Incentives must be given for standing forests
- Head of State maintains as he leaves to attend UN Climate Change Summit
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
A new climate agreement which builds on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol is expected to be the focus of talks at a special United Nations (UN) Climate Change Summit which opens in New York on Monday, September 24.
Guyana’s Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo will join over 150 political leaders at the Summit to present their ideas on the action needed in the areas of mitigation, adaptation, technology and finance.
It is no secret that the Head of State has been adamant that countries with standing forest should be rewarded with carbon credits and he has time and again expressed his disappointment that the current climate agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, does not offer developing countries incentives.
In a special interview before departing for the United States of America the President said, “Unfortunately as I have been saying here in Guyana for a quite a while now, the Kyoto Protocol … did not provide incentives to countries like ours that have abundant rainforest and are preserving these rainforest for the benefit of the world, so we are trying to change that. We are now arguing that there must be incentives for these countries that practice sustainable forestry management. That is one of the reasons why I am going to this special session organised by the United Nations Secretary General.”
The issue of climate change and its impact on ecosystems worldwide has gained significant prominence in world debate. This, the President said would bring greater focus to bear on the role the world must play to reduce the speedily evolving process of climate change through green house gas emissions and create a better environment.
“I think it is very important, if we sustain in what we are lobbying for now, in the future maybe the next five, ten years Guyana will benefit from hundreds of millions of US dollars per annum in carbon credits because with the amount of greenhouse gas sinks that we have, ….if it is remunerated at the current market value it could range as high as US$5M per year for Guyana, without touching the forests. That would be more than we earn from bauxite, sugar and rice combined.”
The meeting is expected to send a clear message to the UN’s Climate Change Summit in Bali, scheduled for December, to launch formal negotiations for a climate agreement.
“We will be there prominently represented (at the Bali Summit) but I intend to be very forceful at this meeting, it’s an interactive session. I am very, very disappointed that the major countries of the world are not making the commitment necessary first of all to secure the environment for the future, and secondly, to assist countries like ours.
He explained that the majority of funds garnered for climate change mitigation measures have remained in the developed world and the developing world have benefited very little from these incentives.
The President said, “Even the Clean Development Mechanism, part of the Kyoto Protocol, is a very cumbersome process to get any assistance through. I’ve been saying, if we are helping to preserve the forest, there is an opportunity cost for this too and we must be remunerated for that. Small countries can’t carry the burden of being responsible all the time and the large countries are not, because they are the major polluters.”
The nation’s leader maintained that achieving incentives for standing forests could be garnered through developing countries building a coalition on the issue.
“I hope I can work with like minded countries, institutions and organisations like Conservation International … to build the momentum necessary to create a market for carbon credits for standing rainforests as well as to get the Kyoto Protocol when it comes up for change to have that Protocol provide incentives for standing forests,” President Jagdeo said.
Earlier in the week the Head of State met Conservation International’s President Russell Mittermeier who committed to working with Guyana to take advantage of the new interest in sequestering carbon and given carbon credits for standing forests.
In fact Mittermeier said, “Guyana is in a position to take a big lead on that.”
The Head of State will return to Guyana on September 27 and Foreign Affairs Minister Rudy Insanally will stay on to speak at the General Assembly. Also expected to be at the Summit is Navin Chandarpaul Presidential Adviser on Sustainable Development.
According to reports in the international media Environmental pressure groups want the UN Summit to declare that a comprehensive climate agreement must be negotiated, no later than 2009 and it should set clear targets to reduce emissions for industrialised countries as well as quantifiable actions for more advanced developing nations.
Environmentalists point out that climate change is already having significant impacts in certain regions - particularly in developing countries such as Small Island States and Least Developed Countries. They say the UN Secretary -General must call on rich nations to put funds aside to help the poor to deal with the worst impacts of climate change.
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Repairs to Leguan sea defence breach progressing
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007.
Work is ongoing through a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Pubic Works and Communications and the Ministry of Agriculture to seal a breach at Retrieve, Leguan Island, Region Three, a project that is expected to be completed within the next two days.
