Food security, main focus of Agriculture Month
-heightened emphasis on hinterland farming
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007.
Agriculture Month 2007, to be launched on October 1 at Orealla, Region Six, will be celebrated under the theme ‘The right to food - a reality in Guyana,’ as Government continues to place emphasis on food security.
According to Deputy Permanent Secretary – Administration, Ministry of Agriculture, Brian Greenidge, the observance will place emphasis on forestry and its linkage to food security, particularly in rural communities that are involved in agriculture.
Additionally, the celebrations will highlight agricultural development in these hinterland communities where farming activities have evolved over the years as a result of the administration’s continued investments.
An itinerary of events has been prepared for the various communities including Moruca and Matthews Ridge, Region One; Kamarang and Paruima, Region Seven; Paramakatoi and Aishalton, Region Eight and Rockstone in Region Ten. The activities include various farmers’ meetings, discussions and commissioning of various projects and initiatives aimed at developing the various sub-sectors of agriculture.
Hinterland Agricultural Development Officer John Woolford noted that the activities are part of the Ministry’s renewed focus on advancement of agriculture in interior communities.
Woolford pointed out that the coastal areas have been the main highlight over the past years and there is need to remind people that agriculture is progressing in the hinterland as well. Reference was made to Paruima, a far-flung community in Region Seven, where high quality products such as onions, white potato and cabbage are cultivated organically.
The geographical location and the high cost make it is difficult to transport produce from this area to other parts of the country, he added. Therefore, this year’s observances will showcase the development taking place in the community.
Meanwhile, World Food Day on October 16 will be celebrated in Guyana with various activities at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.
Agriculture contributes about 35 percent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), accounts for 43 percent of the country’s total earnings, and provides employment for more than 70 percent of the population. Celebration of Agriculture Month is intended to showcase development taking place in the sector and to encourage further growth.
Last year, Agriculture Month was launched in Region Ten and was observed under the theme ‘investing in Guyana’s agriculture for food security.’
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Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project on target
-electricity supply to national grid closer
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007.
Government’s flagship, the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP), to remodel and improve the sugar industry has moved another step forward, as efforts are being made to start supplying electricity to the national grid shortly.
SSMP represents an investment of approximately US$170M and includes construction of a modern sugar factory with a capacity to produce about 116, 000 tonnes of raw sugar annually and a co-generation plan, capable of supplying 10 megawatts (MW) of power to Berbice.
Additionally, the factory has three diesel generators, one 5 MW and two 2.5 MW, which will ensure a constant supply of power. The base-load for Berbice is estimated at 10 MW and so the factory will be contributing to a stable supply for the County.
The commissioning of the diesel generators recently started and is currently in the final stages, as preparations are being made to test the supply of electricity to the national grid. It is expected that the generators will commence supplying power by the end of October.
The project is designed to produce electricity from fossil fuel, and bagasse, a by-product of the sugar cane. During initial operations, power will be supplied using fossil fuel while it is expected that supply from the bagasse will be implemented when the factory gets into full operations.
Efforts are being made to complete the factory by February 2008 and start sugar production by the end of March 2008. The factory will require about 1.1 million tonnes of cane per year, about three times the current requirement of Skeldon estate. The additional canes will be produced from about 4,700 hectares of new estate lands in Manarabisi and about 4,200 hectares of new farmers’ lands being developed at locations near the estate and at Moleson Creek.
The factory incorporates modern technology from many different countries, which combined will ensure high efficiencies of extraction and boiling house recovery. One of the features will be a high degree of automation, designed to keep the various stations within the factory operating at optimum efficiency.
This will require significant investment in training factory employees. Similar equipment, but on a smaller scale, is being installed in the Blairmont factory to provide hands-on training for employees.
The contract for the construction of the sugar factory and cogeneration plant was signed between the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) and China National Technology Import and Export Corporation (CNTIC) in June 2004.
This project is part of Government’s intention to make the sugar industry viable and is aimed at bringing the cost of producing sugar below US11 cents per pound. At present, the cost of production ranges between US17 and 18 cents per pound.
In addition, there are plans to establish a distillery, secure investments for a refinery and use sugar-cane as a source of bio-diesel, when sugar production has increased.
