Transportation boost for Abary Creek school children
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
Government has been making provisions to ensure that residents in hinterland and riverian communities are not deprived of essential services. It has been responding to the needs of the residents and making appropriate interventions.
Region Five’s Regional Executive Officer Floyd France, during a telephone interview with the Government Information Agency said that students in the Abary Creek will be assisted with transportation to get to and from school as the Region has received funding to procure a boat and engine for the community that will be dedicated to transporting students.
This will also help to boost the level of school attendance in the area.
By next week, the Region will be in receipt of the aluminum boat and the engine, the REO related.
“It will be going in the area before the current school term ends. The money is available and the equipment will be purchased from Mings Products and Services at a cost of $1.8M,” he said.
President Bharrat Jagdeo during a visit to the community in early January this year, had promised the residents that Government will purchase a boat and engine for the community, based on residents’ request.
Residents had complained about the difficulty faced by school children in getting to school.
The Abary Creek is a farming community in Region Five, with boats being the main mode of transportation.
A total of $9.05M was allocated in this year’s budget for the Region to procure boats and outboard engines to assist the Regional Administration in its delivery of its health, education and administration programmes in riverian communities.
Money has also been allocated for other Regions, including Regions One, Seven and Ten for the procurement of boats and outboard engines for the same purposes.
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ACB writes CNS Channel 6 for breaches in regulations
- Channel says will comply
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
Responding to complaints filed by the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) which highlighted breaches of television regulations, CNS Channel 6 has responded “that measures will be taken to ensure that the regulations of the ACB are complied with.”
In the first complaint dated April 20, the ACB noted that the channel aired a religious programme whose host declared that “they can cure any incurable disease including HIV/AIDS”. The Committee stated that “this is highly erroneous and destructive to the population of Guyana, since some individuals will eschew from proper medical treatment hoping for a religious miracle (cure)”.
The other complaint dated April 27 declared that the channel was in breach of section 23A (a) of its licence by airing a movie at 15:00hrs which contained violently graphic scenes.
The ACB warned that “the responsibility of reaching and maintaining higher broadcasting standards belong to all of us”.
CNS Channel 6 had its licence suspended for four months in 2008 after it breached its television licence agreement.
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Guyana hosts Caribbean Police Commissioners Conference from Monday
-to focus on political reform, among other issues
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The Guyana Police Force will host the 24th Annual General meeting (AGM) and conference of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) at the Pegasus hotel, from May 11 to 15.
Commissioners of Police from all member countries of the ACCP are expected to attend the conference which will be held under the theme “Police Reform-an Imperative for Quality Service.”
During the five-day conference Commissioners will be involved in plenary sessions on a number of issues concerning law enforcement and security.
Sybris Harvey of the ACCP Secretariat, Eve Leary, said the conference is aimed at ensuring that policy makers and law enforcement officers have up-to-date, shared information on crime fighting strategies in most of the region.
“They take the opportunity to have their meetings kept at different islands …So they can all have an understanding of what is going on in the region. We have come to realize that what happens in the region tends to have a rippling effect on the other countries. So they always try to keep up with issues that are not just bothering a particular country, but the entire region as well,” she said.
Superintendent of Police, Paul Williams disclosed that the conference will address for police reform with the aim of providing better quality service.
“We are focusing on reform in order to move rapidly with the change of time and also for us to be more proactive than we are in policing… so we can always be ahead. That is why this conference keeps on the move and also to ensure that we can be able to revisit, see where things are lacking and conform to everything. It is also to look at everything at a regional level and not as individuals,” he added.
Several social events and other activities have also been planned with five overseas exhibitors committed to showcasing their exhibits which are in the line of policing and security.
Originally the Turks and Caicos Islands was identified to be the host country, but due to the devastating effects of hurricane Ike was unable to do so, and the Guyana Police Force chipped in.
The ACCP was established on August 20, 1987 in St. Lucia and its mission is to be the principal organisation for promoting and facilitating collaboration and cooperation in the development and implementation of policing strategies, systems and procedures, the professional and technical skills development of police officers and proactive measures to prevent crime and improve police community relations.
its objectives of the organization are to develop and maintain a professional organization committed to the improvement of policing in the region, promote, foster and encourage high professional and ethical standards in pursuit of policing objectives, support and advance the just and reasonable interests of its members, influence the development of laws, procedures and practices that will advance the effectiveness of policing in the region, engage in formal relations with any organization, institution or state agency for the welfare and benefit of the Association and/or its members, take an active interest in the promotion of the development of young people regionally and internationally, arrange conferences, workshops and seminars for the purpose of sharing information and experiences of benefit to law enforcement, and pursue all necessary steps to ensure that the Association is adequately funded in order to discharge its obligation and to ensure that the funds are effectively managed and accounted for.
