rubber trees P

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM GPF, GDF conduct security assessment in Region 1

Members of the Joint Services meeting with the regional administration

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Thursday last conducted a security assessment in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Wiani).

The initiative was aimed at improving and repairing its image among the residents in that region. This came shortly after the allegations of rape were levelled

against five GDF ranks.

“The visit was and also to meet with the regional administration to assure that the Joint Services were thoroughly investigating the allegations of rape brought against military personnel in the past week,” the Police stated in a release to the media on Friday.

Both teams expressed concern about such and committed to rebuilding the image and public trust of the Joint Services across the region.

The Joint Services team was led by Colonel Skeete of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Assistant Commissioner of Police Operations, Clifton Hicken.

Members of the Joint Services

The team also met with the regional administration including Regional Chairman Brentnol Ashley, Vice-Chair Annasha Peters, Regional Executive Officer (REO) Tikaram Bisesar, and other members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC).

The members of the Joint Services also met with the Mabaruma Town Council.

During the meeting, the regional team raised the concerns of the issue of poor accommodations for the members of the Joint Services and noted that proper and adequate transportation is needed for both land and water for the effective combating of crime and other duties.

The issue of timely payment of contracted suppliers of the Joint Services was also raised.

The Joint Services team also reiterated that the members of the Joint Services who are serving in the region must and will be proactive while approaching their duties with a high level of professionalism.

A commitment was also given for the serving members to continue collaborations with the regional administration on various projects and activities that the administration may propose. These assurances were met with the regional administration team’s pledge of support to the Joint Services’ members serving in the region.

Talks of continued collaboration to ensure highly maintained security to the region were also explored.

After the meeting, the Joint Services team visited several areas including Morawhanna, Shell Beach, Imbotero and the Mabaruma Police Station where they briefed ranks on what was expected of them while serving in the region and urged them to continue to work together as a team to fulfil the mandate of securing the region and the country’s frontier. The Mabaruma Town Council is awaiting a report from experts at the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) on whether the century-old rubber trees that line Philbert Pierre Avenue in its township are a threat to citizens.

This is according to Mayor Chris Phang, who told Guyana Times that the Town Council and Regional Administration are presently engaging the Public Works Ministry and the GFC on the way forward.

The trees were scheduled to be removed on January 27, 2021, to facilitate a road project which started under the previous APNU/AFC

Government.

However, following mounting public outcry, Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall intervened and ordered that the cutting down of the trees must be halted until another consultation is held.

Minister Dharamlall also instructed the Mayor and Town Council and Regional Chairman to publicise the

Mabaruma Town Council awaits expert advice on cutting down of century-old rubber trees

findings of the previous consultation report and to engage the Public Works Ministry to have the engineers come up with a solution to have the road constructed with the trees intact.

Mayor Phang, however, explained that another consultation on the cutting down of the trees is likely to be held in the coming week among stakeholders including residents from the town.

He is hoping that the report from the GFC will be completed and dispatched to the Town Council as soon as possible since it would assist in the consultations.

According to Mayor

The century-old rubber trees that line Philbert Pierre Avenue, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini)

Phang, a similar consultation was held under the previous APNU/AFC Government and the majority of persons voted in favour of having the trees removed. He further explained that persons residing in Mabaruma are aware that the trees have outlived their time.

He explained that branches are falling from the trees which pose a threat

Mabaruma Mayor Chris Phang

to citizens as the trees are located on the main access road, next to public offices. He recalled an incident in which one of the branches fell into the churchyard, but fortunately, no one was injured.

Reports are that the road project has already commenced but has not yet reached Philbert Pierre Avenue.

Despite protests from residents, the Mabaruma Mayor and Town Council had informed road users that the tree cutting exercise would begin on the morning of Wednesday, January 27, 2021, and end around 14:00h.

This led to an online petition urging the township’s Mayor and Town Council to reconsider what was described as a “poor decision” of having the trees removed. The original petitioner stated that the trees are iconic and meaningful to Guyanese everywhere, as well as foreign visitors.

As such, calls were made to the relevant authorities for the trees to be preserved. The petitioners have insisted that there is another route to facilitate the desired road expansion without cutting down these trees.

