Four soldiers injured in city collision
A FEMALE was among four unnamed Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers injured in a collision yesterday, between an army vehicle and a motor car, at the junction of Sheriff and Garnett Streets, Campbellville, Georgetown.
The woman and one male rank suffered head and other injuries and she was admitted as a patient at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) while he was treated and sent away, like the other two, less seriously hurt.
Reports said, around 13:00 h, the GDF vehicle transporting soldiers to an East Coast Demerara destination collided with the other proceeding in the opposite direction.
GRC aids more disaster victims
By Priya Nauth
THE Guyana Relief Council (GRC) yesterday continued to demonstrate its commitment to caring for and sharing with persons who suffer as a result of disaster, by assisting nine more families.
The presentations were done at the GRC Headquarters, Riverview, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, to seven families whose homes were destroyed by fire and two others who suffered damages due to high winds.
GRC Welfare Convener, Ms. Rohini Bonar, said the agency is aware of the need for such victims to rise above the difficulties encountered in the aftermath and continues to extend a caring hand to anyone in a traumatic situation.
Each family received a mattress and other household items and added, to the list, to date, of 17 families of 68 people hit by fire; two families of 21 struck by high winds; five welfare organisations; seven welfare families and one hinterland welfare family.
Additional help was also rendered to Rajpattie Ankaya, who was a previous recipient, last February 19.
Bonar explained that Ankaya is a seamstress and, in an effort to afford her a measure of independence, a sewing machine was acquired for her, through the Chinese Embassy which has always aided the work of the Council.
She expressed her appreciation to the foreign mission for its continuous support and sincere gratitude to those organisations and individuals for doing likewise, in fulfillment of the GRC motto ‘Caring and Sharing’.
$500M water contracts for signing tomorrow
GUYANA Water Incorporated (GWI) will tomorrow sign water improvement contracts valued at $500M.
According to GWI, some 48, 000 residents will benefit from improved water supply services, following the installation of several transmission mains along the Essequibo Coast, East Bank Essequibo and West Coast Berbice.
The contracts will be signed at GWI’s head office, Fort Street, Kingston, Georgetown in the presence of Chief Executive Officer Mr. Karan Singh, and Project Coordinator Mr. Ramchan Jailal.
Bidding farewell to Korean Ambassador
AMBASSADOR of the Republic of Korea to Guyana, Mr. Song-Chull Shin, has completed his tour of duty here. During his tenure, Ambassador Shin initiated the Guyana-Korea Agreement for the Promotion and Protection of Investments.
The Foreign Ministry successfully negotiated for a new elevator to be installed at its headquarters and benefitted from a donation of minibuses which were used during the Rio Summit.
Ambassador Shin paid a farewell courtesy call yesterday on Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Rudy Insanally.
Workshop participants get computers for BCH project
FOUR participants in a four-day workshop, collaborated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) as the focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), were presented with computer systems.
A press release said the recipients were introduced to techniques for accessing, inputting and managing data, through the Management Centre of the BCH central portal, during the February 12 to 15 seminar.
The release said the EPA also conducted a second training session for the BCH task force, including the National Competent Authorities (NCA), under the national project.
As a result, the NCA will be equipped to input and submit data and information relating to biosafety issues in the country, while the EPA, as the focal point, will be responsible for the validation of what is to be uploaded to the wed portal of its secretariat.
The release said EPA staff was trained, as well, to use the ‘Hermes’ programme which is vital in developing the national BCH website.
“This programme is an application tool developed by the Secretariat to the CBD,” the statement explained.
It pointed out that the process is designed to guide both technical and non-technical users responsible for administrating, maintaining and accessing the national BCH website.
“These workshops were vital in enhancing the awareness of the BCH and Guyana’s obligations to the project. The project will aim to monitor the living modified organisms (LMOs) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) entering and leaving Guyana,” the statement said.
In addition, it said the BCH portal will provide the necessary information to guide the relevant parties to make informed decisions and is used, too, to share information for trans-boundary movement, which will strengthen border control, policy integration and institutional coordination to address biosafety issues.
“This project will contribute to Guyana’s development, since it will assist in reducing and eliminating potential risks resulting from biotechnology and its products which may result in negative impacts to the environment and human health,” the statement said.
The BCH project is an add-on one of the ‘UNEP-GEF Project on Development of National Biosafety Frameworks, being implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
The national project is being implemented over a period of 12 months and is expected to be completed this month.
