Guyana/Congo ink five-year agreement to enhance sustainable management of forest
Georgetown, GINA, June 5, 2011
As Government continues its fight to make countries become better aware of its policies on forest conservation and sustainable development, through the visionary Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud on June 3 inked an agreement with the Republic of Congo, to increase cooperation between the two countries in the field of forestry and wood industries.
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud (left) and Congolese Minister of Forestry and Sustainable development Henri Djombo inks five-year agreement.
The MOU, which was signed by Guyana’s Agriculture Minister and Congolese Minister of Forestry and Sustainable Development Henri Djombo, will pave the way for the strengthening of South-South cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement will see the two countries establishing and developing cooperation to address sustainable forest management, REDD+ initiatives and the enhancement and development of processed wood and wood-based construction industries.
Recognizing the importance of sustainable utilization and the preservation of forest resources in the economic and social development of the two countries, which boast large areas of pristine rainforest, the bilateral cooperation in the technical, industrial and managerial aspect of the forest industry will significantly enhance the development of the two countries.
Other initiatives will include;-
- Exchange visits by delegations from the two countries
- Exchange of information on science and technology relating to forest, tree seedlings, genetic material and other forest resources
- Participation of group studies and human resource training
- Collaboration in research and production and joint surveys
- Trading in timber and other forestry products and the training of technicians and other experts in forestry-related disciplines.
Guyana and Congo have also established a joint working commission which will be headed by two Co-Presidents.
The Commission will be assisted by a Secretariat provided by the Director of Forest Resource Development of the Ministry of Sustainable Development of Forest Economy and Environment of Congo and the Guyana Forestry Commission.
The MOU is a five-year agreement between the two countries.
The Congolese Minister and his team were on a three-day fact finding mission to Guyana in July 2010 and another on May 10, this year during which they were exposed to the country’s vast forestry resources.
During the visit, Congolese Minister of Forestry and Sustainable Development Henri Djombo committed to adopting Guyana’s sustainable development model.
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World Environment Day 2011observed
-emphasis placed on forest preservation
Georgetown, GINA, June 5, 2011
As Guyana joins the rest of the world in observance of World Environment Day 2011, which is being held under the theme, “Forest; Nature At Your Service”, Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud has emphasized the need for society to maintain a leading role in the recognition of forest and its economic and social benefits.
“With forest covering approximately 31 percent of total land area, while at the same time supporting 80 percent of terrestrial biodiversity that live in them, Guyana’s role in sustainably managing its 18 million hectares of rich diverse tropical forest, is underscored,” he said.
Participants during the EPA’s ‘Green Walk’ in observance of forest and its importance.
Approximately 36 million hectares of natural forest is lost each year, and as such, Government has taken an active role nationally and internationally in advocating the importance of forest in environmental sustenance, social and economic livelihood and climate change mitigation.
Minister Persaud while adding that Guyana has been proactive in advocating for incentives to be provided to countries that have maintained a low rate of deforestation, called on Guyanese to embrace the theme of this year’s celebration, since it makes conscious efforts to contribute to the local, national and global efforts of forest preservation and the benefits it can provide.
A Participant receives a trophy from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.
“The LCDS, process continues to be one of model building and one that seeks to present Guyana and the rest of the world with a workable solution on climate change and deforestation under a REDD+ mechanism,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), staged a ‘Green Walk’ which commenced at the Umana Yana and concluded at the National Park. The event which was held to stimulate awareness of the environment received the participation of the United Nations; Ministries of Education; Health; Agriculture; Tourism, Industry and Commerce; Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), University of Guyana and a number of Scout groups.
Participants, who were advocating the importance of forest preservation and its benefits for Guyana, also received trophies for the largest contingent and the most organized group. This year, marks the 38th anniversary for the event which started in 1973 and officially in 1999 in Guyana.
Sharifah Razack, Director of Education, Information and Training Division, EPA in a comment told the Government Information Agency (GINA), that the event was well attended.
