President stresses need for more young entrepreneurs
- Notes National Service lacked entrepreneurial component
August 9, 2005
Discipline it definitely offered, but fostering of entrepreneurial skills among young people, it lacked. This is the analysis of the Guyana National Service (GNS) President Bharrat Jagdeo gave in response to criticisms of his Administration for dissolving the GNS.
At a community meeting at Den Amstel, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) last weekend, President Jagdeo said people continue to question why the GNS does not exist any longer.
“I think we need to get more of our young people into business, not only to get them into a military-type training organisation. We need to give them entrepreneurial skills. Let them become the businessmen of the future," he said.
The GNS was established by the previous Administration. However. The present Government has dissolved the paramilitary institution that was compulsory for young people, replacing it with numerous training programmes for youths that are optional. Some of these are the President's Youth Award, of which the patron is President Jagdeo and the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Andrew is the founder, and the President's Youth Choice Initiative that President Jagdeo launched in 2001. Additionally there is the Young Entrepreneurial Skills Training programme, executed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
"If you put them back into the National Service, the focus tends to be more marching and walking etc. I want them to learn to read a balance sheet or how to manage money or learn some skill," he said. It is with this in mind that the President on June 20 last launched a $350M National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment, which will teach 5,200 youths various skills starting next month.
President Jagdeo urged more young people to work at being self-employed, adding that a career in the Public Service does not provide that opportunity. While, it is good to serve one’s country, the President recognized that it is not that the Public Service does not offer the most lucrative job, as most Public Servants have resigned to living average lives.
"Unfortunately for a long time in the past we only pushed our children to work with Government and go in the Army and Police etc. we still need to do some of that, but we need to get some of them to become businessmen. There is nothing wrong with getting rich if you work hard for it. And you are honest and you invest your time and resources,” President Jagdeo said.
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Sea defence works to begin shortly at Den Amstel/Blankenburg
H.E Bharrat Jagdeo, NDC Chairman George Nedd and residents of Den Amstel at the look at sea defence during the President's visit to the village. (GINA/Ameer Khan photo)
August 9, 2005
Works to repair minor damage to the existing sea defence along Den Amstel/Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) will begin shortly.
 This was told to President Bharrat Jagdeo on Saturday last when he took a first-hand look at the deterioration of the existing sea wall.
Regional Chairman Esau Dookie said that the contract has already been awarded and the works are expected to start by next week.
However, there is no serious threat to life or property by the existing- structure, the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Chairman George Nedd said. He explained that the contractor is mobilizing the equipment and materials to begin the works.
The damage is not extensive, but it was recommended that the repairs be done during the dry season, even though the breakage was identified during the January/February flood.
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Den Amstel dairy project progressing well - Residents tell President Jagdeo during visit
August 9, 2005
The dairy project started by the Government of Guyana for farmers of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) and neighboring communities has been progressing satisfactorily.
This feedback was given to President Bharrat Jagdeo by residents when he visited Den Amstel on August 6. The President was on hand to visit the building that houses the barn for feed and bran sale.
"We started with selling 25 (bags) of wheat and 10 (bags) of bran just after the flood and now we are at 40 wheat and 20 bran. We are trying very hard to expand, but it takes time,” one resident said.
The dairy project building was constructed under the Poor Rural Communities Support Service Project (PRCSSP), which is an executing agency for Government projects. The funding comes from the Government of Guyana, the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The Dairy Centre is located at the end of the Clay Brick Road. Den Amstel and serves neighbouring Hague, Fellowship and Blankenburg as well.
Residents requested that the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) repair the access road to the dairy bond, as the farmers have been, through self-help, erecting a fence and gates.
Chairman of the NDC, George Nedd said the Council will ensure it is done.
“It is a one-day exercise, providing that we get the weather. But the Council will get it done,” he said.
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