After expressed concerns…
Region Three to enforce sanctions against defaulting contractors
THE Regional Administration in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) will enforce sanctions against contractors who fail to carry out works as outlined in bills of quantities.
A release said Regional Chairman Julius Faerber warned that the necessary actions will be taken, in view of concerns expressed by councillors at the Monday statutory meeting of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).
The release said, responding to the Works Committee report, he said councillors have a moral duty and responsibility to ensure that contracts are executed according to specifications.
Mr. Faerber added that residents in communities also have a civic duty and a vital role to play in the developmental process.
He said developmental works are very costly and emphasised that those charged with executing them must give value for money.
Faerber told the meeting that the Regional Administration views the issue as a very serious one and, as such, would be meeting all contractors, shortly, to apprise them of what is expected of them as of now.
Meanwhile, the Regional Chairman, who heads the Education Committee, disclosed that efforts are being made to resuscitate Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs).
Noting that Government alone cannot do it, Faerber said parents have a dynamic role to play in furthering the learning process.
Alluding to another cause of worry, the issue of unqualified teachers in the school system, he said there is a large number acting in the region and consideration will be given to those who seek to improve their educational capability.
Referring to overcrowding at Wales Community High and Windsor Forest Primary schools, Faerber said it is currently engaging the attention of the Education Ministry, while temporary arrangements are put in place to alleviate the situations.
CIOG announces observance of YAW-MUN-NABI
THE Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) is informing all Muslims that the crescent for the month of RABBI-UL-AWWAL was sighted on Saturday, March 8.
YAW-MUN-NABI (the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad SAS) will, therefore, be observed on Thursday, March 20, a CIOG release stated.
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THE BELIEVERS ARE BUT A SINGLE BROTHERHOOD.
HQ. 49:10
50-strong Salvation Army delegation visiting from U.S.
A DELEGATION of 50 Salvation Army (S.A.) cadets in training, from the United States (U.S.) Southern Territory, were scheduled to arrive here last night on a one-week visit.
The group is headed by Curriculum Director, Major Tedd Morris III and
Divisional Leaders, Majors Sinous and Marie Theodore, officers and other Salvationists, Chairman Edward Boyer and members of the local S.A. Advisory Board, friends and well-wishers welcome them and trust they find their stay rewarding.
Consultant Joe Lynch, who previously visited Guyana late last year to initiate the arrangements, arrived ahead of them Sunday.
While here, the cadets will be engaged in community work in the S.A. Drugs Rehabilitation Programme and the Women's Homes at East La Penitence and Queenstown, Georgetown, as well.
Their engagements in the city begin today from 13:00 h and continue through tomorrow and Friday, from 10:00 h to 16:00 h.
In the capital, they will also participate in youth activities, such as concerts, rallies and worship services and pay working visits to Berbice; Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara; Linden, Upper Demerara River; Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo and Bartica, along Essequibo River.
The visitors are also expected to attend a Divisional Youth Club meeting at Citadel Headquarters, South Road and Alexander Street, on Friday from 18:30 h.
The cadets will have their first civic meeting at Citadel Headquarters on Saturday, beginning at 10:00 h, during which the Mayor of Georgetown, Mr. Hamilton Green, will deliver greetings.
At 18:00 h, the same day, they would link with youths of the division for a joint concert at Citadel Headquarters.
The following day, Sunday, March 16, the visiting cadets will join Guyanese S.A. officers and soldiers in two worship services, at 09:30 h and 13:30 h, to be followed by a ‘March of Witness’ around the city, starting at 15:00 h.
On Monday, at 17:30 h, the Women’s Home League will hold its annual ‘Egg Rally’ at which the Americans will be guests and the final engagement of the latter is at the S.A. Children’s Rally on Tuesday, March 18, from 10:00 h.They leave on Wednesday.
Photo exhibition, book display held in honour of Dr. Jagan
A PHOTO exhibition, which included a book display, was held on Monday at the National Library in honour of the life and contributions of the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
The exhibition is part of many activities that will be held during this month to observe the birth and death anniversaries of Dr. Jagan, a man who always sought to promote national unity.
Executive member of the PPP/C and member of the Management Committee of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Mr. Navin Chandarpal, said Dr. Jagan was the one who lit the torch for freedom and struggled to bring independence to Guyana.
