain growing regions, among other activities including:

1.      Disease Identification
2.      Disease Assessment within the country
3.      Disease Management Strategies
4.      Training of staff and farmers
5.      Public awareness and sensitization
6.      Establishment of demonstration plots
7.      Spray Programme to support farmers

      Head of the Musa Disease Management Unit, Rajendra Persaud who headed the field exercise said that it was aimed at encouraging farmers to embark on the programme which will help reduce the spread of the disease.
            He noted that before farmers benefit, a sanitation exercise is required which entails a comprehensive clearing and cleaning of farmland by cutting all affected leaves and disposing of them in a proper manner since re-infection is likely.
            The Wilson brothers and Region Three is the first to benefit from the exercise. So far 7.5 acres of farmlands have already been completed, and according to Persaud, the remaining 7.5 acres will be completed by the end of this week.
      Research conducted by officials of NARI's disease control unit has shown that banana and plantain crops in Regions 4, 5, 6 and 10 are not prone to the disease while Regions 2 and 3 are more susceptible.
     Persaud urged that farmers play their part in ensuring that their farms are protected from diseases by constantly cleaning and clearing them. There are currently two types of Sigatoka disease (yellow and black).
     The Sigatoka is a leaf disease that is caused by a fungus (Mycosphaerella musicola, Leach).
            The symptoms of the disease appear on the leaves and not on other parts of the plant. The disease is found in almost all banana growing countries in the Caribbean Region.
            Some of the symptoms of the disease are:-
*   Pale yellow specks on the upper leaf surface
*   Spots appearing on the 4th and 5th leaf of untreated plants and
*   Streaks appearing along the margins and apex of the leaf

            These symptoms, if untreated, cause damage to leaves making them non-functional, smaller and lighter fruits, and an increase in the level of rejected fruit and an eventual death of plants.
   The disease is spread naturally by wind, water splash, insects, animals and human practices.

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New Princess and High streets sewer pump stationed commissioned
-to serve 2,500 customers

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) continues to make significant strides to provide better sanitation services for residents. In line with this objective a new sewerage pump station ‘W’ located at Princess and High Streets, opposite the Infinity Gas Station was commissioned today by Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali to improve the quality of sanitation services to approximately 2,500 residents of the Charlestown and surrounding areas.
            The station forms part of the Georgetown Water Supply and Sewerage Programme II, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to significantly enhance the sanitation system in Georgetown. Under this project about 24 sewerage pump stations will be rehabilitated at a cost of $170M to benefit about 10, 500 residents.
            Upon completion, it is anticipated that the systems would function at full efficiency and residents would benefit from an improved sanitation service and will further eliminate hazardous sewerage overflows which continue to affect residents in Georgetown and the commercial sector.
          Minister Ali said that the GWI will be developing a comprehensive project document and assessment of the sewerage system in Georgetown which will commence this year.
            He said the study will look at critical issues including an update of the master plan and the development of a computerized module of the sewerage system in Georgetown which is among the latest management tool that is being utilized throughout the world.
            That computerized module would give us sustainability and would ensure that when new persons come on board would give them an understanding of the system, the Minister said.
            He noted that the evaluation of the future needs for the sewerage system and the evaluation of future requirements, trends, threats and opportunities are of great importance.
            Minister Ali pointed out that great opportunities also exist to move towards treatment and conversion of waste into power since this has been tried in many small cities across the world.
            In Iran there are small communities that utilize waste for the conversion of energy that is transferred into the national grid, he highlighted.
            “The consultancy and the study that we are going to embark upon this year will also be looking at the option of treatment and conversion of waste…I have started from that stand point to assure the residents, to assure Guyanese that we have  a long-term plan  for the improvement  of the system,” Minister Ali said.
            The project is part of a $1.1B investment by government that began in 2002 to improve the system.
            Minister Ali noted that several projects have been completed over the past months including the construction of the force main interlinking the Tucville sewerage system at a cost of $40M, the construction of the new outfall in Kingston, at $400M, the procurement of sewerage pump and the completion of the procurement of materials for the rehabilitation of street sewer.
            At present, the GWI is presently completing the rehabilitation of the 24 pumping stations at approximate cost of $170M, he concluded. 
            GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Yuri Chandisingh noted that one of the major challenges of GWI is the abuse of the sewer system by citizens and that public education will have to be promoted through the partnerships with stakeholders, within the work environment and to persons who reside out of Georgetown about the importance of sanitation.
            “Public education as it is being featured in our water programme will have to be extended to include sanitation service so that all of us who live in Georgetown and outside the city would know that sanitation is serious,” he said.
            The CEO noted that the agency over the past few months had unearthed tremendous levels of violations of the Water and Sewerage Act of 2002 adding that in a few days’ time the GWI will be moving to institute legal actions against defaulters.         “We have rolled up our sleeves and will be adopting a no-nonsense approach. We have a new system and that system will be expanded for over 20 similar systems, coupled with the Tucville septage receiving station that will form a complete network. Any breaking of that link via the system blockages will cause hiccups again for all of us,” he said.
            Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green during his remarks complimented the management of the water company adding that the entity has been showing compassion, non-aggression, wisdom and a willingness to work with allied agencies and the public and urged persons to cooperate with the company during difficult and challenging circumstances.
            “I wish to use this opportunity to appeal to citizens particularly our older and young citizens not to misuse those facilities…as individuals we must come on board to help,” he urged.
            On August 31, 2009 an $83M Tucville septage receiving station was rehabilitated and commissioned to benefit 4,000 residents and facilitate the proper disposal of sewerage by residents in the Tucville and Stevedore housing areas.
            These interventions being made by the GWI is part of its multi-million dollar capital intervention projects geared towards improving its services to consumers.