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Guyana has great potential for major investments
– Barbados’ Deputy PM
Government, GINA, September 26, 2007
Government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for trade and investment in the country by both local and foreign investors was conveyed to participants of a seminar on ‘Doing Business in Guyana’ at the Grand Coastal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara.
Present were Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana Arthur Meyer and Chief Executive Officer of GO-INVEST, Geoffrey Da Silva. There were a number of local and foreign investors from countries such as Brazil, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago.
Ms Mottley committed her country’s full support to fostering a better trading environment in Guyana.
“Barbados and Guyana have always shared great ties and this seminar is evidence of the great opportunities for investment. It shows that we are cognisant of the difficulties which we have encountered in the past and are willing to work together in building the capacity of development which will benefit all stakeholders,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“If we want to achieve our goals then we must be able not only to work together in identifying the opportunities, but also we must commit ourselves to exploring and developing these opportunities by strengthening the relationship between the Government and both local and foreign and investors.”
The Deputy Prime Minister said at the administrative level, Government must be the key player in the venture as the right tax regime and legal framework are important in developing an investment and trading environment in Guyana.
Today’s seminar focused on investment opportunities in two main areas of agriculture and tourism.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud said Guyana is being developed as the gateway to CARICOM and is the only country in the region which enjoys food security which is an added encouragement for business.
He presented the different opportunities in agriculture and reiterated Government’s efforts to further boost the sector which contributes 32 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GPD) and 37 per cent of export earnings.
Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad spoke extensively of the growing tourism industry noting that Guyana has been gaining international recognition and making significant strides to nurture different types of tourism activities which are being supported by the international community.
He said that Guyana has some of the world’s most beautiful attractions which over the years managed to sustain a steady number of foreign visitors who are not only coming for vacation and recreation but also to see what Guyana has to offer in terms of sustainable economic ventures.
Government is working closely with several CARICOM and neighbouring countries to boost tourism and agriculture activities.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana Arthur Meyer said his country will be discussing several projects aimed at strengthening the economic environment of the two countries, including a Brazilian consolidatory office in Lethem which is expected to come on stream next year. The Takutu Bridge is expected to boost trade between the two countries.
Government has been asked by Brazil to submit a new list of products for preferential prices for imports.
Opportunity for investment especially for exports was identified in the areas of rice and sugar cultivation, the production of fresh and processed foods, livestock and diary products, aquaculture/fisheries, vegetables, organic products and forestry. Agro energy has also stimulated some interest over the years especially from neighbouring Brazil.
Government has over the years invested tremendously to make Guyana an attractive market for investment and has been exporting to countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia and Antigua.
Some of the major agriculture investment by Government includes a US$34M project to finance policy reforms which sought the involvement of several semi-autonomous agencies created to address land tenure, administration, food safety issues and operations and management of drainage and irrigation systems.
Guyana is ripe for investments as it has the natural resources with vast areas of productive agricultural lands and forest, a prime location as gateway to CARICOM, an affordable and educated labour force, economic strength with an international reserve of US$224M accompanied by supportive Government policies.
Investors are benefiting from duty-free access to some markets including the Unites States and the European Union. There is improved infrastructure to allow for easy access and transport of goods and services with a vibrant business environment in a market oriented economy and a well developed banking sector.
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Guyana’s economy on the rise
- Barbados Deputy Prime Minister
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
Government’s efforts to create and maintain a stable macro-economic environment are continually being recognised and lauded at various levels. Today, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley commended Government’s efforts and expressed confidence in Guyana’s economy.
The Deputy Prime Minister has accompanied a group of business persons from Barbados who will be exploring investment opportunities locally and will participate in GUYEXPO 2007. The team is also scouting business opportunities for other Barbadian business persons who were unable to visit Guyana.
She was at the time delivering an address at a luncheon held at Le Meridien Pegasus, Kingston, for local and Barbadian business persons. The luncheon provided an opportunity for them to interact and discuss possible investment opportunities in Barbados. This morning a breakfast seminar for foreign investors was held at the Grand Coastal Inn when persons were given the chance to highlight investment opportunities in Guyana.