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House approves Bill to extend business hours
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The National Assembly yesterday unanimously passed a Bill to allow Businesses to operate for longer hours. The Shops (consolidation) (amendment) Bill 14/2009 enables licensed premises to open for business everyday including Sundays and holidays.
As a result of the passage of this Bill premises deemed to be shops could be opened from 7.30h to 22.00h daily and parlours, barbers’ and hairdressers’ establishments from 6.00 h to midnight. Restaurants and cook-shops could be opened on a 24-hour basis.
Minister of Labour Manzoor Nadir told that House that the legislation was vital in that it would modernize Guyana’s business practices by enacting legislation in line with the rest of the developed world.
He cautioned that it was necessary for businesses to understand that the Bill addresses the hours they are allowed to operate and this did not include demanding workers work for extended hours. He said that this was an opportunity for businesses to expand their operations and provide additional employment opportunities.
People’s National Congress Reform Member Basil Williams expressed the opposition’s support for the Bill. He noted that their support was based on their conviction that the private sector is the engine of growth and should be afforded every opportunity to expand.
He expressed concern about the welfare of employees and urged diligence by the Labour Ministry to ensure that workers are not exploited.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Manniram Prashad giving a background to the Bill said that the private sector had been lobbying for extended hours for over 20 years.
He reminded that in 1994 legislation was enacted to allow for the opening hours of businesses in the city to be extended to 20.00h.
Minister Prashad said that the new legislation would regularize what has already been happening in some areas.
This Bill is expected to significantly transform the economic activity in Guyana as businesses could now be opened every day for late shopping and on Sundays and holidays.
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National Assembly united on child protection legislation
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The National Assembly yesterday passed the Protection of Children Bill 2009 that outlines special protection for children enshrined in the laws of Guyana and is one of five pieces of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of children in Guyana.
The Bill was tabled in January and was referred to a Special Select Committee comprising Ministers Frank Anthony, Priya Manickchand and Desrey Fox and Shirley Edwards, Mohamed Khan and Kwame Gilbert for the Government, Clarissa Riehl, Volda Lawrence Mervyn Williams of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Latchmin Punalall of the Alliance For Change (AFC) for the Opposition.
The Human Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand who chaired the committee reported that they had achieved unanimity on all clauses of the Bill.
The Minister said the passage of the Bill was the end of a ten-year process that commenced under the tenure of former Minister Bibi Shadick and continued under her predecessor Indra Chandarpal.
Minister Manickchand said that the draft of the Bill was prepared by the Guyana Association of Women Lawyers who was invited by former Minister Shadick to do so. She added that input was received from several different agencies and organizations including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) who provided an expert to review the draft legislation to ensure that it was in compliance with the various international conventions and protocols.
Pointing to an innovation in the Bill the Minister said that it included a statutory time limit for courts to dispose of matters involving children.
Minister Anthony told the House that the provisions in the Bill would change the way children are treated and cared for. It also places a special burden on caregivers in that it compels them to report cases of suspected abuse and making it an offence for failing to report cases.
He said that professionals are also required to report such cases and will not be exempted on the ground of privileged communication.
PNCR member Volda Lawerence said that the committee established had afforded the opportunity for the opposition’s views and ideas to be included in the Bill. She assured that the provisions in the Bill for the Child protection agency to remove children from a home that is deemed unfit, is not intended to separate families.
She said that provisions are also made to provide support to parents to enable children to be reunited with parents at the earliest opportunity, ensuring that the safety and best interest of the child is assured.
The Bill addresses offences ranging from child neglect to prostitution, imposing fines and imprisonment for offences.
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Insurance sector supervision Bill divides opposition
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
A Bill to transfer the supervision of the insurance sector from the Commissioner of Insurance to the Bank of Guyana (BoG) was approved in the National Assembly yesterday. The Insurance (supplementary provisions) Bill 2009 tabled by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh saw the Opposition divided on the issue with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) supporting the Bill and the Alliance for Change (AFC) opposing.
