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Tufton lashes out at regional neglect of agriculture
“..agriculture is more than food on the table, as it provides the basis for a manufacturing sector; it supports tourism, contributes to the transportation sector and is a significant driver of rural development.”
By Wendella Davidson
MEMBER states in the CARICOM region run a serious risk of undervaluing the role and contribution of the agricultural sector, as they look at its contribution solely from the perspective of its share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

This is the view of Dr Christopher Tufton, Minister of Agriculture of Jamaica.

But according to him, agriculture is more than food on the table, as it provides the basis for a manufacturing sector; it supports tourism, contributes to the transportation sector and is a significant driver of rural development.

And taken in this wider context, “there is no sector as critical as the agricultural sector, particularly at this point in time,” he told the 27th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture, convened yesterday at the Le Meridien Pegasus, Kingston.

The COTED forum, Tufton said, was being held against the background of a global food crisis, precipitated by spiralling commodity prices worldwide, and which was characterised by Mr. Oliver De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the ‘Right to Food’, as a ‘silent tsunami’.

Worrying trend
Noting that in the last several months, the world has been witnessing a worrying trend of rapid increasing commodity prices, some of which he alluded to, the Jamaican Agriculture Minister said those frightening increases have been occasioned by production shortfalls, a serious reduction in stock levels of many commodities, an increase in fuel costs, the rising demand of China, and the rapid conversion of agricultural produce into feedstock for bio-fuels.

According to him, not only is food getting more expensive, but it is also becoming increasingly more expensive to produce, pointing to the soaring price of fertilizer, one of the major inputs in agricultural production, as a case in point.

These events are in fact summoning us to urgent action, and are once more bringing agriculture to the forefront of international, regional and national agendas, Minister Tufton added.

Further, he told the gathering that “the matter of food security assumes for us (in the region) a greater level of poignancy given our reality in the Caribbean of being net food importers.”

The gathering included Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud; Deputy Secretary General, Caribbean Community (CARICOM); Minister of Foreign Trade, Guyana, Dr Henry Jeffrey; Ambassador Irwin La Rocque, Assistant Secretary-General, Trade and Economic Integration and other senior officials also of CARICOM; representatives of regional and international institutions and other delegates. He observed that for many of ȁus’ countries in CARICOM, the critical staples are imported and we depend on imports not only to feed ourselves but to feed the millions of visitors that come to ‘our’ shores.

In addition, “we are particularly vulnerable because over the years, it is a fact that as a region, we have not paid the requisite attention to the agricultural sector, as we ought to,” he added.

And, while it is true that member states of the Caribbean Community have been almost exhaustive in ‘our’ diagnosis of the sector, there is still a significant gap between words and statements of intent on the one hand, and real action on the other hand.

On this note, the Jamaican Agriculture mentioned the former Agricultural Faculty of the University of the West Indies which has been reduced to a unit within the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science, as well as the budget of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the flagship regional research facility, which in addition to been constant for the last several years, “so little of it is devoted to real research as against administration.”

The latter calls into question the viability of the institution, Tufton charged.

He remarked too, with the food health and safety infrastructure not being up to par, it seriously constrains the ability of the region to participate in international trade, noting too, that the well-known poor transportation links among territories render regional trade extremely expensive.

Touching on the Jagdeo Initiative, which the region has accepted as the framework within which such constraints must be addressed, Dr Tufton said, ȁthe current food crisis must lend more impetus and urgency to the implementation of the various actions outlined therein.”

Build research capacity
Also, as Ministers of Agriculture, “we must be concerned however, that current attempts to address the crisis seem to be focusing more on trade-related matters to augment supply of foods from extra regional sources, with not sufficient attention being paid to the urgent matter of building national capacities to produce more food and to produce it efficiently.

“While we have a responsibility to provide food in the short term, we must not yield to the temptation of focusing on only trade-related matters, he said, while expressing the hope that the COTED would accelerate the initiatives already started to address the region’s capacity issues.

“Within this context, we must begin urgently to build our research capacity as the driver of agricultural production and productivity. We simply must find better ways and more efficient ways of growing crops and livestock to satisfy our food needs.