Ms. Mottley pointed out that there is a deep historical link between Guyana and Barbados in almost every area of human endeavour and expressed the hope that the visit will yield many partnerships and joint-ventures between local business persons and those from Barbados. She however, emphasised the importance of trust in developing commercial relations.
She pointed out that there are investment opportunities in the financial services sector, especially in the area of insurance and urged that strategic joint ventures be sought to strengthen the enterprise. Another area of interest is tourism, and the Deputy Prime Minister noted that although the mission is not focusing on the tourism industry, opportunities to create joint ventures will be examined.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Manniram Prashad pointed out that this year’s GUYEXPO is expected to be the largest and expressed the hope that partnerships will result from the visit. He noted that Guyana has been host to significant events this year and Government continues to invest resources to ensure the economy grows at a steady pace.
Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest) Geoffrey Da Silva said Guyana’s participation in the 2004 Trade and Investment Exposition held in Barbados was a momentous occasion in deepening relations between the two countries. Since then, he noted, trade between the two countries had doubled both in the area of import and export. He expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation.
Others attending the luncheon include Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, Barbados’ Consul in Guyana Jerry Gouveia, and Chairman of Go-Invest Keith Burrowes.
Government continues to implement programmes and policies to ensure a stable economic environment conducive to investments and overall development of the economy and efforts to accelerate and encourage the investment process have yielded positive results.
GUYEXPO, the largest trade and investment exposition held in Guyana has been assisting many small businesses in gaining recognition and in finding substantial marketing opportunities. Many small businesses were given a boost after participating in GUYEXPO and other trade expositions held in the Caribbean and further afield and have expanded into wide-scale production. Some of the businesses were asked to fill orders for other countries while participating in GUYEXPO and today many are exporting and have established small shops in the Caribbean.
The Guyana Trade and Investment Exposition which is held in other countries is a continuation of GUYEXPO at which many businesses exhibit and sell their products. Many have blossomed into long-term arrangements for the supply of locally-made arts and crafts, clothing and furniture.
A report from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on the integration within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has stated that Guyana has doubled its exports to the Region within the last four to five years.
In addition, a number of business persons are expected from Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua, St. Lucia and North America, seeking investment opportunities.
This year’s GUYEXPO was launched under the theme “Partnering for Progress” and is expected to attract a larger crowd with more participation. The exposition will provide an opportunity for businesses to build alliances and a platform to promote CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) initiatives.
GUYEXPO 2007 will be held from September 27 to October 2, 2007 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Sophia and will provide local and overseas businesses the opportunity to showcase and sell their products to the public.
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Minister Fox urges behaviour change towards literacy
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
Minister in the Ministry of Education Dr. Desrey Fox has urged that parents encourage reading at home since many students are left behind as a result of the inclination to watch television. She pointed out that there is need to strike a balance between the activities in the home so that children have enough time to communicate with the parents.
The Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at this year’s GUYAID Annual Essay Writing Competition Prize giving exercise at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), Battery Road, Kingston.
Guyanese Assisting in Development (GUYAID), an overseas-based group, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education hosts the event which is in its 14th year. The competition is open to primary and secondary school students in different categories and is aimed at encouraging students to conduct relevant research in to produce creative and unique essays about pertinent and current issues.
She stated that teachers have to find innovate ways of keeping the interest of children since children spend a lot of time playing computer games and teachers have to compete since school is now viewed as boring. Parents are also being urged to ensure that their children eat proper foods to ensure that they have the right nutrients to function.
The Ministry of Education is focusing on several areas to ensure that the rate of literacy is improved including remedial and distance education programmes.
Representative of GUYAID Ms. Bernice Mansell urged the students to be an example in speech and conduct and pointed out that there are many problems affecting youths in today’s society. She urged that persons be cognisant of these and that persons think before they act.
She emphasised the importance of education today’s society and urged that students pursue their dreams since some level education is necessary to attain a job.
Chief Judge of the competition, Geoffrey Smith noted that there was an improvement in the quality of the entries received this year and congratulated the participants and teachers. He noted however, that it is disappointing that mostly females participated in the competition and has urged that more males be encouraged to compete.
This year’s competition attracted 266 entries which represents 53 percent of the projected number of entries. Education officers in the various regions were urged to ensure that students are encouraged to enter the competition which will enable them to develop their literary skills.
