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Guyana ’s action plan for sugar industry to be fine-tuned - Minister Rohee

- Consultant to be hired

GINA, Georgetown, October 29, 2005

Guyana ’s action plan will soon be ready for submission to Brussels even as lobbying efforts continue to mitigate the impending effects of the European Union’s (EU) proposed deep cuts in the preferential price offered to sugar producers of the Sugar Protocol (SP).

Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee said the process has been set in train and upon completion will be submitted to the EU delegation for onward submission to Brussels.

“The action plan is almost completed, just some fine- tuning left to be done in order to bring a national dimension to the plan,” Minister Rohee said.

“We are now at a very important stage of our internal preparations and this has to do with the submission to the EU delegation and DIFID of the terms of reference for the procurement of a consultant to assist us in the formulation of a draft action plan.”

This aspect, he said, is required by each member state of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) sugar producing countries in order for them to qualify for resources arriving out of the 39 percent cut.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) has been tasked with the plan’s formulation to enable Guyana to have access to the accompanying measure stipulated by the Union, as part of the reformation mechanism.

The reform would see the price for sugar being 730 Euros per tonne in year one, declining to 625 Euros, 520 Euros and 420 Euros in the second, third and final years respectively.

According to the reform document issued by the EU on June 22 last, consideration has been given to the differences between the ACP countries and a broad range of support options is being offered, to be tailored in each country to the needs identified by the stakeholders, and integrated into a long-term, comprehensive, sustainable strategy.

The types of assistance have been designed with particular attention to the effectiveness of implementation.

The Commission proposes to start implementing the assistance scheme as soon as 2006, since the complexity of restructuring and diversifying require sustained efforts.

An initial budget of € 40M has been earmarked for 2006 and further long-term assistance will be secured for the period 2007-2013 .

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Former SIMAP Director for Ministerial Post

 
Harry Narine Nawbatt

Georgetown, GINA, October 29, 2005

Former Executive Director of the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP) Harry Narine Nawbatt has been identified to hold the portfolio of Transport and Hydraulics Minister.

President Bharrat Jagdeo made this announcement today at State House. He also announced that Minister Anthony Xavier, who presently holds that portfolio will take up the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry.

“Since Minister Gail Teixeira left the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, we have had a gap and that Ministry is very important,” especially as it relates to the hosting of Cricket World Cup 2007, which Minister Xavier has been somewhat involved in because of its relation with other infrastructural projects being undertaken in preparation of the event, such as the four-lane road project and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project.

“I think he would be an asset and achieve what we want there,” the President said.

Meanwhile, Nawbatt’s substantial project experience as SIMAP Director is expected to move the Ministry of Public Works forward, President Jagdeo remarked.

Mr. Nawbatt was born on December 19, 1946 is married and has three children.

He holds certificates of the General Certificate of Education Examinations (GCE)

in six subjects, a Diploma in Accountancy, Bachelor of Social Sciences Degree in Accountancy and a Diploma in Transport Studies from the University of Guyana.

After teaching at the Annandale Primary from 1964 to 1967 he served in the Public Service for almost 30 years.

Among the positions he held were Auditor, Principal Auditor, Office of the Auditor General, 1985-1990, Chief Accountant-Guyana Airways Corporation 1990 – 1996 and Executive Director of SIMAP 1996-2003.

Nawbatt is presently Project Manager of the Poor Rural Communities Support Services Project (PRCSSP), a Project under the Ministry of Agriculture.

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President Jagdeo to attend Summit of the Americas

Georgetown, GINA, October 29, 2005

Next week President Bharrat Jagdeo, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Rudolph Insanally and other officials will be leaving Guyana to attend the Fourth S ummit of the A mericas to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina .

President Jagdeo, this morning, told the media that the Argentina Meeting is expected to focus on creating jobs in Latin America and to strengthen democratic governance.

President Jagdeo said he expects that the discussion on job creation would not only focus on economic indicators but on a model of economic development that is appropriate to reducing poverty and this is the position Guyana will be taking.

He said he looks forward to the discussion as “we have to focus on a competitive market-based model that focuses on the poor and the vulnerable.

