Libya to establish People’s Bureau in Guyana
…aims to enhance relations
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2009
President Bharrat Jagdeo and his Libyan counterpart Muammar al Qadhafi yesterday continued meetings with other government and private sector officials in Tripoli where the Heads of State agreed that Libya would send a committee to open the Libyan People's Bureau in Guyana. This decision aims to further relations between both countries and enhance cooperation with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
The two sides reviewed investment opportunities and features that were proposed by the Guyanese delegation in this regard and the parties agreed that a Libyan investment delegation will be visiting Guyana before the end of January to explore investment opportunities in the country.
During the meeting, the Secretary of the General People's Committee (GPC) of Libya and President Jagdeo discussed various areas of cooperation between Libya and Guyana and examined ways to strengthen these areas.
The meetings included among other participants the Secretary of the General People's Committee (GPC) of Libya, Acting Secretary of European Affairs of the GPC for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, Secretary of Arab Affairs of the Committee, Deputy Governor of Libyan Central Bank, assistant Executive Director of the Libyan Investment Association and a number of other experts and specialists.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and Secretary of the General People's Committee of Libya in discussion in Tripoli yesterday
According to the Libyan Jamahiriya Broadcasting Corporation (LJBC), President Jagdeo stated that he was honoured to meet the Libyan Leader and emphasized that the meeting was important for the dialogue and the exchange of views on international and regional issues.
The President is accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad, Ambassador to the Middle East and Greece George Hallaq and President of the Central Islamic Organisation (CIOG) Fazeel Ferouz.
The Libyan economy was transformed since its independence in the 1950s from being characterized by the United Nations (UN) as perhaps the world's poorest country into a rapidly developing country with accumulated net gold and foreign-exchange reserves equivalent to upward of US$4 billion and an estimated annual income from oil revenues of between US$6 and US$8 billion.
Libya is unique in North Africa since it does not possess a large population, considerable agricultural potential, and well-established industrial bases as its sister countries Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Libya's post independence economic progress began with Libya's gaining independence in 1951. In 1959 oil was discovered and this transformed the country into a wealthy monarchy.
Since Libyan Leader Muammar al Qadhafi came to power in 1969. His Government’s major economic policy has been to reduce Libya's dependence on oil.
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Twenty three steel bands active for Mashramani and beyond
- CARIFESTA X credited for pan resurgence
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2009
The steep pan industry in Guyana has experienced a major renaissance following the well organised interventions by the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, through its Special Project Unit and Mashramani Secretariat.
To date there are about 23 active steel bands ready for Mashramani 2009 and beyond, and this number has been credited to the diligent efforts made during and after the period of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X.
At present the bands are gearing to participate in a Mashramani competition sponsored by Republic Bank as well as several other concerts to be staged across the country.
Guyana's National Steel Orchestra
These bands which are of varying abilities, size and standards are testimony to the major leap in the local steel pan industry, compared to early last year when there were only about 10 groups.
There are now eight school bands, four church bands and other including those from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Guyana Prison Service (GFS) and Parkside. Among the new bands are the Sophia Apex Steel Orchestra, Secret Vision, Pan Revolution and One Steel.
Steel pan is part of the musical art forms in Guyana which was prosperous in the past but encountered difficulties which led to its dormancy and near demise.
With the advent of CARIFESTA however, steps were taken by the Culture Ministry including financing for the purchase of 32 pieces of front-line pans from Trinidad and Tobago at a cost of US$20,000. Government has set aside $30M for the revival of steel pan.
Young members of the National Steel Orchestra
The Ministry then retained the services of veteran pannist, tuner and player Roy Geddes, supported by Andrew Tyndall, who is today a permanent steelpan technician and adviser with the Ministry and other tuners and instructors to further facilitate the process.
These efforts were undertaken after Mashramani 2008 with the aim of establishing a training development and resuscitation programme for the steel-pan art form throughout Guyana.
Tyndall and other stakeholders undertook the tedious task of visiting five regions to assess the state of steel bands, identify the needs and assist with the establishment of community steelbands.
The team, after discovering the magnitude of work needed outlined the Ministry’s steelpan development programme for 2009 which included a target of establishing 15 community bands.
The programme also included the training of new and veteran pan players to establish a National Steel Orchestra of Guyana which became a reality in time for CARIFESTA.
A 100-piece band was unveiled during the CARIFESTA opening ceremony at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence on August 22 among several other performances.
