According to the minister to remove children off the streets is to remove them from risky and vulnerable situations.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, Ms. Manickchand, she highlighted some of the many programmes and challenges for child-protection, which were undertaken by the Ministry as it relates to providing care and support for vulnerable children. She noted that plans are afoot to further advance those developments.

A Child-Care Centre was established by the Human Services Ministry to provide care and meet the children’s demand as well as improve their living standards. Most of the children removed from the streets during the campaign were re-integrated with their families while 38 are still in the Ministry’s care.

The Minister noted that no specific age policy is in place in removing children from conflict situations. At present, there are 51 children ranging from four to sixteen years at the centre and all of them are attending school. She pointed out that some of the children came out from very tough conditions and expressed her satisfaction that they have been showing improvements.

Meanwhile, the Human Services Ministry will this year place major emphasis to begin a foster care programme and establish a Mission Child Protection Unit. The minister said this year a Child Protection Services Unit will be crafted as an umbrella body to deal with all issues relating to child protection.

Manickchand said with support of the 2008 Budget, the Ministry intends to start a foster care programme and to finalise the regulations and minimum standards for orphanages so as to ensure that the children who are in the programme are in a child friendly environment. (Nathalene DeFreitas)

National economic survey to begin soon
ENUMERATORS who will be involved in the National Economic Survey of Business Establishments, scheduled to begin shortly, have been urged to ensure that they conduct the survey professionally and that their work generates information that is accurate and which represents a total picture of economic activity in Guyana.

This was emphasised by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his remarks at the recent closing session of an eight-day training workshop held at Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, by the Accounts Division of the National Bureau of Statistics. The activity started on March 10 and included participation of approximately 70 enumerators from across the country.

The minister noted the importance of the survey to the rebasing of the national accounts, which will allow for more accurate measuring of economic activity conducted in Guyana. The survey will also allow for the capture of key economic and social indicators which constitute a critical element of the mandate of the Bureau of Statistics and the Government in measuring economic and social activity.

The current base year of the country’s national accounts is 1988, some 20 years ago, since when there have been dramatic changes in both the global and domestic economy, as well as other aspects of social development.

Dr. Singh emphasised the dramatic changes that have occurred in the domestic economy over the last twenty years, including the introduction of comprehensive policies that led to the liberalisation of the economy and the return to a market based economy, an extensive privatisation programme that has seen a number of former public enterprises being placed in the private sector, and the reinvigoration of private entrepreneurial initiative. The Minister asserted that these have led to the emergence and growth of a number of new sectors in today’s economy which were non-existent twenty years ago. Among these, Minister Singh highlighted the information and communications technology, tourism and hospitality sectors, and a number of other non-traditional sectors, all of which did not exist twenty years ago but now have significant visibility and are widely believed to be growing rapidly. These have completely transformed the economic landscape relative to twenty years ago. Reference was also made to technological advancements realised since 1988 such as developments in information and other technology, all of which have transformed the operations of businesses in most productive sectors of the economy.

He explained that while, in an ideal world, some may argue that the national accounts should be rebased as frequently as every year, it is recognised that the process is very comprehensive and costly. Thus, it is unlikely that small countries such as Guyana and others in the Caribbean can conduct surveys on this scale very frequently. Instead, a more acceptable interval between base years has to be applied. Minister Singh indicated that a commitment has been made at the regional level to conduct regular surveys at least to base year 2000. In Guyana’s case, the rebasing would be done to base year 2006.

Dr. Singh also highlighted the recent Household Income and Expenditure Survey that gathered extensive data on household consumption which will be used in conjunction with the data gathered from the National Economic Survey to enable Guyana to rebase its national accounts to base year 2006.

External support from agencies such as the United States Bureau of Census, Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Centre (CARTAC), CARICOM Secretariat and Trinidad and Tobago’s Central Statistical Office, and the efforts of the management and staff of the local Bureau of Statistics, were also acknowledged. (GINA)

Government has recognised the impact of climate change
--Persaud assures Linden residents
By Sarada Singh
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud delivering brief remarks at the Linden Constabulary Hall on the occasion of World Meteorological Day yesterday assured the gathering that government has recognised the impact of climate change and has undertaken several measures to deal with the issue.

He noted that climate change is causing a major shift in our way of life, be it at home, in the field or at work.

As such, he exhorted that people have to learn to adapt to different residential locations because of the changing weather patterns. “We have to modify our cropping pattern, our technologies and much more,” he stressed.

Citing a recent example the minister referred to the overtopping on the East Coast where 90% of the population is located and approximately 85% of the activities take place.

Persaud yesterday met with residents of Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) to commemorate the occasion under the theme, “observing our planet for a better future”.

