More investments being encouraged in agriculture sector
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Government has been working toward creating the necessary framework for increased private sector investments and to providing services to the agriculture sector which is the largest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This is one of the objectives of the administration’s agricultural policy taking into consideration increased production which is not possible without a vibrant private sector for job creation and sustained income generation, according to Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud.
Several initiatives that would create opportunities for further investment including diversification are ongoing, since Guyana’s agriculture is still characterised by the production and export of prime agricultural products.
“Production and export of value-added products have not achieved their true potential and it is imperative that the sector be transformed into one that is both internationally competitive and sustainable,” he said.
He noted that there seems to be separation between commerce and agriculture. However, agriculture holds a significant share of commercial business transactions in the country and a large portion of the credit portfolio of commercial banks.
“Guyana is predominantly an agriculture- growing country and I believe, given the global development in bio-technology, global and regional food security, sustainable and organic food cultivation and in food processing, Guyana must of necessity foster greater integration between agriculture and business,” he urged.
An agricultural diversification strategy is being developed to promote economic development, an approach that supports focus on production of non-traditional commodities for local and export markets. Additionally, the non-traditional crop sector will increase rural incomes, employment and foreign exchange and alleviate rural poverty. Emphasis is also being placed on the development of agro-processing and the livestock sub-sectors.
The Caribbean region is also increasingly looking to Guyana to satisfy its food needs and government is working to increase exports of other agricultural products to CARICOM states as part of efforts to gain a portion of the US$3B annual CARICOM food import bill.
According to Minister Persaud, this will provide opportunities for the local business sector and businesses are urged to recognise their role in the development process and get more involved in agriculture whether it is in production, agro- processing, agro-tourism or agro-energy (bio-fuels).
“I urge you now to think of the agriculture sector in terms of food and agro-business enterprises and seek out opportunities for increased participation,” the Minister said.
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Essequibo rehab centre to attract more differently-abled people
Georgetown GINA, December 20, 2006
The Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) centre at Queenstown on the Essequibo Coast has empowered a number of differently-abled individuals and is moving to broaden its base in the coming year.
The building, the first permanent meeting place for the differently-abled ever to be built by government in the Region was a promise by President Bharrat Jagdeo and was commissioned in March last.
The centre was constructed at a cost of $6M
The CBR works with various differently-abled individuals through advocacy, HIV/AIDS workshops, craft work, catering programmes and other activities that allow them to become self-sufficient.
The centre is at present working to build its human resource base through its membership drive to help all differently-abled persons in the Region to become involved in its programmes.
Adviser of the Centre Lloyd Griffith noted that there are still several persons in the Region to be reached, and the centre will be using every means necessary to reach them.
Every year as part of the International Day for the Disabled the centre participates in an awareness walk. During this year’s activity the CBR members walked from Onderneeming to Middlesex.
Griffith said that the undertaking spurred the wider society to become involved in the affairs of the CBR, and to demonstrate the capabilities and competencies of differently-abled people.
President Jagdeo promised that his government will help to upkeep the centre with an annual $500,000 subvention. This subvention, the Advisor noted, will help the centre to promote better activities for its members.
He said that the centre will be involved in the national disabled conference which is earmarked for April next year in Georgetown.
The CBR has been in existence since 1993 and operates through centres in seven of Guyana’s regions.
The programme helps people with disabilities to develop a range of numeracy, advocacy and literacy skills.
Other centres such as the one established at Port Mourant, Region Six, received funding from international and non-governmental organisations.
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Scrap Metal Trade Bill for December 21 sitting
GINA, Georgetown December 20, 2006
On December 21 Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on behalf of the Government will be presenting the Scrap Metal Trade Bill to the National Assembly, which seeks to have the local scrap metal trade banned.
Utilities services countrywide have been complaining about severe losses that they are faced with due to the scrap metal business.
On October 26 representatives of the main utility service providers disclosed that activities in the scrap metal trade are seriously affecting the delivery of a dependable service by their respective agencies.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Bharrat Dindyal said approximately 4000 feet of power-lines in Sophia which were recently installed under the Un-served Areas Electrification Programme have been vandalised and a large quantity of the material was found cut in smaller lengths in the stockpile of a scrap metal dealer.