The breach caused by undermining of a koker in the area during the recent high tides resulted in the intake of salt water, placing several heads of cattle and acres of rice and cash crops under threat.
Government mobilized resources and materials through the Sea Defence Unit and the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) for the repairs, which started earlier this week. Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Robeson Benn also visited the area and met residents on September 09 during which discussions were held on sealing of the breach and mechanisms to protect the crops and cattle.
At present, focus is being placed on completing the sealing works within the next two days before the next high tide period. The project entails placing 500 tonnes of boulders in front of the sea defence to break the wave impact and attract a build-up of sand to prevent further intake of salt water. In addition, a coffer dam is being constructed on the opposite side to prevent the flow of water inwards during the low tides so that backfilling could be done.
The project, according to Engineer of the Sea Defence Unit Kevin Samad is being affected by the limited time available for carrying out the works as a result of the tides. However, efforts are being made to complete the work on time. The project is being supervised by Samad and Engineer of NDIA Arun Richards.
Chief River and Sea Defence Officer George Howard and Technical Advisor to the Minister of Transport and Hydraulics Walter Willis were also on site today to check on the progress of work.
Substantial investments have been made over the years to improve sea defence and drainage and irrigation at Leguan to ensure that agricultural activities continue to develop especially since most residents are involved in farming.
Last year, more than $300M was spent on ‘rip-rap’ construction in several areas including Phoenix, Blenheim and Belfield while some works extended into this year. Retrieve was previously identified for improvement under the 2008 budget. However, the designs may be changed taking into consideration the current situation.
In addition, more than 40, 000 rods of drainage network have been identified for upgrading under a work programme developed by NDIA. These works, which started earlier this year, will be done with an excavator that was deployed to the island.
Previous works were effected by NDIA through the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).
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Minister Anthony urges youths to take up leadership roles
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
Government continues to place emphasis on the development of Guyana’s human resources and programmes are continually being developed to further this drive. Earlier today, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony urged youths to become more involved in the leadership of trade union bodies to help in the promotion of critical issues and furthering development of youths countrywide.
The Minister was at the time addressing participants at the inaugural conference of the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) at the Carifesta Sports Complex, held under the theme, “Mobilizing and organising youths for a better union and future’.
Minister Anthony pointed out that there are many issues affecting youths countrywide and that young trade unionists should play an active role in disseminating information.
He noted that education is sometimes taken for granted and often people do not utilise the opportunities presented to them. However, youths must be encouraged to take it seriously because the challenges present in the wider society negate secondary education. Persons seeking employment need to have tertiary education and must place emphasis on pursuing an education at the university level.
This does not mean however, that everyone would be able to pursue a university degree, the Minister noted. Persons who would have dropped out of the school system are also being taken care of with the implementation of technical vocational education and persons need to see the importance of these people to society since they are able to contribute significantly to the development process. He urged that the trade union bodies work together with the various ministries in identifying persons and areas where skills programmes can be effected.
Minister Anthony also pointed out that the quality of education also has to be looked at since often the focus is on academia and not on moulding a well-rounded individual. The challenge, he said, is in developing a balanced curriculum but these things are being taken into consideration since children and youths will not appreciate the finer things in life including sport and music.
He stated that Government is investing much in the sector but persons are continuing to migrate with the skills. This creates problems and persons need to be aware that proper education is a strategy to lift people out of poverty.
Issues affecting youths were also addressed by the Minister including HIV/AIDS. He said that many persons contract the disease, and are not treated, resulting in more persons getting infected. He pointed out that there is need to teach persons how to prevent the disease but this must be done in a way to affect the desired behaviour change.
Teenage pregnancy, another problem affecting youth was highlighted by the Minister and he urged that these issues to taken into consideration when the unions design programmes.
The Minister urged youths not to be afraid to develop their leadership skills since young trade unionists are social architects and can work to make changes in society.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who is performing the duties of the President urged that youths work develop themselves and give of their best.
