President meets with religious Leaders

-discusses global food crisis, Guyana’s initiatives

Georgetown, GINA, May 12, 2008

Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo today met with Leaders and representatives of religious groups throughout the country at the Office of the President to discuss the role they can play in dealing with the food crisis being experienced around the world and how they can assist in Government’s agriculture drive.

            Following the meeting, religious Leaders explained that the President had sensitized them to the situation around the world and noted that Guyana has been trying to deal with it in its own way which was working well so far. He urged the Leaders not to panic as the country is well equipped to deal with the crisis provided that Leaders of communities and organisations act responsibly and assist communities through sensitization measures as well as encouraging them to grow more food. He also urged that they encourage persons to ‘go back to the land’ and try their best to avoid wastage.

            Some Leaders noted that the meeting was very fruitful and expressed their   willingness to assist in the situation. They also commended the President for his work and sharing his knowledge of the various worldwide issues especially as they relate to the global food crisis and how the world has to respond.

            President Jagdeo and his administration have been urging Guyanese to grow more food with Guyana and the rest of the world faced with high food prices and a rising cost of living resulting from rising fuel prices and other factors.   

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