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Agriculture Ministry urges farmers to practice water conservation
-in light of El Nino

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

The Ministry of Agriculture has issued an urgent notice to farmers advising that they must conserve water in light of the el nino situation which is likely to prevail until March 2010.
 The Ministry advises of the following:
 REGION 2

• Irrigation services are provided by the operation of the Dawa pumps,
  the Capoey Lake, Lake Mainstay and the Golden Fleece Conservancy for
  approximately 32,476 acres of rice lands and other crops.
• The Main Distributory Canal water level is currently 54.0 GD, which is 3.0 ft below the full supply level of 57.0 GD.

This means that there will be reduced supplies by gravity in the 2nd and 3rd depth areas along Somerset and Berks and, Affiance and Devonshire Castle.
REGION 3

• 
  Irrigation Services are provided from the Boerasirie Water
  Conservancy for approximately: 25,933 acres of sugar lands;
  21,380 acres of rice lands and 9,487 acres of other crops

The conservancy level is at present at 57.00 GD, which is 4.70 GD below the full supply level. This means there will be a reduced supply of water by gravity. At Wales and Uitvlugt estates, GuySuCo has implemented a re-circulation method by the use of pumps to ensure adequate irrigation water. A temporary sluice has been put in place at West Demerara Estate.

NDIA is currently installing two 40.0 cu.sec hydroflow irrigation pumps at Warimia 5-door sluice to pump water from the Bonasika River into the Boerasirie Water Conservancy. NDIA implemented re-circulation of water at Philadelphia and Ruby to serve 1800 acres of rice cultivation lands. There will be a reduced supply of irrigation water in the irrigation system to serve the high lands between Parika and Versailles.

REGION 4

Irrigation Services are provided through the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) for approximately: 32,116 acres of sugar cane; 6,138 acres of rice lands; 1,176 acres hectares of vegetable lands and 4,742 acres of orchards and coconuts The Conservancy level is at present at 52.25 GD at Flagstaff which is operating below the dead storage level of 53.50 GD.
  NDIA has put into operation two hydroflow irrigation pumps to pump water into the EDWC from Maduni to increase the level above 53.5 GD and to sustain the structural integrity of the dams.
NDIA implemented re-circulation of water by mechanical pumping at Cane Grove to serve 350 acres of rice cultivation lands.
There will be a reduced supply of irrigation water to areas of Cane Grove to Nabacilis along the ECD and Garden of Eden to Mocha, EBD.

REGION 5

Abary/Berbice Block

• Services are provided by the Abary Conservancy for approximately: 52,000 acres of rice lands; 16,000 acres of sugar lands; 30,000 plus 19,000 acres of cattle grazing lands
• The Conservancy level is currently at 60.17 GD which means there are
  still adequate supplies of irrigation water.
• Drinking water will be provided to residents of Abary

Mahaicony/Abary Block

•  Services are provided by mechanical pumping at Mora Point and the
  river intake sluice at Hyde Park for approximately 21,000 acres of rice
  lands and approximately 45,000 acres of cattle grazing lands.
• The saline point of the Mahaicony River has now moved upstream and
  as a result the Hyde Park sluice cannot be used
• This means that there will be a reduced supply of irrigation water
  in the system from Bellamy Canal to the Jugdeo Canal although the area south of MARDS (Jugdeo Canal) should be safe.
  

Mahaica/Mahaicony Block

• Services are provided in this block via the Perth Biabu Canal and
  the structures on the Mahaica and Mahaicony Rivers for approximately:
  18,000 acres of rice lands
• 65,000 acres of cattle grazing lands
• 3,500 acres of cash crop lands

The area north of the Industry Canal to the Bellamy will experience slight, but manageably difficulty, for irrigation. The MMA will boost supplies into the Perth Biabu through an additional intake from the Mahaica River via the Manuel Canal, and mechanical pumping using a mobile pump.