Its members comprise an equal combination of young and old, among whom were members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) GPF and GFS.
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Childcare and Protection Agency Bill was guided by ROCC, RIYADH Guidelines
Georgetown, GINA, January 12, 2009
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand in replying to a presentation made by Alliance for Change (AFC) member, Sheila Holder at the last sitting of Parliament, stated that when the legislation of the Rights of the Child Commission (ROCC) was drafted government was conscious of the various conventions that it signed.
Among these are the Conventions of the Rights of the Child and the United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency (RIYADH Guidelines), Minister Manickchand explained noting that if government wasn’t conscious, then “the draftsman had to be because it is enshrined in our constitution.”
The RIYADH Guidelines addresses juveniles in conflict with the law; it provides that the views/wishes of the child must be taken into account by the decision maker.
Holder questioned the consultative process that saw the emergence of the Bill. She posited that the Constitution stipulates that there must be consultation before Bills are laid in the House and questioned the role of the ROCC which is a Constitutional body established to address the needs of children in Guyana.
“Our Constitution says specifically that we must look at the Conventions and Treaties that we have signed and must treat them in the same way we would treat our fundamental rights. We could have said that in the guiding piece of this legislation, we could have been superfluous and say that this piece of legislation is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, but I will say that and I am conscious that Hansards are used in interpreting laws and that this piece of legislation was guided by the articles on the Rights of the Child Convention as well as the RIYADH Guidelines,” Minister Manickchand stated.
The Minister also addressed the obvious “confusion” on the ROCC. “I believe that the intention of the ROCC was overall to ensure that the policies were in place but that I don’t believe that is was to supervise everyday counselling, provide fostering or supervise adoptions.”
She pointed out that the ROCC is a policy-making body while the Child Protection Agency will be the implementing agency. She acknowledged that no legislation is perfect and reminded that regulations are to clarify the law and are never laid before the House.
The Childcare and Protection Agency Bill 26/2008 was tabled in the House on December 22. The Bill provides for the establishment of a Childcare and Protection Agency and for other matters relating to the care and protection of children. It empowers the Agency to implement the policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children: the monitoring of childcare facilities; to intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and to protect vulnerable children.
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Gov’t continues to tackle social issues affecting Amerindians
-three-day workshop opens for CDOs among others
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2009
In an effort to address HIV/AIDS and other social issues including violence against women, Trafficking In Persons (TIP), and alcohol and drug abuse, a three-day workshop on ‘Integrating Social Issues with HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control’ was opened today in the Boardroom of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Thomas Street with the aim of creating greater impact in improving the livelihood of Amerindians.
In its drive to confront these social problems, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has sought the services of Social Scientist and lecturer of the University of Guyana, Andrew Hicks, to build the capacity of participants, to generate information from communities, and to develop mitigation approaches for resolving potential problems.
Focal Point HIV/IDS Programme Autry Haynes noted that the workshop targets peer educators/ facilitators who visit Amerindian communities to carry out sensitization programmes on HIV/ AIDS, staff of the welfare department of the Ministry, and Community Development Officers (CDOs) who have responsibility for a number of Amerindian villages.
Haynes noted that the aim of the workshop is to prepare participants for the continued responsibility of visiting various villages to conduct awareness programmes, and to broaden their knowledge of social issues that can affect Amerindian people. This will help the Ministry to better generate information on understanding those issues based on the response from the various communities.
In alluding to the Ministry’s responsibility for the welfare of Amerindian people, Haynes said the information that will be generated from the participants’ visits to Amerindian communities will be utilized by the Ministry for better analysis of social issues affecting Amerindians and for approaches in solving the problems.
Focal Point HIV/AIDS Programme Autry Haynes addressing the opening of the workshop
Line Ministries’ Coordinator Patrick Mentore noted that about two years ago, the Ministry commissioned the production of a hand book which translated HIV/AIDS messages in two languages including Macushi to raise awareness similar to the objective of this workshop.
“This is an important event and we need not see it in isolation because indigenous people interface with other people and there should be appreciation for both sides… I am pleased to say that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has designed this programme here which commences today with the focus on social issues and other issues which accompany the HIV/AIDS spread,” he said.
Liaison Officer to Minister of Amerindian Affairs Norman Whittaker noted that many of the participants of the workshop were identified from a pool of facilitators who had previously participated in the Ministry’s six-month programme in 2008 and that this workshop is an extension.