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Family strengthening, critical to youth development –President Jagdeo tells CARICOM Heads meeting in Suriname

President Bharrat Jagdeo is among three heads of Government and State to be singled out for their unswerving commitment to youth and youth development in the Caribbean.
The commendation came during a stormy opening ceremony to the first Special meeting of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Paramaribo, Suriname. The other heads present were host President, Runaldo Venetiaan of Suriname and CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica.
Just three heads are attending the meeting and Dean of the CARICOM Youth Ambassador Corps, Alexis Monelle. She chided absent heads, noting that they were not present to receive the report they themselves had mandated the young people of the region to prepare.
The CARICOM Heads of Government at their 27th meeting in July, 2006 had mandated the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development (CCYD) to conduct a “full scale analysis of the challenges and opportunities for youth in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and to make recommendations on how best to empower them and improve their well-being.”
After three years of concentrated research, the CCYD now has its draft report titled Eye on the Future: Invest in YOUTH NOW for the Community Tomorrow. This Report will be presented for deliberations at tomorrow’s all-day deliberations.    


Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo (4th from left) at the Special CARICOM Heads meeting in Suriname. On President Jagdeo’s left is Suriname’s President Runaldo Venetiaan while on his right is CARICOM Chairman and Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.  

 Monelle, reading from a prepared text stated that, “our profound disappointment  is assuaged only by the well-known and demonstrated commitment of those heads in attendance and our expectation that they will continue their well known advocacy and support for and with youth, for they understand too well: no investment in youth, no regional integration – no regional integration, no CSME. We hope that the absence of the majority of Heads of Government does not signal the low priority given to youth development.”
 The entire Corps of regional youth ambassadors stood for nine minutes in demonstration against the absence of the majority of Heads of Government – one minute each for every million young people of the region.
Monelle however, challenged her peers to play their role in ensuring that  the region’s youth become part of the decision making process now, rather than later, a sentiment shared by CARICOM Chairman, Prime Minister Skerrit. He urged youth not to let miniscule issues derail the process of their involvement at the highest levels.


