President Jagdeo offers solutions
to age-old problems in West Berbice
Residents of Lichfield, West Berbice will forever
remember April 17, 2004, as the day when solutions to age-old
problems were found and the day when for the first time a Head
of State under the People's Progressive Party/Civic Administration
(PPP/C) visited their village, a fact noted by one villager.
readmore...
Information Technology
boost among other progressive initiatives for Region Five
The need for telephones, house lots, the waiver
of water rates for pensioners and improved educational facilities
and roads are just a few of the issues President Bharrat Jagdeo
had to address when he met with residents of Blairmont, Shieldstown
and Cotton Tree in Region five today. The President on his second
consecutive day in Region Five, was meeting with residents of
various communities, to discuss with them how the budgetary allocation
in the 2004 National Budget for that Region could be utilized
to bring maximum benefits for residents.
readmore...
Minister Bisnauth
to open OSH seminar in Essequibo
Labour Minister Dr. Dale Bisnauth will open an
Occupational Safety and Health Workshop in Essequibo on Wednesday.
readmore...
Switzerland's role
in Guyana's debt relief lauded as Ambassador presents Credentials
The meaningful relationship that exists between
Guyana and Switzerland and that country's role in Guyana being
able to reduce its debt burden were noted when Ambassador Walter
Suter presented his Letters of Credence today to Minister of Parliamentary
Affairs Reepu Daman Persaud, in his capacity as acting Prime Minister.
readmore...
Workshop to strengthen
debt management capacity opens in Georgetown
A ten-day Debt Strategy and New Financing National
Workshop opened in Georgetown, this morning at Emba-Sea Courtyard,
the former Cara Inn Hotel.
readmore...
‘You have worked
hard and now reaping the results” – Fire Chief
- As 53 firefighters are promoted
Fifty-three firefighters from fire stations throughout
the country have been promoted and Fire Chief, Carlyle Washington
congratulated them for their hard work and patience.
readmore...
Part One on “Children
and Violence” project closes
Twelve youths were honoured today for their contribution to Part
One of the “Children and Violence” project spearheaded
by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security
and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
readmore...
Government reaffirms
commitment to 1994 ICPD programme
The Government of Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment
to the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference
on Population and Development (ICPD) held on March 10 through
11, 2004 in Santiago, Chile.
readmore...
Another cruise ship docks
in Port Georgetown
Another cruise ship - the MV Hanseatic - docked
at the Guyana National Industrial Cooperation (GNIC) wharf at
07:30 hours this morning with 73 passengers and 120 crewmembers
on board. The ship will leave later this afternoon.
readmore...
Minister Sawh receives
technical bulletins to improve non-traditional crops
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other
Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh has received a compilation
of a new series of technical bulletins aimed at improving the
quality and marketability of Guyana’s non-traditional agricultural
products.
readmore...
Six Indian doctors are
at the GPHC
Six doctors from India attached to the Georgetown
Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) paid a visit to Minister of
Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at his Office today. This is one of
Government’s initiative to promote better health care for
Guyanese.
readmore...
President Jagdeo
offers solutions to age-old problems in West Berbice
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
Residents of Lichfield, West Berbice will forever
remember April 17, 2004, as the day when solutions to age-old
problems were found and the day when for the first time a Head
of State under the People's Progressive Party/Civic Administration
(PPP/C) visited their village, a fact noted by one villager.
President Bharrat Jagdeo was in Region Five as he continued a
series of cross-country visits to communities, meeting with residents
and, where possible, finding immediate solution to their problems.
It was to a round of applause that the President announced that
he will secure funding for a nursery school in the community.
Nursery aged pupils are currently housed in the Primary School
building. This situation has led to overcrowding and students
are being forced to attend schools outside of their communities.
Nursery teachers had requested a separate building some years
back.
The President was told that funding for the Nursery School was
supposed to have been secured from the second Loan Project of
the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP). Unfortunately
this did not materialise.