This year’s topics were:
Under 12 – Myself in 20 years time
Over 12 – Water was streaming out of my eyes as I coughed and coughed and coughed. I then vowed that I will never smoke again.
Over 14 – HIV and AIDS: Everybody’s Business.
Winners in the competition include Mariah Baksh from the C.V Nunes Primary School, Vidmattie Jaipersaud from the Central Corentyne Secondary, Prudence Jillian from the Bishop’s High, Leila Kubeer from the Essequibo Islands Secondary amd Farzana Yassin from the Abrahams Zuil Secondary.
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All set for GUYEXPO 2007
- official launch tomorrow
Government, GINA, September 26 2007
Guyana’s largest trade exposition and fair, GUYEXPO will officially be launched tomorrow, paving the way for small and medium scale enterprises to promote their businesses.
Over the past few days there has been an increase in the number of exhibitors. This year’s participants of about 260 surpasses last year’s.
The walk-way which will be used to usher international visitors and potential investors is being prepared.
The Ministry has also expressed anticipation for a successful event as all arrangements are in place to make the exposition successful and to better last year’s event.
GUYEXPO has been initiated by Government to boost small and medium enterprises and to create the right environment for their growth and development.
The exhibition is being held under the theme ‘Partnering for progress’ and will conclude on October 02.
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Gov’t to address overcrowding at Camp St. Prisons
-Home Affairs Minister inspects prisons
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee today reiterated the administration’s commitment to addressing the issue of overcrowding at the Camp Street Prisons, Georgetown.
Minister Rohee during a visit to the prison inspected the facility and interacted with inmates which allowed him to have a first hand understanding of the situation at the penitentiary.
“Basically accommodation is a key issue. Five prisoners in one cell, that’s something that clearly has to be examined with a view to decreasing the number of prisoners in one cell. There are some sides that require a lot of work and money to be provided to deal with those issues, but I think overcrowding is a problem that has to be addressed,” Minister Rohee explained after his visit.
This is the first time that the Minister has visited the prison since he took up the Home Affairs portfolio. He has visited the other prison locations.
Minister Rohee said it must be known that there are positive areas in the prisons that need to be expanded.
The Minister was accompanied by Director of Prisons Dale Erskine and other Senior Prison Officers.
Erskine said a holistic approach is needed to address the issue.
“It has to be a collaborative approach to deal with overcrowding and managing prisoners. So I think there has to be a collective approach that is discussion among key stakeholders in terms of managing criminal offenders,” Erskine said.
The Administration has dedicated its efforts to addressing the issue of overcrowding in several areas and is also looking at ways to have alternative sentencing.
“There are a number of things we are looking at now and hopefully over the next couple of years we would be able to address that problem in a much more effective way,” Minister Rohee asserted recently.
Government will be undertaking a literacy programme for prisoners in addition to training in various skills, craft and agriculture.
A Prisoner Rehabilitation Programme in 2006-2007 at the Camp Street Prison Chapel was launched to provide training in masonry, carpentry, tailoring, music, shoe-making, barbering and electrical technology and these are being facilitated through government agencies in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations.
Prison Service Week will be observed from September 30-October 6 when a number of activities are planned.
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Security arrangements in place for Guy-Expo
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
Members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) along with private security firms are in gear to provide adequate security for patrons and exhibitors at Guy-Expo 2007 which opens tomorrow.
During a meeting today with Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Commander of ‘A’ Division Vilton Trotz said he is “comfortable” with the arrangements since the police are on top of the situation.
“My comfort level is high since for us it’s a plus that we are taking the ground early. This means that we will have enough control,” Trotz said.
There will be both vehicular and foot patrols and two armed guards at each ticket booth. The officers will conduct spot checks on the ground daily before the event commences.
Patrons are being asked to desist from carrying firearms since they will not be allowed in the ground. COPS security will be responsible for carrying out weapons check.
There will be 118 ranks deployed daily while on Saturday and Sunday, 125 will be deployed.
“We will have enough ranks and it will not affect our regular patrols in Georgetown and on the East Coast,” Trotz said.
Tickets will not be sold after 10.45 pm and the event will be closed at 11.45 pm every night.
Acting Traffic Chief Neil Semple told Minister Rohee that all the areas of traffic are under control.
