ARCHIVES FOR MAY 21 2008
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Two killed, six injured in Potaro road collision
A HEAD-ON collision, between a minibus and a Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Land Cruiser, yesterday claimed the lives of two men and left six other persons seriously injured.

The accident happened on the Potaro Road, 16 miles from Mahdia, where minibus driver Alvin Henry nicknamed ‘Buffy’, of Kwakwani Scheme, Berbice River and 56-year-old Evron Providence, a Ministry of Public Works mechanic, of Lot 240 Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, were killed instantly.

Those who suffered injuries are Wendy Williams, 36, of Lot 133 Barima Avenue, Bel Air Park, also in the city; Ronald Thomas, 20, of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara; Andrew Duke also known as ‘Big Duke’, Daniel Lopes, 49, a Brazilian national and Samuel Munroe (no addresses given) and Delon Gomes, 23, of Kwakwani Housing Scheme, as well.

They were all flown to the city in two aircraft and admitted to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), in a stable condition.

The tragedy occurred around 09:45 h when BKK 5912, on route 72, was proceeding to Georgetown from Mahdia.

Reports said, about a mile away from the Tumatumari junction, the Land Cruiser, GJJ 7770, going in the opposite direction, slammed into the minibus.

According to Mr. Daniel Fraser, Regional Information Officer of Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), several Regional officials ran to the Mahdia District Hospital where the accident victims were initially taken for treatment.

And the Regional Chairman, in a comment, noted that drivers need to be very careful on the roads as the rainy season is on and there has been a prolonged rainfall for the past two days in Mahdia.

He also thanked Air Services Limited for braving the weather to send in the Medivac. Fraser said the Regional Chairman recognised that it took pilots of a special caliber to dare the weather conditions, especially around the mountainous areas of a region such as Region 8.

Guyana ready to be a world model in devising partnerships
-President Jagdeo tells CI’s global awareness campaign
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has once again put forward Guyana’s resolve to participate in the committed global fight against Climate Change.

The Guyanese Head of State, speaking at a Conservation International (CI) press conference in New York yesterday, said Guyana is ready to be a model for the world in devising international partnerships in this fight against climate change.

“Tropical deforestation must receive the same level of attention, resources, intellect and innovation as other global problems and partnership is the key to achieving this. Guyana is prepared to be a model for the world in devising these partnerships,” Mr. Jagdeo declared.

The conference was aimed at starting a global awareness campaign on the vital and often overlooked role forests play as an immediate and cost-effective solution for climate change.

The President, along with leading Hollywood actor and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of CI, Harrison Ford; Chairman and CEO of CI, Peter Seligmann, and the President of CI, Russ Mittermeier hosted the press conference.

The campaign is being held under the theme ‘Lost there, felt here’.

President Jagdeo observed the immense contribution that tropical forests make to the world, and pointed out that future generations all over the earth deserve that forest destruction is slowed.

He listed the benefits of tropical forests, including providing an enormous sink for greenhouse gases which must be sequestered in the global fight against climate change, allowing rainfall which sustains agriculture, providing medicines that improve the health of persons everywhere, and with an unequalled biodiversity that offers solutions to problems for generations to come.

President Jagdeo pointed out that while climate change might result in North Americans and Europeans having to pay more for SUVs and other luxury items, in poor countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, it would mean a matter of life or death, the difference between eating and starving, or the destruction of livelihoods of entire communities.

“In these circumstances, nobody can say with a clear conscience that communities should not seek to utilise the resources that are present in their forests.

And if the forests are to be preserved, “We must make it more valuable to leave our trees standing than to cut them down.”

And this can be achieved if three things are done, the President posited.

** Firstly, for the forging of any post-Kyoto climate agreement, the international community must devise solutions that are proportional to the causes of climate change.

He said that while the economics make it clear that avoiding tropical deforestation remains the largest and most cost-effective abatement solution there is, when compared with the attention given for example to the role of aviation in climate change, the cause of less than 3 per cent global emissions, the lack of incentives to combat tropical deforestation is the single most glaring example of the lack of proportion in addressing climate change.

** Secondly, the President referred to the need to assist developing countries plot a new model which avoids the high-carbon path that today’s developed world followed.

He said that while leaders in the developed world recognised that the global transition to low carbon economies presents their countries with enormous opportunities for jobs and growth, “…they also need to understand that there are developing countries who are willing to act decisively, and it is in the interests of the entire global community, to support these countries as they seek to plot a path towards low carbon economies, without sacrificing the legitimate social and economic aspirations of their people.”