The agenda for the Summit was discussed among Foreign Affairs Ministers of the Rio Group at its 19 th meeting held in Bariloche , Argentina on August 25-26, which was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally.

The Summit of the Americas will be dedicated to studying how the benefits could be delivered to the people of the region through greater development opportunities and the creation of employment.

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President Jagdeo lauds security operation in Buxton – says not intended to harm innocent people but to liberate them from fear

Georgetown, GINA, October 29, 2005

President Bharrat Jagdeo has lauded the joint police and army “Operation Stiletto” in Buxton.

“I must commend the police and army for a well-planned and executed operation,” the President Jagdeo said, adding, “I think they were very professional… they were very reserved in their approach.”

He noted too that “they had to be cautious because of the situation that exists in the village.”

The President said that he was bothered that some sections of society condemned the operation pointing out that “they want you to take tough action and when you do they are concerned about the repercussion.”

“Our operation is not intended to harm innocent people but to liberate residents of the village who have been under siege for a very long time,” he said.

He noted that for the many years when innocent Buxtonians were troubled and terrified because of criminals walking on the roads with guns and the village being a safe haven for other criminals, that section of society that condemned the recent operation did not say anything in support of the troubled Buxtonians.

To the “decent and legitimate” residents of Buxton, President Jagdeo said, “This operation may cause some disturbance to you but in the long-term your family will have a safe life.”

He is calling on Buxtonians to bear with the security forces in this operation, which he said will be sustained so that criminals will not have it as a safe haven anymore.

Speaking specifically to young Buxtonians, who probably saw the criminals as “above the law and role models”, the President that they note that they (criminals) are not “big and bad” after all as they went into hiding when faced with the security forces.

The President said, “I want to see more action on the execution side,” noting that Guyanese also want actions with results.

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Agro-processing, a fascinating demonstration for West Berbice students

Georgetown , GINA, October 29, 2005.

The National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) has taken its agro-processing demonstrations to school children through a series of workshops.

On October 25, approximately 60 students from several schools in West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice) participated in the activity that illustrated how excess produce can be converted into processed commodities with a much longer shelf life.

The session, which included participation by the students from Fort Wellington and Rosignol Secondary schools was held at No. 8 Primary school. It was conducted using NARI’s agro-processing bus that can reach out to a number of areas across the country.

Research scientist, Mohammed Faroze told the students that due to the population being small, the Guyana market for agricultural produce is also small and often results in a glut of particular crops in season.

He noted that factors contributing to spoilage include the distance from farm-to-market and the country’s hot climatic condition.

“Produce need not go to waste…processing limits the effects of the climate on fruits and vegetables, thus, increasing the shelf life of the commodity and at the same time adding value to the commodity.”

The workshop was conducted by staff of the Post Harvest and Agro-Processing departments who delivered presentations on simple and inexpensive ways of post harvest handling, food quality and safety considerations and solar drying technology of perishable crops.

This is the fourth in a series of workshops conducted by NARI. The most recent was held at Charity, Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) and included participation by members of the Pomeroon Small Cottage Women’s Association.

The work of NARI’s agro-processing department is aimed at finding solutions to the many problems facing the agro-processing industry.

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CWC 2007 preparations –

“We are in a good shape”- President Jagdeo

Georgetown , GINA, October 29, 2005

President Bharrat Jagdeo says Guyana “is in a good shape” for hosting Cricket World Cup 2007 despite some delays caused by the shortage of building materials.

Speaking at a brief engagement with the media at State House today, the President said work on the stadium is about two months behind schedule, but the contractors have assured that they will make up for the delay. He said it is anticipated that “by March next year we will be playing cricket on the pitch.”

“We have time,” he said confident that other areas of preparation are also progressing for the structure which has an October, 2006 deadline.

At the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Timehri, additional works had to be done and the East Bank Demerara four-lane road project has experienced setbacks but those will be completed long before the 2007, the President assured.

He pointed out though, that accommodation is one area in which there is some delay. He disclosed that the Government is working on a plan to involve private persons to provide lodgings which have to be of a certain standard. The Guyana Tourism Authority is examining the possibility of bringing in some cruise ships to accommodate persons as well, the President said.

