Thursday, December 23, 2010

Police destroy 422,000 kilograms of cannabis

Government, through the security sector, has scored much success in the fight against the local narcotic trade by the many incidences of interception at the country’s port of exit, and other locales, as they attempt to export the illegal substances.
            Wednesday’s seized amounts of narcotics were destroyed by the Guyana Police Force at the Mayor and City Council’s incinerator, Princes Street.
Approximately 422,000 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed.  The illicit drugs are for cases that were made over a two-year period.
            Police Superintendent, Errol Watts of the Police Narcotics Branch who was on site to witness the incineration said, “These cases were concluded in court and as a result of which we are doing this destruction exercise today. We very much appreciate your presence and we hope that you continue to cover future exercises of this nature held by the Guyana Police Force.”
            He pointed out that the cannabis has a value of $442, 232 and the majority was seized from airport, wharfs and residents.             For 2010, approximately 150 kilograms of cannabis and 74 killograms of cocaine were seized, including the 21 kilos that were seized on the West Coast Demerara recently.
            The Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), will also be destroying cocaine early next year for matters that were tried in 2008 and 2010, and have seen persons given custodial sentencing. 
Judicial system gets two more Magistrates

Attorneys-at-Law, Leslie Sobers and Leron Daly today took the oath of office as Temporary Magistrates in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Chief Justice Ian Chang, and families and friends of Sobers and Daly at the Prime Minister’s office, Wight’s Lane, Kingston.
            Prime Minister Hinds extended Government’s appreciation to Sobers and Daly for accepting the appointment as Temporary Magistrate, which is actually a probationary period, after which they would be appointed Magistrates. 

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds interacts with newly appointed Temporary Magistrates Leslie Sobers and Leron Daly and Chief Justice Ian Chang at his Office

            He noted that this year quite a few persons have come forward to take up the position as Magistrate, hence contributing to one of the most important institutions in the country.
            The oath, which one takes as Magistrate is quite significant. The Magistrate is expected to divorce him or herself from emotions particularly those that would influence favour and fear and be objective in the expedition of duties, Prime Minister Hinds indicated.
            Chang said that the newly appointed Temporary Magistrates should dispense their duties like Lady Justice, who is blind to the parties before her.
            He highlighted that Magistrates should know their functions, various laws and carry out their duties responsibly and reasonably.
            Chang highlighted that power is not conferred unto Magistrates but rather the power, which they emanate, is that of the State. He noted that Magistrates are the judicial arm of the state and they operate as public officials.
            On November 15, Temporary Magistrate Fabayo Azore took the oath of office in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Chief Justice Ian Chang, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Bibi Shalimar Ali-Hack and her family members at the Prime Minister’s office, Wight’s Lane, Kingston.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Gov’t will spare no effort in revitalising coconut industry
-Minister Persaud

The coconut industry, is receiving special attention from the Government, as it seeks to elevate the commodity to one of optimum benefits, in keeping with the Ministry of Agriculture’s effort of promoting agriculture diversification, from a market led approach.
            Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud today convened a meeting which saw the input of farmers, stakeholders and investors, to discuss the development of a coconut water processing plant.
            A study was completed with assistance from coconut expert Dr. Shivarama Reddy from India, as efforts intensify to have the industry modernised. This will see farmers’ needs addressed and cultivation and market bases expanded.
            Minister Persaud pointed out that the revitalisation plan will see production in terms of quality enhanced, since the product can be used as a base for others.
            This, he said, comes at a time when there is a renewed interest in the coconut industry, by investors hence, the crafting of the plan two years prior to supply the market demand regionally and internationally with coconut and its related product.

Minister Persaud (sixth from left), addresses farmers and stakeholders during meeting to discuss the development of a coconut water processing plant.

             “We also recognised in our country that we have a number of coconut estates which were abandoned while the others were not properly kept and so we convened a meeting with some of those owners and others who were interested in different parts of the country and we came up with a plan looking at all areas, from technical assistance to infrastructural works,” he said.
            The aim of Government is to have a more diversified coconut industry by sourcing other by-products, rather than reliance on the traditional exporting of nuts and copra.
            According to the Agriculture Minister, there was a commonly held myth, particularly in the 70s and 80s that coconut and its by-products contributed to high cholesterol levels, noting that this is one contributing factor for the moving-away from the industry.
“Even amongst ourselves in Guyana we still believe it’s bad to be consuming coconut related products particularly the oil that comes from coconut, but we have seen what has happened in terms of global trends and it did not only affect Guyana, but the coconut in Africa and Asia,” he said. 
            Guyana has since been receiving support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Indian Government in making the industry more vibrant and competitive.         
            To date, the nursery at Hope Estate was restructured while the coconut bottling plant will be completed shortly.
            Minister Persaud while adding that Government is concerned primarily with the export of coconut-based products; emphasised that focus must be on diversification and development of the industry, with technology playing a key role.
            In this regard, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), will be integrally involved in the programme, as well as persons from the private sector, in conjunction with farmers.
            Government will be investing $9M this year in terms of developing appropriate technology; since its main purpose is to improve technology coupled with market opportunities.
            “We have also been looking at the various varieties that are suitable and we will continue to pursue that, but there is lot of work to be done and recognise that and it is one that will continue to get support in the context of our diversification plan for the agriculture sector,” he added.
            There are currently 24,000 hectares of coconut across the country and according to the Agriculture Minister; more can be done to further expand the industry, which will see government sparing no effort in this regard.    
Government has over the years been working to revitalise the industry through workshops, exhibitions and training since its aim is to resuscitate it to such a level that it will also create job opportunities for many. Guyana has been pursuing support from India, and several South American countries to assist in this effort, especially to obtain new varieties.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Spate of armed robberies 
Despite enhanced security arrangement in place 

As the Christmas season approaches, armed robberies according to statistics is on the rise despite Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee's assurance that there is a boost in security. A release from the Police Public Relations Office revealed that Nine men are currently in custody in connection with a series of robberies committed in Linden, Berbice and Georgetown.
              Two suspect is in custody assisting with the investigation of Armed Robbery. At about 11:00h today (December 18,2010), Goldsmith Nandalall Narine of Grove, East Bank Demerara was attacked and robbed by three men armed with firearms.
           According to reports, Narine was in his workshop along with two other workers when the gunmen attacked the business place, and carted off with a quantity of jewellery, $15,000 in cash and a cell phone and escaped in a waiting car.
         Quick response by the police led to the motor car being intercepted at Agricola, on the East Bank and arrested the two suspect.
        Meanwhile, on Friday Annette Dolphin a vendor was attacked and robbed of her jewellery by a lone gunmen at the Stabroek area. An alarm was raised and public spirited persons gave chase, and after several attempts of his escape, the suspect was apprehended along the East Bank at which a .38 snub-nose revolver with four rounds and two empty shells were found in his possession.
        Charges will be made shortly.
        The Police also conducted a search today on a house at Rosehall, Corentyne, during which an unlicensed .32 semi-automatic pistol with two rounds was found. One individual has been arrested and is in police custody.
       A family of Corriverton, Berbice was also attacked, robbed and relieved of a quantity of cash, jewellery and 3 cell phones and escaped.