System to discourage log export to be implemented shortly
Georgetown, GINA, October 8, 2007
The administration is working to speed-up the implementation of a system that will act as a deterrent to the export of logs and enable the encouragement of the export of more processed lumber and more value-added activities abroad.
President Bharrat Jagdeo made this disclosure while he was speaking at a press conference held yesterday at the Office of the President.
Meanwhile, the President speaking briefly on the recent alleged breaches of forestry procedures, said there appears to collusion between Barama Company Limited and some concessionaires and staffers at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to defraud the government of revenue.
The President warned that there will be consequences for all the parties involved based upon preliminary investigations.
“There are some concessionaires who have a joint arrangement with Barama to harvest on their concessions to defraud the government of revenue. …… They will face consequences. I don’t want to say anymore because the investigations are going on; it seems to be a system among these three parties to defraud the government of revenue,” President Jagdeo said.
Two weeks ago the GFC announced that it was conducting an investigation into the operations of several logging companies after instances of under-declaration were discovered.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said that he was informed about the alleged breaches in a letter from the GFC and that based on preliminary evidence, several forest companies may be guilty.
The GFC is expected to provide the Minister with an update on the investigation shortly.
The administration will be working on several interventions to improve the work and functions of the GFC.
On July 26, the National Assembly passed the Guyana Forestry Commission Bill 2007 which will repeal the GFC Act 1979 and re-establish the Commission.
Government revised that GFC Act 1979 to create a dynamic, appropriate and modern legislation that will enable the GFC to better execute its mandate of promoting sustainable forestry management for social, environmental and economic benefits to all stakeholders.
During the period 1996-2000, the GFC pursued an aggressive institutional strengthening programme to make the organisation more efficient, credible, respected and to increase its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This was facilitated by the GFC Support Project funded by Department for International Development (DFID).
The forestry sector over the years has played an important role in economic development recording 25,000 in direct employments, four percent contribution to GDP from primary products and US $60M generated from export of all products in 2006.
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Jamaica/Guyana rice matter can be easily resolved-President Jagdeo
-Guyana hopes to export 10,000 tonnes more than last year
Georgetown, GINA, October 9, 2007
The issue of Jamaica deciding to import rice from the United States (US) on the basis that Guyana is unable to meet its supply, can be resolved simply, according to Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo.
“I think that the rice matter could easily be sorted out. I get the impression that Jamaica will respect CARICOM arrangements; they (Jamaica) said they asked around here before they took the decision to import there (US). We have some differences in views on that because on our side they are saying that they have the ability to supply the Jamaican market,” President Jagdeo said.
President Jagdeo said Guyana must ensure that the new Government of Jamaica understands the system.
“I thought that we had a settled mechanism, but with a new government, we need to ensure that they understand that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) should be approached and should say whether there is enough rice to supply the market or whether we cannot supply at that point in time and therefore, we would offer the waiver,” President Jagdeo asserted.
The Head of State, Guyana is hopeful that it will be able to export 10,000 tonnes more of rice than last year.
“Last year we exported something like 43,700 tonnes of rice to Jamaica. This year we are hoping to export 54,000 tonnes to Jamaica. So we will be 10.000 tonnes above of what we exported last year. Price varies a bit but it’s an important issue and I think that there is enough goodwill in Jamaica to have this resolved at the level of our Ministers and officials. Jamaica is an important market for Guyana,” President Jagdeo emphasized.
Guyana supplies about 50, 000 tonnes of rice to Jamaica while the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has granted Jamaica a waiver for the importation of 65, 000 tonnes of paddy to be milled in the country. This amounts to approximately 45, 000 tonnes of rice, which when combined with the amount exported from Guyana, totals about 80,000 tonnes.
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More focus on sea defence improvement under 9th EDF
-construction targeted for Region Four
Georgetown, GINA, October 09, 2007.
Government’s sea defence improvement programme is being further supported with the construction of approximately 1.2 kilometres of ‘rip-rap’ structures for Ann’s Grove to Clonbrook in Region Four.
This would be done under the infrastructural component of the Ninth European Union Development Fund (EDF) that includes an investment in Guyana’s sea defence of about Euros 17M and which is expected to come on stream shortly
Already, a contract has been awarded to DHV Environmental and Engineering Consultants, a Dutch company, in collaboration with a local firm, A & E Consultants to prepare the project’s designs and tender documents.
