Guyana/Venezuela cooperation indispensable to combat narco-trafficking
-Home Affairs Ministry on verge of developing 2011-2015 drug plan

A Guyanese delegation led by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee today met with officials from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela led by Ambassador Dario Morandy to discuss areas of bilateral cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking and use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and chemical precursors and other related offences.
Minister Rohee in his remarks said that the meeting was held at an opportune time since Guyana is at the cusp of developing a successor 2011-2015 National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

“A key component of any narcotics strategy for Guyana must be cooperation and coordination with its neighbours, especially in view of the fact that much of the drug activities associated with Guyana have their origins beyond the country’s borders,” the Minister said.
He pointed out that it is an incontrovertible fact that the suppression of the drug trade cannot start and end with national jurisdictions and therefore regional and international cooperation and coordinated actions is necessary.
Guyana and Venezuela share a border that is approximately 672 kilometers (420 miles) long. There is a vast body of water through which the two countries are connected.
Minister Rohee explained that the monitoring of territories of this size in an era of increasing technological advancement and the acumen of the perpetrators of the trade in illegal drugs would be a challenge for a State that has an abundance of resources much less developing countries such as Guyana and Venezuela which have competing demands.
In recognition of this fact, Presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Hugo Chavez at a meeting in Caracas in July 2010 came to an agreement that efforts have to be made to enhance and intensify cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies between the two countries.
It is believed that the scourge in the drug trade gives rise to other forms of nefarious activities which include: gun running, kidnapping, murders, and other wanton criminal activities.
It is envisaged that the instruments that will be agreed on to enhance cooperation between Guyana and Venezuela will include assistance in the confiscation of assets of those convicted of the involvement in the trade of illegal drugs, and ensure real time cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies of both countries.
The Minister pointed out that much has been said about Guyana’s implementation of its 2005-2009 National Drug Strategy Master Plan and that many argue that the plan only exists in “the books”.
“I wish to assure every Guyanese that this is not so, of the 36 programmes identified for implementation under the strategy 17 have been concluded, 16 are works in progress and only three have not commenced implementation,” Minister Rohee said.
He added that while it is true that the plan had a duration of five years, however, the implementation of any strategic plan depends on the timely availability of resources.
Last year, significant strides were made with regards to the fight against the drug trade in Guyana. The seizures of cannabis amounted to 191, 877 kilogrammes (Kg) and 537 persons were arrested and charged.
The cocaine seizures on the other hand, amounted to about 72Kg, which resulted in 132 persons being arrested and charged. Additionally, eradication exercises were conducted on 61 cannabis fields (97 acres) with plants weighing a total of 185,221 Kg.
The key elements in the fight against narco-trafficking in Guyana include:

Providing more human and technological resources to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the narcotics branch of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Continuing enhancement of CANU’s and GPF’s capacity at all legal and illegal ports of entry as well as exit points.
Dismantling all suspected networks at air and sea ports.
Identifying transshipment routes and use appropriate equipment to interdict suspects.
Enhancing maritime intelligence by establishing relevant databases and profiling of vessels.
Using advanced technology to conduct effective raids and searches.
Continuing to work towards more effective networking with foreign counterparts.
Increasing information and intelligence driven operations.
Continuing to upgrade security arrangements at the Cheddi Jagan and Ogle International Airports to stem the outflow of drugs.
And continuing to ensure accountability and transparency in the activities of law enforcement agencies through regular polygraphing.
Minister Rohee said that, “today further action is being taken to ensure that the instruments that we have in place to facilitate the cooperation and coordination is responsive to the present and emerging modus operandi of the operators of the illegal trade as well as their facilitators.”
Both Guyana and Venezuela are aware of the multilateral instruments that can be used to assist the cooperative efforts, but as neighbouring States, direct communication and cooperation are indispensable to those who are involved in trafficking in narcotics.
Morandy in his brief remarks expressed his Government’s satisfaction with regards to the level of cooperation that the two countries are embarking on.
“This meeting is a continuation of the work that has been going on between both countries with the objective of signing an agreement for the suppression of illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs,” he said.
He added that with this agreement, Venezuela is seeking to strengthen the cooperation with Guyana and to advance the regional integration in the fight against the drug trade that causes much harm to both nations.