Whittaker noted that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was established primarily to support the efforts of sister Ministries in fulfilling the objectives of government in terms of bringing about social improvement in the lives of Amerindians.
The Ministry will continue using resources at its disposal to empower, and to build capacity among people including those in leadership positions such as Toshaos and will continue to collaborate with stakeholders in tackling social issues including HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, incest, alcoholism, and TIP, Whittaker said.
The Ministry of Health in 2008, had extended its national HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Project through its Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU) to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
The collaboration resulted in 3, 154 people benefiting from 35 Amerindian villages in seven Regions.
Additionally, under the programme which was extended to June 2009, workshops were held for residents of the Amerindian Hostel in Princes Street, scholarship students, CDOs, peer educators, and members of an Amerindian interest group.
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Agro-processors urged to form association
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2009
Chairman of the Small Business Council, Keith Evelyn today during a meeting with several agro-processors in the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce boardroom, stressed the need for a collaborative voice among small agro-processors in Guyana.
Evelyn, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of the Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies, said that small businesses have peculiar problems which include access to finance, since not all small businesses meet this requirement in the “classical” sense that banks look for such as a heavy collateral base, complicated business plan and an accessible, guaranteed market.
In this regard, he stated, that finance will be a key area that the Council will be looking into to assist small businesses.
Other main areas that focus will be placed on include access to markets, since most businesses have a local market and not a global one where niche markets can be found and access to information and technology by providing services such as assisting with tax returns, accounting and environmental permits.
Chairman, Small Business Council, Keith Evelyn (second from left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Willet Hamilton, Ministry official Sharon Alexander , Technical Officer, GNBS Elton Patram and General Manager, GMC, Nizam Hassan at the meeting with agro-processors
Collaboration among the agro-processors will enable the Council to gain information that can be passed on to government to show what is needed to assist them, Evelyn said. “We are looking at moving small agro-processors into larger ones and hopefully make them competitive globally,” Evelyn said.
General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Nizam Hassan told the producers that GMC can assist in providing training, exporting and facilitating the transfer of information between producers and sellers.
He encouraged them to standardize their products since this is “very important in fact it is what is needed for us to improve and market our products.”
This is one of the main reasons why the formation of an association is needed because it will assist in marketing product. “We can individually sell our product but collectively we can market it,” he said.
Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) Technical Officer, Elton Patram said that “GNBS is working with small businesses to implement standards… we see the need for standards and ask that you implement them into your business strategy.”
The Small Business Act was passed in 2004. The Act caters for the Small Business Council which has four main priorities: setting up of a more enabling business environment, providing technical assistance, access to capital and access to information which is vital to businesses being competitive.
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Draft Forest Bill to be approved early 2009 to enhance sector
- 18 certified timber graders added to sector
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2009
Guyana has 21.5 million hectares of arable land, 18 million or 85% of which is pristine forest that provides employment for 25,000 people and garners revenue of US$55 to 60M, a Gross Domestic Product of 4.5%.
With the importance of the sector underscored, the government agency responsible for the sector, the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) continues to adopt initiatives for the sector’s enhancement.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud while speaking at a ceremony to introduce 18 recently certified timber graders said that he was optimistic that the draft Forest Bill will be approved by parliament very early in 2009. He remarked that it was a very modern piece of legislation and one which has benefited from over 10 years of stakeholder inputs.
The Minister stated that when the law comes into effect it will require the updating of several guiding documents for the sector such as the National Forest Policy, National Forest Plan and GFC guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management. The GFC will also be required to work with all stakeholders to finalize a strategic plan for the forestry sector.
Minister Persaud presenting a certificate to a recently certified timber grader
Minister Persaud said that he had high expectations about the 18 recently certified timber graders and that they should display the highest standard of integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties. However, he noted that corrective action would be taken against those who do not display such attitude. He also presented certificates to them.
The Minister remarked that in the period 2006 – 2008, a total of 120 persons had successfully completed timber grading courses which were held in Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo.
Minister Persaud explained that the grading of forest products is an important marketing tool since consumers are demanding greater assurances of quality and the grade verification by GFC is the first step in providing a level of comfort to buyers both local and overseas.
