Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy on Friday challenged the participants of the Pest Control Operators (PCO) Basic Proficiency Course to make changes in the pest control industry, saying it has been operating in the past for far too long.
Addressing the PCO at their Graduation and Certification Ceremony in the ministry’s boardroom, Regent Street, Ramsammy said that all persons involved in pest control must be trained and certified and to this end the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB) had launched a manual, from which the PCO Course curriculum was derived.
PTCCB Chairman Dr Leslie Munroe said the course ensures the participant gains the basic knowledge and training about handling chemicals and controlling pests effectively. To ensure that the entire PCO population is aware, the plan is to make the course an annual one.
He added that anyone entering the pest control business must be literate to some extent. As a result, he requested all PCO to have some job requirements before they employ their staff so that the prospective candidates will be able to read and understand the labels of the chemicals they are using.
Minister Ramsammy told the participants that the Ministry of Agriculture and the Government of Guyana are not trying to follow other countries by ensuring that every pest control company is certified but it is to ensure that the operators have the basic knowledge of the chemicals they are using so that they will be able to advise their clients.
He said, “No pesticide can be used in Guyana unless it is registered and there is a registrar that keeps records of permissible pesticides used in Guyana.”
Pest control companies participating in the course included Rentokil Initial, Pestex, Ridopest, Pest Control Plus and Terminex amongst others. The best graduating students were Davendra Bailey from Ridopest and Davon Budram from Pestex.