President Bharrat Jagdeo among other attendees at the CARICOM Heads Meeting in Suriname. On the President’s left is CARICOM Chairman Roosevelt Skerrit .
At right is CARICOM Secretary- General Dr Edwin Carrington.

 He urged those gathered to concentrate on the findings of the report and to work together with heads in developing a clear path for youth involvement and development in the region. Prime Minister Skerrit pointed to the monumental efforts put into the development of a youth agenda by President Venetiaan, who holds responsibility for youth on the CARICOM quasi cabinet of heads. Mr. Skerrit posited that he believes that the final document which will come out of tomorrow’s deliberations should rightly be named the ‘Venetiaan Initiative on Youth’. He however, cautioned against emotions running high, encouraging all to focus on the task at hand.
 President Bharrat Jagdeo, speaking with the media after the opening ceremony said that many of the heads were unable to be present but were represented by ministers. He posited that ministers are empowered by their heads of state to address the issues before them.
The Guyanese Head-of-State noted that it would have been his preference to focus on the positives of the event and the proposals rather than grandstanding. He is however optimistic that there will be enough time during tomorrow’s discussions to address those issues because what need to be addressed are not simple solutions to very complex issues.  
President Jagdeo believes many of the issues to be addressed are interwoven. “How do you separate the growth in education expenditure from youth empowerment?” President Jagdeo questioned.
He said the two cannot be separated but yet there has been a growth in education related expenditure. “So sometimes when we tend to find one sentence solutions to complex interwoven problems, we tend not to get the complexity of the issues raised.”     
Responding to the question of the empowerment of opportunities for youths in Guyana, President Jagdeo noted that he was selected by older members of the People’s Progressive Party to be a minister and that by age 35; he was chosen as a Presidential candidate.
 The Guyanese Head-of-State also alluded to his cabinet which comprises many young ministers, the majority of whom are in their 30s and 40s. He said these are cases where youths have real power. President Jagdeo alluded to Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh who are in their early thirties. He also boasted of having young people in every sphere of his government, pointing to permanent secretaries, ambassadors and other policy makers. He said the education sector budget in Guyana has increased ten-fold in the last 10 years, a demonstration of real empowerment, as against giving out money for sports or cultural activities.


 A youth making a presentation at the Suriname meeting

President Jagdeo argued against the creation of a special fund for youth in the region, rather they should be entrusted with positions in government. Critical to the development of youth is the strengthening of the family and this cannot be done by way of a fund. This comment comes against a backdrop of damning findings of widespread youth involvement in crime in the region. Lost tourist revenues as a result of crime had reached in excess of US$200 million per year for the CARICOM region, and overall youth crime was costing at least 7% of the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), CARICOM noted last week, referring to the study’s findings.
In addition to unemployment and crime statistics, it was also found that teenage pregnancy is costing CARICOM governments an average US$2,000 per year for every young pregnant mother. These mothers are also losing potential earnings they could have achieved, if they had been able to delay their motherhood and continue to higher educational levels, according to the analysis of the results. But, President Jgadeo believes strongly that working with churches and Non Governmental Organisations, is a potentially strong solution that does not necessarily require money but rather a change in behaviour.
CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Edwin Carrington echoed earlier sentiments that based on the quality and comprehensive nature of the Report; it was evident that the Commission’s task was a “true labour of love.”
He noted that the Report on the situation of Caribbean Youth is a watershed document in the Community’s 37-year history, and that the findings and recommendations “may turn out to have provided the only sure path through which the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) may eventually come to fruition.”
 In making a case for greater youth involvement within the life of the Community, the CARICOM Secretary-General said the young people will be the beneficiaries not only of the CSME, but also of the integration arrangements; therefore it was vital for them to be involved in the building process as well. He again challenged youth “not just to look for the benefits that might accrue from the opportunities within the CSME,” but also to use their energy, creativity and skill to help in the building of the kind of Community in which they want to live.
President Venetiaan, while declaring the conference open, empathized with the youth for their stance but endorsed Prime Minister Skerrit’s challenge for all to look beyond distractions and on the task at hand.
The Regional Youth Forum has been supported by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and looked at, among other things, increasing young people’s contribution to the national and regional youth agenda. However, much anticipation surrounds tomorrow’s discussions which are supported by the European Union through the Caribbean Integration Support Programme (CISP). Talks are set to counter a mind-set that youth are, for the most part, apathetic towards serious issues which affect their daily lives. The CARICOM Commission on Youth Development consulted with more than six thousand young people across the Region who articulated their challenges.
It is anticipated too that heads present will hold some discussions on the earthquake which ravaged their sister CARICOM member-state Haiti, and measures that they have begun to take as it relates to assistance.
Accompanying the Guyanese Head of State at the forum in Suriname is Minister with responsibility for youth Dr. Frank Anthony.