Rehabilitation of about 20 kilometres of crucial structures across Regions 2, 3, 4 and 6 is also a part of the infrastructural component, Project Coordinator of EU funded sea defence works, Mewburn Amsterdam disclosed.
Institutional strengthening to enhance effectiveness of the sea defence unit and a mangrove management project targeting conservation and re-growth are other aspects of the Ninth EDF.
At present, the Eighth EDF is in its final stages and efforts are being made to complete the infrastructural component later this month. This entails construction of approximately four kilometres of ‘rip-rap’ structures in Regions Two and Three. Construction in Region Two is already completed while the remaining works are ongoing at Hague, Leonora and Blankenburg in Region Three.
Savings from the initial project of about $540M is being utilised to construct an additional 100 metres at Leonora/Blankenburg. This project started last month and is expected to be completed by December 2007.
Additionally, the socio-economic and public awareness component is winding down and it is expected that a draft report will be completed by month-end. A study on the socio-economic benefits of sea defence was done as part of this component and will be useful in determining necessary intervention for the targeted area.
Also under this component, several activities such as group meetings were held in various areas to sensitize citizens on the importance of sea defences including mangroves. Issues such as economic benefits and destruction by man were included in the sessions.
Construction of sea defences in Guyana is crucial to protect residents’ livelihoods especially since more than 70 percent of the population resides along the coastland. Additionally, most citizens are involved in farming, which can be seriously affected by overtopping and breaches of sea defence during high tides.
Over the past 15 years, Government spent approximately $15B on sea defence improvement. This has impacted positively since there is less failure of structures. Several years ago, there were about 42 failures in one year, which have been reduced significantly since then.
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Teachers to get additional three percent increase
- President Jagdeo
Georgetown, GINA, October 9, 2007
Teachers will be given three percent more increase in salary by Government in addition to the six percent that was already agreed to during negotiations with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU).
This was disclosed by His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo during a media conference at the Office of the President yesterday.
In July, President Jagdeo had announced that teachers would be getting an increase in their salary.
“We have decided to give the teachers another three percent…although we have an agreement for five plus one which would be six percent, the teachers are going to get an additional three percent to take them up to nine percent.”
Negotiations are currently ongoing between Government and the GTU for better packages and incentives for teachers.
“We are currently negotiating with the public service union. I hope those negotiations are concluded soon. If they are not concluded we are going to have to do like what we did in the other years and make a payout to the public servants,” the Head of State said.
For the past 14 years, teachers’ salaries have been significantly and constantly increasing along with better working conditions. This is consistent with Government’s emphasis on the education sector. In 1992, $1.1 B was allocated to the sector while this year’s allocation stands at $15.6B.
Government designed a multi-year package for teachers in collaboration with the GPSU which will ensure that teachers derive more benefits during their tenure in the profession. However, although this agreement covers 2006 – 2010, Government has given increases to teachers in addition to what is stated in the agreement.
In 1992, teacher salaries were very low with some receiving $3,100.00. Prior to that, $382 was the teacher's salary in 1985. The present sum of $22, 099 for the lowest paid teacher shows that the increase over the past 10 years is over 600%.
In 1994, teachers received a 100% salary increase across the board, less than two years after the present administration took office. The salary increase in that year created a significant anomaly, since Public Servants salaries under the Public Service Commission, had remained the same. That is to say, problems arose, because in some instances, teachers employed by the Teaching Service Commission were earning more attractive salaries than their counterparts in the Public Service who held similar qualifications.
In some cases, many teachers were earning more than their supervisors. Government recognized that measures needed to be put in place therefore, to rectify this anomaly, to ensure that all were satisfied with what they earned, including the Public Servants.
In the years following, several general increases were made across-the-board to benefit all parties involved. However, this meant that teachers' salaries were still higher than some public servants with similar qualifications.
Besides salary increases, teachers receive a number of benefits, including seven days per year special leave for Headteachers, 28 days departmental leave and one month's Whitley Council leave after a term of four years. They also receive vacation allowance, equivalent to one month's salary.
Teachers in training are given time-off to attend the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) while in service. Others are given time-off to attend the University of Guyana with full salary, as well as 13 weeks vacation per year with pay. A monthly stipend is also given to those attending CPCE for pre-service.
