First ever women community policing convention held

- aims to involve women in communal law and order process

By Erika Haag-Tularam

The security of communities is important to this administration and to further boost law enforcement; the Ministry of Home Affairs hosted its first ever Community Policing Women’s Convention today.  

            The initiative which was held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annex, Eve Leary, under the theme “Working towards safer communities” is a collaborative effort with the Guyana Police Force and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

            Representatives from A, B, C, D, E, F and G community policing Groups were present, where issues such as trafficking in persons (TIP), domestic violence, sexual harassment, noise nuisance, roles of rural constables, arrest and patrols, road safety and the role of women in community policing, were discussed.

            Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee while delivering the feature address emphasised the need for closer collaboration at a community level noting that women can play an integral role in supporting their male counterpart in maintaining order within their respective communities.

He noted that the event which is the first national conference ever held for women in community policing; is an indication of Government’s commitment to empowering women in self sufficiency and national development in the process.

             Minister Rohee while expressing his optimism that the session would be beneficial to the women said that it would clearly aid them in understanding their role in which should not be taken for granted.

            This, he said, is the reason several organisations in society are playing a significant role to further enhance their lives.

            While noting that law enforcement cannot be solely executed by the male gender alone, the Minister responsible for security also urged the attendees to lend full support to the police and other law enforcement agencies in the struggle for safety and security.

            Speaking on the issue of domestic violence, Minister Rohee said it is reality since more women in society are being taken advantage of on a daily basis and, as such, it is time for the scourge to come to an end.

            Government has recognised that domestic violence is the most pervasive form of interpersonal violence in Guyana and through its National Policy on Domestic Violence; hopes to eliminate the trait from society.

            In 1996 the Domestic Violence Legislation was enacted. The National policy on Domestic Violence was launched in 2008.

            Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene, said that it is important for women to be sensitised on the role they can play at the community level; since the constitution requires that everyone has a responsibility to ensuring a community safe.

            While reading the Police Act, Commissioner Greene said that it stipulates that any members of society can be called upon to render assistance to the cause of law and order, failing which that person can be prosecuted.

            Speaking on the importance of community policing, Greene said that the Police Force has seen a decline in CPGs since the crime spree of 2002 which made a significant impact on their functions.

            “The fact that we were dealing with people with heavy machinery (weapons) they became afraid, but after the death of ‘Fineman’ persons are now willingly offering their services to the Guyana Police Force,” he said.

            While calling for consistency in community policing groups, the Top Cop told them that they can also be integrally involved in youth work, and financial and traffic lecturers at the community level.  

           

Mahaicony Rice Mills to be audited

-Minister Persaud

By Erika Haag-Tularam

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud has indicated that the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) will be auditing all records of the Mahaicony Rice Mill; to ensure that farmers are not ripped off.

            The move by Government stemmed from the prevalent issue of paddy payment by the company towards farmers and millers.

 The Minister’s comments came while addressing media operatives recently on the progress of the rice sector.

            “The issue of paddy payment is of much concern to the Administration. One particular company, the Mahaicony rice mill is in fact stigmatizing and giving the exporting sector a bad name.”

            “We will be conducting an audit of the books to look at the records, to look at what the company is saying. But the company’s Bank has also assured us that sums are being repatriated in this regard for several payments,” he said.

            Thus far, the company has commenced payment but on a gradual level and the Agriculture Minister has been encouraging the company and other stakeholders to ensure that there are timely payments.

            The Administration has implemented various policies to propel the Agriculture sector. This has seen another amendment, the Rice Factories (Amendment) Bill 8/2010 tabled in the National Assembly on July 22.

            The Bill, which seeks to amend the Rice Factories Act of 1998, is aimed at toughening measures; to ensure early payment.

            “We have done early amendments but now we will be looking at a deposit to be made by these defaulting millers whereby the GRDB and the RPA can tap this deposit or this special fund so that they can provide farmers who are owed large sums outstanding.”

            The Bill according to Minister Persaud does not applies to all millers but the delinquent ones; stating that, “Those who have over the last three years defaulting on payments, are the ones who will have to make the deposit.”