REGION 6

• Irrigation Services are provided by the use of mechanical irrigation
  pumps at New Forrest, Port Mourant, Mibikuri, Manarabisi, and Sandaka to lift
  irrigation water from the Canje Creek into the irrigation system for
  approximately:    46,994 acres of rice lands; 26,453 acres sugar lands; Other crops

Also, irrigation water is supplemented in the Canje Creek via the Torani Canal that channel flows from the Berbice River. The Canje creek is now operating at an average of 54.5 GD which is 3.0 ft below its full supply level.
          Irrigation Services are provided in Black Bush Polder by the Mibicuri pumping station for approximately 36,000 acres of rice land and 5000 acres of cash crops. However, 18,000 acres of BBP frontlands in areas from Whim to # 51 village will experience low water levels and reduced
gravity flows in the irrigation system. There will be a reduced supply of irrigation water by gravity for
approximately 3000 acres of rice lands and 2100 acres of cash crop in Crabwood creek due to the current low water level in the GuySuCo link Canal.


Farmers are urged:

• not to waste irrigation water and that it is their responsibility to ensure that the structures, and in particular field inlets and outlets, are monitored and managed in order to avoid any wastage.

• to desist from tampering with structures and
  cuttings dams as it is an offence and is in contravention of the Drainage
  and Irrigation Act.

The Ministry of Agriculture has established a special telephone hotline for farmers:  227- 2204, 227-5049 and 226- 6655.

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Lethem, Seawall Development Plans completed
-Housing and Water Minister

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

As the drive continues by the Housing and Water Ministry to develop programmes to meet the needs of citizens, strident efforts to create the Lethem and Seawall Development plans have been fruitful.
            Yesterday, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali at a year-end press conference at his office Brickdam said that his Ministry has completed the Lethem and the draft Georgetown seawall development plans and expressed the hope of having both strategies launched in early 2010.

Lethem Development Plan

            This was approved by Cabinet on September 16, 2008 and focuses on the physical, social and economic features of Lethem, Region Nine.
            The implementation of the plan will see the region performing a wide range of administrative and service-oriented functions with general and designated guidelines for dealing with substantive planning issues including residential and commercial development, open spaces, transportation, tourism, industrial development and urban design.
            Minister Ali said almost on a daily basis response for houselots in Lethem has been overwhelming and that his Ministry will ensure that guidelines set out in the plan are followed to ensure planned development.
            “The interest in Lethem has been immense, we have been receiving new applications almost on a daily basis for houselots in Lethem…We see this as an emerging opportunity yet a challenge because we will have to now ensure that the Lethem plan is followed closely so that we would have very planned development and we would have infrastructure to meet the development aspirations and requirements,” he stated.
            Approximately $445M was allocated to the Ministry this year to upgrade the housing and water sector in Region Nine. This include the allocation of over 220 houselots in residential and commercial areas and the establishment of roads, drains, pure water distribution networks in Tabatinga to benefit over 2000 people.
            His Excellency Bharrat had Jagdeo also met with several business persons from Lethem to commence the distribution of 17 plots of land within the designated Lethem commercial district. The project which consists of a total of 65 lots is a $1B investment that is expected to create 550 jobs.
            The sum of $41M was also allocated as capital grant in the 2009 National Budget to the Lethem Power Company so that additional generators and transformers could be installed to boost electricity supply.

Seawall Plan
           

            The seawall development plan is part of government’s objective to develop the area into a tourist attraction and recreational spot.
            The development of the area is embodied in the Greater Georgetown development plan that entails the harnessing of recreation land use value of the area and considers a small component of compatible recreational/commercial development.
            The plan was prepared with the input of various stakeholders and is at the stage of implementation which is being done by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) and the private sector.
            In addition to the developments, the Housing and Water Minister said that the Ministry’s engineering department has developed low-income housing options for its customers which will be placed on the Ministry’s website. These include housing designs, detailed bill of quantities, building standards, planning regulations and requirements and developers manual.
            “We are hoping that in 2010 this would be expanded…the website is an educational tool…persons can visit our website and get a holistic introduction to the housing sector as a whole,” he said.

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CRMA exceeds 2000 job placements

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security with the aim of addressing the financial security of all had established the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA) which over the years the agency has successfully aided the recruitment of many Guyanese.
Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir announced that the agency has made significant strides with fostering the employment of more than 2000 people in 2009.
            “The employment rise above the 2000 mark has shown that the economy has been performing well and that persons both employers and jobseekers are placing much confidence in the services of the agency,” Minister Nadir stated.
            The overwhelming majority of jobs are from the private sector and the job seekers come from all sectors.
            Minister Nadir attributed the success to the hard work of the staff and the positive responses to media and outreach campaigns during the past two years.