Teachers' children writing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Examinations are given subsidies, while Government has ensured over the years that there are improvements in the teaching environment. New schools have been built, school equipment provided and allowances provided for teachers who gain additional qualifications. Government has ensured that teachers are continuously trained and more in-service training centres were extended to Rose Hall, Vreed-en-Hoop, Anna Regina and New Amsterdam.
At the beginning of 2004, the GTU put forward a proposal for increased salaries for teachers. The union requested that the lowest category of teachers (junior teachers, teacher aides and acting teachers) should be given a 5 % increase, 10 % for the category of teachers above that level and 15% for trained teachers throughout the remainder of the scale.
Several meetings were held between the two parties and the Ministry proposed a 3% increase based on affordability and sustainability. The proposal was rejected and negotiations moved to the conciliation level with the Ministry of Labour intervening.
In October 2006 a landmark five-year agreement was signed between the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) and the Government that provides a multiplicity of benefits for approximately 10,000 persons currently in the profession. Duty-free concessions, performance incentives, loan schemes and clothing allowances for teachers are included in the package. The agreement catered for several incentives including:
- A 5 percent per annum across-the-board increase for all categories of teachers;
- A 1 percent of the wage bill as a performance based increment per annum for eligible teachers;
- Increased remuneration for teachers who have improved their qualifications;
- An annual clothing allowance for teachers of $6,000 per teacher;
- One-off duty free concessions for vehicles for 100 Head Teachers per year;
- A housing revolving fund of $40M per year for 2006-2010, that is, $200M by 2010 to facilitate construction of houses for teachers;
- 25 Government-sponsored scholarships per year for teachers at the University of Guyana.
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Toshaos’ conference to address issue pertinent to Amerindian development
Georgetown, GINA, October 9, 2007
One hundred and forty-four Toshaos and senior councillors will be discussing issues significant to the development of Amerindians at the annual Toshaos’ meeting scheduled for October 22 to 26, at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Lillendaal.
The Conference’s packed agenda will include the swearing in of Rural Constables and Justices of the Peace. The Parliamentary Committee of Appointments to Constitutional bodies has asked that three Tohsaos (one a woman) must be nominated to serve on the Indigenous People’s Commission.
Amerindian development continues to be given priority by the Government as it strives to ensure every community experiences growth.
Amerindians are now benefiting from better health care and education, school feeding programmes, school uniforms, agricultural development, assistance for income generating activities and the granting of land titles and transports.
The Government has established a number of health posts and health centres in hinterland communities. Most Amerindians are trained as Community Health Workers, Medex, Dentex, Community Dental Therapists and nurses to provide adequate services.
Through the Guyana Water Incorporated and other Government programmes, most of the Amerindian communities now have artesian wells and ready access to potable water.
Road networks are also being developed as Government recently awarded $800M for upgrading and repairing roads in hinterland communities.
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Consultations with ethnic groups on ERC October/November agenda
Georgetown, GINA, October 9, 2007
Continuing its mandate to promote harmonious race relations in society, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) during the period November 13 to 16 will be engaged in a series of consultation with the African Guyanese community and other ethnic groups to address some of their many perceived needs.
Outlining the format of the consultations, Chairman Bishop Juan Edghill at a press conference today at the ERC headquarters in Queenstown, noted that the consultations will commence at 14:00 h and will be open to the public, taking the form of written and oral presentations.
The consultations are in keeping with article 212D (u) of the ERC “to consult with other bodies and persons to determine and specify the perceived needs of the various ethnic groups for the fostering of harmonious relationships.”
As part of its agenda, the ERC also intends to engage various ethnic groups in conversation. This idea, the Chairmen noted was derived from the ERC’s recently concluded statutory meetings.
“We want to bring all these groups together to talk about their own perceived needs and for us to find ways and means to ensure that the Guyanese society works together and live together in harmony which is part of our mandate,” the Chairman said.
Beginning on October 11, the ERC will embark on a regional visit to Region Ten to meet Regional Executives in Linden and conduct a tour of the bauxite operations undertaken by BOSAI, the Chinese investor.
This will be followed by public consultations with civil society including an educational campaign targeting youths across the region.
The Chairman disclosed that the ERC will extend similar visits to Ituni and Kwakwani. Part of the visit will involve recording complaints of race, religious and cultural forms of discrimination to the ERC’s Legal and Investigative Unit.