            Subsection (1A) of the bill seeks to make provision for submitting a statement and a security deposit for payment of paddy; to be purchased along with an application for a licence as a manufacturer of rice.

            The security deposit may be utilized for the compliance of conditions, the fulfillment of obligations or the failure by the manufacturer to pay the value of paddy to any producer after the expiry of 60 days from the date of supply.

            The issue of dam preparation was also highlighted as it was pointed out that it is one of the most critical aspects; as it relates to harvesting. The Agriculture Minister has since written to the Local Government Minister and Regional Authorities, advising of the need for acceleration in this regard.

            This is to ensure that farmers have adequate access to transporting paddy from the field to mills.

            Meanwhile, General Secretary, Rice Producers Association, Dharamkumar Seeraj has opined that the late payment is deliberate.

            While referring to the unusual arrangement by the Company, which saw it investing US$140,000 in fertilizer for farmers, he emphasised that it was not their core business.

            In conclusion, the RPA, General Secretary said that the latter was a device to keep farmers bound to the company; and this will not be tolerated.

            In addition, farmers have already taken the management of the company to court for payment outstanding payments.

             

All stakeholders have a role to play, to secure sugar industry’s future-Agriculture Minister tells workers’ forum

By Erika Haag-Tularam

The future of the sugar industry remains a top priority of this administration as stringent measures continue to be incorporated in order for it to remain productive, amidst the industry’s diversification to further consolidate and create a larger, more modern and dynamic sugar industry.  

            The Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo’s) series of ‘Workers Forum’ to highlight the future of the sugar industry; with the aim of sharing relevant information on the state of the industry, updating on the implementation of the ‘Turn around Plan’ and outlining the course ahead for the industry and the role of all stakeholders.

            The meetings which were convened at Rose Hall, Albion and Skeldon Community centers saw the participation of Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo Errol Hanoman,  Board Member and People’s Progressive Party General Secretary, Donald Ramoutar, its Chairman Dr. Nanda Gopaul, Region Six Chairman, Zulficar Mustapha, other GuySuCo Board Members and Trade Union Representatives.            

The forum which saw discussions being centered on the ‘Turn around Plan’ was held under the theme “Working together as a team to achieve a successful and modern sugar industry”.

            Minister Persaud while delivering remarks spoke of the future of GuySuCo, centered on the ‘Turn around Plan’, which will see the industry on a further path to development.

            The plan will only bear fruit if there is full support of all members since they are what Government considers a critical grouping in moving the industry forward.

            “This can only be achieved with the full cooperation of Board Members, the Union and all workers….so all members have a role to play in these discussions,” the Agriculture Minister said.

            He noted that 2009 saw the industry being faced with many challenges, which led Government to take a stern decision to end the management contract with Booker Tate.

            “This year is seen as a very crucial year in the history of the sugar industry since it is the first time, in the 300 years that Guyana has been planting sugar, that the industry is on its own,” he said.

             He noted that this gives the country a greater degree of responsibility to ensure the industry survives and used the opportunity to give Government’s commitment to ensuring that it remains stable.

            Government continues to allocate resources to ensure that the industry remains competitive and in this regard invested in the US$185M modern Skeldon sugar factory and the $1.2B packaging facility at Enmore Sugar Estate which is under construction. As the year progresses there will be more investments, the Minister added.

            Meanwhile GuySuCo’s Regional Director Jairam Petam and CEO Hanoman provided updates on the success of the industry during the first, second and third phases of production.

            Board Member Ramoutar and Chairman Gopaul spoke of the history and successes of the industry and the way forward.

            The forum also gave workers an opportunity to highlight challenges which they are currently facing and to make recommendations.

            The forum will be taken to Enmore and La Bonne Intention estates on February 3, Blairmont on February 4, and Wales and Uitvlugt estates on February 5.

           

             

           

Minister Persaud updates Parika Back farmers on developments for area

- Rehabilitation of access roads main target

By Erika Haag-Tularam

As follow-up to a Cabinet’s outreach on the East Bank of Essequibo on June 2, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today during a farmers’ meeting at the Parika Back Primary School; used the occasion to update farmers and residents on Government’s plans and programmes thus far for the area.

