Responsiveness to Amerindian mining issues to be boosted – Natural Resources Ministry
Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud today met with the Isseneru Village Council and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to discuss conflicts with miners.
As such, in an effort to improve responsiveness to serve Amerindian communities, Minister Persaud has appointed an Indigenous People's Coordinator within the GGMC. The Coordinator will work closely with Amerindian Communities, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Non Governmental Organisations, miners and other relevant stakeholders.
Isseneru village council members and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission officials at the meeting with Minister Robert Persaud
Minister Persaud stated that the Government will vigorously defend Amerindian rights against defaulting miners. Already, the Ministry has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the GGMC and is broadening these discussions to include other stakeholders regarding the early development and implementation of a policy and plan of action for mining in Amerindian itled lands that will safeguard the rights of Amerindian titled villages under the Amerindian Act.
Minister Persaud meets with Isseneru residents , Jan 20, 2012
The GGMC and Isseneru Village Council have been served with an injunction restraining them from any further actions. In an effort to address this situation and the wider issues of mining in Amerindian titled lands the Ministries of Natural Resources and the Environment and Amerindian Affairs, GGMC and the Isseneru Village Council met to discuss the way forward.
Meanwhile, the Ministry will continue to monitor this situation closely and
engage all stakeholders.
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5th edition of Guyana ‘Where and What’ launched
-serves as tour guide for visitors
Georgetown, GINA, January 20, 2012
The 5th edition of the ‘Guyana Where and What’; a magazine which serves as a tour-guide for tourist and visitors to Guyana’s shores, was today officially launched at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, South Road office.
The annual edition of the magazine which is compiled by the General Executive Management Services In. (GEMS Inc) by its publishers Kit and Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, features a map of the capital city, location and contacts of favourite hot spots, banks, fast food outlet, supermarkets and hospitals.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag), Irfaan Ali and Publisher of the 5th edition of ‘Guyana Where and What’, Gem Madhoo- Nascimento at the book’s launch
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister (ag), Irfaan Ali used the opportunity to congratulate the entity on yet another successful edition, which he said will significantly aid the enhancement of the tourism sector.
The 136 - page magazine which provides much needed information in one place, have also served as tour guide in the past.
“This is ideal equipment for tourist and visitors to Guyana’s shore, as it encapsulates what Guyana has to offer,” he said.
Minister Ali expounding on the importance of the sector, stated that much work has been done and will continue this year, to ensure that the sector is boosted. In line with this, works are moving apace on the development of a package targeting Guyanese from the Diaspora.
“This publication has and continues to significantly aid in the promotion and marketing of the country’s products and services,” he said.
Gem Madhoo-Nascimento Publisher, GEM inc. said that 20,000 copies of the magazine have since been printed. She said that the entity has been receiving favourable responses since its inception and as such, decided to extend its content from 96 to 136 pages. The newest addition features snippets of the various religions.
Tourism has evolved notably over the years as Government continues to invest in Guyana which has been branded the Amazon adventure.
As its natural beauty remains untouched, prime attraction destinations have been developed, as the industry continues to expand, offering more options to visitors. In this regard, significant sums were injected into the sector which were spent on the expansion and marketing of its products to attract visitors; create destination documentaries and the develop and rehabilitate infrastructure.
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Minister Baksh visits several agricultural locations in Region 6 - meets with farmers
Georgetown, GINA, January 20, 2012
Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture Alli Baksh, during a two-day visit to Region 6 on Wednesday and Thursday, met with farmers and other agricultural stakeholders to address capacity building, drainage and irrigation, export markets, and growth of the agricultural sector with emphasis on boosting and strengthening traditional and non-traditional crops.
The Minister was accompanied by a senior official from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Mr. Visham Budhoo, as well as the General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation, Mr. Nizam Hassan, Region 6 Chairman, Zulfikar Mustapha and Region Six Parliamentarian Faizul Jaffarally.
Minister Baksh and team met with the farmers of Orealla to address their concerns mainly related to agricultural development within that village. Coming out from the meetings were the prospect of setting up agro-processors, aquaculture farms, and factory for the production of fruit cheese and securing markets for the various products.
Minister Baksh visited the proposed site for green house farming and the cold storage facility at No 19 Village, the Water Users Association at Whim, and met with rice farmers of Black Bush Polder and Mibicuri as well as fishermen at the No. 66 Fishermen's Cooperative Society.