Dr Singh reminded the Assembly of the unity that was given to the Motion passed on March 12 and called for increased supervision of the financial sector and said that the legislation being introduced would give effect to this call.
Outlining the challenges facing countries’ financial sectors, the Minister posited that it was necessary that legislation be enacted to ensure that maximum resources are allocated to ensuring macro economic stability.
He said that the BoG, through its capacity building programmes was capable of facilitating the additional mandate. He said that the Central Bank has transformed its supervision from transaction based to risk based approach and has instituted corporate governance while constantly reviewing activities to further strengthen regulations.
He stated that the Bill will allow a more rationalized approach to supervision of the financial sector, enabling efficient use of the resources available for supervision. The Minister said that the move was important as it could generate economy of scale and economy of scope.
PNCR Member Winston Murray assured that National Assembly that his party was in support of the Bill but questioned the need for it at this time. He posited that the party had seen the wisdom of the change and was in support of it.
However, AFC Member Khemraj Ramjattan accused the Government of deceiving Guyanese as the Bill will reduce transparency since two agencies supervising the sector allowed for checks and balances which would no longer be present.
He reminded that that was the argument used when the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance was established in 1998 and called the move a retrograde step.
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali argued that the financial system needs to remain flexible to adapt to the changing global trends. He said that with the recent global financial meltdown countries were reviewing their sectors and it was important that Guyana does likewise.
He said that an additional benefit would be the reduced cost and increased efficiency.
Minister Singh is his summation accused the AFC of double standards in that they had called for the removal of the sitting Commissioner of Insurance and for stricter supervision of the financial sector.
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Matching grants initiative programme launched
- to contribute significantly to SMEs development
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are soon to be the beneficiaries of the Matching Grants Initiative (MGI), a component of the National Competitiveness Strategy (NCS) which will provide them with the necessary assistance needed to ensure their development.
The MGI which aims to raise the competitiveness of SMEs by enhancing their export capacity was today launched by Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.
Minister Prashad said that due to Guyana being a small economy it is heavily dependent on cross border trade and government is compelled to continuously expand exports, strive for better terms and find new markets, hence shocks in the global economy inevitably have an impact on the country’s economic performance.
In combating this, he stated that the global crisis has “reinforced the belief that the dual focus of our strategy to maintain sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction is on the right track. One focus seeks to restructure the traditional sectors of the economy with a more extensive and active role for private firms.”
Minister Prashad making a point at the launch of the Matching Grants Initiative programme
Minister Prashad added that the thrust therefore, is to increase production and reduce costs and create additional value added lines of products in order to expand employment and income at home and boost export competitiveness abroad.
Additionally, the other focus of this strategy seeks to foster the rapid expansion of the non-traditional sectors, he said.
The primary objective of the MGI is the provision of matching grants to SMEs to prepare firms for export readiness, assist firms to launch export drive and to facilitate the expansion of export by firms already exporting.
The Minister noted that the MGI is “a clear commitment of the government to place greater emphasis on the private sector.”
The Matching Grants Funds (MFG) is loan funds from an Inter-American Development Bank and Government of Guyana (IDB-GoG) loan which will provide support to the SMEs grants.
Minister Prashad outlined the ways in which his Ministry’s is currently supporting the rapid development of SMEs under the NCS. Within one month it will operationalise the Small Business Council (SBC), approval will be given to a consultancy to develop an action plan in relation to SMEs and actors in the informal economy. The action plan will seek to identify and rank sub-sectors which may be eligible to benefit from a revolving fund; define the size of the fund and schedule for financing the priority activities; and determine the modality of operations and replenishment of the fund and propose sources of finance for the establishment and expansion fund.
“We are moving ahead in discharging a number of commitments made by the government in the context of the NCS to strengthen significantly the role of private sector firms, particularly SMEs and operators in the informal sector, in the national economy,” Minister Prashad said.
The MGF will over a 42-month period provide eligible firms small grants for export readiness assessments, project preparation and project implementation. Focus will be placed in supporting firms in agro-processing, aquaculture, bio-ethanol, business process outsourcing, eco-tourism, non-traditional agriculture products, organic food products and sustainable forest products.
Participants at the launch of the Matching Grants Initiative programme
This initiative with funding from the IDB will benefit SMEs directly. Over the next three years, the fund will provide a portion of the cost of projects identified by enterprises to re-configure, develop and implement systems and strategies that will improve firms’ performance in overseas markets.