Preceding his counterpart opening remarks, was Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, who observed that countries world-wide face new serious economic, political and social challenges brought on by the rapid increase in food prices through a combination of factors which is not within the control of any of the Governments.

The Caribbean region is not immune from these challenges, he reminded the forum, while stressing that the need to provide adequate and affordable food, requires timely and effective responses from all.

Also, that meetings should be the means through which the Region can coordinate its response and covert talk into speedy action and workable solutions.

Yesterday’s forum, Persaud reminded was about coming together, discussing problems and finding practical solutions to a global problem – escalating food prices- which has serious economic, political and social implications.

It was also about arriving at tangible outcomes to address the urgent imperative demanded by the most central concern facing our peoples at this time, as such, it should have been oriented towards action.

Remarking that the region should seek to encourage its people to become more engaged in its programmes to confront the region’s dilemma of low food production and high prices, Persaud proposed that among the number of inputs coming out of yesterday’s discussions should include, a specific plan of action with a timeline and assigned responsibilities for activities, agreed mechanism to allow easy access to each other’s markets in the short-term without compromising plant and animal health controls and regulations.

Human basic right
Meaningful cooperation and sharing of experiences and resources; a renewed commitment to regional programmes and the maintenance of the CET so as not to threaten existing agricultural activities by importing highly-subsidized produce; and a commitment from the CARICOM Secretariat and lead agencies to be more accountable in implementation of regional initiatives, were other proposals.

Ambassador Applewhaite in her remarks, said the Caribbean see the right to food as a basic human right, and although the right is exercised by consumers at the national level, CARICOM accepts the responsibility for the creation of a regional enabling environment within which this right can be exercised.

 As such, it behooves CARICOM to ensure that this basic right of our citizens is not further undermined and eroded by external factors because they have failed to act at the right moment.

“There is no time like the present. There is no opportunity better than the one with which we are presented today, to make concrete decisions as a Community, which will have a lasting effect on the lives of our people,” she added.

The background of yesterday’s discussions would have been the situation analysis of the rising coast of food and its impact on the region’s ability to ensure its food security, as matters of food prices, food production and food sovereignty would have featured prominently, Ambassador Applewhaite added.

Drainage/Irrigation Oversight Committee goes into top gear
By Tajeram Mohabir
THE Inter-Agency Technical Oversight Committee set up by government to monitor and manage the mid-year rainy season yesterday met to discuss strategies in addition to regularly monitoring of sluices and pumps, deployment of engineers, equipment at various locations and enhanced communication systems to grapple with the current rainy period.

Those present at the initial meeting were Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (the committee’s chairman); Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud; Transport and Hydraulics Minister Robeson Benn; Deputy Mayor of Georgetown Mr. Robert Williams; National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chairman Mr. Walter Willis; NDIA acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Lionel Wordsworth and Civil Defence Commission (CDC) Representative Captain Kester Craig.

The Prime Minister told reporters at the meeting convened at the Office of the President that the committee members will be meeting twice per week as required by circumstances.

Even though all the members committee were not present at the meeting Mr. Hinds said updates on the situation in Regions 2 ( Pomeroon/ Supenaam); 3 ( Essequibo Island/West Demerara); 4 ( Demerara/Mahaica); 5 ( Mahaica/ Berbice); 6 ( East Berbice Corentyne) and 10 ( Upper Demerara/ Berbice) have been received.

Mr. Hinds disclosed that daily reports are also received from Regions 1 (Barima/ Waini) and pointed out that news have been received on water is rising in the Kwakwani area. He explained that the rains tend to start south of that area and the water comes down the river resulting in the build-up even though there has been no significant rainfall.

The Prime Minister pointed out that a similar situation happens in Lethem Region 9 (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) and up to date there has been a slow rise in the Takutu areas based on reports from officials there who said the situation is not alarming.

According to the Prime Minister reports received from Region 2 yesterday at 09:00 hours indicate that wet conditions prevailed but there was no flooding and all sluices and pumps are operable. In Region 3, he said there were reports of water accumulation in the Bell West Housing Scheme and Canals Polder Number One and Two but all pumps and sluices were in operation. Also in Region 4 he noted that water accumulation was reported at LBI, Success, and Greenfield and said that some outfall channels in Greenfield and Victoria need to be cleaned to allow the smooth passage of water. All pumps and slices along the coast he stressed too are operating round the clock.