Prime Minister Hinds said spontaneous visits to various scrap metal dealers have revealed a number of illegal materials.
Following the announcement of the ban, scrap metal dealers said it would be unfair, however, the Prime Minister said government will retain its position because to them the current social and economic costs of vandalism have outweighed any possible positives the trade may present.
Meanwhile Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Kellawan Lall will be piloting for the second time the Local Authorities Elections (Amendment) Bill 2006.
The bill will seek to have the Local Authorities Elections Act amended to provide for the postponement of elections of Councillors of Local Democratic Organs.
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Security plays critical role in development
-Defence Secretary
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Secretary to the Defence Board Dr. Roger Luncheon today conveyed government’s satisfaction with the role of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in the preservation of social stability and public order during 2006.
The expression was made while addressing junior staffers of the Army during the annual Christmas luncheon at Camp Stephenson, Timehri.
Dr. Luncheon, who served as the emissary to the Commander-in-Chief referred to the relationship between security and development, noting that the GDF has supported this cause.
“You have worked hard and I couldn’t ask for better performance over the last few months,” he said.
He alluded to the seamless integration of the Army with other factions of the join security forces towards apprehending enemies of the State on numerous occasions during 2006.
Dr. Luncheon said a large quantity of capital is expended on the military, and this bears testimony to government’s recognition of their efforts.
“You can be sure of the commitment by administration to ensuring the provision of adequate resources in the discharge of your mandate”, Luncheon said.
He added “Over the years of this Administration, the abiding sentiment is that the military has stood its ground.”
Chief of Staff, Brigadier Edward Collins, addressing the ranks, urged them to reflect on the events of the past year and focus on the reaffirmation of their commitment to the people of Guyana during the upcoming year.
He posited that “in the spirit of Christmas we must forget the things that divide us and redirect our focus on that which binds us.”
Dr. Luncheon and Brigadier Collins joined senior ranks of the force in the annual tradition of service to junior ranks, which included serving them meals and beverages.
Commander-in-Chief, President Bharrat Jagdeo, is expected to join ranks at Camp Ayanganna tomorrow in a similar celebration.
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Bare Root youths get sports gear from Government
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Government continues to fulfill its promises to youths by encouraging their all-round development through sporting activities.
The latest evidence of this commitment was the presentation of sports gears to youths of Bareroot, East Coast Demerara, by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Government’s input of footballs, cricket bats, balls and pads was prompted by the community’s youths to form a sports club.
The Minister promised that the Youth Development Officer of the Ministry who is based on the East Coast Demerara will be working closely with them to develop the club.
On December 19, Minister Anthony also handed over cricket gears and equipment for several other sports disciplines to clubs in Affiance, Good Hope, Hybernia, Maria’s Lodge, Anna Regina, Charity, Krawab and Wakapau, Region Two.
Plans are also in the pipeline to build a multi-purpose US$5 M sports facility in Region Two.
Government’s ultimate objective is to use sports as a tool for empowerment and unity and to encourage healthy practices among the population.
Government will be establishing a national policy that outlines a five-year plan for sports in 2007. Part of the plan will include special coaching assistants for every sports club throughout the regions
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Relinquished sugar quota should be redistributed in Region
- Minister Jeffrey tells 84th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Redistribution of the sugar quota from Caribbean countries that have relinquished their designated quota under the Sugar Protocol (SP) for preferential trading of the commodity to European Community (EC) has become a sticking point for other countries in the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping.
Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Dr. Henry Jeffrey, during his presentation at the 84th Session of the ACP Council of Ministers in Khartoum, Sudan, on December 3, said the Region’s position is that relinquished quota from Caribbean countries should be redistributed within the region.
He said with the regional integration process and the freer movement of peoples across the region, cross border employment in the sugar industry is common.
“In practical terms, the CARICOM sugar industry is now viewed by those who work in it as just that: one, not many different industries. It is partly this kind of realisation that propelled our Regional Heads of Government, in February this year, to take a united stand against the consistent erosion of our regional quota under the Sugar Protocol regime,” Minister Jeffrey told his counterparts at the meeting.