Over the period 2006 to 2007, the ERC was able to address a total of 51 complaints. Nineteen are pending.
The main focus of the consultations in Region Ten will be to garner feedback of five areas of research commissioned by the ERC.
These include the award of academic scholarship with regards to equal opportunity; public procurement in Guyana as it relates to fairness and openness; equality in the award and distribution of economic opportunities; assessments of existing practices in land distribution; and employment practices.
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Prison Service, third pillar of security system -Minister Rohee
Georgetown, GINA, October 9, 2007
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee has sought to clear up the perception that the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) only serves as an imprisonment agency.
Minister Rohee said while this is one of its major objectives, the GPS also plays a key role in rehabilitation of prisoners.
“The Prison Service is part of what is called the criminal justice system…… Now the prison is the recipient of that end process where they receive all (persons) that pass through the courts for incarceration…. Now what do you do with them in the mean time? Obviously we have to find something for them, here is where the service comes in,” Minister Rohee explained.
The Home Affairs Minister strongly believes that the GPS is contributing significantly to the criminal justice system.
“I would call the prison service the third pillar of our security system or of the justice and security systems. They have hundreds of prisoners behind prison walls. They have to be kept occupied and this is where training comes in, providing them with certain skills and have them work on the agricultural projects of the prison. Of course there are hard-core criminals who are not interested, but then, they are juveniles; so we have to give them an opportunity to do so,” Minister Rohee said.
The administration has shown its commitment to improving security of the prisons and reforming prisoners.
Government is currently working to implement 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.
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Farmers exposed to Tropical Green House technology
-as Agriculture Month continues
Georgetown, GINA, October 09, 2007.
Further efforts are being made to introduce the Tropical Green House technology to farmers, as part of Government’s programme to encourage expanded agricultural development through increased and improved production.
During a two-day field session on October 08 and 09 at the Green Farm, Land-of-Canaan, East Bank Demerara, farmers from various areas were given the opportunity to observe the technology and get updates in its impact on farming activities. Students from various private and public institutions participated in the event.
Farmers were impressed with the technology and sought clarifications on various aspects of the operation.
The event was held as part of Agriculture Month 2007 which is being observed under the theme ‘The Right to Food- A Reality in Guyana.’ It was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the farm’s management team.
Tropical Green House involves the establishment of plastic tents that facilitate cultivation without being affected by adverse weather conditions. This technology enables year-round cultivation of any crop type, allowing farmers to earn more and expand their activities.
It could be used to help push the cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables and other non-traditional crops that form part of Government’s agricultural diversification thrust. These include crops that have high market value such as cauliflower and chili peppers which are vulnerable to intense weather conditions.
This technology, apart from contributing to food security, can help to sustain a maximum level of export, taking into account climate change which has impacted negatively on agricultural activities in Guyana, particularly in recent years.
The Green Farm at Land-of-Canaan was established under an agreement between the Governments of Guyana and China and is facilitating the cultivation of several varieties of crops that are available on the local market including radish, chili peppers, spinach and Chinese cucumber.
At the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, efforts are being made to modify the technology to make it cheaper and easier for farmers to adopt.
Other technology are being promoted among farmers including drip irrigation, which is the slow application of water to the soil through small openings on lines that are laid along the cultivation plot and hydroponics (the growing of plants without soil).
This technique allows the supply of enough water to meet crop demands. It also ensures moisture is maintained in crops’ root zones during the entire growing season. This reduces water contact with plant leaves, stems and fruits, making it less favourable to crop diseases.
Hydroponics is another technology being introduced. This involves the use of materials other than soil, including water added with nutrients to enable cultivation indoors. It is being used minimally in Guyana to produce vegetables for domestic consumption.
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City enhancement continuing - more areas being upgraded
Georgetown, GINA, October 09, 2007.
Road repairs and maintenance, levelling and shaping of parapets and landscaping are among the activities underway in various parts of Georgetown and its environs, as Government’s city enhancement programme continues.
The work, being done by the Ministry of Public Works and Communications is funded with the $15M allocated earlier this year by Government to continue the enhancement programme which started last year. The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the Public Works Ministry are responsible for the upgrading. .
At present, road repairs are ongoing along Mandela Avenue and Thomas and Church Streets while similar works will be done tomorrow around the Bourda market and on other roads in the area. The upgrading at Mandela Avenue includes levelling and shaping of the road shoulder which are also being done along Homestretch Avenue.
