Region Eight residents alerted on TIP
Minister Bibi Shadick is greeted by a resident of Kato
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005
The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) campaign has extended its arm to Kato Sub-region one in Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), with exploitation being the main focus of a workshop held under the auspices of the Human Services Ministry.
Yesterday residents of Kato, Paramakatoi, Monkey Mountain and other surrounding villages were informed of ways to protect themselves from traffickers, the resultant abuse, and domestic violence among other forms of exploitation.
TIP is the exploitation of persons by other persons for their own benefits and usually entail victims being forced to work for little or no wages, abuse and deprival of basic necessities.
Recently a Bill was tabled in Parliament proposing comprehensive measures to fight this atrocity. The Bill makes TIP a criminal offence and prescribes the penalties for such an act. These include prison terms, forfeiture of property, and an order to pay full restitution to the victims. Persons convicted of the crime of transporting person(s) for prostitution purposes are liable to a fine of $2M and imprisonment of not more than 10 years.
Human Services Minister Bibi Shadick, speaking at the workshop said it is Government's aim to educate Guyanese because, "We want people to be aware, people to understand the dangers and all the traps that they can fall into so that people can understand what their rights are."
She explained some incidents of TIP which occurred in other areas and how the Human Services Ministry is dealing with them. She urged residents to report any suspected cases of TIP in their area, and promised that the information will be treated confidentially.
Guyana is placed as a Tier Two country, which states that while the Government does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, it is making significant efforts to do so.
Residents were happy at being alerted about TIP and how it is being manifested. They reported to Minister Shadick several cases, where it was suspected that TIP was taking place.
The Human Services Minister promised the large gathering of mostly Amerindians that her Ministry will certainly investigate the reported incidents.
Government has outlined several actions to be taken this year to further develop and educate the public on TIP. Some of these include further training of Police officers, Community Development Officers of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and 300 volunteers for establishing a network for disseminating information to the public.
The Human Services Ministry has been informed of several incidents affecting mainly hinterland young people, mostly girls, who are taken to the coastland for the purposes of working as attendants in bars, hotels and restaurants. Some are also lured into prostitution. Several cases have been investigated and some persons were charged.
Government has also made progress in allocating resources to anti-trafficking in persons. Some of these include the setting up of an inter-agency National Task Force, completion of the National Plan of Action and a campaign on public awareness and sensitization. More than 30 meetings have been held in all 10 administrative regions with community representatives, religious leaders, business and other organisations. Legislation was passed to combat TIP and an anti-Trafficking in Persons Unit has been established at the Human Services Ministry.
TOP President’s National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment gets kudos
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005
On June 20, President Bharrat Jagdeo launched the National Training Programme at Banks DIH, Thirst Park, Georgetown, to equip early school leavers with vital skills for life.
This three-year project targets 5,250 early school leavers and 'out- of-school' young people between the ages of 16 and 25 years. It will cost Government approximately $350M.
The idea of the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment was born out of the President’s many travels across the country and his interactions with young people, who expressed willingness to be employed or furthering their studies, but do not possess the means.
Training for the youth empowerment programme will be conducted by the Board of Industrial Training and will be undertaken at various centres throughout Guyana. The training will be carried out in collaboration with both public and private sector agencies. Under this scheme, 1,750 young persons will be trained annually in various skills. These include building and engineering trades, industrial craft, clerical skills, home keeping, videography, heath care skills and life skills education.
The first batch of students would commence training in September 2005 and the selection exercise of the targeted individuals across the country will begin, shortly. Each trainee will be provided with a stipend to assist with travelling expenses during the training programmes. They would also be given the basic tools and safety wear as may be required for some of the trades.
This programme has received the commendation of many persons, even the private sector and the international community, as well as students.
United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative to Guyana Youssef Mohmoud
“What I see the Government acknowledges and is committed to is in the area of employment. And I think that Government’s announcement; particularly the President’s launch of this training programme for youths should go a long way towards creating an educated and skilled workforce. A skilled workforce is good for business,” he said, adding that “I think the Guyana Government from my observation is keenly aware of this aspect and work is being done.”