She added that while the walk is an awareness-raising event to mark the day’s observance, it is also about getting communities involved with conservation, and in keeping with Guyana’s LCDS.
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Churches key to community development
Georgetown, GINA, May 15, 2011
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds along with Member of Parliament Philomena Sahoye-Shury today attend the 8th anniversary worship and thanksgiving service at Wesleyan Church in Water Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara.
Prime Minister Hinds said that Guyana has come a long way towards unity among the six ethnic groups and the church has played a significant role in getting the country to this point.
He lamented the days when churches were not very open-minded about other denominations and religions and inter-faith marriages were not something that was practiced.
“We have come a long way from this” the Prime Minister said “and we must endeavour never to go down that road again, but keep moving forward as one people one nation and one destiny.”
Sahoye-Shury a resident of the Agricola community called on church members to have more youths involved in church activities.
“We can change the way they see us” she said, as she encouraged parents to focus on their children and their academics, noting that the television has replaced the book in the home.
In addition she noted that many scholars that have come from this East Bank community and said “this must not stop”.
The Wesleyan Church since its formation in the community of Agricola has done numerous community projects and self-development programmes for youths in the area.
Rev. Dr. Marlon Estick while delivering the feature address noted that sometimes whether it was the church or family setting, there is function but no fellowship, he urged that the two must go hand in hand for success to be realized.
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Region Nine flood-affected residents receive medical relief – no medical threats reported
Georgetown, GINA, June 5, 2011
The Administration has responded in a timely manner to render assistance to residents in Region Nine who are currently affected by floods brought on by severe rainfall over the past few days. In this regard, Lethem and surrounding areas are being monitored for the development of health threats, of which none has yet been reported.
Minister in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in an interview today with the Government Information Agency (GINA) stated that the villages in the Rupununi are submerged with the flood water not only affecting farm lands but homes and places of employment.
Closer to Lethem, the administrative centre, communities such as Kumu, Moca Moca and St. Ignatius are experiencing considerable flooding. This has caused the Administration to have great apprehension about the possibilities of flood related illnesses, Dr. Ramsaran posited.
He noted that at present there are 11 patients at the Lethem hospital, five of which are maternity cases, two fractures, one snake bite and two malaria cases. Dr. Ramsaran stressed that special interest is being placed on the persons affected by malaria since in some of the inundated areas there has been a reported spike in the illness, particular after the rains started.
In response, mass blood smears from the population are being collected in the affected communities to identify the malaria parasite, early. The malaria issue is being addressed aggressively with assistance by the Global Fund.
He emphasised that while there are no flood-related illnesses identified, earlier in May the Region’s health authorities received a consignment of the regular medication and shortly after, the Regional Health Officer, Dr. Khemraj Khanhai, also took in a special consignment. As a result, there is no particular shortage of drugs, especially those used to defend against water borne diseases.
In addition, following a discussion with Dr. Khanhai on Friday last a request was made for flood kits to be dispatched to the Region. The kits containing medication for vomiting, dehydration, diarrhoea and other illnesses were up-lifted, today, by the CDC and taken to Region 9, Dr. Ramsaran disclosed.
Dr. Ramsaran indicated that apart from the provision of much needed medication, two Medex from Georgetown will be dispatched to the Lethem area tomorrow. He added that the chief Medex has been placed on stand-by and depending on further requests made by the Region, he will also be dispatched to give assistance.
In case the need arises for emergency medical help, the Remote Areas Medical System (RAMS) is currently operating in the Region.
In Region Nine, there are now four doctors in the sub-regions and seven Medex who are moving throughout the Region delivering health care to the residents.
With the experiences of the 2005 flooding, the Administration has put in place a robust mechanism for early detection of any public health threats caused by natural disasters, especially flooding. Thus far those arrangements have been successful.
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Prime Minister Samuel Hinds updates on Government’s Emergency Intervention for flood affected communities in Region 9.
Georgetown, GINA, June 5, 2011
The Government of Guyana has activated emergency response to bring relief to flood-affected communities across Region 9 which experienced unusual levels of continuous rainfall over the last few days.