The Prime Minister said that no flooding was reported in Regions 5 and the water levels in the Mahiaca/ Mahaicony/Abary areas are normal. The situation in Region 6 he noted was similar but pointed out that in Region 10 while there is no report of flooding, the water levels in the Kara Kara Creek was above the normal height. The Prime Minister said too that no report of flooding was reported in Guyana Sugar Corporation areas but high water levels were reported at Montrose, LBI and Wales.

In Georgetown, he said there were reports of flooding in Sophia, the water levels of canals in that area as well as in South Georgetown were high but all pumps were operable except for the one a kitty.

He also reported that at 09:00 hours yesterday the water level in the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) was 55.5 GD (Georgetown Datum); Flag Staff- 55.6; Lama-55.7 and Land of Canaan-56 while the average dam level was 59 GD.

The Prime Minister noted that the irrigation water is being release at Shanks, Cane Grove and Huston and the construction of the intake structure is nearing completion while discharge of excess water in the Demerara River is ongoing. He disclosed that the water level in the Boeraserie Conservancy is 61.5 GD while at the MMA it is 54 GD.

He assured the public that the Oversight Committee is in a good position going into the rainy season and should be able to manage the situation with out any major threat if the rains are not excessive.

Persaud underscored that his Ministry is fully mobilised and pumps have been placed in strategic areas to supplement the sluices on East Coast Demerara. Those structures he said are operating 24/7 and are being regularly maintained. The minister called on the Region 4 regional administration, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and citizens to keep a vigilant eye on all D& I structures to prevent vandalism and flooding.

Minister Benn remarked that the weather outlook is critical and stressed that community will be the first line of reporting while Mr.Williams appealed to residents of Georgetown to desist from disposing refuse in the city’s drainage systems because the block the smooth flow of water which result in flooding.

Mr. Willis pointed out that in light of the rising sea levels globally; the NDIA has embarked on a programme to open additional drainage channels to empty into the ocean and rivers in order to boost the gravity drainage. This, he was done at West Bury and Golden Fleece on the Essequibo Coast and if funds become available it will be replicated across the country.

Mr. Wordsworth also in brief remarks said continuous maintenance work is being done to clean main drainage channels in vulnerable areas to minimize flooding and plans are being made to ensure the servicing of pumps and upgrading of D&I structures. Mr. Craig stressed that the CDC is working with all relevant agencies to monitoring the amount of rainfall in all the regions especially in vulnerable areas to respond if needed.

Persaud slams non-implementation of CARICOM food prices initiatives
GUYANA’S Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, yesterday expressed his displeasure that many of the initiatives agreed at the 12th Special Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, in June 2007, have still not been implemented.

The measures, to have been instituted immediately, were to help cushion the impact of rising food prices and ensure adequate distribution intra-regionally.

But, some six months after, many of them are still not in place, he lamented, identifying one such as the naming of an expert CARICOM team on sanitary and phyto-sanitary (SPS) measures.

Persaud made his remarks at the opening of the 27th Special Meeting on Agriculture, of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

Noting that, while the problems associated with coordinating activities in a large number of countries is understandable, he, however, is of the view that the region “needs to look at the issue of why it is that directives from the Heads of Government are not being implemented.”

Directing his criticism to the CARICOM Secretariat, Persaud said it “needs to steer and lead this process and, if it is unable to do this, perhaps it is time to review the mechanisms within.”

He also declared that the time has come for there to be a “review of how the secretariat and its lead agencies coordinate agricultural development, in order to enhance accountability and ensure that delays in operationalising policy directives do not continue.”

According to him, while it seems that CARICOM Heads, by their decisions, show they understand the problems facing their constituents, he is not convinced that the understanding is shared by all the agencies and technicians tasked with executing the decisions.

“Some do not seem to comprehend the implications of their inaction on the welfare of the people of the region,” Persaud added, observing that the global situation facing the region has been referred to by many as an “impending crisis.”

“It is time we take heed of this warning and start acting quickly and effectively to ensure this crisis does not envelop us,” the minister advised.