The Minister and team also met with the Agriculture Ministry's technical support staff while in the fields to follow up on the region’s production and handed over tools to the NDIA workers at the Albion Sports Complex.
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Pastor Donnie Mc Clurkin describes President Ramotar as ‘blessed’
– offered to pray for his strength to lead Guyana
Georgetown, GINA, January 20, 2012
“Blessed and jovial” were the words used by renowned gospel recording artiste Pastor Donnie Mc Clurkin to describe President Donald Ramotar after a courtesy visit today, a few hours before his mega gospel concert at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.
Gospel recording artiste Pastor Donnie Mc Clurkin meets President Donald Ramotar in the presence of CEO of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Yog Mahadeo
The pastor who is in Guyana for the first time was accompanied by Rev Dr. Kwame Gilbert, Yog Mahadeo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company that sponsored the event, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) and a few members of his band during the visit.
The artiste in an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA) said he was elated at the fact that the Guyanese Head of State took time out from his busy schedule for a brief discourse with his guests.
Gospel recording artiste Pastor Donnie Mc Clurkin and his visiting team with President Donald Ramotar, Rev. Dr. Kwame Gilbert (left) and CEO of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Yog Mahadeo (second from left)
“It was great; knowing that he is newly appointed and there are so many responsibilities that he has… his graciousness was so pure it was so uncontrived. He is a people person,” Pastor Mc Clurkin said.
He spoke with great admiration about the genuineness and hospitality of President Ramotar.
“My first trip to Guyana and to be sitting in the President’s office with the President, I think that’s one of the top things that a person could ever want or ask for. So I appreciate his hospitality and I pray that he has great success,” Pastor Mc Clurkin said.
President Donald Ramotar and Gospel recording artiste, Pastor Donnie Mc Clurkin sharing a light moment during a courtesy visit at the Office of the President. Among those present are Rev. Dr. Kwame Gilbert and CEO of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Yog Mahadeo
Pastoring a congregation of 3,000 and acknowledging the challenges of such a ministry, Pastor Mc Clurkin said leading a country calls for fresh thought and vision, and conveyed to President Ramotar his willingness to pray the wisdom and knowledge needed in leadership.
“I told him that I was going to pray for him, that God gives him wisdom and physical strength so that there will never be any lack, gap or faltering and that he will lead Guyana into a great and glorious future,” Pastor Mc Clurkin said.
The mega concert will also feature the talent of local artistes such as Christ-Like Soldiers and a few of the GT & T jingle finalists.
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Two Region One villages receive transport boost from Amerindian Affairs Ministry
Georgetown, GINA, January 20, 2012
Residents of Kamwatta, in the Moruca sub-region, Region One are the beneficiaries of a minibus valued $3.2M presented to them by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. The village has a population of approximately 300 people.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai handed over the keys to the vehicle to Kamwatta’s Senior Councillor, Ronald Benjamin.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai presents the keys to a minibus to Senior Councillor, Kamwatta, Ronald Benjamin
The purchase of the vehicle was made possible through the 2010 and 2011 presidential grants and contributions from the village. The minibus will be used mainly to transport children.
“The Moruca sub-region is fast becoming a township in its own right; it is taking on a township pattern now…when I was there in December I was told that there is a count of 62 vehicles,” Minister Sukhai said at the hand over at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
Benjamin expressed appreciation for the gesture and other forms of assistance from government over the years. These he said are ‘powerful development tools for our community’.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai shakes hands with Sebai Toshao Herbie Campbell after presenting him with a boat engine
Minister Sukhai said, “We understand that the road to Kamwatta has improved. However, from time to time there have been issues on how fast the improvement is taking place and how the road is standing up in some areas.”
Meanwhile immediately after, the Ministry handed over a 40 -horsepower outdoor engine to another Region One community, Sebai. Its Toshao, Herbie Campbell received the equipment valued $1.2M. To complement the engine, a boat is being constructed.
“It is not a piece of equipment that is cheap, it comes with a cost and therefore we expect that the village council will secure the type of committee that will manage the use of the engine to the benefit of the community,” said Minister Sukhai.
The minibus presented to Kamwatta, Moruca-sub region, Region One
She told the Toshao that, “an engine needs maintenance and that the funds received from cost recovery will go towards maintaining the engine”.
Toshao Herbie also thanked the Government and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for the assistance.
Recently Sand Creek, Region Nine received from the Ministry a Nissan Frontier vehicle that is to be used for health purposes.
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