Guy-Expo will be held at the National Exhibition Complex, Sophia from September 30- October 2 under the theme “Partnering for Progress".
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President tells UN global agenda needed in race against climate change effects – offers four benchmarks agenda must consider
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
While addressing political colleagues of over 150 nations across the world, at a special United Nations (UN) Climate Change Summit which opened in New York on September 24, Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo said efforts to manage forests in a sustainable manner are not encouraged by the current framework for climate change.
At the special forum organised by the UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon at the Organisation’s Headquarters President Jagdeo in a speech titled The Future in our Hands: Addressing the Leadership Challenge of Climate change said the Kyoto Protocol and its Clean Development Mechanism provide no recognition, nor adequate compensation for the contributions of standing forests towards climate change mitigation.
In fact, the Head of Head of State said, “the current approaches penalise countries with low deforestation rates through reduced value of carbon credits.”
Taking this into account and the urgent need to halt the effects of green house gasses on the earth’s atmosphere, President Jagdeo called for a global agenda to:
- Recognise the contributions of standing forests towards addressing climate change through avoided deforestation, carbon sequestration and ecosystem services
- Make urgent change to the current perverse arrangement which provides a dis-incentive for forest conservation and protection
- Take into consideration opportunity costs, and develop financial models to provide adequate compensation and incentives for maintaining standing forests through conservation and sustainable use
- Provide increased and easily accessible financial resources as well as capacity building for climate change mitigation by developing countries as the current mechanisms, in particular the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism has not proven to be effective, thus far.
He expressed that in the promotion of mitigation of climate change recognition should be given to the special circumstances and vulnerability of Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States and to give priority for support of actions in responding to climate change.
In this regard he brought to the fore Guyana’s case to prove his point. He said, “Guyana is a developing country with a negligible contribution to current high levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, with 90 percent of the population occupying a coastal belt that is approximately one metre below mean sea level, we are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.”
This the nation’s leader said poses a serious threat to efforts towards poverty alleviation and achieving millennium development goals for sustainable development.
He highlighted the massive flood in 2005 which was estimated to have led to losses equivalent to approximately 60 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, as a demonstration of Guyana’s vulnerability.
“While recognising that a global response is required to address climate change, and facing the need as a developing country to grow our economy, Guyana is taking deliberate action for climate change mitigation and adaptation,” President Jagdeo said.
He said Guyana’s vast, intact forest resources represent a critical asset base for global climate change mitigation.
“With increasing pressures for commercial exploitation, Guyana has decided to maintain extensive portions of our forests in their pristine state, developing a forest management approach based on conservation and sustainable harvesting and utilisation. The conservation approach through which approximately half million hectares is under direct conservation, has realised a number of flagship initiatives,” the Head of State highlighted.
Principal among the initiatives are Iwokrama International Programme for Rainforest Conservation and Development; the Conservation Concession in collaboration with Conservation International which represents an effort to develop a working model for compensation for environmental services; and efforts towards establishing a National System of Protected Areas.
The forum, he said, “Provides an opportunity to put an end to the culture of protracted negotiations and inactivity in relation to agreed actions. The message by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) is clear. The experiences in relation to increased storms and extreme weather events remind us that climate change is a reality and the impact will be even greater if the rate of greenhouse gas emissions is not addressed.”
In the same vein he said mitigation efforts will only improve if the international community provides an encouraging framework for their development.
He said Guyana welcomes this initiative by the UN’s Secretary General to promote dialogue and mobilise support at the highest political level for action on climate change. Adding that the task before those at the meeting was to is to identify actions and establish the means by which as a global collective actions could be implemented in a timely and effective manner.
The Head of State was accompanied by Navin Chandarpal Presidential Adviser on Sustainable Development and Shyam Nokta Chairman, National Climate Committee of Guyana
Moon at the conclusion of the Summit said the “event has sent a powerful political signal to the world, and to the Bali conference, that there is the will and the determination at the highest level, to break with the past and act decisively… Everybody agreed that it is now time to act before it is too late and they all agreed that the most appropriate forum would be the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
The December 3-14 conference in Bali, Indonesia, is tasked with setting down a road map for negotiations towards a new planetary deal on global warming after the first phase of the UN's Kyoto Protocol expires at the end of 2012.