The President had promised to secure funding for the Nursery School
through the third loan of SIMAP.
Government has given US$17M to SIMAP for community projects. This
round of projects should see some 200 being executed countrywide.
"If it is for children, you will get that," the President
promised the Nursery School teacher.
At a request from young Darren Wade, a student of Bush Lot School,
the President promised to find the resources to complete a road
leading to a play field in the area. One villager who lost his
sight was promised assistance to rebuild his home, while others
with land issues will also have their problems resolved.
One of the possibilities that will be examined to assist smaller
farmers is the establishment of a machinery pool.
At Ithaca, the President gave the commitment to see to the immediate
installation of power to a newly constructed community centre.
Residents have also been assured of assistance in the form of
sewing machines and equipment to assist in the training of young
people.
Meanwhile, small farmers will soon be able to return to their
land. They were forced to abandon their farms due to the lack
of fresh water and the inflow of salt water. These problems will
be solved in the next two weeks.
And at an unscheduled stop at Zorg-en-Hoop, the President promised
that by April 21, four days from now, his staff will be in the
area to discuss residents' electricity problems. Some 150 households
are requesting power supply.
The President's visit continues with stops at Blairmont, Shieldstown
and finally at Bath Settlement for West Berbice Nite.
TOP
Information
Technology boost among other progressive initiatives for Region
Five
Georgetown, GINA, Saturday, April 19, 2004
The need for telephones, house lots, the waiver
of water rates for pensioners and improved educational facilities
and roads are just a few of the issues President Bharrat Jagdeo
had to address when he met with residents of Blairmont, Shieldstown
and Cotton Tree in Region five today. The President on his second
consecutive day in Region Five, was meeting with residents of
various communities, to discuss with them how the budgetary allocation
in the 2004 National Budget for that Region could be utilized
to bring maximum benefits for residents.
Responding to a request for a pathologist for the Region, the
President noted that this is a nationwide concern. He said there
are just not enough persons specializing in this area. On the
issue of improving general health care, the Head of State noted
that about 150 Guyanese are currently being trained in Cuba under
the Guyana/Cuba scholarship programme and their return will greatly
enhance the local health service.
There were also requests for Information Technology to be introduced
at the Blairmont Primary School, a request that found favour with
the President. President Jagdeo subsequently promised computers
to start the programme. However, due to the lack of security at
the school, the community centre was considered more appropriate
to house the computers. This will be accessed not only by the
students of the school, but by other young people of the community.
The computers will also be accessed by older residents. The President
urged that all residents, whatever their age, their academic background
or their occupation, should take the opportunity to learn how
to use the computer. “If you know how to drive a tractor,
you could learn how to use the computer”, the President
said.
Some senior residents complained that the water rates are more
than they can afford with the pension they receive. These pensioners
were assured by the President, that their concerns would be addressed.
The President took the opportunity to alert residents to distortions
and negative reports emanating from some sections of the media.
He urged residents to look at the developments taking place. New
schools, hospitals, roads and other infrastructural works and
services, and judge for themselves whether or not development
is taking place. Cotton Tree residents called for a processing
factory that would utilize their cash crops, such as watermelons.
This initiative was met with the approval of the Head of State.
He however advised that the community come together with a proposal.
Once this is acceptable, the President said, the Government would
assist in whatever way it can.
Other issues capturing the President’s attention were a
fence and pavilion for the Cotton Tree play ground, Local Government
elections, the prices for paddy paid to rice farmers and house
lots.
The President’s two-day visit to the Region was expected
to wind down with his attendance at the West Berbice Nite, where
Agricultural and other produce of the Region were expected to
be showcased.
TOP
Minister
Bisnauth to open OSH seminar in Essequibo
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
Labour Minister Dr. Dale Bisnauth will open an
Occupational Safety and Health Workshop in Essequibo on Wednesday.