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Maritime dispute resolution opens possibility for quantum leap in development - President Jagdeo disappointed with time lost over resolving issue
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
If there is oil in the delineated areas offshore Guyana set by the Guyana/Suriname Arbitral Tribunal, then this would open the way for the country to make a quantum leap in its development.
The sentiments are circulating around the country since the tribunal made public its award on September 20 after three-and-a-half years of proceedings and analyses.
Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo said these sentiments are well in order as the decision opens new vitas for Guyana’s oil search.
“We can’t confirm that there is oil there immediately, but from all the surveys done, including the US Geological surveys, they have reported that there seems to be significant quantities. If that’s true, that would transform Guyana. It would provide a tremendous income to our country that would catapult its development in the future and we can see quantum leap in our development,” President Jagdeo commented during a special interview at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport before departing for the United States of America to attend a United Nations Summit on Climate Change.
However, amidst his enthusiasm and elation, the Head of State has regrets over the lengthy process and the delay in what could have been a positive development for Guyana if there is really oil in those basins.
“What bothers me most, is that we lost about seven years, and if there is oil there we could have had a thriving oil industry in Guyana with a lot of benefits to our people… so that’s a lost opportunity and I regret that,” President Jagdeo commented.
He emphasised his satisfaction with the decision made as put forward in his address to the Nation on the said day the award was made public.
“I think we did extremely well in terms of the achievement of those objectives,” the President said.
“In the first 100 miles where you have shallow waters and it is easier to explore for oil, we have gained 84.5 percent. Suriname gained just about 15.5 percent of that area. That puts the area- the Eagle and the significant part of Wishbone, two sites identified by CGX as potentially rich with hydrocarbons within Guyana’s waters, so I think we are vindicated all around.”
President Jagdeo said at some point, the journey towards a successful arbitral award would be analysed impressing that the decision to push ahead with the process was not an easy one and one that could pose tremendous consequences for the nation he leads.
“I recalled before we filed, there was this risk that the case could have gone against us and I suspect if that had happened, today people would not have been saying favourable things to me, but I was convinced about the strength of our case this is why I took the decision that we should pursue that process.”
President Jagdeo recalled that the decision to approach the tribunal was only taken after failed attempts at bilateral negations and interventions by CARICOM to bring a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
“I see some of the comments coming out in Suriname that they should have paid more attention maybe to bilateral negotiations. We tried at every single level here; in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and in Jamaica. I went back to Suriname on a state visit. We even offered joint exploration and exploitation which would have been to the benefit of Suriname today, but they refused to go along that route so we had no choice if we wanted this issue resolved to file with the UN convention on the Law of the Sea,” the President said.
Now that the border dispute has been settled, the Head of State said Licensees would hopefully start their exploration activities.
The award issued by the Guyana/ Suriname Arbitral Tribunal brought an end to the lengthy arbitration process between Guyana and its eastern neighbour Suriname to demarcate the maritime boundary between the two countries.
Established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Arbitral Tribunal made the award public on September 20 after thousands of pages of written submissions contained in 13 printed volumes of pleadings, scrutiny of several maps, three weeks of oral pleadings and innumerable hours of analysing the law and facts pertinent to the case.
There were six core issues brought before the Tribunal in the case, and Guyana’s interests and objectives have been met in each.
On February 24, 2004, Guyana after failed attempts to settle the issue at the bilateral and CARICOM levels, gave written notification and a statement of claim to Suriname submitting a dispute concerning the delimitation of its maritime boundary with Suriname to an arbitral tribunal to be constituted under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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East Bank residents to begin accessing modern health services soon
-Regional hospital for commissioning mid next month
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
President Bharrat Jagdeo last year promised that in a short period many more Guyanese would be benefiting from modern health care services and today that promise is closer to being fulfilled as the first of four health institutions will begin catering for patients shortly.
The East Demerara Regional Hospital at Diamond is one of four modern health institutions being constructed with the assistance of the Cuban Government as government seeks to reduce the burden on the country’s premier health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran on September 20, inspected the progress of the facility on the East Bank of Demerara where civil works are practically completed and workers are putting in the finishing touches.