** And finally, President Jagdeo said all this cannot be achieved without international partnerships.

He stressed that in all this, “the development needs of our people will always come first, and we will continue to preserve our sovereignty over the forest”.

“Provided these principles are respected,” President Jagdeo declared, “we are willing to place almost our entire rainforest, which is larger than England, under the supervision of an international body to ensure compliance with world-class forestry standards.”

And so the crucial need is for partners “to help us find the right market-based mechanisms to make it economically worthwhile”.

“I hope that partners such as those who will be reached through the campaign that is being launched today will help us achieve this,” the President posited.

No compensation for Guyana
In his introduction to Guyana at the New York launch, Conservational International (CI) Global Awareness Campaign President, Mr. Russ Mittermeier, said that the forests of Guyana and its neighbours are the source of 20 per cent of the world’s fresh water and contain 18 per cent of the carbon dioxide stored in the world’s tropical forests, so conserving them benefits people everywhere.

Yet there is no mechanism for compensating Guyana for the services its forests provides.

And this means that the Guyana Government would have to cut down the forests in order to get carbon credits for replanting them, a perverse incentive that must end by making all tropical forests eligible for carbon credits, Mr. Mittermeier said.

“We need the kind of leadership displayed by President Jagdeo to develop comprehensive strategies for combating climate change and helping nations cope with its impact”, the President of CI lauded.

“How many of you know where Guyana is?” he questioned.

“It is a South American country nestled between Suriname and Venezuela and Brazil with a small coastline and some of the most beautiful and pristine natural environments anywhere.”

“Guyana also is part of the Guyana Shield, a region that contains the largest remaining tract of tropical forest on Earth. I believe that a century from now, this might be the only real unspoilt tropical forest on the planet,” Mittermeier declared.

He said one reason it would still exist is because of people like President Jagdeo – whom he considers his “friend” and “a great world leader”.

“President Jagdeo has taken a bold step in declaring his willingness to conserve most of Guyana's tropical forest to prevent the carbon stored there from worsening climate change,” the CI President declared.

Pit bulls maul vagrant, tears off scalp
By Michel Outridge
AN unidentified man was mauled by three pit bulls yesterday afternoon in an abandoned lot on Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown.

Up to press time, the victim, called “Rawle” (only name given), was receiving treatment at the Georgetown Public Hospital and listed in a critical condition.

He is scheduled to undergo surgery.

The man, who residents say is a vagrant, and who frequents the lot to pick fruits, was attacked by the animals from the yard next door.

The dogs are reportedly owned by the proprietors of Satro’s General Store. But when approached yesterday they declined to comment on the incident.

The pit bulls ripped open a zinc fence from the yard where they are kept and attacked the man, ripping off his scalp and savaging parts of his body.

His screams for help attracted neighbours who rushed to his rescue after they contacted the owners on the telephone.

The injured man was conveyed to the GPH by neighbours who expressed disgust at the incident.

They all spoke of the need for the owners of the dogs to be more responsible and contain their animals, a pack of about eight, with pups.

A female resident yesterday told the Guyana Chronicle that usually vagrants would frequent the empty lot where there are several fruit trees.

She added that the pit bulls on several occasions manage to get out of their yard and roam about on the streets, until their owners are summoned to lock them up.

A black plastic bag with a quantity green mangoes was found under a tree in the yard, and nearby was a pool of blood.

Investigators were yesterday conducting investigations when the Guyana Chronicle visited the scene.

A COPS Security Service (Guyana) security guard who was on duty next door recalled the mauling to death of her colleague, Charles Roopchand, 54, of 2 ‘C’ Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara, while walking to work.

He was attacked and killed by nine dogs, including pit bulls, at Ogle Airstrip Road on April 16, after the animals got out of the yard where they are housed.

Special 27th COTED to deliberate on food prices
- forum opens today in Georgetown
MINISTERS of Trade of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) today will discuss rising food prices at the 27th special meeting of COTED at the Le Meridien, Pegasus.

The ministerial Council for Trade and Economic Development will also focus on maximising agricultural production, ahead of the Regional Agriculture Investment Forum which Guyana will host on June 6 and 7 next.