The one-day training programme will be held at the Caricom Rice
Mill at Anna Regina. It targets supervisors and workers from both
Government and private sectors in the Essequibo Region.
Occupational Safety and Health Month is observed in April and
several training programmes and workshops are being held at various
worksites around the country.
The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security and
the National Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health
are coordinating these training programmes.
Among topics participants will be exposed to are workplace hazard
and prevention and the structure and functions of workplace joint
safety and health committees.
April 28 is designated Occupational Safety and Health Day. An
Annual Awards ceremony is planned for that day.
This is intended to reward companies and workplaces that have
satisfied the bench marks in keeping with their corporate responsibility
for Safety and Health at work during the past year.
Work places are required to apply for the award. Application forms
were sent to 140 workplaces, including Government Ministries,
Private Sector, Trade Unions and other organisations, across the
country.
TOP
Switzerland's
role in Guyana's debt relief lauded as Ambassador presents Credentials
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
The meaningful relationship that exists between
Guyana and Switzerland and that country's role in Guyana being
able to reduce its debt burden were noted when Ambassador Walter
Suter presented his Letters of Credence today to Minister of Parliamentary
Affairs Reepu Daman Persaud, in his capacity as acting Prime Minister.
According to Ambassador Suter, it is with admiration and liking
that Switzerland has observed over the past decade the efforts
by the Government of Guyana to become a peaceful and prosperous
country in the Region.
The Ambassador said his country wants to be a reliable partner
of Guyana by eagerly exploiting all ways that contribute to the
strengthening and enhancement of already excellent relations between
the two countries.
Minister Persaud, accepting the Letters of Credence, noted the
cordial and meaningful relationship that exists between Guyana
and Switzerland, one that is borne out by Switzerland's assistance
to the Iwokrama Rainforest Project and the cancellation of debt
owed by Guyana to Switzerland.
According to the Minister, these actions highlight the value of
Guyana and Switzerland's value for financial relationships and
their common respect for economic growth.
Minister Persaud noted that with the challenges of global trade,
the decline of international financial assistance and the efforts
to provide better standards of living, the support of Switzerland
is highly appreciated.
Minister Persaud welcomed Ambassador Suter and Switzerland's expressed
interest in expanding bilateral relations with Guyana. "Your
country has much to offer," he assured the Ambassador.
TOP
Workshop
to strengthen debt management capacity opens in Georgetown
GINA, Georgetown, April 19, 2004
A ten-day Debt Strategy and New Financing National
Workshop opened in Georgetown, this morning at Emba-Sea Courtyard,
the former Cara Inn Hotel.
The workshop, organised by the Government of Guyana in collaboration
with the Centre for Latin American Monetary Studies (CEMLA) and
Debt Relief International (DRI) is aimed at building and strengthening
Guyana’s national debt management capacity to the point
where the country will be able to independently develop and implement
its own debt strategy and a new borrowing policy consistent with
long-term debt sustainability, without having to rely on international
assistance, and which are more relevant in a Post-HIPC context.
It is part of the Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs).
President Bharrat Jagdeo was expected to attend the opening session
of the workshop, but due to unforeseen circumstances he was unable
to.
A prepared statement from the President, read by Finance Minister
Sasenarine Kowlessar, noted that the workshop represents an important
element in the start of the post HIPC stages in Guyana's efforts
to secure a sustainable debt stock and debt service while, at
the same time, fostering economic growth and reducing poverty.
“It should build on and complement the more than twelve
years of persistent struggle to address in a definitive manner
the debt crisis that evolved in the late 1970s and accelerated
during the 1980s and early 1990s. The remnants of that debt overhang
are still evident today,” the statement noted.
According to the Head of State, the fact that Guyana has made
significant and positive developments on debt over the last fifteen
years is testimony to the changing face of the international donor
community.