He pointed out that the rapidly changing global environment requires an equally express response and he called for serious emphasis to be placed on accelerating the actions already identified “even as we search for new solutions for emerging problems.” (Wendella Davidson)

Doctors might do a graft on pit bull victim
THE pit bull victim who was scalped by three dogs on Tuesday afternoon remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) in a stable but critical condition.

Hospital officials said yesterday that a team of Chinese doctors may attempt a graft on the patient who was scalped by the animals.

Yesterday the man, known only as Rawle, was heavily sedated when the Guyana Chronicle visited.

The man was mauled by dogs while picking mangoes in an abandoned yard on Forshaw Street, Queenstown around 2.20 pm Tuesday, next door to the owner of the dogs.

The pit bulls broke out of their yard and attacked the man, ripping off his scalp and savaging his body.

The dog’s owner was in police custody but has been released.

Residents on Tuesday called on the owner to secure his property and contain the animals since they are often seen roaming on the streets.

One resident said that the dogs are very vicious and some form of legislation should be put in place to restrain pit bulls, as their attacking persons is becoming frequent.

Remembering the two sugar workers who disappeared
By Michel Outridge
After three, long and dark years, the relatives of sugar-workers Maikhram Sawh and Sampersaud Taranauth have almost given up hope of ever seeing them again.

Their family members and close relatives and friends feel in their hearts that the two may not be alive, but still there is that slight chance that somewhere they might be trying to get back to their homes.

Forty-six-year-old Maikhram Sawh, called ‘Bharrat’, of Section ‘B’ Non Pariel, East Coast Demerara, and his colleague Sampersaud Taranauth, called ‘Shammie’, 37, of Fernandes Street, Enterprise, mysteriously disappeared in the East Coast Demerara backlands on May 21, 2005.

The two sugar workers were at the time cleaning a Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) drainage canal aback of Vigilance.

Today, three years later, there is still no trace of the men, in spite of several searches of the East Coast backlands by both the Police and the Guyana Defence Force.

Taranauth’s 36-year-old wife, Kamini, said yesterday that it is very difficult without her husband and she often thinks of him.

Her three children, nine, seven and three, still ask many questions as to where their father is.

Questions she added that she cannot answer.

The woman told the Guyana Chronicle that her youngest daughter will start school in September, and she knows her husband would have liked to hold her hand and take her to her first day at school.

The Sawhs yesterday broke down in tears as they too tried to accept that their loved love is not with them.

Bharrat’s wife was inconsolable and her daughter Monica could not stop crying.

She said that after three years, they are convinced that he is not alive because he would have returned home. “But still,…” Monica said.

“As any family, we want to put a closure to this dreadful loss and even if we find his remains, that would be better,” Monica explained.

The young woman told the Guyana Chronicle that when the Joint Services began clearing the backlands they were hopeful that at least his body would be found.

“I have clippings of all the articles that were carried in the newspapers and I will open the file and read them today when the children are at school,” she cried.

Monica added that after three years, she still wonders what really happened to her father.
NEWS

Government moves to repossess lands from errant tenants
- at Eccles, Coldingen, Ruimveldt
HEAD of the Privatisation Unit, Mr. Winston Brassington, said government is moving to repossess the lands of all tenants in Eccles, Coldingen and Ruimveldt who are not paying rentals for their leases and have failed to honour their investment commitments.

He told reporters at a recent press briefing held in the National Communication Network (NCN) studio on D’Urban Street, Homestretch Avenue, that the non-paying tenants have been issued notices last year and efforts to seek reposition are going to be made this year. Mr. Brassington clarified that would not apply to some of the tenants who have purchased the lands they occupy.

“For all the property in those areas where the tenants are not paying rent or don’t have an agreement with us, we are moving to repossession,” Mr. Brassington declared.

He pointed out that the lands were issued since in the 1960s and in some cases at ‘peppercorn rent’ of $1000 a year which was never indexed or adjusted.

In addition, the Privatisation Unit head said attempts were made to enter into a current lease at a reasonable rate just for the land based on the evaluation of the Chief Valuation Officer.

That amount he noted was put to tenants; meetings were held with them even at the level of the Officer of the President (OP) plus a slight discount was offered but they still refused to ink the new deal.