Popular restaurant robbed

During a daring robbery last evening, $250,000 in cash and cellular phones was stolen as gunmen stormed the well-known Hilton Restaurant located at Garnette and Middleton Streets, Campbellsville.
According to a police report, two men, armed with handguns, barged into the business place around 08:45PM and grabbed at least GUY$90,000 and three cellular phones valued GUY$163,000.
Chinese National, Yang, who is the cashier and a Guyanese waitress, Lizette Henry, were attacked by the men during the ordeal. Thus far, one has been arrested as members of the Guyana Police Force continue with their investigations.

Agriculture Minister calls on forest operators to be proactive to supply increased demand
–during workshop to discuss management of concessions

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has urged forestry operators and small loggers, that in light of the increase in budgetary allocation it is necessary that producers become proactive in delivering quality products, to satisfy the current housing construction boom.
He noted that that it is Government’s aim is to work with forestry operators, to further overcome challenges that may arise from time. This is to effectively provide quality forestry products, particularly with the current housing construction drive.
The Agriculture Minister was at the time delivering remarks during a workshop for small loggers and large scale forest operations, to discuss the management of concessions and delivery of raw materials to sawmills.
Minister Persaud pointed out that the target production concession rate set out by the Government is 60 percent in any forest area; however, of the 17 concessions granted by the GFC, only five operators have been able to achieve the target.
“I am very concerned about the low level of utilisation of the forest areas… when we look at some companies we see percentage of four percent to up to 78 percent, but very distressingly we only have five companies that were able to meet the 60 percent and this is an area that needs to be addressed very seriously this year,” he said.
The Agriculture Minister added that $63B has been allocated by Government this year for investing in Public Sector Investment Programmes (construction related projects), compared to the $46B in 2010.
This he said, will further boost the country’s housing drive, while allowing increased demand for construction materials and related products.
“We are talking about this increase in demand at a time too when we are not seeing a reasonable utilisation of the areas and, I say so because if we want our country to develop and if your enterprise is to grow, there is the market and the local demand can also be matched with what is taking place on the international market,” he added.
According to the Agriculture Minister, there has been a 45 percent growth last year in the European market, compared to the previous year and as such, forest operators “should rise to the occasion if we are to continue to supply the demand.”
He added that operators also need to improve supply since there has been a constant increase in prices which has recorded a 10 percent increase over the last six months, with greenheart increasing from $260 to $320 per board measure (BM).
It is estimated that this year along, the commission would need close to 300,000 cubic meters of timber to supply the local market.
“Even if we have 100 percent utilisation of the concession, it will not change our rate of deforestation, so if we take care of this increased demand and once we operate within the guidelines of the 20 cubic meters per hectare, it will not trouble our rate of deforestation which currently stands at 0.06, the lowest in the world, “he added.
Minister Persaud also expressed disappointment over the sloth by forest operators and loggers who are under utilizing their concessions and warned that those who are found to be doing so will have their concessions repossessed and reallocated to operators who are serious of development.
“I want for us to understand that and not for it to be misrepresented out there that we are advocating an increased rate of deforestation. We have so much space so that we can contribute and support the local forestry sector,” he said.
After the official ceremony, six of the 112 State Forest Permits (SFPs) to be allocated this year; were available for distribution. However, only two Community Forestry Organisations were on hand and received their SFPs from Minister Persaud.
The workshop which saw the participation of several operators within the forestry sector and Managers and staff of the GFC was held at the Commission’s Multi-Purpose Centre, Kingston. It served as a method of addressing outstanding issues that are affecting persons plying the trade, to ensure smooth operations.
Guyana signed an MoU in November 2009, with the Government of Norway, which outlined a cooperation framework for the next five years.

New MP sworn in to replace the late Winston Murray

PNC/R activist, Joan Baveghems was last evening formally sworn in to replace the late Winston Murray.
Baveghems took the oath of a new member of the National Assembly prior to the reading of the 2011 National Budget of $161.4B which was announced by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh.
She received a warm welcome by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran and other members of Parliament.
Baveghems is well known for her input in anti-government protests organised by the PNC/R over the years.