The Minister said that a project that was recently approved by the International Timber Organisation (ITTO) was the promotion of kiln drying through the establishment of three pilot community-based kiln drying facilities. He added that most of the high priced markets require nothing less than kiln dried lumber since it is the only way one could be assured of dimensional stability, uniformity, quality finish and resistance to decay by biotic agents.
Minister Persaud stated that the government through the implementation of the National Log Export Policy which came into effect on January 1, 2009 has imposed restrictions on the exportation of logs, requirements for higher export commissions which aim to promote and encourage more value added activities.
Commissioner of Forests, James Singh with the recently certified timber graders
The Agriculture Minister observed that even though the figure for log exports in 2008 were lower than the 2007 level, the export of sawn lumber had increased in 2008. In 2008, the export of sawn lumber was 47,602 cubic metres while in 2007 it was 43,824 cubic metres.
Minister Persaud urged persons in the forestry sector to create maximum employment opportunities for residents and assist in Government’s policy of social improvement and poverty alleviation, especially in the hinterland communities.
Guyana, he said, has taken a conscious policy to utilize the forest resources through sustainable forest management practices and was recognised internationally.
The Minister said that deforestation and forest degradation have contributed to climate change. As such, he noted, the World Bank has established a Forest Carbon Partnership Facility which is aimed at encouraging countries to reduce emissions.
Guyana, he stated, has a very low rate of deforestation and international organisations such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) have recorded Guyana’s rate of deforestation as less than one percent.
Minister Persaud also said that Forests Products Development and Marketing Council (FPDMC) was launched in 2008 with the primary responsibility to work with the GFC in catalyzing the rapid development of the forest industry.
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Lesser used species of wood to be promoted in 2009 – Minister Persaud
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2009
Guyana has about 1000 varieties of wood but the over-reliance on six types is putting pressure on the forest resources.
The popular species being over-exploited include bullet wood, greenheart and purpleheart.
This led to the Guyana Forestry Marketing Council (GFMC) and the International Timber Organization (ITTO) conducting tests on 15 lesser used species to determine their properties.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at the presentation of certificates to recently certified timber graders
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today confirmed that the results of the tests done in 2008 showed that at least eight of the 15 lesser used species tested had properties which are comparable to or even better than greenheart. Among the lesser used species are Limonimonaballi, Huruasa, Sarebebeballi, Suya, Black Kakaralli and Kautaballi.
Minister Persaud stated that he has charged the GFC to promote the use of these species locally and internationally and to explore the potential of other lesser used species.
A section of the audience at the presentation
This is in keeping with the President Jagdeo’s proposal to put in place a market based mechanism which would help in the sustainability of the forest resources.
Local furniture manufacturers have expressed their willingness to use some of the lesser-used species.
The GFMC / ITTO project entailed three main components including testing of the lesser used species at laboratories overseas, promotional activities and training of forestry stakeholders on the wood properties.
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Health teams continue to monitor ECD areas affected by heavy rains
Georgetown, GINA, January 13, 2008
East Coast Demerara residents today took full advantage of health services provided by the Ministry of Health supported by the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) in continued efforts to combat infections that may be caused by heavy rainfall over the past weeks.
When the Government Information Agency (GINA) visited the East Coast today, teams of health care workers were providing services in several areas including Mon-Repos (North), Success and Plaisance (back).
Medex Hilary Rodrigues attending to a resident of Success, ECD
According to Medex Eggland Badd working out of Mon Repos, residents need to take precautions outlined to them in pamphlets and flyers in order to keep themselves safe from water borne infections.
Medex Carol Orna and Medex Hilary Rodrigues operating out of Plaisance and Success respectively explained that only minor infections are showing up and these are treatable with the medicines they have available at the health centres. Residents are mostly experiencing rashes, fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. They were reminded that these are infections likely to occur if due care is not exercised.
Each health outlet is being facilitated by residents who have made their premises available for this humanitarian effort by the Ministry of Health.
Meanwhile, the Medex informed that temporary facilities within the affected areas on the East Coast are equipped with enough medical supplies and an emergency kit to treat varying illnesses that may arise. The health workers are available to work late into the evenings.
Medex E. Badd distributing flyers to Mon-Repos residents
Residents of these affected areas were appreciative for the free health assistance and thanked the Ministry for providing them with medicines and for coming into the areas to deal with the issues. The residents also pointed out that water has receded and kokers in their areas are functioning properly.
The Ministry of Health is continuing to respond promptly and efficiently with medical supplies to affected areas since the commencement of the rainy season in December.
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