He noted that it was not always like this. When Guyana found itself
in dire crisis, unable to repay the IMF and World Bank, among
others, the initial response was one of indifference to the plight
of Guyana. More countries of much more significance in the international
arena began experiencing the same or similar problems, and it
was time for the donor community to take notice.
In his statement, the President pointed out that what was becoming
increasingly evident was the absence of a constructive mechanism
for treating with countries with protracted fiscal and balance
of payments problems, which were no longer able to meet their
debt obligations.
The statement added that the search for a new mechanism led to
the Intensive Collaborative Approach in which countries in distress
would undertake extensive policy reforms to put the economy back
on track, while a Support Group arranged financing mainly to clear
arrears with the MFIs.
Once the arrears were cleared, new loans would have been extended
to the country, but unfortunately, in many cases, a large portion
of the new financing, which should have been used to boost supply
and repair critical infrastructure, was dedicated to the repayment
of the temporary bridging loans that were taken to clear the arrears.
The President, who has a sound background in economic issues,
noted in his statement that though Guyana has benefited significantly
from debt relief, and in spite of the progress made, Guyana's
debt still remained at an unsustainable level, with the debt-to-revenues
ratio being 457 percent, well above the 280 percent envisaged
under the Original HIPC initiative.
Accordingly, in 1999, Guyana qualified for, and later benefited
from, additional debt relief under the Original HIPC initiative.
This amounted to about US$256 million in NPV terms. The statement
however noted that even with debt relief, the economy was negatively
affected by such events as political and social instability, unfavourable
el nino and la nina weather patterns, and a general decline in
world market prices for key exports.
These, ultimately, contributed to Guyana not being able to meet
the desired levels of debt sustainability envisioned under the
original HIPC initiative.
In his statement President Jagdeo noted that with the grant of
the additional debt relief under the enhanced HIPC, Guyana has
exhausted all of the existing mechanisms for further reducing
its external debt. He stated that this has occurred at a time
when the debt-to-revenue ratio is high and is projected to remain
so in the medium term.
“Clearly, one of the tasks of this workshop would be to
reconcile this situation with the country's continued need to
access large amounts of concessional financing in pursuit of its
growth and MDG goals,” President Jagdeo challenged participants.
He questioned the feasibility of a 250% ceiling in an environment
where the Government is still laying the infrastructural and policy
foundations for the country to take off.
“Even if this ceiling is found to be desirable, should it
be achieved in a one-shot arrangement or over a defined period,
taking into consideration criteria such as the soundness of the
project, the project's contribution to meeting the objectives
of the PRSP, the degree of concessionality of the financing, and
its priority rating in a structured, rolling PSIP?” the
President questioned.
He urged the workshop to examine the challenges, risks and vulnerabilities
Guyana faces in meeting and maintaining debt sustainability over
the medium term.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop just hours before he presented
his Credentials, Ambassador Walter Suter of Switzerland noted
that his country has always been supportive of debt relief.
Participants were drawn from the Ministries of Finance, Health,
education, Agriculture, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation,,
Foreign Affairs and Housing and from the Bank of Guyana, the Bureau
of Statistics and the Guyana Water Incorporated.
Funding for the workshop comes from the Governments of Denmark,
Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and the United Kingdom
through CEMLA under the HIPC -CBP
The workshop ends on Thursday, April 29.
TOP
‘You
have worked hard and now reaping the results” – Fire
Chief
- As 53 firefighters are promoted
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
Fifty-three firefighters from fire stations throughout
the country have been promoted and Fire Chief, Carlyle Washington
congratulated them for their hard work and patience.
“Today, I am tasked here with decorating you for your dedication,
and the duties you have been carrying out,” Washington told
the firefighters in a ceremony at Fire Service Headquarters, Stabroek.
Due to the delay in the setting up of the Public Service Commission,
promotions were stalled, the Fire Chief observed.
He added that he knew how frustrating it was for firefighters,
but the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) keeps the “youngsters
motivated to stay and now they are reaping the results.”
Professionalism is the key in an working environment.
“You have to keep persons below you together. A piece of
advice: no favorites keep it professional in the work environment,”
stressed Washington.
Rayburn Williams; Christopher Telesford; Shievonne Smartt; Desmond
Moore; Clifton Thompson; Jermaine Fraser; Irvie London; Shawn
Peters, Rawle Barrow; Leyland Eastman and Christopher Clarke were
the firefighters promoted to leading firefighters.
Shevonne Smart from the New Amsterdam Fire Station, in the service
for the past seven years, said that she was elated at her promotion.
“I have worked very hard and my first try at the examinations
for promotion was successful,” stated Ms. Smart.
The promotion list from leading to sub officer include: Roxanne
Abrams; Compton Sparman; Joseph Mc. Donald; Beverly Welch; Robin
Thomas; Patrick Carmichael; Winston Boodram; Orin Brutus; Kalamodeen
Edoo, Marcia Belle and Gregory Wickham.
Gregory Wickham is the only fireman who will also be promoted
to Section Leader.
“Wow, this is quite an experience for me,” said Wickham
in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA).
He has been in the Service for the past 12 years.
Steven Adams; Ezla Bynoe; Marilyn Christian; Fitzroy Sutton; Hilbert
Patterson; Courtney Springer; Victor Edwards; Yonette Newton,
Andrew Jerrick; Lakhram Budhram; Clive McDonald; Carvil Williams;
Otis Charles; Chriswayne La Rose and Dehola Jacobs have been promoted
to Section Leaders.
Carlyle Washington, who was acting Fire Chief, has now been confirmed
in that position.
Jacqueline Johnson; Vaughn Jackson; Bernadette Adams; Vibert Nurse;
Phillip Abrams; Desree D’ Santos Moore and Peter Wilson
are promoted to Station Officers.
Additionally, Marlon Gentle; Winston Williams; James Beete; Bridhepaul
Indarshan and Lawrence David were promoted to Divisional Officers.
Randolph Alfred and Vibert Williams are promoted to Deputy Chief
Fire Officer.
The newly appointed firefighters are scheduled to meet with Minister
of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj on Friday.
“A lot of you are still young and your vision is to aim
higher,” said Washington.
TOP
Part One
on “Children and Violence” project closes
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
Twelve youths were honoured today for their contribution to Part
One of the “Children and Violence” project spearheaded
by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security
and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF).
“Thank you for a job well done,” said Minister within
the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi
Shadick, who also presented the young people with accreditation
on their participation in the project.
This phase concludes interviews with approximately 400 children
and the collection of other research information from some 4000
children from 51 communities.
The research project involves in and out of school youths, street
children and children in institutions, such as, orphanages.
It targets children between the ages three to 18 years.
The information received will provide direction on the interventions
required to adequately address the matter of children and violence
in Guyana, and help to strengthen child protection services in
the country.
Reporting on their experiences with the project, the youths stated
that they are now aware of a number of matters in the society
relating to the treatment of children.
Minister Shadick stated that from the findings presented, it is
clear that children are unaware of how they should be treated.
According to her, it now becomes imperative that this matter be
dealt with immediately.
“It becomes necessary therefore, for persons to go into
these communities to educate children on their rights and corresponding
responsibilities.”
Minister Shadick cautioned the young people that the information
they are now privy to is confidential. She is hoping that these
young people will now volunteer to teach children their rights,
among other things, in the various communities.
“Every little effort would make a difference,” Shadick
said.
The aim of this project is to protect children in Guyana from
the effects of all forms of violence by providing them and their
care givers with information and skills to change attitudes.
The Red Thread Women’s Development programme also provided
significant support for the exercise.
The other two components will facilitate a National Child Protection
Monitoring System at the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and
Social Security, and a peace education and non-violent conflict
resolution intervention programme for children and care givers.
This project will be promoted in five pilot communities in Region
Four.
The work of the project will be monitored by an advisory board
consisting of representatives from the Ministries of Health; Culture,
Youth and Sport; Home Affairs; Amerindian Affairs; Education;
the Guyana Police Force; the National Commission on the Rights
of the Child; and the Women’s Affairs Bureau, among others.
Today, Minister Shadick also met a cross section
of people from various organisations to begin work on devising
a “Plan of Action” to address the matter of trafficking
and exploitation of children.
These include Yvonne Stephenson of the Resource and Documentation
Unit of the Ministry; Hymawattie Lagan of the Women’s Affairs
Bureau; Dennis Cuffy of Help and Shelter; Nalini Narine, the Guyana
Women’s Leadership Institute; Sandra Baldeo, Region Five;
Carol Primus, the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social
Security; Camille Mentore, Deputy Superintendent, Guyana Police
Force; and Lloyd Hudson, Senior Superintendent, E and F Division,
Guyana Police Force.
Shadick, in her Budget debate had raised concerns about the higher
incidence of trafficking of persons for sexual exploitation in
some areas in the country.
TOP
Government
reaffirms commitment to 1994 ICPD programme
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
The Government of Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment
to the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference
on Population and Development (ICPD) held on March 10 through
11, 2004 in Santiago, Chile.
Forty Latin American and Caribbean countries declared on the second
day of the meeting to review the region’s progress in implementing
the Cairo Programme of Action on its 10th anniversary.
When world leaders met in New York in September 2002, a declaration
was made to reduce poverty. And the countries recognized that
the Cairo Programme is essential to achieving development goals,
which include intensified efforts to decrease poverty.
HIV/AIDS was the main issue raised at the meeting at the Santiago
Headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and
the Caribbean (ECLAC). More than 300 delegates were at the meeting.
Director Central Statistical Office and Head of Guyana’
delegation Lennox Benjamin, said that Guyana will continue in
the fight against HIV/AIDS.
“Guyana reiterates its unswerving drive in the fight against
HIV/AIDS in conjunction with NGO’s, civil society and the
International Community, and the direct bilateral assistance to
be afforded by the USA,” emphasized Benjamin.
He also added that with a population of 700,000 Guyanese, “the
pandemic poses the greatest threat to the growth and welfare of
the population.”
The participating countries were urged to increase their work
to prevent and treat sexually transmitted infections including,
HIV/AIDS, within the context of sexual and reproductive health.
In this regard, young women and men will have access to information,
education and services required to develop skills to prevent HIV
infection.
They were also urged to continue to provide free treatment to
persons infected with HIV/AIDS, whilst respecting their privacy
and confidentiality.
“While adults, men and women decide that young people should
have access to sexual and reproductive health services, many of
us did not know that condoms could save our lives,” lamented
a 19-year-old member of a youth group.
She requested that the governments should not sit and wait another
10 years to make the right decision. “Reaffirm and advance
Cairo now!” she said.
The countries were also challenged to reduce and prevent maternal
and infant mortality by providing basic services and comprehensive
reproductive health care. Also efforts to prevent and eliminate
violence against women and girls, especially sexual violence and
abuse, should also be intensified.
TOP
Another cruise
ship docks in Port Georgetown
Georgeotwn, GINA, April 19, 2004
Another cruise ship - the MV Hanseatic - docked
at the Guyana National Industrial Cooperation (GNIC) wharf at
07:30 hours this morning with 73 passengers and 120 crewmembers
on board. The ship will leave later this afternoon.
Passengers came from Europe and arrived in Guyana from Brazil.
The next designated stops are Grenada and Barbados and then on
to Europe. Evergreen Adventures, a local tourist company, facilitated
the vessel's arrival.
Passengers were destined to visit the Kaieteur National Park,
Orinduik Falls and historic Georgetown. But, the inclement weather
caused the first two trips to be cancelled.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir, who
was given at tour of the ship, welcomed the visitors and told
them that Guyana is a place where tourists are welcome.