On Monday last, Mohandas Sinai, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm constructing the Cricket Stadium, Shapoorji and Pallonji Company Limited of India and Shankar Guha CEO, of Simplex Concrete Piles, the sub-contracting firm, working on the project at Providence, East Bank Demerara visited the site to assess the progress of work.

Sinai said that CWC 2007 will be a great opportunity for Guyana, one that will create economic activities for many and allow the country to host other test matches.

The stadium will be built some five storeys high, with a seating capacity of 15,000 and will cost approximately US$25M.

Quantity Surveyor of the International Cricket Council/Cricket World Cup (ICC/CWC) 2007, Geoffrey Abdullah who also visited Guyana recently has expressed approval over the activities taking place at the Cricket Stadium.

Technical Advisor within the Ministry of Public Works, Walter Willis said that works have begun on the North/West spectator stand which is closer to the East Bank Highway.

Willis also reported that work on the spectators’ mount is 80 percent completed while 85 percent of the players’ pavilion is finished.

With regard to the field and pitch, TERAFORMA, the Trinidadian company responsible for its preparation has began work on the final stages which is scheduled to be completed in about three months at which time, a number of matches will be played to test its durability and quality.

Guyana is committed to face the challenges to make this event one that would leave an indelible mark in the minds of all.

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President announces $30M for East Coast rainy season preparation

President Bharrat Jagdeo , newly announced Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Harry Narine Nawbatt, Regional Chairman Alan Munroe and other Government officials discuss plans for the rainy season during a visit to the East Coast. (Office of the President photo by Sandra )

• Takes first-hand look

Georgetown, GINA, October 29, 2005

As Guyana prepares to avoid flooding during the upcoming rainy season November- December, President Bharrat Jagdeo today announced that $30M will be allocated to several communities along the East Coast Demerara, Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica).

The money will be made available to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) next week to execute drainage works in the area, the President said during a site-visit to several projects in various communities.

“It is for the maintenance of the drainage system, works that we did before and also to build some sluices, one at Ann’s Grove, so that we are prepared for the upcoming rainy season,” the President said.

President Bharrat Jagdeo and other Government officials takes a look at sea defence works at Mon Repos North, East Coast Demerara. (Office of the President photo by Sandra )

The President hosted a meeting earlier today at State House with officials from the Ministry of Finance, the National Drainage and Irrigation Board (ND&IB) and the RDC to discuss the region’s preparations for the season and “together we toured some of the preparation projects Government is funding.”

The President first stopped at Plaisance where a pump is in place. He then took a first hand look at efforts to repair the damages caused by the recent high tides to the sea defence at Mon Repos/Triumph, as well as the Triumph koker. President Jagdeo also visited the Lusignan pump and Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara.

“I am very pleased to see works going on at the seawall at Mon Repos which we promised the residents [during the spring tide], and also to see many of the pumps are functional,” he said.

The Head of State told residents at Ann’s Grove that he did not want to raise expectations that there would be no flooding should excessive rainfall occur. However, Government is trying its utmost and will continue to do so to ensure there are proper drainage systems on the Coast.

President Bharrat Jagdeo takes a first hand look at the pump installed at Plasaince in preparation for the rainy season (Office of the President photo by Sandra)

The pump placed at Plasiance has a capacity to pump out 60 cubic feet water per second, and while this is not sufficient for the entire area, it had helped significantly during the May/June rainy season.

It is one of the many pumps that Government has deployed at strategic locations, Head of the ND&IB Ravi Narine said in an invited comment. This action follows a recommendation from the task force on drainage setup by the President shortly after the January flood. The pumps are being monitored, maintained, and made operable by Contractor Krishna Toolsie.

The need for a façade drain parallel to the seawall was recognised, as well as extending it to several areas along the East Coast. The President urged the newly announced Transport and Hydraulics Minister Harry Narine Nawbatt to have a survey conducted of how many houses are on the reserve that would impede such a project. However, the President cautioned that the façade drain would not be built immediately.

Works were ongoing when the President visited the sea defence at Mon Repos/Triumph to fill the land supporting the sea defence and repair the Triumph koker.