Minister Prashad reaffirmed that the “bottom line is this will create more jobs, more investments and more export.”
The MGI is governed by a public-private council which was appointed in April. It is chaired by Yog Mahadeo, Chief Financial Officer of GT&T, Uchenna Gibson of GO-Invest and five other members from various private and public entities.
Minister Prashad urged the council to keep under review the emergence of other non-traditional sectors that may be deserving of support; be flexible, ensure that it does not become too bogged down in red tape and work in partnership with other financial agencies dealing with SMEs in order to benefit from synergies and stretch the impact of effectiveness.
The NCS is an initiative by President Bharrat Jagdeo to develop the business sector. It falls under the Support for Competitiveness Programme (SCP) which received $501.5M in this year’s National Budget.
Further, there is an NCS Council which is chaired by President Bharrat Jagdeo and includes members of government, the GO-Invest CEO and representatives from various private sector bodies including the Private Sector Commission and labour unions.
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Another initiative introduced to help domestic violence victims/survivors
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The Government of Guyana reinstated its commitment yesterday to the fight against domestic violence as it started another programme towards the prevention of domestic violence and the provision of services to victims and survivors.
To this end, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security held its first domestic violence support group session for victims and survivors which allowed participants the opportunity to participate in a forum which assisted them in gaining the vital support needed (emotional support, practical advice, information, access to counselling or access to safe accommodation) so that they may overcome their horrendous experiences of domestic violence.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand said that the support group provides an outlet for victims/survivors “who get together and share experiences amongst themselves as well as help to empower each other. It is just another item in our menu of measures addressing the whole issue of domestic violence and how we can eradicate it from our midst.”
Minister Manickchand noted that the session was “extremely informative… I saw strength taken by persons from stories of other persons and I believe that there is always strength in numbers.”
She added that support groups have proven very successful in many countries as such it is not a method that the Ministry will leave out in its ongoing campaign to address this issue.
The Minister stressed that, “Participants are free to say whatever they want or nothing at all. We are not going to be insisting that someone leave their husband or partner or that any person takes any particular action; this is really a support group where information about all the services will be available.”
The National Policy on Domestic Violence was launched in June 2008 and outlines support programmes among others for victims. Under the thematic area two in the policy, it outlines the services that should be provided to survivors. These are:
- A common service protocol will be implemented which involves the health, education and social services sector and the Guyana Police Force.
- The government will ensure reasonable access to temporary refuge for survivors and will facilitate reasonable access to other activities such as training of survivors who wish to pursue associated legal matters when leaving abusive relationships
- The government will ensure that there are appropriate legal aid services throughout the country to support survivors who wish to pursue associated legal matters when leaving abusive relationships
- The government will ensure that counselling services are reasonably accessible to victims/survivors of domestic violence. Every community should have information about what services are available nationally and how to access said services
- The counselling interventions will focus on the safety and well-being of the survivors
- In order to ensure that the Domestic Violence Act is being properly applied and the dynamics of domestic abuse understood, the government will ensure that there is continuous training of key persons in the justice system
“This is one way of fulfilling our mandate of the Policy where we have as one of our things to accomplish is the establishment of centres across the country where information about services can be obtained, the policy envisions communities across the countries knowing where services can be had so this is one way of us doing it, those support groups across the country are going to be fully aware of where these services are,” Minister Manickchand said.
In addition, she said that it is hoped that the “participants are going to be aware but more than that these groups will serve as a focal point in communities for persons to be able to report issues of domestic violence as well as seek help when it is needed.”
Some of the initiatives undertaken by the government to combat domestic violence include creating an environment through legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act of 1996 which provides for protection, occupation and tenancy orders and for custody and maintenance and providing legal support through its Legal Aid Clinics; providing counselling, working with Non-Governmental Organisations to have massive campaigns around the country to heighten awareness, the creation of the Domestic Violence Policy Unit to enforce the policy.
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26 families to benefit from new homes
-donated by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc.
Georgetown, GINA, May 08, 2009
The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in its effort to improve the social well-being and welfare services of the people, while creating a harmonious and stable environment, today facilitated the construction of more homes for families who have been affected by disasters.
Twenty-six women who lost their husbands due to crime or disasters were assisted by the Ministry in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Incorporated to construct homes and relocate them to new areas.