GPF teams up with businesses to construct home for Linden family

The Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Police Division along with several stakeholders have come together to construct a home for a Linden single mother of two.

Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter said the initiative which is in the initial stage was birthed after Police conducted a community outreach programme at Prosville, Wismar, where they learned of the woman’s plight.

Ranks from the Police Division, with the assistance of businesses and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), pooled their resources and started to construct the two-bedroom concrete home.

“The ranks brought it to our attention. Then we decided that we’re going to do it. When we visited the site, she indicated to us that she

The foundation is set and blocks are being laid

doesn’t have any outside bathroom, any outside toilet, no bathroom to bathe. It was just something put up with couple blocks around, no windows. You know, the condition wasn’t nice,” the Regional Commander said.

He explained that based on a needs assessments, the group donated a mattress to the single mother after which, the focus was placed on erecting the home. With the Linden businesses coming forward to donate materials, construction workers and contractors have volunteered free services in the humanitarian drive. The Police have also contacted the Linden Electricity Company Inc to have electricity supplied to the home once completed. In addition, a plumber is on board with the initiative. The construction is expected to be completed in three weeks.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM Teixeira calls for elimination of racism at UN ECOSOC Special Meeting

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira decried the fact that too often ethnic insecurities, real or perceived, and race are used opportunistically in the political arena to deliberately manipulate issues in a manner that promotes and fans sentiments of fear, tensions and racial feelings.

This was her message to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) which was held under the theme “Reimagining Equality: Eliminating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination for all in the Decade of Action for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)”.

“Despite some advances made over decades of struggles, racism, racial discrimination, ethic insecurities continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people of all regions around the world. These inequalities are evident in the levels of disproportional poverty rates among different ethnic groups, unequal access to power, justice, education, health, social services, jobs and promotions.

“In Guyana, we speak proudly of being a nation of many peoples and celebrate our diversity. In fact, our people seamlessly participate in each other’s religious and cultural festivals and traditions. In many ways, we have the potential to be a wonderful example in the world.

“…unfortunately, too often ethnic insecurities, real or perceived, and race are used opportunistically and expediently in the political arena…social media, whilst a powerful tool to inform the people, has been added to artisanal of those who want to exploit ethnic insecurities and racial discrimination,” Teixeira noted.

She stressed that it is only with collective will and commitment that the scourge of racism can be eradicated so that our world could move closer to the achievements of SDGs. “The Government of Guyana will continue to do its part,” the Minister assured.

The Minister assured the meeting that “…efforts will continue to be made nationally to prohibit all forms of racism, racial discrimination and to address ethnic insecurities by fighting poverty and marginalisation and ensuring that there is inclusive development with equal access and sharing in Guyana’s wealth.”

The meeting was informed of President Dr Irfaan Ali’s “One Guyana Commission”, which was announced during his address to Parliament on February 12, 2021.

“The work of the Commission would be countrywide, and it would listen to the free expressions of all voices, concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour their ancestral heritage while giving the highest regard to our uniquely blended Guyanese civilisation,” the President had stated.

Teixeira said, “In addition, to strengthening Guyana’s Ethnic Relations Commission, one of four constitutional rights bodies, the establishment of the One Guyana Commission will commence an innovative measure towards building trust and confidence and removing the divisions caused by race and politics.

She pointed out that a day later the President initiated a “Corridor of Unity” between villages comprised of different ethnic groups along one part of the country, which has historically suffered over the decades with ethnic tensions, insecurities and violence.

She concluded that the UN ECOSOC Special Meeting was a timely reminder that the SDGs and the overarching objectives of eradicating poverty, protecting our planet and building a peaceful world cannot be achieved without confronting all forms of inequality.

“This year, 2021, is a very significant year as we begin the decade of action for accelerating efforts towards achieving the sustainable goals in the midst of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on every nation of the world,” the Minister stressed.

The ECOSOC Special Meeting was intended to address the links between structural racism, inequalities and the SDGs. The Council focused on policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts. It is also expected to contribute to the thematic reviews by the UN’s Highlevel Political Forum of SDG10 on reducing inequalities and SDG16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira

Labour Minister urges adherence to labour laws

– says Govt will not allow employees to suffer

Guyana is open for business and welcomes foreign investments but there should be an amicable labour relationship between employers and employees and all businesses must adhere to the nation’s labour laws.