A high- level team of Cuban government officials is expected in Guyana for the commissioning of the Diamond facility mid October.
The uninterruptible power supply has been installed that will allow the expensive and delicate equipment in the facility to have an uninterrupted power supply.
Already there are 27 doctors, nurses and technicians on the site who will be manning the centre for the next two years with replacement teams taking over thereafter.
A number of Guyanese are undergoing medical training in Cuba and they will gradually take over the institution’s operations.
The East Demerara hospital is equipped with an emergency unit in the event of having to deal with accidents or gunshot wounds.
Approximately 15 to 20 beds will be housed in the facility along with a fully equipped operating theatre with the support of X-ray and ultra-sound rooms. However, in critical cases, patients will be transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
Minister Ramsaran disclosed that there are future plans to expand the small hospital to include other facilities to offer more services.
Dr. Ramsarran made special mention of a bio-medical team comprising four persons, and headed by an engineer who has been in the country for several months and has completed the installation of the state-of-the-art equipment.
Guyana will be benefiting from the services of a bio-medical engineer who will reside in the country for the next four years. The engineer will service and maintain the equipment at the Diamond hospital and the diagnostic and treatment centres around the country that are being established with the assistance of the Cubans. They are Leonora, Region Three, Suddie, Region Two and Mahaicony, Region Five. The engineer will also service the equipment of the ophthalmology centre being built at Port Mourant, Berbice.
Progress of Diagnostic and Treatment Centres
Minister Ramsaran said work is far advanced at Suddie which is awaiting major electrical equipment in order that the centre’s equipment are functional. The Guyana Power and Light operates on a 50 - cycle system on the Essequibo coast and the modern equipment work on a 60- cycle. The majority of the centre’s furnishings is already at Suddie.
All the services that were previously offered at the hospital were transferred to the Charity hospital, the Minister said, noting that when the Suddie centre becomes operational additional services will be available.
At the Leonora and Mahaicony centres civil work is practically completed and the equipment will be arriving shortly.
Lenora Dianostic Centre, Region Three
Minister Ramsaran expressed concern that three heavy-duty transformers that were transported to the Leonora site three weeks ago to be mounted to power the centre are still on the ground.
Minister Ramsaran conveyed the administration’s gratitude to the Cuban Government for its assistance to enhance Guyana’s health system.
All the diagnostic centres are expected to offer 24 hours of service with guaranteed comprehensive medical care for patients, including tests for diagnosis.
Government is spending US$1.2M to furnish these institutions.
In February 2006, President Bharrat Jagdeo on a visit to Cuba sealed an agreement with Cuban President Fidel Castro for major assistance for the local health sector. The diagnostic and ophthalmology centres, provision of Cuban medical personnel to man them and the granting of 715 scholarships for Guyanese to pursue medicine in Cuba were all part of the agreement.
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Mission Child Protection receives donation
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
Over 30 children under the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Mission Child Protection programme today benefited from a donation by the Indian High Commission.
Mrs. Rekha Gupta, wife of Indian High Commissioner to Guyana Mr. Avinash Gupta handed over the donation which included a television set, towels, clothes, toothpaste, bed sheets and other children’s items to Human Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand at the Sophia Care Centre.
Minister Manickchand said she is very pleased with the donation and expressed government’s gratitude to Mrs. Gupta.
Minister Manickchand in March 2007 introduced the – “Mission Child Protection programme” aimed at removing children off the streets and placing them in a home where they are given, love, care and support.
These children after counselling sessions are reintegrated into the school system while others are reunited with their families.
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All government programmes to have interpretation
-Minister Manickchand at Deaf Awareness Week launch
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand today made a commitment that all public programmes conducted and facilitated by her Ministry will have an interpreter to assist persons with hearing impairment.