Mr. Brassington acknowledged that the Eccles and Coldingen estates have very low rental rates but explained that when those areas were developed there were very strict lease terms and rental was not a big issue since the objective was to create conditions for investment and employment.

Some 84 and 38 lots have been leased in Eccles and Coldingen Industrial estates respectively at $1 per square foot per annum compared to the $ 50 approved for Sanata.

“We have a number of legal actions on Eccles where leasees have failed to invest and do what they committed to do. We are now seeking to terminate those arrangements, take back the property deal with a claw back provision, Mr. Brassington disclosed.

The Privatisation Board and government have previously approved leasing arrangements for other operations namely:

* the old glassworks facility leased to Mr. Howard Bulkan at $ 5.3 M per annum since the mid 1990’s when GGWL was dissolved;

* the former GNIC facility leased to GNIC at $ 70 M per annum but has not been paid; and

* the former GRDB wharf leased to B.K International at $ 10 M per annum.

Meanwhile, he said that squatters behind the Sanata complex has been referred to the relevant agency for action and posited that they may have contributed to the acts of vandalism on the building because items from the building have been discovered in their possession during police searches.

The rent for the complex he said was based on evaluations done on the building when it was in a much better state. (Tajeram Mohabir)

UNDP supports communities affected by massacres
FIVE NGO’s representing communities in Bartica and Lusignan recently linked separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to implement various projects to support families and communities affected by the Lusignan and Bartica killings.

As a result of the killings and calls made by various stakeholders, a rapid response initiative was put in place to support victims and members of the affected communities including Lusignan and surrounding areas (Buxton, Annandale and similar depressed communities), Bartica and surrounding communities as well as a broader national peace, harmony and inclusion agenda.

The $48M initiative is intended to help rebuild the lives and livelihood of victims’ families and communities, strengthen local resilience, bridge the entrepreneurial skills gap and provide resources. To date, seven projects have been funded focusing on a range of activities including income generating grants, educational grants, a computer centre and a short turn-around skills programme for target beneficiaries.

The signing ceremony paved the way for the commencement of five projects. A project supporting capacity building targets fifty youths and their families from Bartica and its surrounding communities. This project by the Hope Foundation will conduct skills training programmes and establish an Information Technology Lab/Youth friendly space.

Another project focusing on sustainable livelihoods will be implemented by the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) in Buxton.

This project involves the rearing of four thousand chickens by 40 farmers and the construction of 40 10x10 chicken pens.

A third project will focus on community dialogue in the East Coast Demerara and in Bartica and will be implemented by the Ethnic Relations Commission.

A fourth project provides direct support to families of the victims of the Bartica killings. This project will be implemented by the Rural Women’s Network and will provide assistance skills training to 13 female family members of the Bartica victims. In addition, it seeks to maintain the educational sustainability of 10 surviving children and five other dependants.

Finally, the Guyana Small Business Association (GSBA) will implement a project to support small business owners in communities along the East Coast of Demerara and particularly in Lusignan. The GSBA will also conduct basic training for 27 farmers and small business owners.

Present at the signing ceremony was the UNDP Resident Representative, Aboubacry Tall, Deputy Resident Representative, Didier Trebucq, Programme Analyst, Trevor L. Benn, as well as representatives from Rural Women’s Network, Ethnic Relations Commission, Guyana Small Business Association, African Cultural and Development Association and the Hope Foundation.

A number of beneficiaries accompanied the NGOs to the signing ceremony. It is expected that the various projects will be completed over a four month period but no later than September 20, 2008.

Mr. Tall said that these agreements to support families and individuals at the community level are a short-term response, which is intended to provide a footpath to long-term sustainable livelihoods. He also highlighted the collaboration of the Government of Guyana in making this response possible while expressing UNDP’s appreciation for the partnerships with communities and non-governmental organisations in the rebuilding process. He exhorted the partner organisations to ensure that these benefits are delivered quickly and effectively to the intended people without delay. (UNDP release)

GWI water supply disrupted by electricity fluctuations
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has reported that the Perseverance Pump Station, West Coast Berbice, is currently out of operations due to Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) fluctuations.

A release from GWI said as a result customers who are being served by this facility are experiencing disruptions to their water supply since of last Saturday.