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Diamond Secondary School benefits from SchoolNet Programme
-  part of drive to promote computer literacy

Georgetown, GINA, January 29, 2010

Students from the Diamond Secondary School are benefiting from a fully furnished Information Technology laboratory with 30 computers and will soon be exposed to the SchoolNet Programme, a computer-based literacy programme aimed at integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into schools and communities across Guyana.

Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh interacts with a student of the Diamond Secondary School, during an Information Technology demonstration

           Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh stated that the technology will be utilised to enhance quality education and with the establishment of more computer labs among schools in Guyana, both students and teachers will have the opportunity of becoming computer literate and can apply the skills which they learn.
            He said that the world is evolving with technological advancement rapidly spreading globally, and a majority of the job opportunities available requires a certain amount of computer knowledge, skill and application.
            With the implementation of computer labs in many schools across the country, the Ministry of Education will be able to support the national ICT strategy to expand the use of technology in education and help to bridge the digital divide.
             The Ministry is placing special emphasis on several areas during this year.

Teacher training and education
ICT will be an important component of making teachers not only computer literate but able to apply basic computer skills and advance what they know. ICT will be used to promote this learning process and expand the knowledge of persons who are already computer competent.

Technical and Vocational Education
ICT will be used to promote this area, by developing and enhancing the skills that persons in this field may already have and further develop their knowledge, making them more au fait with the highly technologically advancing world.

Literacy
More attention will be placed on primary schools as it relates to technology, since this is the key point of a student’s life, where he/she will be able to grasp concepts at a faster rate. It will also further develop a student’s knowledge.

Infrastructure and Development
This area will be further expanded since this deals with the construction of more educational facilities, establishment of more information technology labs, science labs, libraries and provision of furniture. With the expansion of this area, schools will become modernized at a faster rate, while students will be benefiting continually from a higher level of education, in a more comfortable learning environment.

ICT
The ICT plan was introduced in Guyana in 2006 and is considered a very important part in the education system, if all secondary schools in Guyana are to become equipped with computer laboratories. The aim is to ensure that students in all schools become computer literate; starting from the primary level and as such the ICT plan will ensure maximum success once it is achieved. 

Minister Baksh witnesses the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for the Information Technology Laboratory

Consul General to Guyana, Danny Doobay, who is also the head of the Global Partnership for literacy, sponsor of the SchoolNet Programme, stated that computer literacy is now an essential competence worldwide, and reiterated the Minister’s point when he posited that very few jobs do not require computer literacy.
            Doobay said that the SchoolNet initiative is a five-year programme which is targeted for secondary schools and is more about people rather than computers.
            He added that Diamond, Parika and Bygeval Secondary Schools are the first pilot schools for this programme and the computer laboratories at Patentia and Beterverwagting Secondary Schools will soon be completed to implement the programme.
            He urged students to make the most of the opportunities they are being given, especially in the areas of technology.

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