This year’s observance was held under the theme, “Observing our planet for a better future,” and featured the launching of an ozone activity booklet entitled, “Save our sky” provided by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) which encompasses a compilation of several natural hazards around the world.

According to the minister the situation on the East Coast emerged from the current La Nina condition associated with easterly gusty winds combined with the low pressure system in the Atlantic that is generating wave action causing abnormal swells and excessive high tides affecting the Caribbean.

Persaud also advocated the support of farmers/loggers during this period by complying with the relevant authorities whenever advisories are being issued in ensuring the safety of every individual.

More so, he noted that some $13.5 M has been allocated for the well-being of farmers in the Region.

The minister added that the process of getting the entire sector to understand and prepare for the fallouts caused by climate change on agriculture will have to be accelerated. “Nations such as ours must intensify lobbying of those responsible for the greatest contributions to global warming and climate change causing them to change their attitude. They must recognize that they have a moral obligation to help the countries that are affected most by global warming, countries like ours that lie below a rising sea level and with limited resources to defend ourselves against damages caused not by us but contributed by others with greater economic wealth,” Persaud said.

“We also in Guyana, are now confronted with and are experiencing an inconvenient reality,” the minister pointed out.

Chief Hydromeoteorological Officer (ag) Ms. Bhaleka Seulall noted that this year’s theme is by no means a casual occurrence referring to the year that has elapsed since the previous World Meteorological Day where a number of crucial events have occurred, all of which have strongly emphasised the vital and unprecedented relevance of global observations.

She added that the provision of weather, climate and water-related information is essential to support the socio-economic activities, such as agriculture, transport, mining, energy production, aviation and water resources management, all of which are crucial for the growth and development in any country.

Ms. Seulall also appealed to the Guyanese community to contribute a few minutes of their time so as to ensure that the Hydrometeorological Service can effectively expand the weather, climate and water database which will ultimately aid in improving weather predictions both locally and internationally.

“We should begin to act locally and think globally,” she acknowledged.

World Meteorological Day celebrates the convention of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) which was entered into force on March 23, 1950, a date that is celebrated annually by the meteorological community.

Joint meeting of security chiefs mulls regional response capacity
CARICOM Standing Committees of Commissioners of Police and Military Chiefs which met in Guyana from March 19 - 21, 2008, in an extraordinary joint session reviewed the current crime and security environment in the Region. As articulated in the opening remarks by Co-Chairs of the Meeting, Commissioner Trevor Paul and Brigadier Edmund Dillon, both of Trinidad and Tobago, as well as by Ms. Lynne Anne Williams, Executive Director of CARICOM’s Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the meeting was mandated by CARICOM Heads of Government at their 19th Inter-sessional Meeting held in The Bahamas from March 7 – 8, 2008, a release from the Guyana Police Force said.

It added that Heads of State requested that the Meeting identify critical national and regional anti-crime and security priorities, and brainstorm options for policing and security responses considered necessary to achieve a reduction in crime and violence in the immediate and short term, even as the Regional Crime and Security Strategy is updated for consideration at the political level. Among the general issues reviewed were the proliferation, trafficking and use of firearms and drugs; kidnapping, murders, gangs and maritime piracy. The outcomes of this meeting, including the possibility of introducing a regional response capacity and the enhanced use of technology to support law enforcement, will inform the Crime and Security discussions due to take place at the CARICOM Meeting of the Council of Ministers responsible for National Security and Law Enforcement, to be succeeded by the Special Summit on Regional Security, both scheduled to take place in Trinidad and Tobago in April, 2008.

In attendance were security chiefs from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Associated States of Anguilla and Bermuda. Delegates also included the Chairs of the CARICOM Standing Committee of Chiefs of Immigration and of the CARICOM Standing Committee of Comptrollers of Customs; the Chair of the Regional Information Technology Sub-Committee (RITC); Crime and Security Programme Coordinator of the CARICOM Secretariat; and Directors and other senior officers of the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS), the Joint Regional Communications Centre (JRCC), Regional Intelligence Fusion Centre (RIFC) and the Regional Security System (RSS).

The Commissioners of Police and Military Chiefs reiterated their pledge of full support to the local security chiefs in their current crime fighting efforts.

Guyana represented at Costa Rican forum for young agricultural leaders
TWO Guyanese, Dr Devon Dublin and Mr. Selwyn Anthony will represent this country at the First Forum for Young Leaders in Agriculture which gets underway today at the Costa Rican headquarters of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The March 24-29 forum will field 90 participants from 34 countries and among those expected to attend the opening ceremony are Minister of Agriculture of Costa Rica, Javier Flores Galataza; Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Guatemala, Mario Aldana; Ambassadors of member countries of IICA posted to Costa Rica, as well as the Ambassador of Spain in Costa Rica, an associate member of IICA, a release from IICA Representative in Guyana, Dr Ignatius Jean stated.