The forum aims at promoting agriculture business as an area for good investment and facilitating match-making between potential investors and agriculture entrepreneurs and promoters.

CARICOM is also looking to find ways of jump-starting agricultural production and reducing the region's food import bill expected to double from an estimated US$3 billion.

Jamaica’s Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton - Chair of COTED, and Guyana’s Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, will address today’s opening ceremony.

Regional Agriculture officials, after a full day of spirited and frank exchange of views on Monday, distilled the main issues to be put before their Ministers today, according to a statement from the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown.

The consensus among officials is that in the context of the current food scenario, today’s meeting will not be a routine meeting of Ministers responsible for agriculture.

Rather, the thrust will be that different, more aggressive measures are needed to build a sustainable foundation for the agriculture sector.

The officials and regional agricultural organisations expressed their concerns on a number of issues including the need for more public and private investment in the sector, the use of land in the Community, praedial larceny, crop insurance, transportation and trade within the Region.

At WWF workshop…
PM warns of measures to address reckless mining
By Tajeram Mohabir
PRIME Minister Samuel Hinds yesterday warned local gold miners that irresponsible practices in the past will no longer be tolerated, as Government is strengthening measures to address reckless mining.

He was speaking at the opening of a two-day regional gold mining workshop, organised by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Guianas Regional Programme Office to review the management of the sector.

Mr. Hinds, who has the portfolio responsibility, exhorted miners to embark on a new level of operation to reduce costs and minimise environmental effects and encourage other stakeholders to devise strategies for restoring areas where mining was done.

He said, given the high price for the mineral, strides should be made to improve performance and lower operational costs.

The forum, convened at Grand Costal Inn, Le Ressouvenir, East Coast Demerara, was attended by Guyanese involved in the sector, as well as delegates from other countries, including French Guiana, Suriname and Brazil.

The Prime Minister acknowledged that, while some reports in the media criticising the manner in which mining is conducted are fair, environmentalists, to a large extent, have blown the issue out of proportion.

He asserted that the industry has been growing steadily, in spite of challenges caused by the increase in diesel fuel prices and careless mining by some.

But Mr. Hinds maintained that such challenges can be overcome if miners change the way they operate.

He advocated that both gold and diamond mining operations be merged because they are quite similar.

The Prime Minister pointed out that the mining sector is an important source of revenue for Government and said 2007 was a successful year, in terms of production and export.

He disclosed that 247,000 ounces of gold were produced and the country earned US$160M from it, while US$35M was garnered in export earnings from 270,000 metric carats of diamonds generated from close to 700 operations.

Mr. Hinds said Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) is willing to work with all players to better operations and added that Government also has interest in exploring for bauxite, manganese and iron ore.

WWF Guianas Country Manager in Guyana, Dr. Patrick Williams, said the workshop is timely, in light of the rising prices for gold on the international market that has provided massive rewards for enterprising investors.

He alluded to the significant growth and expansion of the local gold mining enterprise and concluded that, no doubt, the commodity made major contributions to the nation and individual families in particular.

Williams also made reference to GGMC estimates for between 1991 and 2005, which showed that gold production by small scale miners grew from 59,300 ounces to 162,527, about 61.9 per cent.

He reported, too, that, over a five-year period, from 2001 to 2005, the total number of registered dredges, with suction sizes ranging from two inches to 14 inches, increased from 927 to 1,503, about 62.1 per cent.

Williams explained that the multiplier effect of the mining sector unequivocally extends to other local businesses that provide goods and services, such as transportation and food supplies, among other things, to hinterland and coastal communities.

He cautioned, though, that while gold mining is important to the socio-economic development of Guyana, adverse consequences in the field need to be addressed.

Williams said the latter includes environmental degradation and human health effects, resulting from lack of education and awareness, use of mercury, improper tailings management and disposal of domestic industrial wastes.

“These unintended effects of gold mining in Guyana on the bio-physical environment are real challenges that confront the regulatory agencies, GGMC and its partners, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), the indigenous organisations and, indeed, all stakeholders in the natural resources sector with an interest in ensuring their sustainable use,” he contended.

Williams said gold mining pollution abatement is one of the six thematic areas identified by WWF to promote the sustainable use of natural resources in Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana.

He said the other thematic areas are sustainable forest management, freshwater conservation and management, species conservation and management, protected areas development and management and education and communication.

Williams said, over the years, WWF has fully recognised the roles and functions of GGMC and all its partners in ensuring environmental sustainability.