Customers are urged to be patient with GWI since this disruption is beyond their control.

GPL is currently working to rectify this problem.

GWI is apologising for any inconvenience caused.

Food for the Poor donates musical instruments to Culture Ministry
FOOD for the Poor (Guyana) Inc will be presenting a 16 piece musical wind band to the tune of $3.5M, to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.

A press release from the organisation said the wind band will help in the development of the interested youths from the communities of Albouystown, Riverview and Sophia.

The youths will be taught how to play one or all of the instruments of the band, the release said.

The instruments include drums, trumpets, clarinets, saxophones and flutes among others.

GTA re-launches its website
By Priya Nauth
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad, stressed that the re-launching of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) website demonstrates that the Ministry and GTA have a vision to take advantage of internet marketing and website technology to make Guyana’s tourism products more accessible.

He made this remark during a simple ceremony at the Guyana International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, to re-launch the GTA’s website www.guyana-tourism.com.

“Today millions of travellers are using the internet to research, plan and book travel, the GTA in keeping with the changes in trends and technology and with its marketing focus has upgraded this website to provide more information and to make it more accessible, interactive, user friendly and content rich,” Prashad said.

“…indeed this website is our door to the world,” he added.

The minister recalled that about six months ago President Bharrat Jagdeo during Tourism Awareness Month had put up a challenge to the Ministry and GTA to upgrade the website.

“…we were very poorly rated at that time and there were a lot of complaints so we started working some months ago,” he noted.

“This was a collaborative effort among the staff to put together this unique website which we are very proud of,” the minister emphasised.

He noted that the newly improved website boost numerous features and capabilities and is in keeping up to date with modern technology.

“In fact we have numerous features that you will not see regularly in Guyana…we have gone a step ahead,” he disclosed.

“Caribbean Festival of Arts X (Carifesta X) is prominently featured on this site…there is a special page dedicated to it,” he pointed out.

Prashad also noted that one of the highlights of the website’s content is information to promote yachting with sailing directions for persons who want to come to Guyana on a yacht.

The minister also disclosed that GTA will be embarking on a website promotional campaign to drive traffic and visitors to the website.

“The staff has been cross trained to maintain the website so that we will have continuity…this is the kind of team we are building at tourism to make Guyana the destination of choice,” the minister assured.

He attested that the re-launching is a further step for tourism.

Prashad also revealed that very shortly the tourism regulations will be put into effect since the guidelines is expected to be presented to the Cabinet within a month.

Director of GTA, Mr. Indranauth Haralsingh, observed that the internet is the biggest communication medium the business and the consumer world have ever known.

“For us at the GTA it is our face and the window to the world…it is one of our most important marketing tool and a high priority is placed on the internet marketing,” he maintained.

The Director observed that like many other sites in Guyana, the GTA was plagued with several problems over the past few years including updating from only the webmaster workstation, losing trained staff, difficulty in locating site administrator to update the website, low bandwidth and dependency on only one Information Technology personnel.

“Today we can update our site very easily with our new content management system…now update to our new website can be done from almost any where in the world where there is internet access,’ Haralsingh explained.

“Several persons have been trained at the GTA to update the site…so continuity at the GTA is ensured,” he reiterated.

“A good tourism website should attract attention, hold interest, create a desire to visit the site and stay at the site and help one or a visitor to take action…make a holiday or a booking or a purchasing decision to travel to destination Guyana- which is our ultimate goal,” the Director attested.

“…I can promise you a living breathing website, something that will be updated on a daily basis,” he pledged.

During a walk-through of the website, Haralsingh said that some of the many features on the website include:

* language translation comprising of 24 languages;

* credit card processing capability;

* page flipping effect making it possible to place brochures on the website;

* downloadable screensavers and wallpapers and e-cards;

* major events posted encouraging promotional opportunities for organisers

* information and links to hotel, tour operators and restaurants;

* testimonials with links on Guyana;

* a special section on Carifesta X and Carifesta link;

* a list of information on Bed and Breakfast providers for Carifesta X

* information on Destination Amazonia Year 2009;

* a section on birding which has been one of most acceptable programmes in Guyana;

* sports page;

* for the first time a link of taxi services;

* a section to market Guyana as a Meeting, Incentive, Conference and Event destination;

* a segment for investment in Guyana and;

* with the country rapidly becoming a filming destination, a part on filming in Guyana

* site pole and survey to encourage feedback from users

Among those present were Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai-Campbell.

