Increased food production must be prioritised to tackle rising cost of food - PM tells Lethem residents
Georgetown, GINA, April 21, 2008.
Residents of Lethem and surrounding communities in Region Nine have been urged to prioritise increased food production to support self-sufficiency in their communities in view of the current rising food prices affecting people worldwide.
During a consultation on the current situation with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the Lethem Primary School on April 19, residents were told that increased income and subsidies by Government will not address the rising food cost if there remains a shortage of items and greater demand.
Residents were reminded that the world population is continuously growing and so is the demand for food and other items while consumers’ eating habits have changed as a result of increased income and accumulation of wealth by more individuals.
While these and other factors continue to influence food prices, residents are being reminded of the potential that exists in their communities to grow more food. This will ensure adequate supplies to meet local demand and can increase export earnings.
A resident of Lethem raising a concern during Cabinet consultation with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds on rising food prices at the Lethem Primary School on April 19, 2008. (A GINA/Curtis Setal photo)
Other issues contributing to the price increases were highlighted such as global increase in demand for petroleum products, especially by developed nations such as China and India, climate change that has affected agricultural production in several countries and the use of food items such as corn and cane to produce ethanol.
It was pointed out that there are tremendous opportunities for Region Nine residents to increase production using the experience of their neighbours across the border. Reference was made to the successes in Brazil with soya beans, rice and corn particularly as it relates to value-added production and since it is possible for these crops to be cultivated in Region Nine.
Additionally, residents were told that they may want to pursue agricultural diversification and look at other means of income such as livestock rearing taking into account the increase in demand for meat. They were also told to consider a change in lifestyle which could reduce individual expenditure since it is projected that the price increases may continue over the next two years.
They were further informed of some of the responses and interventions by Government to help Guyanese deal with the situation such as the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from a large number of items and monitoring of mark-up by businesses countrywide.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds addresses residents of Lethem and surrounding communities during Cabinet consultation on rising food prices at the Lethem Primary School on April 19, 2008. (A GINA/Curtis Setal photo)
The Excise Tax on diesel was recently reduced to zero percent. Kerosene and cooking gas were zero-rated to help the productive sectors while there has been a reduction on gasoline. An additional intervention has been made in the local aviation sector to ensure that the price of travel is not increased.
Prime Minister Hinds noted that while there have been calls for Government to institute price controls, Guyanese must be reminded that this system did not work in the 1970s and it is likely that it would not at this time.
Reference was made to the sale of items on the ‘black market’ and reduced production which can result from the implementation of price control particularly when the current situation is a global problem.
Residents expressed interest and willingness to get involved in increased food production and spoke about several issues that may present a challenge as they embark on this effort, including the need for more resources and equipment.
Suggestions were made for the provision of a vehicle for the Region Nine agricultural department, soil testing, more extension officers and technical and marketing advice. They were told that officials from the Ministry of Agriculture are expected to visit the Region shortly to provide such services.
Another issue raised was the need for assistance for farmers in outlying areas who are very productive, to transport produce to Lethem on a regular basis. The concept of an arranged market was recommended and Regional Chairman Clarindo Lucas said this system is being explored.
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More funding needed for vaccine research
- Minister Ramsammy
Georgetown, GINA, April 21, 2008
Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy yesterday called for the support of other countries to join Guyana’s call for increased funding for vaccination research.
Speaking at the launching of the ‘Vaccination week of the Americas’ in Lethem, and which was attended by representatives of neighbouring Venezuela and Brazil, Minister Ramsammy urged that, “We must raise our voices so that the world invests more money in vaccine research.”
Guyana has an excellent track record in immunization and was awarded the prestigious Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Henry C award for its successful Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) in 2006.
This award was granted for the country’s outstanding vaccination coverage in children and for maintaining good surveillance in vaccine preventable diseases.
The EPI programme has been in existence since 1995 and has made significant advancement with regard to the eradiation of polio, yellow fever and measles. It had progressed to such an extent that Guyana was granted polio free status in 1994 by PAHO/WHO.