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GWI’s senior officials urged to form “think tank” for entity

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

At the Guyana Water Incorporated’s (GWI) Annual General Meeting, on Monday, Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali implored senior officials to utilise their intellectual capacity to respond to a changing environment in a timely and cost effective manner.      
            He cited that the future is bright and is as filled with opportunities for fertile ideas to be developed.
            “I urge the development of a GWI “think tank” that would fuel the intellectual capacity of the entity to respond to changing environment in a timely and cost effective manner,” he said.
            The Minister told them that the entity no doubt would have completed a year of varied challenges, institutional, management, environmental and societal but any organization of the size, complexity and nature would face challenges of this nature.
            He said, “It is the organization’s ability to respond, cope, reorganize, retool and recommit itself to its common ideals, goals and visions that define how successful that organisation is.”
            Minister Ali noted that the company is poised on a threshold to take off with a young, dynamic and committed team now exposed to the reality of quickening the pace of their experience to meet the goals and objectives of the organization.
            “We are almost 70 percent in terms of accomplishing the targets of the Turn Around Plan, however, the targets themselves must be re-evaluated in an effort to determine changes that would have been necessitated with the passing of time,” he said.
            The entity, the Minister said has an important social responsibility to implement in the political, social and economic environment that is as varied as the geographic make up of the administrative regions.
            Government’s commitment to the sector has been enormous and continues to be immense. The funding of the Turn Around Plan, Capital Investment and Human Resources advancement are critical inputs by the government in the upliftment, improvement, efficiency and reliability of the entity, Minister Ali stated.
            The Housing and Water Minister pointed out that Customer service is critical in building trust and creating ownership of the service provided by the company to Guyanese.
            He said the institutional improvements in finance, auditing, revenue collection, asset management and operations are noted.
            However, much remains ahead and the young managers must stimulate themselves beyond theory and understand the practicality of the environment they operate in when concluding on a decision through analytical thinking.
            “An organisation as complex as this cannot and must not be managed by text book but collective wisdom, sharing of ideas and experiences and through understanding of the local environment in which we operate….I urge that we develop a learning organization, one that is knowledge based, responsive, inclusive and dynamic,” Minister Ali concluded.

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GDF executed its core duties well in 2009 despite setbacks
-Commodore Best at Soldiers’ Day celebrations

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

Chief-of-Staff (COS) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Commodore Gary Best yesterday said that the Force has executed its core duties to the best of its abilities notwithstanding a few unsavory acts from members within the body. He was at the time speaking at the Force’s Annual Soldiers’ Day celebrations, at Base Camp Ayanganna on Monday.
            Commodore Best said that although those actions have marred the Force’s reputation, they are not a representation of what the GDF stands for. “It is just a small, bad part that we will continue to work to get rid of,” he said.

Ranks socializing at the Annual Soldiers’ Day luncheon at Base Camp Ayanganna

        The COS cited the main challenges as maintaining border integrity and providing support to the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS).
            He urged officers, soldiers and civilians to remain steadfast in their duties and standard operating procedures to ensure that the security of Guyana is maintained in an utmost professional manner. He added that he is very confident of the men and women within the GDF and the joint services by extension.  
            The celebrations kicked off earlier with a gun firing exercise after which Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) swapped roles with ordinary soldiers who were served breakfast in bed and later lunch.
            The significance of the occasion was further heightened by the arrival of Commander of the Armed Forces, President Bharrat Jagdeo accompanied by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. Before serving food to the soldiers the President announced that they will be receiving their announced bonus before Christmas.
            In 2008, Government spent over $330M to grant each member of the Disciplined Services a one month’s tax-free bonus.