Food for the Poor, Project Manager, Andrea Benjamin (left) and Administrative Assistant of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Difficult Circumstances Unit, Colleen Roberts (right), assist beneficiaries during the registration exercise, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Cornhill Street
Administrative Assistant of the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit, Colleen Roberts during the registration exercise at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Cornhill Street, said that the Ministry promptly responded to the families who are in need of shelter by approaching Food for the Poor for assistance.
She commended the organisation for its assistance since it has pledged to provide houses for the families.
Food for the Poor, Project Manager, Andrea Benjamin said that her organisation remains committed to the construction of homes for families in need of shelter.
She told the women that the organisation continues to seek ways to empower them and that the homes are being provided to ensure they have shelter for their families.
The houses will be wooden structures measuring 20 feet by 15 feet.
She noted, however, that persons will have to provide their sanitation facilities and other amenities since the organisation cannot afford to do so.
Some of the beneficiaries
Benjamin further urged them to occupy their houses and maintain the structures since the organisation has been investing millions of dollars to construct houses.
The Ministry of Human Services over the past months has been assisting families affected by disasters with the allocation of houselots through the Housing Ministry.
Efforts were also made to have the process of relocation expedited through the assistance from Food for the poor to construct houses for the families.
In 2008, the Food for the Poor organisation provided 12 houses to several families who had been left homeless following the collapse of a dilapidated structure in Smyth and Hadfield Streets.
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Sophia residents to benefit from new well
Georgetown, GINA, May 08, 2009
As the Ministry of Housing and Water continues its efforts towards extending and improving water supply to its citizens across the country, residents of Sophia will benefit from a new well which will be constructed to complement the iron removal water treatment plant which is currently being built in the area.
Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali said that his Ministry is remodelling the Sophia water distribution network and resources will be budgeted for the design of a new well for the area.
He noted that several concerns were raised as it relates the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) ability to service its customers with adequate pressure, flow and quality of water.
“The Sophia area as you know we have lots of problems not only in the capacity to deliver water but in the existing network which was done in various phases… compatibility is posing a number of challenges for us so what we are doing we are trying to remodel the network and at the same time we are designing a new well for that area. The new well would also improve the flow, access and pressure of water for persons in Cummings Lodge and Sophia area,” Minister Ali said.
The Ministry, he said acknowledges that there are problems in the water sector and is not satisfied with the level of service.
“We would not be satisfied until all of our people have access to a service that is reliable, safe and one that meets the minimum requirements. At the same we are very much satisfied with our efforts, capital investments and the resources that the government has continued to budget into the water sector,” he said.
In addition, the Minister said his Ministry is also concluding designs and feasibility studies for the construction of other wells in areas such as Manchester, Region Six.
He said the water sector will continue to see aggressive interventions.
“We are very fortunate that we have not seen a cut in our budgetary allocation or capital investment programme. We have seen an increase in the capital investment programme…The President himself has given his commitment to ensure that this sector is well taken care of financially since he has expressed concerns too on the water sector,” Minister Ali concluded.
Government over the past several years has significantly improved access to potable water as part of its drive for enhanced services to consumers by upgrading infrastructure.
To date more than 300 wells were drilled and constructed to benefit several communities across the region.
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President swears-in Rights of the Child Commission members
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
Thirteen members were officially inaugurated into the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC) after being officially sworn in by Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo today at the Office of the President.
The members are Kaloutie Nauth, Yvonne Fox, Sarojanie Rambarran, Aleema Nasir, Colleen Anthony, Michelle Kalamandeen, Suelle Findlay-Williams, Sandra Hooper, Rosemary Benjamin- Noble, Vidyaratha Kissoon, Banmattie Ram, Kwame Mc Coy and Shirley Ferguson.
On March 13 the motion moved by Chairperson of the Committee on Appointments Gail Teixeira for the appointment of members of the first Rights of the Child Commission was approved by the National Assembly
The NCRC was established in March 1998 to promote the convention of the rights of the child and monitor children’s services. It replaces its predecessor the National Commission for Survival, Protection and Development of Children of 1993 which was chaired by former President Janet Jagan.
After congratulating the new nominees President Jagdeo told them of the very important positions which they have assumed given the responsibility which they have over children, the future generation.
“Our children are important to the future of this country not in just a clichéd manner that is oftentimes represented, but in a real sense. Our society will become whatever we instill in our children,” President Jagdeo said.