He said many more miners, who are now aware of the dangers of mercury use and sought alternative methods of gold extraction and equipment to test mercury contamination in humans and turbidity in rivers, have been provided with the necessities through those partnerships.
NEWS

Anthony points to opportunities at CARIFESTA Berbice launch
THE 10th Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA X) was launched in Berbice yesterday, at Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Hall, Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam.

The introductory programme was chaired by the Chairman of the Special Events Committee, Mr. Faizal Jaffarally.

Rain delayed the scheduled 11:00 h start but the turnout was better than at other regional gatherings, according to Chief Executive Officer of the CARIFESTA Secretariat, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall.

He gave an update on progress for the return of CARIFESTA to Guyana, after 36 years, to the audience including administrators, educators, students and expected participants.

Dharamlall said the August 22 to 31 mega event would attract people from about 40 different countries.

The gathering was shown the performance by chutney dancing sensation Sandella and entertainers mimicking the CARIFESTA logo, at the opening ceremony in front of the Bank of Guyana last April 23.

Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) is one of six regions which will host events, the others being Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Ten.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, said to residents of the ‘Ancient County’ he envisages the August happenings to be memorable, with people speaking about them for generations to come.

He said Berbicians should consider themselves fortunate, as all the regions are not hosting events during the period.

Anthony said CARIFESTA will showcase some 100 cultural events that will include ‘edutainment’, culinary, literacy and visual arts, super concerts and gospel, qaseeda and bhajan singing among other things.

He said planning at the regional level is vital as it will determine the ability of administrators to effectively manage and identify appropriate events.

In that regard, Anthony endorsed the establishment of a regional planning committee that would support the ministry’s and the secretariat’s efforts to ensure that hosting the festival in the regions is accomplished successfully.

“We have less than 90 days to go,” he reminded, adding that the benefits to accrue to Berbicians will present an opportunity for the county to be marketed and encourage visitors to return.

“There will be a lot of economic opportunities, hotel accommodation and transportation, among others,” Anthony noted.

He said Suriname, with its 250-member contingent, along with another from French Guiana, will be passing through Berbice, which should show off its talent first.

“You have the opportunity to coordinate, manage and step up as good hosts,” Anthony advised.

He acknowledged the region’s capabilities to participate in the festival, as many talented performers reside there, including renowned sculptor Phillip Moore.

Chairman of Region Six, Mr. Zulficar Mustapha, pledged the full support of the Regional Administration and admonished the residents to leave out politics, race and religion and unite as one people, with one nation and one destiny for the upcoming occasion.

The venues earmarked in Berbice include New Amsterdam Town Hall, Esplanade Fun Park, Albion Sports Complex, Skeldon Community Centre Ground, and Blairmont Sports Ground.

West Demerara Sugar Estates to be revitalised, not closed - Minister Persaud
PLANS are afoot to revitalise the West Demerara sugar estates in keeping with government’s ongoing investment to modernise and improve the competitiveness of the industry, and in this regard workers are being urged to embrace and support these efforts.

This point was emphasised by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, during his address to field and office workers and representatives from the various workers’ unions at a meeting held last Monday at the Uitvlugt Community Centre, West Coast Demerara. Acting General Manager of West Demerara Sugar Estates, Vinoor Ramnandan, Region 3 (Essequibo islands/West Demerara) Chairman Julius Faerber and representatives from various public utility entities were present at the meeting.

Workers were informed that contrary to suggestions, by some individuals and international agencies that provide support to the industry, to reduce the number of sugar estates as efforts continue to sustain the sector, government has maintained its position to continue the operation of all eight estates.

They were also informed that investments will be made to revitalise the West Demerara Estates while changes will be made at the management and other levels to ensure efficient operations and that they must remain vigilant to ensure that the systems which are being implemented are effective, the benefits of which would be seen in the long-term.

With regard to workers’ welfare, it was highlighted that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) spends approximately 51 percent of its earnings on wages and salaries. Also, some of the benefits such as tax allowances that sugar workers enjoy are not given to many other public servants.

It was pointed out that although there is a long-term viability for investing in sugar, it is recognised that there will be many difficulties such as the price cuts, adjustment to the marketing arrangement with Europe and climate change.

Reference was made to reduction of opportunity days from 120 to 50 as a result of the erratic weather conditions. However, workers are being assured of continued investments in resources that seek to maximise the days available and they are being called upon to support the process.

