| … Hope/Dochfour Canal debateGovernment on Wednesday blasted the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) over its call to suspend the Hope/Dochfour canal project and said that body does not really care about farmers.The critics of the $3B project live in Georgetown in their “fancy houses” and are obviously suffering from a disconnect over the plight of farmers who suffer every year from flooding.The comments were made by Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, to several farmers of Little Biaboo, Mahaica River,NFL Jerseys China, during a training session on the use of agriculture chemicals.Earlier this week, GHRA called for the project to be suspended until more consultations and described the project as a “short-sighted investment”.According to Persaud, GHRA’s stance has “pained” government and it is now clear that the body does not really care about the rights and welfare of farmers.“As far as they are concerned,Wholesale Jerseys, you can be flooded out forever.”On the actual project, the Minister was convinced that there can be no criticisms of it since in addition to a consortium of local experts, there were technical officials from England and the World Bank with the technical review even being extended from six to fourteen months to ensure that all critical concerns were covered.With regards to the cost of the project, the Minister pointed out that it was the best option and does not involve money being borrowed but rather an investment to find a long-term solution to the flooding that has been affecting farmers on the East Coast of Demerara year after year.Additionally, government is actually doing a major part of the infrastructural works,Air Force 270 Australia, and has purchased 14 excavators. An estimated $600M will be saved from cost because of this initiative, the Minister pointed out.Official estimates are that every year 10 per cent of the country’s GDP is lost to flooding.According to the Minister, a flooding in the MMA-ADA area for one crop alone would see losses equivalent to the cost of the project.The PPP administration is therefore making no apologies for the project which is but an investment in farmers and by extension, the entire country.“They don’t come here when you are flooded, when we have to find ways to supply farmers with planting materials, to move equipment and to work with farmers. They sit in their fancy offices and say that you the farmers don’t deserve it.”Persaud was also critical of the negativity surrounding projects that are designed to improve the lives of Guyanese—projects like the Berbice Bridge; the Berbice Campus, the Linden Hospital, the Guyana National Stadium and now even the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.The relief canal is being mooted as a means to drain excess waters from the East Demerara Water Conservancy. In the past, Mahaica and East Coast Demerara residents suffered heavy flooding as excess waters were released into the Mahaica River, among other areas.Several farmers turned up for the event hosted by the Pesticide and Toxic Chemicals Control Board,Wholesale Hockey Jerseys Online, an arm of the Ministry, on Thursday. The event was part of the activities for Agriculture Month 2010.It was pointed out that while there are 700 types of chemicals being used in farming,Cheap Jerseys, 200 of them are being considered dangerous and improper use could have serious health implications.According to Persaud, overseas buyers have established stringent standards to ensure that foods are safe and Guyana must ensure that it is aware what chemicals are being used.The building of a $500M pesticide facility is crucial to food export and without it Guyana can “kiss” its food exports’ intentions goodbye, he warned.Last year, 1,400 farmers were trained. This year,jerseys from china, the intention is to train 2,300.It is estimated that Guyana imports $10B in chemical annually.Farmers at the event were given a demonstration of how using chemicals with the safety gears and clothing can impact. |