President Bharrat Jagdeo congratulates Kwame Mc Coy after he was sworn in as one of the members of the Rights of the Child Commission
The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration has given full support to child development, according to President Jagdeo who alluded to the party’s manifesto which includes a detailed section on the need for children to be appropriately cared for and for them to have equal status.
He noted however that while children have the right to the best service and attention, the demands for these services often outweighs the resources available, a challenge which he urged the commissioners to be prepared to confront.
While focusing on Government’s legislative framework for children, President Jagdeo pointed to the Child Care and Protection Agency Bill that was passed earlier this year, the Protection of Children Bill, which was passed on May 7, the Status of Children Bill and the Adoption of Children Bill which he said will soon be debated in Parliament.
Also in the making are the Child Care and Development Services Bill and the Custody Guardianship Maintenance and Access Bill, both of which are being drafted and the Juvenile Justice Bill which President Jagdeo said is undergoing consultations but will update the outdated juvenile justice laws.
The Head of State disclosed that Cabinet has given approval for the establishment of a family court. Even before this facility is established, he has requested that the process commences.
He said there are several children who are in foster care environments but need to be reintegrated into homes where they can receive the love of the family.
“We hope that there will be a day in Guyana where all our kids can find places in homes in this country where there wouldn’t be any orphanages,” President Jagdeo said.
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CARICOM’s food security critical among climate change concerns
…issue included in Jagdeo Initiative
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The Jagdeo Initiative on Climate Change which highlights Guyana’s position on avoided deforestation has again been recognized for its impact in assisting the Caribbean Region as it seeks to find solutions to deal with climate change.
The CARICOM Task Force on Climate Change and Development at a media briefing on May 8 at the CARICOM Secretariat discussed some of the issues that were addressed during its second meeting yesterday which explored the ways in which countries should be rewarded for keeping their forests intact, given the fact that deforestation accounts for over 20 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
This second meeting continued the Region’s preparation for the impending 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) set for Copenhagen, Denmark in December.
The Task Force was set up mainly to define and address the Region’s Climate Change programme for the negotiations leading up to the Copenhagen conference and beyond, as well as to provide support and representation for the Community with respect to critical sectors affected by Climate Change.
According to Dr. Ulric Trotz Senior Adviser of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), the meeting emphasized that it is critical that deforestation be curbed as the region seeks solutions to deal with climate change. This has drawn attention to Guyana which has its forest intact and is developing methodologies and systems to provide global information as to how standing forests should be appreciated and resources should be made available to countries which refrain from cutting down their forests.
CARICOM Task Force on Climate Change at the press conference, CARICOM Secretariat
Dr. Trotz said President Jagdeo’s initiative was taken globally during the climate change conference in Poznan, Poland last December to show how this problem could be addressed. The Region through the Jagdeo Initiative will be promoted as an institution that will contribute to a global solution.
Dr. Leonard Nurse, Senior Lecturer at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a member of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) stated that another component of the Jagdeo Initiative deals with food security which is an important concern for the entire Region given the evidence in relation to the threat to this aspect.
Dr. Nurse stated that the concerns are not only in relation to crop agriculture but also to a number of other outputs related to specific crops; He mentioned declining yields with increasing aridity, dryness, salinity of soils and water stress. He said some of the agricultural productivity could be under threat as are other areas of nutrition such as fisheries. The reef fishery in the Caribbean which is of substantial importance to the nutrition of the region is also under threat as a result of leaching since almost every country depends on its reef fishery for its local diet.
“The impact of leaching on mangroves certainly will have a very negative impact on the fish productivity,” Dr. Nurse said. The possibility of migration of certain fish stock to other regions will also pose potentially serious impact on food security in the Region, he added.
A major area of discussion during the task force meeting was the need for emphasising and streamlining collaboration in various areas in the Region including both governmental and non-governmental bodies that include skills in all capacities that impact on the Region’s understanding of the climate change issues and how it can mobilize itself on the way forward.
Other panelists at the media briefing included Dr. Edward Greene Assistant Secretary General, Human and Social Development and Chair of the CARICOM Task force on climate change and development, Professors John Agard and Leonard Nurse of the UWI Campus Cave Hill, Dr. Marlene Attz, Senior Lecturer Economics, UWI and Dr. Carlos Fuller Deputy Director (CCCCC).
In 2008 the Heads of Government agreed on the need for a CARICOM Task force to deal with the issue of climate change that would provide guidance to the community on advancing the agenda on climate change for the Region. The first meeting was held in Nov 2008.