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Support for hinterland communities moving apace
-as El Nino conditions prevail

As part of the Ministry of Agriculture's effort to manage the current El Nino conditions, a high-level team of officials visited Region One to further assess and distribute planting materials and provide other forms of support to farmers of Mabaruma Sub Region. The team which was headed by George Jervis, Deputy Permanent Secretary included Nizam Hassan, General Manager, New Guyana Marketing Corporation
and other technical staff of the Ministry who visited communities that were affected during earlier needs assessments. During the outreaches, Mr. Jervis communicated the Ministry's willingness to assist in expanding agriculture in the region, while an assessment of the acoushi ant control programme was undertaken. The team held meetings at Maburuma, Hotoquai, Hobadai and Morawhanna where cassava sticks and pineapple slips worth $1.2M were distributed.


Agriculture Officials attend to Mabaruma residents' agricultural needs.

Farmers were urged by the Ministry's Deputy Permanent Secretary to ensure that the planting materials are properly utilized thereby resulting in higher production. It was also highlighted that the planting materials that were distributed are of a high standard. In response to requests by farmers for citrus plants, interested persons were invited to attend a series of training programmes aimed at providing training in plant propagation methods that would commence in Hosororo during the third week of January 2010.
Further, additional support in the form of chemicals was also presented to various communities as part of the Ministry's Acoushi ant control programme. 


Cassava sticks that were handed over to Region One residents.

Farming communities of Region Eight also benefitted from additional support, while a technical assessment was also conducted to determine additional agricultural needs of the farming communities of Paramakatoi, Tuseneng and Monkey Mountain. Emphasis was paid on the efficiency of the Ministry's Veterinary and Extension Service provided to farmers, while feedback was provided  to farmers. Meanwhile, closer interactions will continue to ensure hinterland communities boost their farming activities despite the current El Nino conditions.

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PM refutes statements against power Company

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds in answering questions posed by Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin in the National Assembly last evening, quashed rumours that three Wartsila units that were installed at the newly-commissioned at the Kingston Power Plant were second-hand machines brought from Suriname.
            The Prime Minister maintained that the machines are new and are being confused with another programme to increase generation at Canefield. He said for that project the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) took the opportunity to procure the equipment which is currently being refurbished and converted to high fuel oil (HFO) operating machinery.   These units will be in operation by the first quarter of 2010 in the said area.
Corbin highlighted the continuous occurrence of blackouts despite the declaration to cease power outages by November 5. To this, the Prime Minister elucidated that no commitment made by GPL stated that there will be absolutely no power outage at anytime; instead it was advised that the installation of the units will see an additional 20 megawatts that will lead to a significant reduction in power outages.
At the commissioning on December 4, GPL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bharrat Dindyal mentioned that only two units were in operation at the time. This, the Prime Minister said was due to a manufacturing defect that was fixed at a cost that was covered by the manufacturer. He assured that all three units are in operation.
GPL is facing problems that go beyond generation, including transmission and distribution. The Prime Minister indicated that the company is currently working on a programme for seven sub-stations to be established to assist in this regard. The contract has already been awarded and work is expected to begin early next year.
Transmission and distribution are at a limit at particular areas on the West Coast of Demerara, especially during peak hours. As a consequence, GPL is forced to take the power off to prevent the feeders from being overloaded.
The new 20.7 megawatt plant consists of three 6.9 megawatt Wartsila turbines, which add 30 percent to the generating capacity of the Demerara network.
Over the past several years, Government has invested US$125M into the GPL, with an additional US$15M invested in fuel subsidies in 2007 and 2008 when the world price for fuel had risen significantly. This ensured that electricity remained relatively stable. 
Further the Administration has secured a US$38M agreement with the Import-Export Bank of China to modernize the electricity transmission system over the next two to three years.
Government has been able to expand the provision of electricity to an additional 35, 000 households which is a significant number given that Guyana has only about 200, 000 households.                                