Guysuco will be investing approximately $2B in the industry during this year and while it is agreed that there is need for more investments, the allocation is based on the state and the corporation’s financial ability.

At present, the largest single investment in the country is being made in sugar to establish a modern factory and co-generation facility at Skeldon while additional resources are being spent to set up a packaging facility at Enmore. Another main project being pursued is establishment of a refinery.

These are all part of the administration’s objective to increase the industry’s competitiveness by bringing the cost of production from 18 US cents per pound to 11 US cents per pound so it can compete on the world market.

It was noted that many of the issues that trigger industrial action are sometimes not linked to Guysuco’s operations such as electricity, water supply, national insurance and tax.

In order to facilitate discussions with workers on these and other issues that affect them, meetings were organised by Minister Persaud with representatives from the various utility entities.

These include the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

During the meeting several issues relating to services provided by these entities were raised and discussed with the various representatives.

The need for more machinery at the West Demerara Estates was another issue raised and workers were told that this is recognised and efforts are being made to have it addressed. The sugar industry contributes between 17 and 18 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment for more than 30, 000 persons. (GINA)

Amerindian communities receive support to become self sufficient
- as ‘Grow-More’ campaign heightens
FOCUS continues to be placed on increased food production in the hinterland to ensure self-sufficiency of each community and under the current ‘Grow-More’ campaign the necessary support is being given to farmers.

Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, yesterday handed over items such as agro-chemicals, fertilizers, seeds, Farmer’s Manual, acoushi ant bait and corn to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for distribution to hinterland farmers. The presentation was made to Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai at the Agriculture Ministry, Vlissengen Road and Regent Street.

It was pointed out that the items are part of government’s support package to aid increased food production countrywide as one of the measures to combat the current global food price increase. In the hinterland, focus is being placed initially on agricultural production for self-sufficiency to ensure adequate food supplies, reduce residents’ cost of living and generally improve living standards.

Persaud said statistics have revealed that it costs approximately $150, 000 to hire a truck to transport food into Lethem, thereby contributing to further price increases and cost of living of residents.

The ongoing ‘Grow-More’ initiative seeks to address this constraint and while the hinterland farmers are being encouraged to expand crops cultivation and livestock rearing, they are being given the necessary assistance to embark on such ventures, Persaud explained.

One of the issues affecting hinterland agriculture and which will be targeted in the campaign is control of the acoushi ants through which chemicals will be provided by government to farmers. The programme for the hinterland will focus on promoting the types of crops and livestock activities that are feasible in the particular communities based on the soil and other resources.

Ms. Sukhai expressed gratitude for the assistance for the hinterland communities and pledged her commitment to support the ongoing ‘Grow-More’ campaign particularly its emphasis on addressing the acoushi ant problem.

She noted the need for farmers in the hinterland to pursue cultivation of other crops and livestock activities and commended the move by the Ministry of Agriculture to provide seeds and other items to enable the process.

Currently, government is investing in several major initiatives to boost agricultural production in Guyana including implementation of the US$20M Agricultural Export Diversification Programme that seeks to increase the country’s export growth rate and reduce its volatility.

Another initiative being pursued is the Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development Programme that focuses on increasing market opportunities available to small-scale producers. It targets increased capacity of rural producers to efficiently and effectively produce and market non-traditional products and develop small scale enterprises. (GINA)

In Region Two…
PYARG programme to spot youth talent Saturday
THE President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana (PYARG), in collaboration with the Regional Administration of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), will stage a concert and cultural exhibition, together with an interactive session on development work on Saturday.

Regional Development Officer, Mr. Devanand Ramdatt, said the interactive will focus on developing youth, sports and culture in the region.

The discussions will surround the creation of economic opportunities for young entrepreneurs and advancing technical and vocational education.

Regional Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh, other top regional functionaries and members of youth groups are expected to participate in the exchange scheduled for a 09:00 h start.

Ramdatt said the purpose is to initiate consultation on youth development within the region.

The concert and cultural exhibition starts at 14:00 h, also in Cotton Field Secondary School, on Essequibo Coast, where various culture groups from across the region will perform.

Ramdatt said the objective of the activity is to spot youth talent ahead of CARIFESTA X.