To grow more food…
Region Two gets several farm to market roads
SEVERAL farm to market roads are being built on Essequibo Coast in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) to stimulate farmers towards growing more food, especially cash crops, Regional Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh said Tuesday.

He offered the comment after inspecting a number of such projects being funded by Government through the region’s 2008 capital works programme.

Baksh started his inspections at the new main ‘hideout’ access at Henrietta, which is being upgraded into an all weather chip seal road.

He said $3M were spent on it for the benefit of 2,500 residents.

Baksh told the Guyana Chronicle more like that will be done this year.

Another similar project he visited was at La Belle Alliance, where a concrete culvert was constructed, as well, at a cost of $3.6M.

Baksh said, previously, farmers in that area suffered for years because of the bad roadways they had to traverse to get their produce from rice fields and other farms to factories and markets.

According to him, the undertakings were at the request of the beneficiaries, made at a meeting in the community where 1,800 acres of rice and various crops are cultivated.

Expenditure on the land route will be $6.5M, he said.

One more road, at Lima, was recently completed with sand, loam and crusher run, replacing a muddy dam and Baksh said work is in progress on a farm to market road between Bush Lot and Anna Regina.

Farmer reports widespread poison destruction on farm
DEONARINE Ramdhan called ‘Brother Tom’, of Henrietta, Essequibo Coast, has reported widespread destruction, by poisoning, of several crops on his 2.5 acres Upper Pomeroon farm.

He said he and his wife made the discovery recently when they went to the location and observed that about 200 banana and 30 plantain suckers, coconut, avocado, coffee and citrus trees had fallen to the ground.

Ramdhan said, upon investigation, he found that poison was responsible for their death.

He confessed he is very hurt by the damage done to what he and his wife worked hard to cultivate.

Ramdhan said he invited several other farmers to see their loss and made reports to the Charity Police Station and the Regional Agriculture Department.

He said he had been aiming to increase cultivation, so as to contribute to the ‘grow more’ campaign.

“It takes labour, patience and time for a coffee tree to grow and produce beans. When it is willfully destroyed, that hurts so bad that you do not want to plant again,” Ramdhan lamented.

May 26 flag-raising ceremony at Anna Regina
THE Regional Administration in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) will host a flag-raising ceremony to mark the 42nd Independence Anniversary of Guyana.

A release said it would be on the lawns of Anna Regina Town Council building, Essequibo Coast, starting at 07:00 h on May 26.

The morning programme includes inspection of the Guard of Honour by a Minister of Government and Region Two Chairman Mr. Alli Baksh, cultural performances, presentation of awards to winners of the recent Mashramani Competition and addresses by top functionaries.

Baksh makes another ‘grow more’ appeal
CHAIRMAN of Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Mr. Alli Baksh, has made another appeal to residents to plant kitchen gardens and help cushion the high cost of living, that is affecting people locally and globally.

Addressing members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), at their recent May statutory meeting, he said he had visited several communities and encouraged the cultivation.

Baksh said the Regional Administration intends to open new fertile lands for farming, in response to the national ‘grow more’ call.

Region Six primary schools attendance being assessed
THE Schools Welfare Department of the Education Ministry in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) is currently assessing the attendance of primary schools pupils.

Welfare Officer Jainarine Singh, yesterday, told the Guyana Chronicle that three officers are visiting the learning institutions in the ‘Ancient County’ to be appraised of the level of punctuality of children in Grades Two, Four and Six.

He said success at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) tests, to be written within the next month, can only be achieved if the candidates attain an overall 75 per cent attendance.

Mr. Singh said such an achievement will reflect the amount of course work covered in the classrooms.

He mentioned that, following an inspection of the schools’ registers, visits are paid to the respective households where the parents or guardians are requested to  fully cooperate with the ministry initiative.

Meanwhile, a truancy campaign is scheduled for May 29, depending on the weather conditions.

The main objective of the operation, which targets absenteeism from classes, is to ensure that all school-age children attend regularly.