“Throughout his career, Dr. Jagan made many contributions to uplifting the living standards of the Guyanese people,” he said.
Chandarpal recalled that in December 2007, President Jagdeo awarded the posthumous ‘Order of Liberation’ to Dr. Jagan in recognition of the sterling contributions he made to Guyana’s political sphere and in honour of the role he played in restoring democracy in Guyana.
A motion was also passed by the United Nations General Assembly last November, by one of its special committees to approve the idea of the ‘New Global Human Order’ which was an initiative of Dr. Jagan.
Chandarpal stated that, “In many ways these contributions by Dr. Jagan not only seek to do good for Guyana but he had a global vision, a vision for a better world with his idea of the ‘New Global Human Order’.
Dr Jagan had made extensive arguments for the concept.
Dr Jagan was one of the first advocates for debt-relief for the developing world from multilateral agencies and he always spoke of ecological justice.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, said that, “The exhibition gives an insight into the history of Guyana through the eyes of Dr. Jagan who led from the front in the early days since 1947 onwards and who fought tirelessly to free his people.”
The exhibition will be on display for two weeks at the National Library.
Dr Jagan was born on March 22, 1918, in Port Mourant, Berbice. He died on March 6, 1997, after heart surgery, in Washington, D.C. (GINA)
Duckling distribution by NARI to normalise by early April
THE duckling distribution programme, which is carried out at a highly subsidised cost by the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) is expected to normalise by early April says NARI Director, Dr Odhu Homenauth.
This response stemmed as a result of increased demands for ducklings by a large number of small scale farmers which, according to Dr. Homenauth, is a positive indicator for the diversification of the agricultural sector.
“Our figures at NARI have indicated a massive increase in the number of farmers benefitting from the provision of quality ducklings and incubation services offered by NARI’s Mon Repos Livestock Farm,” Dr Homenauth stated.
While responding to the enquiries pertaining to the decline in the number of ducklings available for public distribution by the Institute during the final quarter of 2007 and early 2008, Dr. Homenauth attributed this scarcity to the lack of adequate commercial feeding ration experienced nationally during the final quarter of 2007 coupled with the natural egg production cycle of birds influenced by molting as the major influential factors.
He also explained that research efforts are ongoing to assess the utilisation of materials locally available for the conversion as feeding materials for the birds.
“Traditionally in the rural areas many have utilised food scraps and other materials as feedstock for their birds, but today as we are witnessing a massive increase in the duck production sector coupled with a scarcity of sufficient commercially available feeding materials. In view of this, we are working ardently to create equilibrium to ensure farmers remain competitive by keeping production costs down,” Dr Homenauth said.
“As the premier duck production and research facility in Guyana, we are urging farmers also to share their experience since traditional knowledge is also pertinent to any successful research,” he stressed.
In highlighting the shift in economic importance attached to duck rearing from a partial form of supplemental income to a highly commercial activity comparable to broiler production across Guyana, Dr. Homenauth noted that efforts have been made to ensure the Institute fulfills its mandate of transferring improved quality breeding stock and technology to all stakeholders involved.
“At NARI we have been able to acquire a modernised incubation facility and improved breed flock at our Mon Repos Livestock Farm to increase our production and also the quality and quantity of services we offer to all stakeholders within the industry.
“Over the period 2006 -2007, we have witnessed a substantial increase in production records both by the Institute and independent commercial farmers who utilised our incubation facilities. In 2007, the Institute recorded an increase in production rate of 56 861 ducklings compared to 35 600 2006.
“Independent farmers who utilised NARI incubation facility recorded a total of 39 913 in 2007 compared to 15 600 in 2006.
“At present, we have an incubation capacity of 30,000 over a five week period which allows us to facilitate a stocking rate of 6000 weekly inclusive of eggs from farmers and a total of 2500 ducklings per week would soon be available for distribution to farmers across Guyana,” Dr Homenauth stated.
“To access the services offered by the Mon Repos Livestock Farm especially pertaining to egg incubation and duckling distribution, he is urging farmers and investors to adhere to the policies outlined by the Institute.
“We are encouraging persons interested in accessing our duckling distribution programme to register their names and quantity requested in writing, or on telephone number 220 2841-2 every Thursday between 08:30 hrs – 12:00 hrs or by email – nari@networksgy.org.”