Celebrate Joint Health
Arthritis Awareness Week, May 5-11, 2008
Study reveals glucosamine treatment slows and may even prevent the need for total joint replacement.
GUYANA - May, 2008 - Everyone’s joints need a well-deserved break—after all, in a typical lifetime, they carry an individual more than three and a half times around the world! Unfortunately, because of the repetitive use of the joints in daily activities, they are susceptible to joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. In fact in 2006, it was reported that more than 46 million people – nearly one in five adults suffered from arthritis or chronic joint symptoms, three million more than 1998.

To raise awareness of growing joint conditions such as osteoarthritis and to celebrate maintaining the health of our joints, Arthritis Awareness Week was observed May 5-11.

Throughout Arthritis Awareness Week, the Caribbean islands together raised joint health awareness and educated people on how to keep joints supple and mobile throughout their lives. This week also aimed to highlight the ways people can help alleviate the symptoms associated with joint conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Arthritis Awareness Week kicked off with breaking medical news: the results of a new study have proven that glucosamine treatment significantly slows or may even prevent total joint replacement for patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The study is derived from an eight-year observation of patients from two previous randomized, placebo-controlled trials and has been recently published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. The objective was to assess the incidence of Total Joint Replacement during the long-term follow up of patients with knee Osteoarthritis formerly receiving treatment with glucosamine sulphate or placebo.

Glucosamine has been shown to play an important role in joint health, as it is an integral constituent in the structure of cartilage and ligaments and is essential for the smooth working and rebuilding of connective tissue. Equally as important to joint health and function are Omega-3 fatty acids which refer to a group of polyunsaturated fats – termed “essential” as they cannot be produced within the body, and only obtained through food. Long-chain Omega-3 is found almost exclusively in oily fish. Omega-3 is particularly beneficial throughout all stages of life and is used in a variety of body functions. Together, glucosamine and Omega-3 work in synergy to help maintain the health and flexibility of the joints.

“A unique blend of Glucosamine, Omega-3 and other nutrients helps maintain healthy joints,” says Pharmacist Dwayne Thornton. “Omega-3 helps to reduce inflammation and pain and this provides differentiation from many other supplements available.”

So did you join Seven Seas JointCare in raising the profile of improving and maintaining joint health during this year’s Arthritis Awareness Week. Everybody needs healthy joints.

JointCare Health Tips:
* Maintain a healthy weight, as carrying too much weight increases the strain on load bearing joints

* Take moderate exercise regularly

* Always warm up your joints prior to exercise

* Drink plenty of water each day

* Listen to your body. Do not strain your joints

* Consider taking a glucosamine and Omega-3 supplement to safeguard your diet

London/Nations Universities offer diploma in development
THE University of London External Programme and Nations University will be offering a Diploma in Development commencing in September.

According to a release, the programme aims to provide a thorough grounding in the principles of development and to promote the acquisition of critical skills for a wide range of real world professional situations, it said.

The Diploma will be comprised of four units: World Development; Economics of Development; Social Policy; and either International Relations or Principles of Sociology.

“This programme is suitable for graduates in any discipline who wish to gain an international qualification in development,” the release informed.

“This diploma has been developed by leading academics at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) of the University of London. LSE is internationally regarded as a centre of excellence and innovation in the social sciences,” the release said.

To be eligible to register for a Diploma in Development from the University of London as an external student, applicants must be the holder of a full first degree from a University acceptable to the University of London and show competence in Mathematics at least equivalent to a pass at CSEC/O Level at Grade ‘C’ or above.

The release also noted that to complete the Diploma students must pass the four units.

Also, the programme can be completed in one to five years depending on how many units a student wishes to take each year.

It is however feasible, if one worked very hard, to complete the programme in 12 months, the release pointed out.

The total fee payable to University of London is Sterling £1,020 (G$408,000) depending on rate of exchange), if you complete the course in one year and the total fee payable to Nations University is G$440,000 hence a total fee of $848,000.

“Nations University offers generous scholarships for students of high academic promise,” it said.

The release also said that the fees are paid in installments on a semester basis however, fees for each course need to be paid in full.

“If the student chooses to take the diploma over a two year period the financial undertaking is obviously then spread out over two years instead of one,” it noted.

According to the release, the applications should arrive in London by 17 September therefore applicants are advised to register far earlier hence Nations is using an August 17 deadline for registration to ensure everything gets to London in good time.

The release said that fees include the supply of detailed study materials from the University of London which will be sent shortly after the registration form is received in London.