At the launching of the second observance of Deaf Awareness Week at the National Park, Minister Manickchand who has overall responsibility for social welfare said that society needs to appreciate persons for who they are since history has shown that persons with disabilities make significant contribution to the development of Guyana and the world at large.
Deaf Awareness Week observed from September 22 to 30, under the theme ‘Talking Hands’ will culminate with a church service and Fun Day at the Young Men’s Christian Association building, Thomas Lands.
The Support Group for Deaf Persons organised the observance in partnership with the Guyana Deaf Mission, VSO Guyana and US-based Deaf Guyanese, Tracey Cholmondeley with "Invisible Hands, Inc".
Minister Manickchand noted that the Government is doing all it can to ensure that every Guyanese is given equal opportunities. She called on the gathering to work with the ministry and the government in creating a friendlier and comfortable environment for persons with disabilities and to heighten awareness.
The school systems in Guyana are not fully equipped to deal with special education and Government will be moving to send persons overseas for training, Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox said.
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government has promised in its manifesto to create avenues to ensure that citizens with disabilities can enjoy full and equal rights under the law, and be empowered to participate in completing and implementing legislation to provide persons with disability legal safeguards against discrimination in the workplace, education establishments and medical and rehabilitation agencies; and improved access to public facilities.
To this end, the National Commission on Disability (NCD) will be strengthened to create a national register to ensure that comprehensive support services are provided.
It has been recognised that significant progress has been made in recent years to expand policies, programmes and support to address the needs of persons with disabilities in Guyana through further development of specific projects focusing largely on rehabilitation and education.
Several workshops will be held starting on September 24 at the Demerara Mutual Life Building, Robb Street to raise deaf awareness.
Of particular interest to parents of a deaf child is the workshop entitled “Parental Involvement: Advocating for your Child-Don’t Take a Back Seat , Get Involved, to be held on September 24, and presented by Tara Downing, a family educator from Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C. In addition, closed workshops are scheduled at various schools and other locations during the week. Activities are also planned for Bartica and Linden.
The Support Group for Deaf Persons is an outreach to the Deaf Community, Parents of Deaf Children, and other interested persons by the Guyana Community Based Rehabilitation Programme.
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Another housing scheme handed over
-NDCs authorized to collect rates and taxes for maintenance
Georgetown, GINA, September 22, 2007
The Mocha Arcadia Neighbourhood Democratic Council last evening assumed responsibility of the area’s housing scheme after it was officially handed over by Minister of Housing and Water Harry Narine Nawbatt.
The Ministries of Housing and Water and Local Government and Regional Development began handing over completed housing schemes on Wednesday with the first being the Diamond Housing Scheme.
This move will ensure that the respective NDCs are empowered to maintain the facilities in the housing schemes. This is part of the Government’s plan to guarantee that infrastructure development and maintenance continue in an orderly manner.
Residents in Mocha/Arcadia are receiving most of the basic services; however they told Minister Nawbatt that they needed a walk way for easier access to the main road and to their homes as the dam they are currently using is impassable at times. The Minister inspected the dam which is utilized by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) and promised to send an engineer to the area on Monday to conduct an assessment of the situation.
Ministry of Housing and Water, Land Administration Manager (ag) Gladwin Charles presents letter of appointment to Chairman of Mocha/Arcadia NDC Gregory John, overlooked by Minister of Housing and Water Harry Narine Nawbatt, Advisor to the Minister Clinton Collymore and residents of Mocha Housing Scheme.
Minister Nawbatt told residents that the NDC has to appraise the properties in order to start collecting rates and taxes from and urged them to communicate and contribute to this process by ensuring meetings are held with the NDC to address their problems.
Adviser to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Clinton Collymore said the Government is aware that the community needs more funds for its maintenance and for this reason residents must ensure they contribute towards the further development of their community.
He said Government is working towards increasing allocation for areas such as Mocha Arcadia but in the meanwhile residents should do their duty. He encouraged them to enter into a harmonious relationship with the NDC.
On September 26 and 27, Mon Repos and Buxton/Foulis Housing Schemes will be handed over respectively.
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