The programme also became a beneficiary of the Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) which introduced a special vaccine for hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza, diphtheria, pertussis, whooping cough and tetanus.
In his vaccination week message Minister Ramsammy said over the last year new vaccines have been introduced for children. The pnemococcus vaccine for some children has been introduced, and there is advanced preparation for the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine. In 2004 Guyana initiated the Rotavirus Surveillance at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to analyse the magnitude of the disease among children under five years old.
The Health Minister alluded to the fact that there are constraints in vaccination production. He mentioned that there is a current shortage of yellow-fever vaccines which is a problem since there have been a number of yellow-fever outbreaks in the Americas.
Minister Ramsammy said vaccination is vital for all children, and wealth should not determine if it is administered. “Access, availability and coverage for vaccines in our immunization programme must not be one of the factors that contribute to the gap between rich and poor countries, between the north and the south and between countries. Vaccines must be seen as a global good,” he said.
He noted that Guyana has invested significant sums of money to improve this inequity, but greater efforts are needed to strengthen health systems so that an equitable status is achieved.
PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. Kathleen Israel said since vaccination week has been observed it has received the support of PAHO and every PAHO member country in the region of the Americas and has since been adopted by some European countries as well. “The vision of PAHO/WHO is to have a week devoted to increasing awareness and coverage of immunization,” she said.
Since its launch six years ago, this initiative has delivered vaccines to more than 195 million people in 45 countries and territories. This year a record 62 million children, adults and elderly people are expected to receive free vaccines against leading infectious diseases as part of the sixth annual Vaccination Week in the Americas.
Dr. Israel said this effort is expected to prevent thousands of deaths and illnesses from diseases such as measles, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, yellow fever, influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis B, and whooping cough.
Minister Ramsammy said though Government has a major role to play, parents and caregivers of children have their part to play also. Dr. Israel encouraged “all concerned: national health authorities, parents, teachers, family members, health care providers, community leaders and individuals in general to use the opportunity to gain as much information as possible about the importance of vaccination and to do whatever lies in their power to ensure that all children are fully immunized.”
Vaccination Week of the Americas is being observed under the theme
“Vaccination-An Act of Love: love them, protect them, immunize them.”
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Continued emphasis on improving Linden/Lethem roadway
Georgetown, GINA, April 21, 2008.
Establishment of a paved highway from Linden to Lethem remains a primary objective of the administration, and while this development is being pursued, investments are continuing to maintain and upgrade the current roadway.
This was highlighted over the weekend during which Prime Minister Samuel Hinds led a team of technical, economic and other personnel on an official inspection of the roadway to assess its current state and how it can be improved.
The team included members of the Thematic Group on Infrastructural Development in Guyana which involves representatives from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications, Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation and the Central Housing and Planning Authority.
The Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission and the National Agricultural Research Institute are also represented on the Thematic Group. In addition, there were officials from the National Competitiveness Strategy Secretariat, LINMINE Secretariat and the business community of Region Ten.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and team inspect a section of the Linden/Lethem roadway that needs upgrading. (A GINA/Curtis Setal photo)
The team, which departed Georgetown on April 18, stopped at various sections and main points along the roadway where discussions were held based on the assessments conducted. The areas inspected included Mile 40, 42, 47, 58 and 63, Mabura Hill, Demerara Timbers Limited (DTL) sawmill, Kurupukari, Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Fairsview, Wowetta, Annai and Hunt Oil.
Prime Minister Hinds noted that while there are good sections of the roadway, there are patches that need to be upgraded since the aim is to provide an entire route that will allow easier and continuous transportation access. This is important since the roadway is likely to serve as the main artery from Boa Vista and Manaus through Lethem and Linden to Georgetown.
It was noted that another technical and economic study for paving the roadway is underway. Establishment of the paved road from Linden to Lethem is estimated at US$150M while improvement of the bridges may cost an additional US$100M. Consideration is being given to the economic feasibility of the project at this time when there is limited traffic averaging about five vehicles per day.