He explained that the unfulfilled quota of Caribbean countries due to challenges in the industry, or closure of sugar factories, should be redistributed within the region and not to other countries that are part of the SP.
He highlighted five main points to support the Caribbean’s position on the redistribution of the quotas.
- Quite apart from losses which occurred when temporary shortfalls were declared or resulted from the EBA arrangement (from which I suspect all will suffer) since the Sugar Protocol came into force, CARICOM has lost a total of 44,432 tonnes of original quota, to other beneficiaries in the ACP.
- This kind of loss has a tremendous impact upon a poor, small and vulnerable country such as Guyana, which is now attempting to utilise the Accompanying Measures to restructure and diversify its rural economy and increase sugar production.
- Guyana, which has perhaps the most to lose here, is an Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) with a per capita income of less than US$1,000: sugar constitutes some 18% of our GDP: 30% of mercantile exports: employs some 18,000 persons and directly and indirectly have depending upon it some 125,000 persons or about 17% of the population.
- Unlike many others, CARICOM’s small market is sugar satiated and needs the preferential European market simply to survive.
- That preferential market is vital to Guyana’s reform efforts. (It now constitutes 50% of production but some 70% of revenue).
Minister Jeffrey said, “What we are asking in seeking to retain the quota within our Region can only be properly defined as attempting to prevent a loss to us if the context I have attempted to outline is appreciated. But, of course, the decision we are to make cannot be viewed simply in economic and logical terms. From those standpoints, we believe, our case is unassailable.
This Minister said, “We would want to keep that preferential market going because it is better pricing for us. Many of the ACP countries are not in favour of the idea because when Barbados gave up its quota most of it went not to Caribbean countries but other countries in the ACP grouping.”
He said one of his roles was to defend that position, and whilst the matter has been deferred, an agreement on the request of the Caribbean would have to be made by June next year.
“The decision has been put off, but that decision would hopefully be made after a paper is written on the sugar protocol and EPA arrangement, and that should be finished by February and must be completed by the end of June,” Minister Jeffrey said.
The theme of the 84th meeting was “United for peace, solidarity and sustainable development”. The Summit also provided the opportunity to take stock of the implementation of the Maputo Declaration which was adopted in 2004 and to redefine political guidelines for the Group.
What is the Sugar Protocol?
The Sugar Protocol (SP) is a government- to-government agreement covering individual quantities of cane sugar for each ACP party to it.
Article 1 of the ACP/EU Sugar Protocol states that, the European Community undertakes for an indefinite period to purchase and import, at guaranteed prices, specific quantities of cane sugar, raw or white, which originate in the ACP states and which these States undertake to deliver to it.
The ACP/EU Sugar Protocol took effect on February 28, 1975. This agreement holds a huge significance to Guyana in that it comprises 70% of its total export sales.
Guyana’s agreed quantity under the protocol is 159,410 tonnes of white sugar equivalent to 167,000 metric tonnes per year.
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Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee meets aircraft owners and operators at the Ministry’s boardroom. The meeting addressed security concerns of the Ministry, primarily border security. Minister Rohee said consultations will continue to address security matters. Among those at the meeting were Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn, Faizal Khan General Manager of Air Services and Captain Ronald Reece Chairman of Wings Aviation Services.
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Gov’t laying groundwork for solid waste project
Raymond Latchmansingh, Managing Director, CEMCO (at right) receives cheque from Prataap Persaud, Project Coordinator, CSEP while Ganga Persaud Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development look on.
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Government is actively pursuing proper solid waste disposal, another aspect of the modernisation thrust and early next year, a feasibility study will commence in the five Neighbourhood Democratic Councils that are being prepared for township status.
Caribbean Engineering and Management Consultants Incorporated (CEMCO) has been awarded the contract to conduct an assessment and investigation to produce plausible findings and solutions on solid waste management for the Community Services Enhancement Project (CSEP).
CSEP is a joint venture between the government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) at a cost of US$16.1M, targeting development of areas earmarked for secondary township. This project was launched in February of this year.