Guatemala is currently serving as the Chair of the Inter-American Board of Agriculture., a governing body of IICA.

The young leaders will during the forum be coursed in the areas of valued-based leadership, systemic thinking and the use of Agro-Matri tools and conflict resolution.

It is expected that at the end of the week, participants will have explored the various scenarios for the future of agricultural policy, production and trade.

The participants will also have reinforced their overall view of agriculture and rural life in the context of a globalised world, as well as sharing knowledge and experiences with their counterparts.

On the final day, the young leaders will seal their commitment to sustainable development and rural life in the hemisphere in what will be called the “2008 Declaration of Young Lin the Americas,” the release added.

Director General of IICA, Dr Cheston Brathwaite in explaining said that “Agriculture is and will continue to be crucial to our countries. The challenges they must face, however, are increasingly complex. The problems of the 21st Century are vastly and different from those in the previous century, and new tools are needed to face them, especially, leaders with an ability to act in situations in a constant flux.”

“Agriculture, today, is in no way limited to primary production. It has to do with poverty, climate change, trade, nutrition, trans-boundary disease control, food society… We need an entire generation of new leaders who are able to face the challenges that require multi-sectoral response,” he added.

Dr. Dublin is a veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture and a lecturer at the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), while Anthony is a former Farm Manager and lecturer at the GSA. He was also past president of the Guyana Forum for Youth in Agriculture and served too, as Vice-President of the Caribbean Agricultural Youth Forum (CAFY).

Guyana needs the spiritual qualities of Easter - President Jagdeo
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo, in his Easter message, has said that if ever the country and people needed the spiritual qualities of reconciliation and forgiveness associated with Easter, it is now, given the unsavory events of recent months.

“This has resulted in bitterness, rage, and anger among our people. But our people are standing together at a very difficult juncture in our history, and continue to withstand the temptations of our adversaries,” the President said, in obvious references to the recent massacres which claimed 23 innocent lives.

“For our nation to enjoy sustained peace and prosperity, these unwholesome trends must be reversed, restrained and restricted. What better time for this process to begin, than during this Easter season,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

He said however that the forgiveness and reconciliation that the Easter message brings, comes with a price, that price Christ was willing to pay.

“If the message of forgiveness is to become a reality in our nation, each and every individual must be willing to pay a price. Let’s give ourselves, our time, our energy to achieve this reconciliation and forgiveness,” the President stated.

The Head of Sate observed that though Guyana, in recent times, has been going through a challenging period, the commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is a time when many will lean on the hope of a Saviour who died for the salvation of mankind. 

“The message and meaning of the Easter celebration bring hope. It is a message of self-sacrifice that brought reconciliation and forgiveness for all mankind,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

He noted that for Christians, the story of the Easter celebration is the foundation of their faith which promises eternal life and represents the most important event on the Christian calendar. “The Easter festival demonstrates the power and love of Christ to remove all our sins forever, and to receive us back into his world.”

“Even as we join with Christians in unity to celebrate this important part of their faith, let’s remember that there are many lessons that we as a nation can embrace, even as we try to come to grips with some of the challenges of our nation,” the President urged.

He noted also that Easter is traditionally a time for family get-together.

“We must never underestimate and under value the importance of the family in the nation’s development as strong families symbolise strong communities, hence a strong nation. It is the family where respect for life and law is first instilled,” the President stated.

“And so on this Easter, let us make a commitment as a nation to continue to build strong family units. For not to do this, opens our nation to spiritual and moral decay. And Easter reminds us of the true path to follow.”

The message of Easter is that ultimately the people will triumph - PNCR
THE PNCR wishes to extend Easter greetings to all Guyanese of the Christian Faith and members of the Christian community throughout the world on the occasion of the celebration of one of the most important events in the Christian calendar.  The festival of Easter commemorates the death of Jesus Christ and the celebration of His Resurrection. This festival in its symbolic significance and secular relevance contains an important and powerful message.

In the judgement of the PNCR that message says to all Guyanese who have the future of this nation at heart that it does not matter what difficult conditions or circumstances the nation has to navigate, the people will ultimately triumph once they have enough faith in God and are inspired by a vision of the future through intelligent, courageous and God centred leadership. In other words the dream of a united and prosperous Guyana may appear on occasion to be crucified by the many problems the nation faces from time to time. However, that dream is always resurrected by the faith, energy, innovation and courage of the Guyanese people.

It only remains for the People’s National Congress Reform to wish each and every Guyanese, who celebrate this event regardless of religious persuasion or ethnic background, a joyous and fulfilling Easter.