The examinations will be held in Guyana, in May/June 2009.

Santa Mission/Aratak gets new school
THE Amerindian community of Santa Mission/Aratak, in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), will benefit from a new primary school built by the government at a cost of $18.3M.

This is part of government’s ongoing thrust to enable residents of hinterland and remote communities to acquire the same level of education and comfort that is provided to students on the coastland.

The administration has recognised that the community’s student population has been steadily increasing, as such a bigger and modern school was needed to accommodate them.

The school is concrete structure (80 feet by 30 feet) and will accommodate over 200 students. Construction started in November last year and is almost completed as only minor works remain on the sanitary facilities. The school is earmarked for commissioning during next month.

The community currently boasts over 400 residents with about 120 being primary and nursery students.

Residents and students of the community expressed gratitude to the administration for providing the much needed primary school.

Project Manager/Contractor, J.P Mangal noted that former Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, was very instrumental in getting the additional works done for the school.

The school will be serviced by a reservoir that has an 8,000 gallon capacity. The original cost for construction was $14.3M however, a reservoir was needed to service the school facilities and an additional $4M was allocated for this purpose.

The community at present has a wooden primary school which can only accommodate 90 students. This structure will be repaired and used for other purposes.

Santa Mission/Aratak is approximately 70 miles from Georgetown. The economic activities of the community include logging, farming, handicraft and tourism.

The new Santa Mission Primary School is part of a series of schools built by the government to provide proper educational facilities to hinterland students.

Some 900 nursery, primary and secondary schools have been built or repaired by creating a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

$14M Albouystown Nursery School commissioned
Ministry to propose nursery education from three and a half years
By Tajeram Mohabir
The Ministry of Education is looking at making early childhood education compulsory from three and a half years, as against the current required age of five and a half years.

Minister Shaik Baksh made this announcement yesterday when he commissioned the spanking new $ 14 M Albouystown Nursery School, and in the process moved a step closer to achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goal for nursery education.

Addressing parents and their little ones, Minister Baksh pointed out that the institution clearly reflects the administration’s keen interest in developing the child at an early age. The Minister last week commissioned a similar facility at Lusignan, on the East Coast of Demerara.

Mr. Baksh commended the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and members of the community for the role they played in the construction of the school, and solicited their continued support of the institution.

He pledged government’s commitment to providing students with trained teachers, materials and an environment conducive to learning.

He stressed too that parents also have a critical role to play to ensure their children’s success.

The Ministry will soon launch a nationwide campaign to make parents more aware of the importance of having a keen interest in their children’s education.

Also greater emphasis will be placed on supervision at the primary level, to ensure that students entering secondary schools are functionally literate and numerate.

The Minister spoke of being upset at students seen on streets in the city well after 9 hrs on school days, and he called on head teachers to look into this urgently.

The ministry has recruited the services of an additional 30 schools’ welfare officers to reinforce students’ self-esteem to ensure discipline in the school system.

Former head teacher of the newly commissioned school, Ms. Linda Dainty, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for the new facility, and remarked that the school is a dream come true after 17 years of praying for a permanent building.

She said the students were previously housed at the YMCA building on Sussex and Albouys Street, where they suffered from several incidents of vandalism.

Current head teacher of the school, Ms Belinda Cameron, in brief remarks, said the new building provides the proper environment for realizing the children’s potential and for further development of their curriculum.

The school currently has a population of 74 pupils and four teachers.

They were occupying the new school house since March 10.

Village grants propel Amerindian development
EMPHASIS continues to be placed on the distribution of village grants to Amerindian communities by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which to date has disbursed $22.2M in the fulfillment of another promise made by President Bharrat Jagdeo to ensure the living standards of Amerindians are raised and they are integrated into society like all other Guyanese.

During the National Toshaos’ Conference in October last year, $150M was allocated for further enhancement of Amerindian communities through either socio-economic activities or capacity building.

Some one hundred and thirty nine communities were identified for the grants of which 95 have already submitted their proposals. Thirty-eight communities are in the process of executing their projects. Allocation of the grants will be based on the geographic size and population of each community.

Senior Project Officer of the Ministry, Haroon Khan said that the executed ventures are successful and fruitful for the respective communities. He said Kabakaburi in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) has established a village shop and is in the process of building a guest house. Khan said when he visited the community earlier this year; he was amazed of how well the shop was progressing.