An improved section of the Linden/Lethem roadway. A GINA/Curtis Setal photo)
Government’s investment to improve and maintain the roadway has been costing $200M to $300M annually since 2005. The current maintenance arrangement for the route involves DTL, Omai Gold Mines, Mekdeci Machinery Company (MMC) and Central Government.
An inventory was conducted for the sections that are often flooded by the overflow of surrounding rivers in the rainy season and a programme has since been developed to raise and enhance the areas including the Hunt Oil section.
Plans are currently underway to invest $50M during this year to upgrade the roadway while there is a programme that focuses on maintenance and upgrading of the bridges.
Senior Engineer of the Works Services Group (WSG) Leon Goring said there are three other bridges to be addressed under this programme after which focus will be placed on increasing the weight-bearing capacity of the structures.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and team inspect the Piarara bridge along the Linden/Lethem roadway. (A GINA/Curtis Setal photo)
Engineer Joe Holder pointed out that the existing bridges from Mabura to Kurupukari were established mainly for logging operations and are ‘bush-type’ structures that have served their function over the years. However, there is need to re-place these with modern structures.
It was noted that the section from Kurupukari to Lethem includes timber bridges that were built with the road and some of these structures now need upgrading. These include the Piarara bridge for which proposals have been submitted to the Indian and Japanese Government seeking support to facilitate re-construction.
The Linden/Lethem roadway currently supports economic activities such as lumber and mining for communities along the route.
In recent years, a corridor development plan was established that sets the framework for investments and utilisation of certain sections along the roadway for housing, agricultural and other purposes.
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President meets with Brazil’s Minister of Defence and team
-Guyana/Brazil ink security agreement
Georgetown, GINA, April 21, 2008
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bharrat Jagdeo today met with Brazil’s Minister of Defence Nelson Azevedo Jobim and team at the Office of the President to discuss security matters and the form of assistance Brazil will be giving to Guyana to aid its security sector. Also at the meeting was Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Commodore Gary Best and Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee.
Following the high level meeting which saw the countries’ bilateral and multilateral matters regarding security being the focus, an agreement was signed.
The agreement will see Guyana benefitting from a donation of military equipment to the GDF and GDF Officers being provided with training through various Brazilian military academies.
It is expected that Guyana will be receiving, among other equipment, an electric powered generator, computers, high precision rifles, radio equipment, Global Positioning Systems (GPSs), night vision goggles and helmets.
Meanwhile, Guyana’s neighbour to the south will also be assisting the GDF with the construction of a command post near Bartica, which the Brazilian officials described as ‘the jungle warfare centre’.
The Minister pointed out that the assistance came following a request by the GDF. He disclosed too that his country is also in the process of considering a list submitted by the GDF which is being examined by the Brazilian military.
According to the Defence Minister, who spoke to the media through interpretation by Brazil’s Ambassador to Guyana, Arthur Meyer, said another issue discussed was the formation of the South American Defence Council, a body being mulled as a forum for discussion between Ministers of Defence of South American countries in order that they may find common ground on matters occurring worldwide which may affect the countries.
“Sometimes for instance we have low intensity conflicts that may spread out of control and this may in some way negatively affect South America,” he said.
The Ambassador, in stressing that the council is not a military alliance, noted that its objectives are based on the principles of respect, national sovereignty, non interference in internal affairs of all States involved and respect for their borders. He added that it will simply be a forum for the Ministers to discuss and debate matters of mutual consideration.
“What is important is that South America needs to have one voice in the multilateral defence forum,” Minister Jobim reiterated.
The formation of the South American Defence Council is expected to be discussed in detail at the Summit of Heads of State of South America to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on May 23, 2008.
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Mahaica residents contribute to food prices consultation
Georgetown, GINA. April 21, 2008
Residents of Mahaica were given the opportunity on April 18 to relate their concerns to government officials with respect to rising food prices.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, encouraged residents to share their concerns and make suggestions as to how best Guyana can deal with the rising cost of food.