In the wake of the Kyoto Protocol, which contains binding targets for emissions reductions, set to expire in 2012. Moon convened a high-level meeting at UN Headquarters to jump start talks to be held this December in Bali, Indonesia on a successor pact.
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12 students receive certificates, diplomas in art
Minister Anthony challenges Burrowes School of Art to reach higher heights
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
The Burrowes School of Art which was established shortly after Guyana’s independence has been one of the longest serving institutions under the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport which provides training for individuals to develop skills in art.
The institution reached a milestone on September 25 after graduating 12 students from the certificate and diploma programmes. The best graduating student in the diploma programme Dominique Hunter and best student in the certificate programme Roy Vaux were each presented a prize by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony
In his address to the graduates he noted that they can now consider themselves a special fraternity of creative individuals who must keep Guyanese art alive which has its main origins in the pre and post colonial era.
He commended the art school for its contribution to art, but called for a reexamination of the programme to achieve efficiency and effectiveness, relevance and the utilization of technology such as accessing virtual art libraries or galleries.
“Art is integral to our being as a cultural people. We must seek out art exhibitions, discussions and have debates and this should not only be confined to Georgetown but must spread to every region,” Minister Anthony noted.
The Ministry’s emphasis in modernising the educational standard of the school was highlighted this year with the provision of two computers for use by students in the graphics department.
The Ministry also intends to launch a public competition next year to promote a greater appreciation of art.
A tribute was paid to famous Guyanese artist Philip Moore by representatives of the school and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Keith Booker. Moore is will known for his contribution to the school.
Director of Studies at the school Kathleen Henriquo while identifying some of the institution’s shortfalls referred to student aptitude and attitude as the main contributor to the school’s attrition rate.
She noted that reading and comprehension skills which are some of the key academic requirements are also some of the requirements which should result from a completed school career.
She also alluded to financial constraints which are faced by the parents and guardians of students which often results in limited support which affects their two or three year tenure.
The range of courses offered at the school in the diploma and certificate programmes include graphics, art, history and english, ceramics, textile design, painting, leather craft among several others.
Henriquo noted that the school gains enormous support while offering its one year beginners certificate and five-week modular programmes during the August vacation in the areas of painting textiles, graphics, ceramics, craft and drawing.
“We also continue to host a two-week day camp sponsored by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport. These camps are a great success and fun for the participating children…our students do benefit,” Henriquo said.
Each year students from the school have been actively involved in preparing costumes for the Ministry for activities leading up to Mashramani on February 23. Their efforts have enabled the Ministry to cop a few awards in certain categories.
“Mashramani costumes and designs provide a wealth of worthwhile experience for the students,” Henriquo noted.
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Kurupung residents soon to benefit from an artesian well
Georgetown, GINA, September 26, 2007
Located at the bottom of the Juranemow Mountain, Kurupung is one of the oldest mining communities which is famous for producing large amounts of gold and diamond, will soon be receiving potable water.
Today, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall visited the community, where he held discussions with the residents on issues of development and listened to their concerns.
He urged the residents to highlight their problems so that the Ministry can work towards addressing them.
Government has invested in a state-of-the-art well which has already been constructed and drilled some 150 feet below the surface.
As reported by community representative Anita Maxius, the well has been producing clean and clear natural water. The next stage of this project is the laying of pipelines and connecting to homes.
Residents are extremely grateful that they will soon be receiving water in their homes and in that area for the first time.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall, greeted by students of Kurupung Primary School while on his visit to Kurupung, Cuyuni Mazuruni Region 7.
Minster Lall said Kurupung is rich in diamond and the prospects look good for more mining activities.
He promised the residents that in the near future a wharf will be built that will benefit the community.
Residents told the Minister that they need farm lands so that they can sustain themselves and provide for the community.
According to Minister Lall, the government has encouraged Guyanese to farm and throughout the country communities that make representation have been given farm land. He encouraged residents to make a proposal to the Ministry.
Residents are receiving electricity under the Un-served Areas Electrification Programme. They said this project has benefited them tremendously.
The Minister encouraged those who hail from that community to continue to cooperate with each other in restoring the community with the help of the Government.
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