He said the guest house will attract more visitors to the community because of access to better facilities and amenities.

In the area of building capacity for residents, Wiruni along the Berbice River has developed a skills training programme in furniture and craft-making. Wiruni has purchased a generator at a cost $500,000 to power the Wiruni multi-purpose building.

Toshao of Wiruni, Rohan Fredrick, said wood working will be one of the activities to receive focus because the community produces its own lumber and many of the residents are skilled in craft-making.

Many electrical tools have already been bought and the craft products will be sold to provide a livelihood for the residents.

Difficult terrain and demand for community development officers in the Regions have been attributed as factors affecting some communities handing in their projects. Amerindian development remains a priority to the administration and each year several interventions are undertaken to forward community development and improve their living standards. (GINA)

Literacy centres for all technical vocational institutions
GOVERNMENT’s literacy drive is gaining momentum and another step will be taken to further raise the level of literacy with the setting up of literacy centres at technical vocational institutions in Guyana.

Minster of Education, Shaik Baksh, during his address to graduands of the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre and their parents last Thursday, informed them of the government’s $115M literacy programme to reverse the level of illiteracy in Guyana over the next few years. Over 9,000 students in schools and 4,500 young adults will benefit from this programme.

There is also a special literacy programme for Grade Six students after they would have completed the National Grade Six Assessment.

Baksh urged the 122 graduands from the 2006/07 academic year, to continue their studies as the skills acquired by them during the period of training have made them assets to themselves, their family and the country.

The minister urged parents to ensure that their children complete their education, noting that too many children drop out of schools because they lack basic literacy and numeracy skills and when they enroll in technical institutions they are unable to cope with the work.

He also called for more females to get involved in technical and vocational education.

Technical and vocational education has been introduced within the school system and the Ministry is currently strengthening Practical Instruction Centres and other technical vocational institutions to offer more programmes.

Government has recognised the importance of technical education to the development of the nation and as a result has made this investment of $134M to construct the Corentyne institution while another two similar institutions are planned for construction one in Bath Settlement, Region Five and the other in Region Three.

The centre was completed in August 2004 and is equipped with practical instructional facilities to teach eight technical vocational skills including welding/fabrication, carpentry, agriculture mechanic and fitting and machining.

The graduands put up an exhibition of their work which included samples of gates, fences chandeliers and circuits boards. (GINA)

Comprehensive agricultural revitalisation plan for ECD communities
- initial focus on D&I upgrading
GOVERNMENT’s vision for advanced agriculture is being pursued in more communities including the East Coast Demerara, where farming activities are being revitalised in areas that were left uncultivated for several years.

During a visit last Saturday to several East Coast Demerara (ECD) communities including Victoria/Belfield, Buxton and Montrose, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, pointed out that initial focus is being placed on drainage and irrigation (D&I) enhancement to encourage farmers to return to the farm lands.

The current investments in the D&I system on the ECD include excavation of drains and canals, repairs to sluices, kokers and intake structures, upgrading of access dams, desilting of outfall channels and re-activation of structures that were closed in the 1970s and 1980s.

These works are intended to encourage farmers to return to re-cultivate the lands by providing the basic infrastructure. It is also in response to the interest expressed by residents to re-develop agriculture in their communities.

The investments form part of the ongoing ‘Grow-More’ initiative that targets increased food production for each household and community to become self sufficient and to aid export growth. In this regard, farmers of the East Coast Demerara communities, like many others across the country, are guaranteed further support in terms of extension services, technical advice, seeds, planting materials and agro-chemicals.

In addition, agencies such as the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) will guide farmers as they embark on the agricultural drive to ensure that their cultivation and livestock rearing activities are market-driven and done on a commercial level. This seeks to ensure adequate food supplies, job opportunities particularly for young people, increased income and improved living conditions.

These interventions and others were outlined to residents and farmers of the various communities by Persaud while he inspected several ongoing D&I projects including desilting of the Buxton pump basin. This project valued approximately $60M will improve drainage and irrigation significantly and will help to minimise the impact of heavy rainfall. The works started last week and are scheduled to be completed within eight weeks.

Another major project is underway at Montrose, East Coast Demerara, to bolster the drainage and irrigation system in that area by reconfiguring a section of the sluice that discharges water from the pump basin. The sluice was out of operation for three years and during the high spring tide and heavy rainfall, drainage was restrained to operation at peak hours.