In addressing the transparency of the allocation of ducklings per person, Dr. Homenauth noted that each applicant is contacted via telephone informing of date and amount to be issued along with a letter from the Institute confirming the information communicated.
“At NARI, we pride ourselves in ensuring all stakeholders are afforded equal opportunities. The allocation of ducklings for distribution is done transparently and our records are available to attest our standards. Apart from the normal distribution to farmers which is done every Tuesday between the hours of 07:30 hrs – 09:30 hrs, we also supply a number of rural communities engaged in collaborative research activities with the Institute,” Dr Homenauth pointed out.
However, for those farmers interested in utilising the incubation services of the Institute, they are urged by Head of Livestock, Dr. Robin Austin, to ensure their eggs are cleaned properly and marked using a symbol which is easily identifiable and must be delivered every Monday between 07:30 hrs – 08:30 hrs. Dr. Austin also reiterated that these farmers are offered weekly information pertaining to the accountability of their eggs.
“Our incubators are stocked every Monday morning and we urge persons using this service to adhere to the rules outlined. At the same time, we offer a weekly report on the status of incubation and also distribute the hatched numbers of ducklings to these farmers. This is done to ensure transparency,” he said.
To maintain the thriving duck production industry, Dr. Homenauth is appealing to farmers who would have benefitted from the duckling distribution to implement measures to establish their own breeding flock which will result in less reliance on our system and also afford other small investors the opportunity to benefit from the services offered by NARI.
“NARI along with the Extension Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture will embark on a monitoring activity to assist farmers who would have benefitted from the duckling distribution programme to create their own breeding flock which will reduce the dependency on NARI system and allow more persons to access the services offered,” the NARI Director said.
At present, the NARI Mon Repos Livestock Farm located at Mon Repos, E.C.D which was established in 1985, is Guyana’s only state owned duck research and production facility. The facility offers apart from duckling distribution and eggs incubation, quarantine facilities and technical services for the expansion of the duck production industry.
Onus not on GMU to provide visas
By Tajeram Mohabir
GREENHEART Medical University (GMU) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Riza Chowdury, has in another effort to erase the negative image of the school, said the institution is not responsible to provide visas to students because that is outside its preview.
He was at the time responding to questions from the media that government has taken action against the school concerning its handling of students visas, at a recent press briefing convened at the school’s fourth Street, Campbellsville location.
Dr. Chowdury explained that the granting of visas is an arrangement between the government of Guyana and the students and is unaware that the administration has taken action against the GMU on the said issue.
Moreover, the CEO pointed out that the school is into the business of providing education and training and only assist in the process where appropriate.
According to Dr. Chowdury, students who are qualified for entry into the GMU are not discriminated against, but it is their duty to obtain their travel permits.
Asked about the students’ qualification, the medical doctor stressed that the school is an autonomous body that determines the eligibility of its students and the Ministry of Education is well aware of that.
He also rejected claims from a group of Personnel Support Workers (PSWs), students as well as a few from the Doctor of Medicine (MD) classes who claimed that the university has promised them huge loans for studies, books, accommodation, food and other expenses.
GMU Vice President of Finance, Dennis Ramnarace, further explained that apparently some of the students’ sponsors in Canada and the United States did not want to bear their financial responsibilities and as such, reneged to ink their loan agreements.
Mr. Ramnarace noted that cognisant of this predicament, the university will now insist that agencies sponsoring the students sign their contracts as a prerequisite for their admission.
Those students he said will have to pay one year tuition fee in full.
The GMU senior administrator pointed out that the GMU began operations in 2005 and has an agreement with the University of Guyana (UG) to use their teachers and facilities to train its MD students.
Mr. Ramnarace also underscored that the university has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the government of Guyana, not only to bring and train students, but also to involve them in research and assist in the provision of primary health care.
Meanwhile, a group of PSW students have informed this newspaper that following a meeting Friday last with Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and the university administration, an agreement was made to settle the dispute amicably.
According to the students, the minister also urged that they cease venting their grievances to the press because the matter is being addressed.
Office of the President advisory
THE Office of the President is inviting those representatives who are part of the National Stakeholders’ Group in the President’s Review of the National Security Plan, to a follow-up Meeting today at 12:00 hrs, at Office of the President.
ARMY COURT MARTIAL CONTINUES TOMORROW…
- Staff Sergeant Birch to testify next
By Wendella Davidson