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Housing Ministry mulling Squatter Legislation in 2010

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

The Housing and Water Ministry will be intensifying its aggressive campaign in 2010 to minimize and remove emerging squatter settlements that continue to pose tremendous challenges to the sector.
            Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali disclosed during a year-end press conference, on Monday that his Ministry will be looking at formalizing a squatter legislation in 2010 to reduce and eradicate squatting.
            The legislation, he noted will have similar conditions like Trinidad and Tobago.
            He said this would be a collaborative effort of the Ministries of Agriculture, Public Works, Local Government and Housing and Water.
            “We need to look very rigorously at enforcing the existing law in terms of squatting…This is a collaborative and integrated system that would have to be developed,” the Minister said.
            In recent years, Government has improved a large number of squatter settlements by formulating a regularisation programme to provide basic services and improve the quality of life of people living in the areas.
            Some residents of the regularized squatter settlements have also received titles to their lands.
            In instances where squatter settlements cannot be regularised a re-location programme is created to provide residents with house lots in alternative area. The programme seeks to place people in areas that have been allocated for housing and which will benefit from infrastructural works.
            There have been successful relocations with squatters from Ogle to the Enmore/Haslington Housing Scheme and the Lamaha Railway Embankment to Westminster, Region Three.
            To date over 165 squatter settlements have been regularized. These include: Sophia, Meten-Meer-zorg, Tuschen, Goed Fortuin, Edinburg, Zeelugt and Cornelia Ida North among others.

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Pursue higher level of education- Minister Baksh at UG campus, Berbice

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

Minister of Education, Shaik Baksh, at the graduation ceremony for the University of Guyana (UG), Tain Campus recently stated that the graduants this year, especially in the Education Faculty represents a large number of the population benefiting from tertiary education at the UG, resulting in a huge difference being established in the education system.
            He urged the gathering to ensure that they make use of the opportunities available to them to further their studies and posited that a lot of skills and knowledge are being produced for the benefit of the Government, Private Sector and for the country as a whole, while referring to the achievements of over 1,000 students graduating at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) and the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) in 2009.
            Minister Baksh said that the Ministry of Education is working in collaboration with UG to issue a Bachelor of Education Degree programme which will ensure that a lager number of teachers graduating from the CPCE will be allowed to advance their teaching skills and knowledge being recognized at a higher level.
            GTI has recorded an increase in the pass rate from 52% in 2006 to 72% in 2009, a direct result from the Administration’s continued allocation of resources in the education sector to improve the human resources capabilities of Guyana.
            Government has recognized the importance of tertiary education deeming it vital to the modernization and successful participation in the global market frame.
            Since the establishment of UG in 1963 tertiary education has been recognized by Government as being essential to the further development of the country and education as a whole, at all levels.
            All of the policies and programmes developed for UG are designed to ensure that tertiary education is recognized and promoted and from the inception, University education was democratized to desired persons to pursue a higher level of education.
            Minister Baksh expounded that the education sector in Guyana has received the highest percentage of the budget for many years and is testimony to Government’s commitment and dedication to continue to promote education for all. Guyana benefits from one of the highest percentages for education in the region and the world and he expressed the hope that the call for hundreds of graduate teachers for secondary schools is answered.
            The Minister stated that there have been significant changes in leadership at UG and is more optimistic that this will result in a new era for the institution with a New Director, Registrar, Vice- Chancellor and Pro- Chancellor.
            Minister Baksh added that the Ministry of Education is seeking to improve the quality and standard of education delivered in all institutions and explained that UG has produced a large number of good people across the Caribbean and world.

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Minister Manickchand spreads Christmas cheer to Bareroot children

Georgetown, GINA, December 22, 2009

The Ministry of Human Services continues to spread Christmas cheer to less fortunate children with scores of Bareroot children being the latest beneficiaries. 

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand surrounded by Bareroot children at the distribution of toys event, Bareroot Playground

The Ministry in collaboration with the Radio Needy Children’s Fund and the Community Development Committee of Bareroot, East Coast Demerara, today distributed toys to children 12 years and under.

Santa Helpers distributing gifts to the children

        Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand said the gifts were being distributed in keeping with the festive season of giving and sharing.

Minister Priya Manickchand shares in a light moment with a Ministry staffer and a parent receiving a gift for her child

She noted that the Ministry wanted to ensure that the children have toys to play with during the holiday, as well as have a merry Christmas.
            Community Development Committee Chairperson, Negla Garraway indicated that the initiative to give children toys for their Christmas is thoughtful and that it will assist them having a fun time.

Minister Priya Manickchand looks on appreciatively as scores of children receiving their gifts

          On Saturday last the Ministry in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy feted children from homes and orphanages and presented them with gifts.

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