The land filling exercise will also see the laying of boulders there. Sea Defence Engineer at the Ministry, Kevin Samad said this contract is valued at about $80M, while repairs to the koker and sealing another would cost $13M.

The land filling project will be completed within the next five weeks, after another shipment of boulders is expected on Tuesday next. However, there are some difficulties with transporting boulders from the quarries to the work site. President Jagdeo was also at the Lusignan pump and in Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara. The contractor is Amjad Reasat Construction Services.

The Lusignan pump was found to be in working order with a capacity of 120 cubic feet per second. This was a gift from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana during the January flood.

At Ann’s Grove, the visiting team looked at a sluice along the public road that is in a state of disrepair. It will cost $8.5M to build a new structure, to serve areas as far as the new housing scheme at Hope, a neighbouring community. The design for the structure has already been completed and the contract would go out to tender within the next three weeks, Regional Chairman Alan Munroe said.

Residents requested the cleaning of drainage systems within Ann’s Grove and the RDC would examine the possibility.

President Bharrat Jagdeo on October 14 announced a $20M allocation for several communities in Region Three, (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) to ensure proper drainage and $50M for the City. From the $50M announced on October 10 for the City, $30M was allocated for the 100 culverts, $10M for outfalls, $5M for kokers, $3M for repairs to the Kitty and Liliendaal pumps and $3.3M for workers’ tools and upgrading of community playgrounds.

The $20M allocated on October 14 for Region Three will see $5M being spent in Goed Fortuin and the remaining sum in the Canal Number One and Two Polders and De Kinderen, communities that were hard-hit in the January floods and are the three most vulnerable areas.

The President had disclosed that this $100M is the initial allocation for the rainy season preparation, in addition to the regular budgetary allocations and the works done by Government following the damages caused by the flood.

Among those accompanying the President were Minister of Agriculture (ag) Satyadeow Sawh and Regional Executive Officer Mohamed Deen.

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MINISTRY OF HEALTH

UPDATE ON AVIAN FLU

Guyana is in phase I of the pre-pandemic stage in the Influenza Preparedness Plan. This means that the influenza virus H5Nl has NOT been detected in either the bird population or in the human population. Alert level: NIL

Countries with documented cases of Avian Flu in animals are:

Cambodia, China, Croatia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Thailand, Turkey Vietnam. (Japan was detected with H5N2)

Humans

The signs of avian flu in humans are as follows:

Fever of 38°C and higher which occurs within 14 days of exposure followed by influenza like symptoms such as cough, rhinorrea (discharge from nose), sore throat and sometimes shortness of breath. Watery diarrhoea is present in the early stages of the illness and is followed by respiratory symptoms a week later. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and vomiting may occur. Headaches are also present.

Birds

The signs of avian flu in birds are as follows:

• Severe depression, lack of appetite
• Decline in egg production
• Sudden death (100% mortality)
• Dehydration
• Discharge from nasal (nose) and oral (mouth) cavity

Advice:

All poultry workers are asked to do the following:

• Immediately notify any suspected case to a Veterinary Officer, Flock Supervisor, or Agricultural Field Officer and he/she will advise further.
• Take precautionary measures when handling and disposing of ill birds.
• Disinfect and clean all equipment and clothes properly.
• Minimise human traffic on farms
• Prevent spread by confining all equipment to the farm

The general public is advised to practice basic hygiene including frequent hand washing with soap, and covering nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

If any of the mentioned signs and symptoms are observed, you are advised to seek medical attention. For further information please ring the Ministry of Health on 226-5164.

This strain of avian flu originated in Asia, where some human cases resulted in death in countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong. The mode of transmission still remains from bird to human. To date there are no human cases or animal cases in the Americas (including Guyana's neighbouring countries) or the Caribbean.

Cumulative Number of Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5 Nl)

Reported to WHO October , 24, 2005

Notes

Total number of cases includes numbers of deaths.

WHO reports only laboratory-confirmed cases.