“We are here not only to tell you what we have recognised and the measures we have been taking as a Government but also to hear from you, what are the suggestions that you have so we can further improve the situation,” Minister Rodrigues said.
Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, highlighted some of the factors that have caused the steep increases in food prices over the last few months.
“Since last year there has been a constant increase in the price of fuel on the world market, and the result of this being, increase in a number of food items… the war in Iraq also did not help… but worse yet, the world market and the world economy made certain changes which saw massive movement in currency level around the world,” Dr. Gopaul said at the food consultation meeting held with residents, at the Helena Primary School.
A section of the residents at the food prices consultation at Mahaica
The President at a Cabinet meeting thought that something must be done and we must move within the communities to meet with people to hear of their concerns to give a feed back to Cabinet where collectively something will be done to ease the pressures under which our people are living at the moment.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, stated some of the measures that Government has implemented such as theagricultural diversification programme that is expected to cost over US $20M, the ‘Grow More’ initiative, the zero-rating of basic food items, and the granting of licences for the importation of chicken and the no-licence policy for the importation of flour.
Dr. Gopual said that he hoped that, “Guyanese having faced with this crisis will move to modify their lifestyles to place greater emphasis on their consumption habits.”
Some of the concerns raised by the residents included the drainage and irrigation system of the area, the constant animal nuisance, the pilfering of their crops, and accessing fertilizers and high quality seeds.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues and Permanent Secretary at the Office of the President, Dr. Nanda Gopaul addressing the residents of Mahaica at the food prices consultation
“Boodoo area is abandoned and the water from time to time affects the people in Jonestown, if you are talking about farming and what can be done, yes there are persons in Jonestown who are willing to farm… but then there is no drainage,” Ira Tiwari, Head Mistress of Helena Primary said.
Minister Rodrigues assured her that these matters will be looked at, however, the Boodoo area is privately owned and as such there are laws that govern the area.
“We will look at the drainage and irrigation as well because I know this is a problem for people in this area and to make available planting materials,” the Minister said.
Regarding the animal nuisance, the Minister said that, “This is something that is a very big problem and I know if we are going to tell you to grow more then this is something we will have to look at.”
Government Ministers and officials of the Government have been travelling around the country to meet with residents in various communities, to listen to their concerns and suggestions.
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Measures being taken to cushion effects of rising food cost
– Commerce Minister
Georgetown, GINA, April 21, 2008
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad today met food importers and flour distributors to discuss the rising cost of food and how they can cushion the price increases on consumers.
Minister Prashad said that he hopes that by speaking directly with the stakeholders he would be able to get their advice on how they can cushion the price increases.
He noted that some of the factors they need to look at include the acquisition cost of food items, the role of the ‘middle-men’ and the distributors and how they can work to sensitize and provide information to the public on the food situation.
“We do not want to control prices…Guyana is an open market, a free enterprise system. We do not want to fix prices, but at the same time as prices go up, the consuming public is feeling the bulk of that increase in cost,” the Minister said.
He said that the Ministry has to work with the stakeholders to see how they can alleviate some of the price increases.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad meets with flour distributors
“I am doing a fact-finding mission here to find out exactly what the situation is; whether it is true that they charge exorbitant prices in the market,” Minister Prashad said.
The distributors said that they are facing high acquisition cost for flour.
Hardeo Balram, a flour distributor said that, “We are asking for a level playing field from the flour mill, everybody gets it (the flour) at one price, and we assure the public that it will reach them at a cheaper price than they are getting now.”
The distributors noted that the ‘middle-men’ are making more profits and they are unable to compete with them.
“Before they (middle-men) uplift a bag of flour they are making hundreds of dollars, and we the distributors, who have to carry it to the stores are only making a hundred dollar,” Dhanuk Dhari, a distributor, said.
The Minister noted that the goal is to ensure that the effects of the rising cost of food prices are cushioned so that the consuming public is not drastically affected.
At present Ministers and officials of the Government have been travelling around the country to meet residents in various communities, to listen to their concerns and suggestions as to how best they can tackle the high rise in food cost.
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