Mr. Spencer – Teacher, GRECO Training Centre, ECD
I think it is very edifying from the point of getting them to do a skill. It is a good programme and I am sure at the end they would have learnt something they could share and apply to their personal lives.
Clifford Reece - Chairman – Banks DIH Ltd.
Banks DIH supports this effort to provide technical vocational education and training for Guyanese youths under the auspices of the Board of Industrial Training.
Jevon Rock, 16 - Student
I think it is very beneficial for persons, especially those living in rural areas if they did not get a chance to go far in school or do well. The reason being is that persons who did not get the chance I had will get the opportunity. It gives them the opportunity to get the education to go to post-graduate schools and get a proper job and support their family and get a wonderful standard of living.
Anthony Dorga,16- Student
It will help us young people in lots of ways to develop our skills. Let us say one of us wants to be a mechanic, then it would help us with training. It would also help us with the English because lots of people do not have good English and if you don’t have good English, you would miss opportunities or loose jobs.
Seon Watson, 15 - Student
I think it is interesting to train us. I was not in secondary school so it would help us a lot.
Delon Vangronigen, 18 - Student
It was very interesting and I would be glad if I can be one of the persons who will be part of it. And only one set of people must be a part of it. I love that he is not catering alone for persons who are at higher levels of education, but also for persons with low self-esteem.
Coreen Conally - BIT Staffer
This programme would help young people in a way that they would be able to attain further training and they will better equip themselves to become self-employed.
Jaqueline Clarke - BIT Staffer
It is a stepping-stone for higher learning. It would also gain them employment because they would be trained at a semi-skilled level.
Lattely Bailey - BIT Staffer
I see this programme as a good gesture by Government because youths would be able to become self motivated and get higher learning. It would enable them to feel good about themselves.
David Matthews
Well I think the programme is good. It will motivate the young people of tomorrow, because I even experiencing that many youths about the place are unemployed and even I would say gambling. Although they still might be in their right sense, they still need nourishment by these aspects. I would like to congratulate the Government of this country, on this behalf of uplifting the youths.
Marcelle Grant
Is a good thing the Government doing for the youths, because a lot of them are out of school, out of job and it is a very good programme.
Richard Sookhra
I think it is a good idea because some of the students who drop out of school still want to learn and still wish they had the chance, and it would give them that chance.
Paula Duncan
I that is a good idea because everyday you look at it; they come out of school and what else to do? So more into the craft is better for the young, it’s a better future for young people. Indeed it is a good idea.
Shondelle Smith
Well I feel it’s a good decision because there are many dropouts of school and also there are job-varied situations, so if they can go and uplift themselves they can get a job. I feel it is the right choice.
Uton Nicholas
It is nice, because you get a lot of children wandering all over the place and telling them if they going to school, they say yes and you meet them on the road.
Velencia Cockfield
It’s a good move because I think more students will be able to go back to school, especially those who drop out because of teenage pregnancy. They would be able to learn something other than being on the streets and smoking etc.
TOP
National Drug Strategy Master Plan on GINA’s website
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005
Guyana’s National Drug Strategy Master Plan can be obtained on the Government Information Agency’s (GINA’s) website on www.gina.gov.gy.
This is to facilitate anyone who wishes to acquire a copy of the five-year plan which addresses many issues pertaining to narco-trafficking and money laundering.
The Master plan was launched by President Bharrat Jagdeo, on June 21 last, at the Le Meridien Pegasus.
Agreed minutes for Corriverton water Supply project signed
Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh (centre) and Senior Advisor on Water Supply Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Omura Yoshiki signing the agreed minutes for the Corriverton Potable Water Supply Project. At left is Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee who also signed the document. (A GINA photo by Anil Ramlall)
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005.
Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh and Senior Advisor on Water Supply Development, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Omura Yoshiki today signed the Agreed minutes for the Preliminary Study for the Corriverton Potable Water Supply Project.
During a visit to Guyana earlier this month, a four-member Japanese Preliminary Study Team led by Yoshiki conducted a study on the feasibility of the proposed Corriverton Potable Water Supply Project. The team also held meetings with Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh and Officials of the Region Six Administration and the Guyana Water Incorporated.
The team is expected to present the findings of the study to their Government, and if given the green light it would be submitted to their Cabinet for approval, after which there will be several follow-up visits by a number of Japanese teams, leading up to the actual implementation of the project.
According to Minister Baksh, the estimated cost of the proposed project would be based on the designs submitted, but from the estimation of other water treatment plants, it would probably cost approximately US$8M and would serve approximately 50,000 residents.
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee bearing witness to the agreement, said he was pleased to be associated with the project. He described it as a commitment of the Japanese Government towards poverty alleviation.
The proposed Corriverton Potable Water Supply Project was submitted to the Japanese Government for consideration for funding under Japanese Grant Aid in August 2004.
Over the years, the Government of Guyana has benefited from a number of projects funded by the Japanese Government under the Japanese Technical Cooperation Programme.
The most recent was the multi-million dollar New Amsterdam Hospital, which was funded under Japanese Grant Aid assistance and official1y handed over to the Government of Guyana in February this year.
Minister Baksh meets Tuschen residents - housing issues addressed
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005.
Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh today met residents of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo and held discussions on the further development of the Tuschen housing area.
Residents also spoke openly on issues affecting them, with regard to infrastructure development,
The residents were informed of the ongoing housing development programme in all the housing areas across the country, in which millions of dollars are expended to execute infrastructural works such as roads, drainage and irrigation systems and the provision of potable water.
Minister Baksh explained the need for his Ministry to prioritise the basic infrastructural works in housing areas. He pointed to the limited resources available which have to be utilised for the 100 housing schemes and 165 squatter settlements across the country.
To date, $409M has been spent to execute major infrastructural work completed at the Tuschen Housing scheme.
Minister Baksh said it is expected that all the loam roads currently existing in the middle-income schemes would be paved later this year.
There are also plans to construct a water treatment plant by September and this would benefit Tuschen residents. The facility, to be funded by the World Bank, will serve areas from Parika to De Kindren.
With regard to electricity, Tuschen is earmarked to benefit from the $700M extended Unserved Areas Electrification Programme and is expected that the electrification of this area would be completed by March next year.
The Minister also said the unoccupied lands which have been left undeveloped for a number of years would be repossessed and allocated to people who would develop the land and keep it cleared, since the bushy lots harbour criminals. A team of officials from the Housing Ministry is currently conducting an inventory of all the unoccupied lots.
Meanwhile, the Tuschen policing group informed Minister Baksh that on Friday last, the meeting with Minister of Home Affairs, Gail Teixeira proved successful, since she instructed the group to identify a suitable plot for an outpost to be established for the local group.
On Friday last, the Tuschen Community Development Council (CDC) held a meeting with Minister Baksh on issues affecting the residents. Earlier last week the residents protested what they seem to be Government’s slowness to deal with their problems, namely lack of electricity and the security risk associated with it.
The CDC was informed of the developmental projects on stream for the area and was required to convey the information to the residents.
Chief-of-Staff meets editors to discuss matters of national security
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005
Today, Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Edward Collins met editors of the media corps at Camp Ayangana to discuss and seek recommendations on the coverage relating to matters of the Guyana Defence Force.
Brigadier Collins told the editors that he hopes such interactive sessions would be the first of many and they would appreciate the sensitive matters that could affect the national security of the country.
Many of the editors expressed their opinions on issues addressed and made recommendations on how such matters could be disseminated to the public.
TOP
Prime Minister Hinds for Petro-Caribe Summit in Venezuela
-To fill in for President
Georgetown, GINA June 27, 2005
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds will be attending the Petro-Caribe Summit in Venezuela in the place of President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The summit, which will be held on June 29, will focus on assisting Caribbean countries in obtaining fuel at a cheaper price from Venezuela.
It is also aimed at providing assistance to members in the areas of exploration, refining and marketing of petroleum.
The initiative was launched by Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, in 2004 and complements the PetroSur initiative, which promotes energy integration for South American countries.
All CARICOM states, as well as Cuba and the Dominican Republic have joined Venezuela in the initiative.
The summit will be held in the resort city of Puerto la Cruz, 150 miles east of Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
Members of the ND&IB inspect work at Friendship koker
Georgetown, GINA, June, 27, 2005
Members of the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (ND&IB) today inspected the Friendship Koker, East Bank Demerara to assess the progress of installing a replacement door after the wooden structure snapped inward on Thursday last.
Chief Executive Officer of the ND&IB, Ravi Naraine said that the construction of the new door will soon be completed. A temporary door has been installed and is in operation.
A mobile pump has been put in place in the area in case of any eventuality. Naraine pointed out that upon completion of the new door, the koker will become functional. The Regional Administration will have to fulfill its obligation and not repeat the mistake of being negligent with maintaining the koker.
Nevertheless, he noted that Government, once again was forced to intervene and take remedial action to save residents from further flooding.
He reiterated that the koker attendant had made several reports to the Administration for the need for maintenance work to be effected on the koker. Residents of Friendship and surrounding areas were under six inches of sea water when the door collapsed.
Narine said the residents in the area have suffered losses to their agricultural commodities.
On Thursday last, rising water levels from the Demerara River forced the koker door inland. Engineers and sub-contractors of the ND&IB, with residents’ assistance, managed to secure the door. However, a similar problem occurred early the following morning.
Five years ago, the Region Four Administration executed repair works to the koker door. Those repairs were not properly done, the residents claimed, and the koker door continued to pose a problem.
Government has allocated millions of dollars to the Region Four Administration each year for maintenance of kokers, canals and infrastructure.
Only recently, residents of Greenfield and Clonbrook on the East Coast Demerara lost their cash crops when several acres of farmlands became inundated, due once again to the negligence of the Region Four Administration. Many were forced to reap their crops before they were due.
Region Ten a major potential player in the agricultural sector – Israeli agri expert
Georgetown, GINA, June 27, 2005
Region Ten has significant potential to become a major player in agricultural production, as it possesses the key factors of production which include the availability of land and labour, support for agri-credit, and other key contributing factors.
This deduction follows a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threats (SWOT) analysis conducted to determine the feasibility of pursuing agricultural economic activity in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).
The Linden Economic Development Programme (LEAP) indicated that the Government of Israel through its Embassy based in Caracas, Venezuela, retained the services of Dr. Dan Rymon, founder and Chief Executive Officer of AGRINDEX consulting and projects Limited. This follows a series of consultations among the Ambassador, LEAP and the Ministry of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock. These consultations were facilitated by the Israeli Institute for Export and International Cooperation.
Dr. Rymon noted that there are constraints to agricultural development which include seasonality and small scale of production, poor storage and handling techniques, inadequate market information and pests. These, have to be overcome for effective development, he stated.
Dr. Rymon observed that in both the local and overseas markets, there are opportunities for the promotion of fresh fruits and vegetables. The air services for agricultural cargo among Guyana, the Caribbean and North America, along with the CARICOM free trade agreement, are windows of opportunity which farmers can exploit.
Based on his findings, Dr. Rymon recommends that the region emphasise the production of a selected number of high quality, fresh fruits and vegetables for export to the Caribbean. The thrust will be on soliciting interested persons or companies, willing to invest in the industry and compete in the global marketplace.
“A validation and demonstration centre should be set up so that the appropriate technology may be validated on the site, and demonstrated to the growers. The concept of such a centre is that the appropriate technology when established, may be implemented on a commercial scale in a controlled environment (greenhouses),” Dr. Rymon highlighted.
A team of experts is expected to arrive later this year to conduct further research and feasibility studies on selected crops.
Local consultant Arnold DeMendonca assisted Dr. Rymon with this mission. Mr. DeMendonca will be retained to assist with the implementation of the final recommendations of the mission.
The development of this sector will further enhance the economic viability of the Region 10 economy. This is in keeping with the Government’s development thrust for the region, following the decline of the bauxite industry.
Development in Bartica accelerating - Minister Nokta visits several Region Seven areas
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta and Resident Representative of the UNDP Youssef Mahmond sign the MOU as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Ganga Persaud looks on
Georgetown , GINA, June 27, 2005
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta along with Deputy Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Hydar Ally and a team last weekend, visited Bartica and other areas in Region Seven (Cuyuni/ Mazaruni) where a number of important projects are to commence shortly.
As efforts continue to be made to modernise Bartica and transform it to a town, some projects have been completed, including the new Bartica Police Station, while others are underway. The new Police Station was constructed at a cost of over $30M.
The team, including Divisional Officer of the Guyana Fire Service, Marlon Gentle met with Regional Officials and discussed the proposed site for a new fire station. To this end, the Minister disclosed that a suitable site has been made available and a lease awarded.
The site for the construction of the new state-of-the art $395M Bartica Secondary School was also visited by the team. Construction of the school is to commence shortly and a number of students from riverain areas in Region Seven are expected to benefit from this venture. The new school will be constructed with all modern facilities, including accommodation for students to reside at the institution.
Minister Nokta assured residents in the area that infrastructural works at the 4-miles housing scheme, including new roads and electricity, will be provided. About sixty houses have already been built and residents pointed out that they are receiving water. However, asked about which facility would be preferred as priority for the housing scheme, residents contended that electricity is their preference.
Another issue facing Bartica is proper waste disposal and the Local Government Minister, during an address to residents via the local television, expressed his dissatisfaction that enough was not being done to address the issue. He urged that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and Regional Officials increase their efforts to find other locations for waste disposal, as the current site is unsatisfactory and a threat to the health of community members.
Admitting that several streets needed to be rehabilitated in Bartica, Minister Nokta assured that Government has a programme in place to address the issue.
A number of community meetings were subsequently conducted by the team at Batavia, Itaballi and Karau.
Minister Nokta pointed out that between 2001 and 2005 Government expended about $ 310 M for development projects in the Region, with this year's allocation being $68M.
Residents of Batavia expressed their satisfaction at the development pace and thanked the officials for improving the communities.
They highlighted the additional need for a nursery school for their area as well as transportation for the community's health worker.
TOP
Local Government Ministry and UNDP ink MOU for the building of social cohesion
Georgetown , GINA, June 27, 2005
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for strengthening the capacities of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC's) to reduce social tensions. The signing ceremony took place in the Ministry's Boardroom.
The project titled "Building Social Cohesion Project (BSCP) is a multi-donor, multi- United Nations Agency initiative aimed at improving the capacity of Regional Democratic Councils (RDC's) to reduce social tensions in keeping with the shared goals of improving social cohesion, enhanced human security and governance in Guyana.
Signing for the Ministry was Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta while Resident Representative, Youssef Mahmoud, signed for the UNDP.
The Regional Chairmen of Regions Three, Esau Dookie,Four, Alan Munroe, Six, Kumkarran Ramdass and Ten, Mortimer Mingo, signed for their Regions. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ganga Persaud stated that Region Five is to also benefit from the programme by extension.
Persaud said that it is the first time such a project is to be implemented in the country and emphasized that the project had come on stream in 2003.
It was noted that the project has different components for the various Regions and the UNDP funds must be expended by July 31, 2006.
Financial support will be provided by the UNDP and the project will allow for the implementation of projects and programmes at local community levels. It will give disadvantaged youths a greater voice in the development activities in their areas.
Conflict transformation workshops are to be held for councillors and staff of RDC's as well as several youth leaders' workshops. Community-based initiatives would also be undertaken in selected communities across the country, according to Regional Officials of Region Three.
A release from Region Three also noted that it is envisaged that the workshops would create an increased awareness among councillors and administrative staff of the issues that lead to mistrust, and consequently assist in the fostering of greater cooperation and coordination among councillors as they carry out their various tasks.
The programme is designed to mainly assist the Government and people of Guyana to make progress towards social cohesion and effective mediation; enhance security, safety and access to justice for citizens; and achieve progress towards the implementation of agreed constitutional reforms.
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