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You need to cultivate the right attitude in everything you do

• President tells first graduating CSEC class of SVN Hindu School

 
President Bharrat Jagdeo presents the President’s Award of Excellence to Nirmala Singh at the graduation ceremony (Office of the President photo by Sandra)

Georgetown , GINA, October 29, 2005

The nation has a great responsibility to its children and that is to inculcate in them, the correct attitude about life.

This message is pertinent to the development of every young person and should be conveyed by all elders, President Bharrat Jagdeo told the first-ever graduating class, who wrote the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination at the Saraswati Vidya Niketan Education Institute at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.

The President attended the graduation ceremony in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) last evening. The school was formed in 2002 and offered the CSEC exams for the first time in 2005, scoring an overall pass rate of 85.9 per cent.

“Whatever you do in life, you have to cultivate the right attitude about yourselves, your family and your society. As the young people of our country, you bear our dreams; your parents’ dreams, grandparents’ dreams, the country’s dreams. You are our hope for a future that is better than the one we have today and if you are really going to make that future better, you have to prepare yourself,” he advised.

The President told the students that these years in their young lives are the formative ones and it offers opportunities that would probably never come around again.

President Bharrat Jagdeo meets students of Saraswati Vidya Niketan Education Institute at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara at the graduation ceremony
(Office of the President photo by Sandra)

“Whatever you do today; whatever your outlook of the world, is shaped by the institutions, discussions and views you subscribe to. These are things that will guide you throughout life. Therefore, it is important that you cultivate the right attitude about life. You need to do things with integrity,” he said to the graduating class.

Among the values worth emulating, the President said, are honesty, hard work, respect for elders, pride in one’s culture and physical self and charity at home. The President also highlighted the need for young people to become familiar with local, regional and global challenges, as this helps them to be well-rounded citizens.

He told them that even though they may not share values their parents instill from time to time, these are often done with good intentions.

Commenting on their judgment, President Jagdeo noted that good judgment can be exercised when making choices only when young people are prepared and one of the basic pillars of preparation is education.

The President commended the Saraswati Vidya Niketan Education Institute for the work the Principal, Pujya Swami Aksharanandaji and teachers have done. He recognised, particularly, the discipline instilled in the students. Although it is a Hindu school, it is open to persons of all religious background who are expected to confirm to the basic principle of discipline, the Principal said.

Before departing, President Jagdeo presented the President’s Award of Excellence to Nirmala Singh. She wrote seven subjects at CSEC and attained three distinctions, three grade ones and a grade two.

The Saraswati Vidya Niketan Education Institute is equipped with both Science and Information Technology laboratories and offers these subjects at CSEC. It is expanding its building at present.

Top CSEC achievers were also honoured, as well as those in lower forms. The school also offers scholarships through its donors. The graduation ceremony also featured the singing of bhajans, (Hindu religious songs).

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Development in housing schemes accelerating - Minister Baksh visits several in Region Five

 
Picture captions: Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh with residents of Lovely Lass, Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) as they examine a housing development plan for the area.

Georgetown , GINA, October 29, 2005

Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh and a team from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) today visited a number of areas in Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) to inspect various housing schemes and hold discussions with residents on the areas’ infrastructure.

The team first stopped at Mary Dam, where infrastructure development has been moving apace. The Ministry of Public Works and Communication is presently converting the dam running through the area into a road and linking it to the Mahaica/ Rosignol road. Electricity poles have been installed by the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) and water is already being received by residents.

Minister Baksh urged residents in the area to ensure that they pay their $10,000 contribution fee to GPL, when the company is ready to collect the fees for electricity supply. However, the residents told the Minister that the area needs a proper drainage system.

One housing official noted that 300 applications have been received by the Ministry for more house lots at Mary Dam and the Minister said that interviews for those applicants may begin shortly. Residents already occupying lots expressed their satisfaction with the acceleration in infrastructure development.

At Lovely Lass, Minister Baksh pointed out that Government may withdraw its consideration of establishing a housing area there, since residents seem to be involved in an ongoing dispute as to who the land belongs to. During a meeting with the villagers, some maintained that the land belongs to private individuals and their descendants and therefore no one else from any other area could be granted house lots. Some residents of the area who cannot ascertain whether they are descendants of the original land owners along with others, possibly from other areas, asked that everyone should cooperate to have the area developed, instead of having it undeveloped and unoccupied for years.