This was the message of Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton on Sunday during a one-day seminar hosted for Chinese entrepreneurs, at the Chinese Association building, Brickdam, Georgetown.

The Minister stated that he is aware that businesses will work to make good returns on their investments, but the Government will not allow the law to be disregarded in the process.

Minister Hamilton noted that the PPP/C Government will not sit idly by and allow employees to suffer at the hands of their managers. To this end, the Ministry has been able to increase labour officers from 16 to 26 and these officials will be assigned to every region.

“Because when you have a difficulty

at any workplace, in my view, it helps no one. First, there is downtime of business, that means the businessman suffers, the employees suffer because they might not be earning during the period and generally, the economy suffers based on the type of business that is involved,” the Minister told members of the Association.

He pointed out that the Ministry will no longer be the “death announcement bureau” which means it is taking a stern approach on health and safety in workplaces — an issue the Minister has made a priority since taking up the

Labour Minister Joseph Hamilton at the seminar on Sunday

portfolio in August 2020.

Therefore, the Ministry is also increasing the complement of staff from nine to 30. These officers responsible for ensuring health and safety in the

Members of the Chinese Association of Guyana

workplaces will also be dispatched to all regions. Region Four, however, will be sub-divided into Georgetown, East Coast and East Bank.

“The officers will be interfacing with employers to ensure that workers work in a safe space and that they go back to their families in one piece when the afternoons come.”

Minister Hamilton related that he is also willing to lend support to the Chinese business community through a range of services offered by the Ministry of Labour. One such area, he said, is the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency.

This Department was established in 1944, tasked with registering applicants for employment, taking note of their qualifications, experiences, and desires with the objective of placing them in suitable employment while providing career guidance and counselling.

Further, the Labour Minister underscored the effective function of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), saying that persons are being trained with various technical skills and can become an asset to establishments.

“Last year we trained 2000 persons and this year we hope to train 3500 persons. BIT is the premier institution in Guyana by the law to work along with companies to place apprentices. So, I say to you, business people, this might be a good facility to utilise, where you bring young Guyanese into your operations at our expense.

Because when the apprentices are functioning in your company, they are paid a stipend via BIT and therefore you can have an employee or employees becoming a part of your company that we are paying for you to train,” the Minister added.

He noted that the Ministry is reviewing the labour laws to make the fines more punitive to ensure full adherence. Following Minister Hamilton’s remarks, presentations were conducted on child labour, the Termination of Employment and Severance Pay Act, and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. This segment was facilitated by officers from the Ministry.

Khan Hill in Region 1 soon to get improved access to potable water – Min Croal

– other wells to be drilled within Region 1

Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during the outreach in Mabaruma over the weekend

Residents of Khan Hill in Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), will soon benefit from improved access to potable water through the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

This was according to Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal, who stated that the project is already catered for in the 2021 national budget.

“Many of the communities along the way, all the way down to Yarakita will be benefitting from increased water supply,” Minister Croal told residents in Mabaruma during an outreach in that region over the weekend.

The water well at Khan Hill will form part of a series of wells to be drilled within the region using a new rig procured by GWI.

These works will be supported by an electrometer system that is currently being installed to enhance water distribution.

“By April, the [Mabaruma] compound, the Barabina, the Wanaina, all of those systems right through up to Wanaina will be interconnected on the same level. So, whatever you are getting as Hosororo, you will get here too.”

Additionally, a number of households at Chan-ASue junction and a number of other areas will gain access to GWI’s grid. Plans are also in the pipeline to further extend the system, but this will be limited to water capacity.

In relation to housing, the Minister stated that his Ministry intends to pursue legal avenues through the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) to allocate lots to residents.

Following a series of inspections led by Croal, GWI had upgraded the water trestle in the Mabaruma compound so that public buildings can have access to increased pressure.

The previous tank within the compound was replaced with four new tanks as part of that project.

Under the 2020 Emergency Budget, $130 million was invested in hinterland water service expansion and management.

Croal’s contributions at the community discussion was part of a wider set of engagements in the region, led by Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall.