Two dredges in Upper Mazaruni permitted by villages - Minister Rodrigues says at Press Briefing
Georgetown , GINA, August 27, 2004
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, during a press briefing yesterday, firmly stated that the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) did not permit the placement of two cutter head dredges in the Upper Mazaruni area.
The Minister said that she is quite alarmed at statements made by the Toshaos during a press briefing in the Region recently and facilitated by the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA). The Minister's briefing was held at the NCN (TV) studio.
Minister Rodrigues pointed out that her Ministry has always been open to discussions on land and mining issues with the Toshaos of all regions, and that in July, a meeting was held in the Upper Mazaruni with Toshaos to address such issues.
She observed that during the meeting, she particularly asked Toshaos if they wished to negotiate with Government to solve certain problems, especially the long- awaited court case involving the claim of the entire Upper Mazaruni District by the said Toshaos. At that meeting the Toshaos said that they would wait for the court to decide.
Minister Rodrigues said she was surprised that a few months later, the Toshaos are saying that Government is not addressing their land issues and that ten cutter head dredges were permitted for placement in the area.
She noted that during another meeting in March, 2003, several agreements were made among her Ministry, the Toshaos and the GGMC regarding mining, and the Toshaos had all agreed that mining activities in the area would be halted temporarily until an Environmental Impact Assessment study was completed and Mines Rangers from the areas were trained to monitor mining activities.
The Minister stated that a few weeks after and before training of the Mines Rangers could begin, the community of Warawatta illegally granted permission for two cutter head dredges, including one owned by a Brazilian, to operate in the river passing through the community's land.
“These agreements were made in July and August of 2003 and I have the copies of the agreements here,” the Minister pointed out. “ The two dredges operating are the very two dredges for which the Warawatta community gave permission.”
Minister Rodrigues said that the Jawalla Amerindian village is also actively involved in mining with dredges and has been doing this for a long time; and both Captains had explained that mining in their communities is a means of obtaining revenue.
She further said that one of the Captains even indicated that he had asked the dredge owner to ensure that the GGMC's environmental guidelines are observed.
Minister Rodrigues noted that the Toshaos of the Upper Mazaruni could have approached her Ministry to further discuss the issues raised at the press briefing held in the Region. She added since there seemed to be no trust and decisions are made without consultations, she would have to review further discussions with the Toshaos.
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Work on Mahaicony projects commence
Georgetown , GINA, August 27, 2004
Work on several projects in Mahaicony, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) have commenced.
The projects were identified during a visit to the Region by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock Satyadeow Sawh in June.
The visit served as a follow-up to one by President Bharrat Jagdeo in April, when residents spoke of several problems. When completed, the projects are expected to enhance the standard of living of residents in the Mahaicony area.
Cabinet recently approved the list of projects valued at $8.8M. These include:
- The construction of a sanitary block and fence at the Gordon Table Primary School , Mahaicony Creek;
- The construction of a sanitary block at the Mora Point Health Centre, Mahaicony Creek;
- The supply and installation of a PVC tube culvert at Bara Bara, Mahaicony Creek;
- Landscaping and construction of fence at the Mortice Primary School ;
- The supply and installation of a PVC tube culvert at Highpark, and
- The construction and installation of doors to sluices along the Mahaicony Branch Road at Wash Clothes, New Providence and WW Village.
The Regional Democratic Council will also be effecting several projects in Mahaicony, including drainage and irrigation, and infrastructural works. A contract was recently awarded for clearing the Mahaicony Creek, which will benefit farmers immensely.
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Integrated aquaculture/rice project progressing well
-Fisheries Officer Tejnarine Geer
Georgetown , GINA, August 27, 2004
In a move to diversify Guyana's agriculture sector and acquire additional markets, Government has implemented several initiatives, including the Integrated Aquaculture-Rice farming project.
According to Fisheries Officer in charge of the aquaculture station at Mon Repos, Tejnarine Geer, the first team of consultants involved in the project arrived in June and commenced gathering data. They left Guyana to return in November to commence training local farmers. They will be in Guyana for approximately 11 months.
The team worked along with the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) to develop a training curriculum.
A technical cooperation project funded by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) titled ‘Introduction of aquaculture and other integrated production management practices to rice farmers,' has started. The project was approved for Guyana and Suriname at a total cost of US $392,000.
In April 2004, the Government of Guyana was awarded the two-year project by the FAO. The project will be implemented in the Corentyne, Region Six and West Nickerie in Suriname , simultaneously. It will involve three crop seasons and two fish production cycles.
This project has as its objectives:
- To build capacity of rice extension staff to carry out integrated pest management and aquaculture extension work;
- To develop integrated pest management strategies appropriate to small farmers through participatory Farmer Field School training and action research;
- To integrate aquaculture into small rice-based farming systems to diversify production for increased income and improved nutrition
As part of this project, a group of FAO technical officers visited Guyana from April 25 to 29 last. Discussions were held with major stakeholders, including the Guyana Rice Producers Association, the Guyana Rice Development Board, rice farmers and rice extension personnel.
In Guyana , approximately 140,000 hectares of arable land are under rice cultivation and the industry is the largest private sector activity. It employs over 100,000 persons directly and indirectly. The rice industry produces approximately 320,000 metric tonnes per annum, of which 70 percent is exported to the Caribbean and Europe .
In 1992, only 200 acres of land were under aquaculture cultivation. Today through continued encouragement and support from Government, this has grown to 6000 acres. There are now several private aquaculture farms around the country which are planning to expand their cultivation.
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President swears in Chief Justice as Chancellor (ag)
Georgetown , GINA, August 27, 2004
Chief Justice Carl Singh is now acting Chancellor of the Judiciary.
This morning, he was sworn-in by President Jagdeo to the post. Chancellor of the Judiciary Madame Desiree Bernard is in Gibraltar attending a conference.
Justice Singh will hold the post until September 12.
His swearing-in, he said, is necessary because someone has to oversee the administrative aspects of the Judiciary until the Chancellor returns.
Present at the brief ceremony were Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General Doodnauth Singh and Supreme Court Registrar Sita Ramlall.
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President meets Swami from India
Georgetown , GINA, August 27, 2004
President Bharrat Jagdeo today met Swami Dayananda Saraswati of India.
The Swami is in Guyana to spread the message of peace and harmony and this is what he took to the President, as well as a prayer for Guyana 's prosperity. Accompanying him to the meeting was his disciple Swamini Mayatitananda, known as Mother Maya.
He arrived in Guyana yesterday and will leave on August 31. He also met Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Reepu Daman Persaud last evening.
The Swami said he is here at the request of his disciple who is engaged in teaching peace and harmony. The Swamini said Guyana is blessed to have the esteemed presence of his holiness.
Swami Saraswati will meet the public at the National Park tomorrow afternoon.
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Friday, August 27, 2004