In recognition of the threat, the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the CCCCC has drafted a regional Climate Change Strategic Framework that should point the way to building the Region’s resilience to the effects of Climate Change, over the next five years, the Secretariat said in a recent press release.
The Framework has as its focal point, developing programmes to support mitigation of and adaptation to Climate Change in the region. It is premised on four main pillars: reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy reduction and conservation and switching to renewable energy sources; minimizing the effects of greenhouse gas emissions through disaster mitigation; developing and implementing public awareness and education programmes and building national and regional capacities to manage adaptation.
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NDIA to get more equipment – three contracts valued $167M signed
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The capacity of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) will be significantly boosted with the supply of more equipment to conduct drainage and irrigation work. Three contracts were signed today amounting to more than $167M by the NDIA and the respective contractors at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The first contract involves the supply of a hydraulic excavator, a 12-month warranty period on parts and labour, one excavation bucket and one cleaning bucket costing approximately over $24M. This contract was granted to the Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP).
MACORP is also the recipient of a second contract amounting to $91.9M which includes the supply of two No. D6R track type dozer, angle blade, and has a 12-month warranty on all parts and labour and training of operators. Both contracts for this entity have a three - month duration each.
This is the first time bulldozers are being bought by the NDIA but are needed to clear dams since private contractors often have to be used.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud receiving a replica of one of the bull dozers from MACORP representative, Jorge Medina
The third contract for the supply of a pontoon, four hydraulic spuds, six tie posts and four mechanically operated winches has a six-month duration and costs approximately $50.8M . This contract was given to Courtney Benn contracting services.
Earlier this week in Abary, Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud had said that the NDIA will be contracting a company to construct a second pontoon to enhance the capacity of the authority since many outfalls needed desilting on an ongoing basis. He had noted that since there was only one such dredging device one area had to be foregone for another.
In 2008, NDIA had constructed a special 250-ton pontoon specifically to clear silted outfall channels. With the use of two long reach excavators mounted on the pontoon, NDIA was able to continuously dredge the critical sea coast sluices in Regions Three, Four and Five.
Currently, this equipment is working in Abary and after a certain amount of work is completed it will move to Mahaicony and Mahaica. Due to the excellent work done by the equipment, a second pontoon was considered.
The new pontoon to be constructed will be fabricated with a much improved design to allow for self-anchorage and to fully utilize the two mounted excavators.
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, NDIA's CEO, Lionel Wordsworth, contractors and other officials at the signing
According to NDIA’s Chief Executive Officer, Lionel Wordsworth, in preparation for the rainy season outfalls at Hague, Den Amstel, La Jalousie and Windsor Forest have been dredged. Preparatory works are also been carried out at Black Bush Polder and Canals Polder, Region Three and Cane Grove, Region Four.
Since 2006, the NDIA has successfully undertaken rehabilitation works from Regions Two to Six and Ten including 296 miles of canals drains and earthen embankment under the Agricultural Support Services Programme (ASSP).
Strengthening works have been undertaken and are ongoing in the East Demerara and Boerasirie Water Conservancies.
Such undertakings result in a cost saving of 50 percent to 60 percent when compared to the current cost charged by contractors.
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27th COTED meeting to be held in Georgetown
Georgetown, GINA, May 8, 2009
The twenty-seventh meeting for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) will be held in Georgetown from May 14 to 15, to examine matters related to the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), agriculture, transportation and external economic and trade relations, a CARICOM release said.
Accordingly, the Council, which comprises Trade Ministers, will consider the CARICOM Competition Commission’s 2008 Report and its 2009 Work programme. The Commission was established in January 2008 in Paramaribo, Suriname.
The release said Haiti will also update the meeting on its preparations for the Trade in Goods Regime of the CSME.
The Ministers will discuss the recommendations from the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM). Earlier, the Council had met for the first time on January 16 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and again on May 8 in Barbados to discuss the draft agreement on the Common Fisheries Policy. The draft is expected to be presented for consideration at the upcoming meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.
COTED will receive a report from Jamaica on the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Advanced Technology for Agriculture. The Centre was established in Jamaica in March 2009 with assistance from the Government of Spain through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
The meeting will receive updates on several matters including the recommendation to establish a Single Air Space, piracy and its threat to maritime transportation, developments with respect to preparations for negotiating a trade and development agreement between CARICOM and Canada, and the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed between the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) and the European Community.
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