He said that the tourism sector is a fledging one and Government
has done much preparatory work for the industry, although there
is still a lot to be done.
Minister Nadir said that in the longer-term, Guyana has to ensure
that necessary infrastructural provision, such as dredging of
the harbour, is in place to make the visits easier.
Others present to welcome the visitors were representatives from
Evergreen Adventures, GNIC, Guyana Revenue Authority - Customs
and Excise Department, Laparkan Group of Companies and members
of the media.
Captain of the vessel, Ulf Walters, noted that once the necessary
infrastructure is in place Guyana will receive more visits from
cruise ships.
This cruise ship's arrival follows closely on the heals of four
pleasure yachts and another cruise ship - the Minerva II.
The Minerva II, docked at the John Fernandes Wharf in Guyana on
March 17 last, with 534 passengers and 300 crew members. The ship
departed the same day.
Wilderness Explorers is the local company that brokered arrangements
for that ship’s arrival.
Passengers on the Minerva II toured Georgetown to view the colonial
architecture and travel to various resorts such as Timber Head
Resort, Baganara Island Resort, Shankland Resort and Kaieteur
National Park.
Another cruise vessel is expected in Guyana in November, while
more are scheduled to arrive next year.
TOP
Minister
Sawh receives technical bulletins to improve non-traditional crops
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other
Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh has received a compilation
of a new series of technical bulletins aimed at improving the
quality and marketability of Guyana’s non-traditional agricultural
products.
The presentation of the bulletins was made by Mission Director
of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
Dr. Mike Sarhan in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Agriculture
earlier today.
The compilation of the series was a collaborative effort of the
Ministry, the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, and the National
Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), with assistance from USAID.
With the bulletins, exporters are expected to benefit from information
on the proper techniques during pre and post harvest handling
of many of Guyana’s fruits and vegetables, with particular
emphasis on those destined for export markets.
Also present at the presentation ceremony were Director of the
UASID/GEO project Tom Whitney, Director of NARI Dr. Oudho Homenauth,
CEO of Go-Invest and Chairman of the NGMC Board Geoffrey Da Silva,
and General Manager of the NGMC Nizam Hassan.
The bulletins include post-harvest care and market preparation
information sheets for plantains, pineapples, ochroes, papaya,
tomatoes, oranges, peppers, watermelons, mangoes, and bananas.
The bulletins are available to the public at the New Guyana Marketing
Corporation and NARI, in a more detailed form.
TOP
Six Indian
doctors are at the GPHC
Georgetown, GINA, April 19, 2004
Six doctors from India attached to the Georgetown
Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) paid a visit to Minister of
Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy at his Office today. This is one of
Government’s initiative to promote better health care for
Guyanese.
“One of our main problems at the Georgetown Hospital is
recruiting and maintaining staff with certain skills we need within
the health sector,” disclosed Dr. Madan Rambarran, Director
of Medical and Professional Services.
The process began with the Indian High Commission exploring the
possibility of recruiting doctors from India. The High Commissioner
Avinash Chandra Gupta identified an agency in India who mobilized
and interviewed the doctors.
The doctors are: Neurologist Dr. Ravi Purohit; Gynaecologist Dr.
Asha Purohit; Pathologist Dr. Savita Arya; Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Prasad Chode, General Physician, Accident and Emergency Dr.
Shiv Charran and Ear, Nose and Throat Dr. S. B Sharma.
They are here on three year contracts and now are now attached
to the GPHC. Discussions are underway with the Ministry of Health
to have the doctors go out on out-reach programmes at the Bartica
and Lethem Hospitals.
“We are now developing that scheduling,” said Dr.
Rambarran.
Minister Ramsammy said that the collaborative partnership with
India is an example of capacity building and improving health
care in Guyana.
TOP
Thursday,
April 15, 2004