The feasibility study will cost US$50,000 and would be done over three months in the following areas: Charity/Urasara, and Good Hope/Pomona, in Region Two; Mora/Parika, and Hydronie/Good Hope in Region Three and Bartica in Region Seven.
CEMCO will focus on environmental and social assessment of projects in terms of sustainability, waste collection and disposal in an efficient manner and the institutional arrangements in each NDC to undertake the projects.
The contract for this project was signed today by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud and Managing Director of CEMCO Raymond Latchmansingh at the Ministry’s Boardroom, Kingston.
The Permanent Secretary said this venture “fits into government’s thrust to modernise Guyana,” and the findings accrued from this will be executed by the government.
Recently, government signed a $3.1M contract to facilitate infrastructural works to the Lusignan landfill site, which is part of government’s massive solid waste management programme.
The Lusignan landfill will be used until the solid waste facility at Hague Boosch becomes operational. The Mandela dump site has been closed off and work on tidying has accelerated.
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Community development to be expanded
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Ganga Persaud exchanges notes with UNDP Representative (acting), Carla Khammar after signing the MOU.
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Community based programmes will receive more support in 2007 from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Boardroom, Kingston yesterday, is valued at US $100,000. This will be injected into regional structures to propel growth and development.
Inking the MOU on behalf of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development was Permanent Secretary, Ganga Persaud and UNDP Representative (acting), Carla Khammar.
“Any intervention or partnership that can help with what we are doing as a country and help us to raise the standard of living of our people by bringing into our government-fold greater efficiency and effectiveness is a significant act,” Persaud said.
This annual work plan is a new framework of cooperation between the Government of Guyana and the UNDP, as part of the poverty reduction programme, according to Khammar.
She stated that the key objective is to work in collaboration with the Ministry and the Regional Democratic Councils to enhance regional development, strengthen capacity within communities and reduce poverty.
Training, working along with social partners to strengthen their abilities to design and implement community based programmes will be the mechanisms used to achieve the objectives.
UNDP has being engaged in activities at the community level over the past year in Regions Three, Four and Six, through social cohesion and is seeking to build on the gains made.
A regional development strategy pilot project-Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) was started in Region Ten and the UNDP is optimistic that this system can be replicated in Regions Four and Six.
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Medical laboratories to be strengthened with legislation in 2007
Georgetown, GINA, December 20, 2006
Continuous medical laboratory education will be provided to accompany a broad effort to enhance the medical laboratory accreditation process.
The Guyana Association of Medical Laboratory Professionals (GAMLP), which comprises representatives from the public and private sector laboratories, has undertaken several initiatives in an effort to improve and maintain quality standards.
Through an initiative with the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) a registration process for all laboratories in Guyana was established more than ten years ago.
Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, during his address at the continuing education on lab certification and accreditation at the Tower Hotel today, noted his disappointment in the slow pace of the registration process, since not all laboratories have registered.
The registration process, according to Minister Ramsammy, should also encompass certification of practitioners who, he noted, are as equally important as other professionals in the health sector
They too will soon be following an accreditation procedure to ensure that they adhere to certain codes of conduct.
Laboratory scientists will be the central administrative figures of a number of programmes to be introduced in 2007.
The typhoid elimination programme, which Minister Ramsammy says can be accomplished with simple hygiene, will be introduced in the new year and laboratory professionals are expected to spearhead this venture.
They should also follow a continuing education process, since their license will be renewed annually.
The laboratory services in Guyana have advanced significantly with technology, but according to Minister Ramsammy, the administration is heavily dependent on practitioners.
Guyana is leading in proficiency testing and quality assurance and is also among few countries in the Caribbean with a programme for laboratory practitioners but certification is not compulsory.
According to Minister Ramsammy, this will be addressed with the health professional bill which he intends to table in the National Assembly within the first six months of the new year.
This bill, he noted, will replace the existing Allied Health Professionals Act.
Partnerships will soon be established with overseas laboratories to enhance the local system.
A new public health laboratory will soon be constructed at the Georgetown Public Hospital and a number of new tests will be facilitated.
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