In other areas, the Minister met residents and discussed development plans for their areas. The areas included Hope/ Water/ Experiment where the Minister committed to ensure that Phase Two of the scheme receives electricity after the first quarter of 2006. Electricity poles have already been installed in Phase One of the area and electricity is to be connected soon.

Meanwhile, in another section of Hope, works were ongoing by one of Government’s execution agencies, the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), to construct streets under a $24M programme.

Minister of Housing and Water, Shaik Baksh meets with residents of Mary Dam, Region Five to discuss the area’s infrastructure development.

Works were also ongoing at the Rosignol Market in the Region to develop the market under a $26 M programme being implemented through the Housing Ministry.

Minister Baksh said that the completion of the market will facilitate all vendors presently selling on the roadway and blocking traffic. While there, the Minister met with some of the vendors who would be compensated when the stalls are broken down and removed to cater for drains being installed as part of the programme.

Minister Baksh and team concluded the visit at Rosignol, where they inspected a site under consideration for the placement of a water-treatment plant.

The plant’s construction falls under a US $12M World Bank Programme, that will see the setting up of two additional plants at Parika and Anna Regina.

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President's Youth Award programme honours largest batch this year

Georgetown , GINA, October 29, 2005.

Approximately 1000 young men and women have received bronze, silver and gold medals for the successful completion of training in a number of areas under the President's Youth Award: Republic of Guyana (PYARG) programme.

The presentation today at the National Cultural Centre brings the number of persons awarded over the years to 1500.

In his address to the awardees, President Bharrat Jagdeo said as young people, they must see youth as the most important part of their lives as this is the time when they spend fashioning their values and morals.

“The time that you spend now will mean a lot for your future. These are your formative years. The outlook that you cultivate towards life, society and the world will influence you throughout the rest of your lives,” the President said.

He urged young people to take advantage of the opportunities that are available and instill in themselves values that will reap success. These, he said include tolerance to difference, fairness in interaction with people, hard work and judgment.

“I also want you to have an outlook that is positive…if you are positive things are going to happen in your life,” President Jagdeo said.

The Head-of-State also charged the awardees to have a multicultural outlook as the world places an optimum on multiculturalism in today’s society.

He noted that the borders between people are being shortened through the development of telecommunications, internet and other new technologies that promote direct communication.

President Jagdeo also urged young people to keep abreast with the activities in the outside world and always question the happenings of society.

“Have an independent mind. Have integrity in your thinking because people who have integrity in their thinking, an inquiring mind, they find the truth,” the President underscored.

In reflecting on the origination of the programme in Guyana some seven years ago, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gail Teixeira said the programme has grown significantly over the years.

She noted that it showcases the positives of youths in Guyana who have the ability to make a change in society.

“This is a fantastic programme. It is a programme about young people and their development through their own choice. Through their own self-involvement and participation,” the Minister said.

She pointed out that 75 percent of funding for the PYARG programme is provided by the Government, as approach to the private sector for financial aid has been unsuccessful.

As such, she urged that the private sector and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) take up the challenge of providing support to the programme.

“I want to use this opportunity to say to the private sector in this country: if you are interested in political stability, reducing crime in society, crime among youths, then this is the best programme to invest in and to ensure that our young people have opportunities,” Minister Teixeira urged.

Meanwhile, PYARG has received a contribution of US $30 000 from the World Bank to fund an HIV/AIDS prevention programme.

The number of persons who have been honoured with gold medals this year is more than 37 while close to 100 received the silver and 570 the bronze medal.

PYARG programme caters for persons aged 14 to 25 which encourages participation from every Region to undertake training in expeditions, development of skills, community service and physical recreation.

The programme is designed to help young people get through the difficult and challenging transition from adolescence to responsible adulthood.

Bronze medals are awarded to those in the over-14 age group, whose period of qualification is six months. Those qualified for the silver medal are required to be involved in the programme for one year, while the gold medal is given to those 16 years and over who have completed an 18-month training period.

The basic philosophy of the award is to encourage young people to improve their own standards, and to share the excitement and satisfaction of achievement.

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