An Emergency Response Centre has been established at the Regional Guest House in Lethem, and is coordinating shelters, food and medical supplies, crop and livestock assistance, transportation and communication among other activities. The response team comprises technical and field representatives of Government, Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Health, Public Works, the Business Community in Region 9, and Guyana Red Cross Society and volunteers.
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Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Robeson Benn assessing the extent of the flooding in Lethem, Region Nine.
The flooding situation has been compounded by similar patterns of rainfall in neighbouring Brazil, particularly in the State of Roraima, resulting in a massive relocation of Brazilians, damages to crops, livestock, and infrastructures. The State of Roraima declared a state of emergency last Tuesday.
It should be recalled that much of the western half of Region Nine and Region Eight are drained by the bordering river, the Takatu and the Ireng, which flow into the Rio Branco, Brazil, and downwards to the Amazon. These river basins are now over-loaded. They have overflowed their banks and its territories such as the Piara, Tabatinga and Moca-Moca are themselves backed-up and over-flowing.
In the Rupununi area, flooding to some extent for short periods during the raining season is usual but at this time, this year, the flood in Lethem is higher by about two to three feet than it was in the 2005 flood, which was the highest in recent memory. And the question now, is how long will this situation last before the water recedes?
High flood water in a building in Boa Vista, Brazil.
We have found the expected problems and the responses are ongoing, spirits are high and there is much co-operation and camaraderie. Myself and particularly Ret. Col. Chabilall Ramsaroop, head of the CDC, joined Minister Been who was here a few days before and met with the Region Nine Disaster Response Management Committee which is making continuous assessments, maintaining radio and email contacts with all the villages throughout Region Nine. They are making use of five DDOs- District Development Officers …. And three Community Development Officers and other local sectors.
Flooding is reported around all of the villages and a majority of farms are covered. As we know, the major crop here is cassava and a number of houses have collapsed. Three in Lethem and in a number of villages there are reports of, maybe another 10 houses have collapsed in maybe four or five other villages. Villagers are being encouraged to reap as much of their mature crops as possible and process them or store them in such a way that they could be kept.
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A flooded compound in Lethem, Region Nine.
In case of need for emergency medical help, RAMS which is here – the Remote Areas Medical System- is available. And this afternoon during our mid-day discussion the need came up to get the CXC papers out from Lethem and the two other centres in Region Nine where CXC exams are done – Aishalton and Annai. And they will be taking out those papers.
In Lethem the high water levels caused the Lethem power company to suspend operations last evening. Next to the Lethem power company and a little bit up the incline is GT&T and they are continuing, to fight a really big battle to keep themselves going and to keep the water from causing them to suspend operations.
Generally, small generators have been put in use from a number of private and public places to keep some services going but two of the three wells of the GWI which supply water to the grid from the mains have been flooded. Those points cannot be used but one of the three wells can be used.
The Government in collaboration with some private citizens have arranged to have water delivered to homes that are without water.
A section of the flooded community in Lethem, Region Nine.
With respect to the road from Lethem to the coast there are reports of problems at locations between Kurubokari and Annai, also Annai and Lethem. Minister Benn who has been here since yesterday is arranging for work to b e done to the Kurukabaru road to be reopened by the end of this week. However, that depends on whether the rains come back or not.
In the meanwhile, we welcome the proposal that if problems persist with the road between Kurukabaru and Lethem that the airstrip at Fairview is available, is in good condition for shuttling-in supplies.
For the Region Eight villages including Paramakatoi, Kurukubaru and Monkey Mountain – Madhia the point for shuttling- in. So that is where we are now at the beginning of this flood. People generally have to strive at home and so there is no emergency at the moment but if it persists beyond another week, certainly we would be getting into an emergency.
The general judgment now is that there is enough food and fuel for probably a week. We expect that many of the villages are in about the same situation, that they have enough supplies for the moment.
Meanwhile, on the instruction of President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has already deployed technical teams to affected communities to determine the impact of damages to crops and livestock and commence planning to resume production and to provide various assistance to farmers.
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