In addition, during the exercise, parents and guardians are educated about their responsibilities.

Planting materials for Amerindian communities
A quantity of seeds, fertilizers, agro chemicals and other planting material was yesterday presented to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai-Campbell, as the Agriculture Ministry continued its support for hinterland agriculture.

The children of Sampersaud Taranauth.

The handing over took place at the Ministry’s compound, Regent Street and Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, where Minister Robert Persaud made the presentation to Minister Sukhai-Campbell for distribution to Amerindian communities countrywide.

Persaud pointed out that the ‘Grow More’ food campaign is extended to all farming communities, and the Amerindian communities are equally targeted for improvement.

He said that his Ministry is looking forward to reducing the cost of food in those communities as well.

“The dimension of that special objective of the Amerindian community is to allow greater self-sufficiency in terms of food production and we, through the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, intend to reach out to those communities, farmers, settlers and different persons who live within those hinterland communities,” Minister Persaud explained.

The items are part of the government’s support package to aid increased food production countrywide, one of the measures to combat the current global food price increase.

Persaud noted that it costs approximately $150,000 to hire a truck to transport food into Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), thereby contributing to a higher cost of living for residents there.

Meanwhile, Minister Pauline Sukhai-Campbell expressed thanks to Minister Persaud.

Sukhai-Campbell said that the collaboration is geared to boost production in the interior regions. She spoke of the acoushi ants problem, but soon farmers will be able to access the bait for these pests.

The minster pledged her ministry’s support for the Ministry’s in the “Grow More” food campaign. (Michel Outridge)

WHA President calls for a halt to domestic violence
DOMESTIC violence and sexual abuse, particularly of young children is one of the many issues that the new President of the World Health Assembly wants to see tackled by the World Health Organisation, (WHO).

Minister of Health, Dr. Ramsammy, who now holds the presidency of the WHA told the 61st Assembly on Monday, that it was necessary to dig out the root causes of the problem of domestic and sexual violence.

He identified substance abuse as a major determinant and noted that domestic and sexual violence was a social issue that the WHO had been too timid to tackle, according to a CARICOM Secretariat release.

Some persons have questioned our legitimacy in the fight against domestic and sexual violence, putting the responsibility upon social services and security sectors. I posit we have strong legitimacy in demanding a place at the table in tackling these social issues. These are Health for All issues. 

Turning to the issue of disability, Dr. Ramsammy said that it had occupied an orphan status for far too long on the public health agenda.

We must correct this anomaly. People living with disabilities cannot be ignored any longer and we need to ensure that public health caters equitably for their needs.

Minister Ramsammy was of the opinion that the technology and the tools to prevent blindness and impaired vision were available and that the WHO should ensure that those were more widely accessible to avoid preventable blindness.

The Guyana Health Minister who is the second CARICOM Minister in thirty years to be appointed president of the supreme decision making body of the WHO gave his inaugural address at the 61st Assembly convened in Geneva, Switzerland, 19 -24 May 2008. In that address he identified a broad slate of health challenges confronting the world, among which were climate change, food production and the high cost of living, the escalating rate of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the persistence of HIV/AIDS and the staggering rates of child mortality.

He also highlighted the negative effects of migration on the human resource capabilities of health services in the developing countries, the release added.

Police investigating armed robberies
Police are investigating two armed robberies that took place at Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice, and Puruni, Mazaruni River.

In the first attack, Police said about 22:05h Monday, at Belvedere, Corentyne, Berbice, businessman Ishwarnauth Bisram was attacked and robbed by four men, three of whom were armed with handguns.

The release said that Bisram returned home after conducting business and had just parked his vehicle when he was confronted by the men who held him at gunpoint and took away $720,000 in cash and some documents and escaped.

During the incident one of the robbers struck him on the head with a firearm.

Then on Sunday too, at Puruni, Mazaruni River, shop attendant Savita Sooklall, 23, was attacked and robbed by four men who were all armed.

Sooklall was in a room with the shop closed when she responded to someone calling outside.

She observed a man with a firearm, raised an alarm, and was joined by two other women, police reported.

The robbers held the women at gunpoint and tied them up with duct tape.

The bandits then ransacked the building and took away $175, 000 in cash and a quantity of raw gold.

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.