            The Minister was accompanied by Chief Executive Officer, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Lionel Wordsworth, Region Three Chairman, Julius Faerber, Guyana Rice Development Board, General Manager (GRDB) Jagnarine Singh, New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), General Manager, Nizam Hassan and technical officers from the Ministry.

The meeting dealt with critical issues that stemmed from the recent Cabinet outreach including; - the rehabilitation of the access road, construction of a façade bridge at ‘Parika/Naamryck’ road, rehabilitation of Parika access dam, substandard work by Water Users Assocsiation (WUSs), truancy, proper irrigation and drainage structures in the area especially in light of the La Nina condition, and additional land for cultivation.

Minister Persaud during his remarks said that $300M has since been expended on the rehabilitation of D&I structures and the construction of bridges so far, noting that the investments made require farmers’ support, to ensure that they are sustained and managed; pointing out that works are often neglected.

They were urged to manage the structures for success of their farmlands.

“Throughout the country works are being done and are not being maintained. If we see something wrong to a structure let us try to fix it. It is ours and we have to be responsible for it,” he said.

The issue of market opportunities was also highlighted at which the Agriculture Minister indicated that a cold storage facility has been commissioned at Parika in this regard.

Citing the need for proper access roads in the areas, Minister Persaud indicated that the Ministry of Public Works has since allocated $13M, of which his Ministry has contributed $35M for the completion of the all weather road.

The contract for the five kilometers of access road was signed on September 7.

“Government has been looking to fund the project by cutting back on some of our D&I works; since we have realized that it is critical to the farmers and the community as a whole,” Minister Persaud said.

While referring to climate change, the Agriculture Minister said that there are many challenges that are being faced on a daily basis, making reference to the flooding caused by the recent spring tide.

Food security

While speaking on Government’s Agriculture Diversification Project, Minister Persaud said that food security is now a pivotal factor in Guyana’s economic development, noting that the country no longer enjoys preferential market.

            Government has been working assiduously to promote its Agricultural Diversification Programme which targets an increase in the export of non-traditional commodities.

            Farmers also made request for more frequent visits by the Plant Pathologist and an investigation into the function of the WUAs.   

           

Mangrove restoration project taken to Region Two

By Erika Haag-Tularam

The importance of mangroves in protecting against natural disasters and extreme weather events has in recent past been highlighted; and Guyana has since joined the world in protection of its mangroves.

            The initiative is aimed at restoring areas, as mangroves play a vital role, in providing protection for over 90 percent of Guyana’s population who live within the naturally low-lying areas along the coast.

            Coordinator of the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP), Bissesar Chintamanie during an exclusive interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), said that the committee will be moving to Lima and La Belle Alliance in Essequibo where 36,000 seedlings will be planted using 45 hectares.

            This will be then followed by the planting of 18,000 seedlings over a spread of 20 hectares in Number 6 village, West Coast, Berbice.

            Areas such as, Green Field, Ann’s Grove, Victoria, and Wakenaam will also be targeted.

             According to Chintamanie the project is expected to complete approximately 11 kilometers over a three-year period but noted that with the aggressive work currently ongoing it is anticipated that much more will be done.

             “Since persons have been sensitized about the importance of mangroves; we at the unit, have seen a massive reduction. People are no longer using the wood for cooking and for burning brick that has stopped completely and then cutting of mangroves, generally you have a great reduction,” he said.

            Citing the need for the wanton grazing of cattles and livestock on the coastline to be eliminated, he said, despite aggressive work to sentisise the public this is still ongoing. Works are currently ongoing on the issue of garbage and wildlife protection.

            The committee currently has a Community Development Specialist onboard who carries out work on a daily basis apart from meetings at the community levels.

            “We also meet the focal group people on a needs basis as well as go house to house. In Hope and Mon Repos where we were planting; we went house to house sensitizing people on the importance of our programme,” he said.

The Unit is also working with a consultant in setting up a website. It is supported by the European Union.

  Over 10,000 and 8,500 seedlings respectively were planted by the Committee in Mon Repos and Hope recently.