Under the enhancement programme, repairs were done to sections of Lamaha, Middleton and Hadfield Streets, Middle Road, La Penitence and Hunter, James and Sussex Streets in Albouystown. These roadways, which were previously in a deplorable condition have been improved significantly. This has led to reduced traffic congestion in the area.
Government’s enhancement programme for Georgetown, which started in 2006 included improvement in several areas and entailed works such as road and drainage upgrading, garbage clean-up, landscaping, enhancement of the City’s main avenue, establishment of car parking facilities at East Street for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and general beautification such as tree planting.
Additionally, the programme targeted upgrade of the markets. A contract was developed for a 24-hour garbage collection and disposal at the Bourda Market while other aspects of improvement were carried out.
Over the past months, there have been clearing of road impediments, abandoned vehicles, garbage and vending structures from the public highways including those in the City to improve safety of travellers and pedestrians.
Earlier this year, US$2.1M was spent to install approximately 50 traffic lights at critical City junctions to ensure better traffic management and reduce congestion. This is all part of the present administration’s plan to modernise and continually improve the country’s capital.
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ERC Chairman receives research document on land distribution in Guyana
Georgetown, GINA, October 9, 2007
In an attempt to identify equity and inequality in selecting persons for land distribution for housing, agriculture, commerce, mining and forestry concessions, the Ethnic Relations Commission through its Research Consultant Pamely Rodney, conducted a study on the existing practices of land distribution in Guyana.
The findings of this study were presented to Chairman of the ERC Juan Edghil by the Research Consultant at the Commission’s headquarters in Queenstown.
The research was conducted in eight of the 10 administrative regions through qualitative surveys of key groups such as the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Ministry of Housing and Central Housing and Planning Authority.
It followed the European Union’s (EU) land policy guidelines and national sectorial guidelines on forestry resources framework and identified areas of satisfaction and inadequacies.
The areas of satisfaction identified in the study regarded equity in checks and balances, procedures for deciding in favour of a party in dispute over land and mechanisms to address corruption allegation against staff by the public.
ERC Chairman Juan Edghil receives research on Land Distribution in Guyana Research officer Pamela Rodney
The absence of a national land distribution policy, the lack of a policy instituted by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission to publicise all leases on a national and regional level and the need for the Ministry of Housing Central Housing and Planning Authority to consider using other publicity forums besides the national newspapers were identified as some of the shortcomings.
The research in its general recommendations called for consistency in information available at all levels within distributing agencies, information sharing among the different agencies involved in the provision of land and its resources within the Guyanese society and for a coordinated effort among all land provision agencies.
The research which is the fifth to be conducted by the ERC is to be presented to the speaker of the National Assembly following the conclusion of the recess period on October 10.
Bishop Edghil noted that beginning December 4, the research will be subject to public debates by parliamentarians and all other stakeholders
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Labour Ministry HIV/AIDS campaign to target Chambers of Commerce next
Government, GINA, October 09 2007
The Ministry of Labour has intensified its HIV/AIDS campaign at work places and will be moving to target all entities in the country including Chambers of Commerce.
“It is important that people know the effects of the disease and what can be done to have it under control. In the Labour Ministry, the next move is to target the Chambers of Commerce and business entities that we would visit from time to time. This is in recognition that the most vulnerable is the most able of the working class,” Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir said.
“We are hoping to get these entities on board which will boost our efforts. We have a draft document which is copied from our United Nations HIV/AIDS workplace programme some time ago and when implemented will reduce the effects of the disease on production.”
In the next few weeks, the Ministry will be working with the Rupununi, Central Corentyne, Upper Corentyne, Linden and the Bartica Chambers of Commerce.
Activities have been planned to address specific areas in spreading information on HIV/AIDS.
Information booklets have been printed and are being distributed to various entities. This includes persons who will visit the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency of the Ministry.
Earlier this year, the Ministry produced a project document that received financial support from the health sector development unit that is responsible for its HIV workplaces programme.
The Ministry’s programme of activities began in August after the project was financially approved. To date several successful initiatives including training programmes and HIV/AIDS sensitization programmes in Linden, Region Six and Georgetown were conducted.
During September, more than 50 students of the GUYSUCO training school benefited from a one-day workshop held by the Ministry. |
