June 16, 2016

6/16/2016

Superfoods clarifies Guyana Times article by Food and Drug, Marlon Cole - PAGE 3

Man who threatened Jagdeo fined $75,000

-PAGE 2

Marlon Cole

Enmore Martyr's Day Observed -PAGE 4

W.H.O. Says Olympics Should Go Ahead in Brazil Despite Zika Virus PAGE 9

- Page 2

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

Man who threatened Jagdeo fined $75,000 The woman was charged for attempting to excite hostility on the grounds of race contrary to Section 2 (1) (C) of the Racial Hostility Act, Chapter 23:01 of the Criminal Offences Act. Her Facebook post stated: “Granger want a bullet in head…I am out of a job now because of them.

FormerPresident Dr. Bharrat

S

elf-professed political activist Tameshwar Beekham, who publicly threatened to kill three executive members and supporters of the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP), including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo fined $75,000 on Thursday by Chief Magistrate Ann McLenna.

39-year old Beekham of Crabwood Creek made the death threats via Facebook late last month. He pleaded guilty to the charge and paid a fine of $75,000 as opposed to serving six months imprisonment. Beekham apologized for his actions and told the magistrate "I was not strong enough to take the comments made by supporters of the PPP".

Prosecutor Denior Jones, Beekham told the court that the man is a “selfprofessed political activist” who, during the month of May used his cell phone to make comments on Facebook to murder members and supporters of the PPP. The executive members were Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, former President Donald Ramotar, and the party’s

Beekham General Secretary, Clement Rohee.

The court was also told that a psychiatric evaluation was also done

by Dr. Bhiro Harry and the man was found to be of sound mind.

A self-professed APNU/AFC supporter, Beekham took to his Facebook page and ranted over the idealisation of the APNU/AFC Government’s accomplishments and vision of former President Forbes Burnham.

It was there that he openly stated his intention to target Freedom House – the headquarters of the PPP - and “murder” the Opposition Leader and other members of the party. He was subsequently arrested by police detained at the Springlands Police Station following Police searches in the area.

On the other hand however, 52-yearold Bibi Safaoora Salim who allegedly posted racially-inciting social media comments about African-Guyanese, and what appeared to be threats to President Granger was charged after she appeared in court earlier this month.

- Page3

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

Superfoods clarifies Guyana Times article by Food and Drug Marlon Cole

W

ith reference to the Guyana Times online article dated June 15, 2016, which highlighted the refuted claims by Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Marlon Cole from Superfood’s boss, the following seeks to clarify the misinformation therein: The above article was intended to mislead the general public of the facts surrounding the matter at hand. Since December 2015 a container imported by the businessman (Superfoods) has been refused entry due to a number of unjustified claims. In the article Mr. Cole stated that even though the container reached on the above date, he received the customs entry for same until February 2016. Meanwhile; he held the documents in his possession refusing to process same for months. This newspaper was dumbfounded as to why the required amount of processes and the lengthy amount of time to be completed.

source that spoke to this newspaper, that Cole made the statements with vengeance to get back at the female staff, enlightening a true display of his character.

The “forged signature” of the Director of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department is solely an internal administrative problem, which requires an investigation on their part before making an imprudent claim. This has hindered the businessman from obtaining his goods, for which he has already paid 1.5 million dollars in customs duty on, in addition to the cost of the goods and shipping, notwithstanding; these products have already become close dated due to the procrastination by Marlon Cole and will expire in four months, causing significant losses to the business.

The article also stated that the staff which intercepted the document from customs, was in collusion with the businessman, however; these claims are entirely untrue and by making them Mr. Cole has proved himself to be a farse.

Several other businessmen have also complained to the Guyana Daily News about the unfair treatment they have received from Marlon Cole and his interference into their businesses. Some have even reported that Cole has gone to the extremity to make unwarranted threats to bring their businesses to a closure, despite their full cooperation with the Department.

Sources told this newspaper that the female staff, which Cole claims to have intercepted the documents, allegedly had an affair with him, which supposedly ended unpleasant. Due to the dramatic end to the affair with Cole, it is the belief of the

Cole over the last couple of days has proven himself to be erratic and disrespectful, from his lack of regards for the authority above him such as Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, as well as subordinates. In a recent article

published in the Kaieteur News, Minister Norton stated that a sexual harassment complaint was made against Cole, who didn’t have the common decency to report to him to address the complaint. In the same publication, his attitude was referred to by the Minister as unrepentant and that he is of thought of being above the law.

Following his failures to respond to the Minister and several other complaints lodged against him, he was sent on Administrative Leave and is now trying to use his futile claims to tarnish the names of other people around him including reputable businesses.

Marlon Cole

- Page 4

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

Enmore Martyr's Day Observed Today marks an auspicious day in Guyana as we celebrate the 68th Anniversary of our Enmore Martyrs. We reflect on the lives of five hardworking men, who were willing to push the boundaries for better working conditions and the right to be recognized as more than just sugar workers.

recognized union at the time, the Manpower’s Citizens Association (MPCA). Disregarding MPCA the workers opted to throw their unwavering support behind the Guyana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), a union that was at the point non-recognizable by the Sugar Producers Association (SPA).

The Martyrs Lallabaggie Kisson, Pooran, Dookhie, Rambarran and Harry, were only five of the multitude of people who raised up against the management at the sugar factories and the overheads of British Guiana, in the year 1948. On April 22nd that faithful year, the Martyrs along with their workmates staged a protest in demand, that things be changed in the way the sugar factories were being run and the workload they were to being pressured into doing.

Despite knowing that the workers were rejecting them, the MPCA opted to respond to the workers and meet with the SPA to negotiate working condition and the workload carried by the workers. Upon coming to a decision the worker still rejected the new conditions on the grounds that they were still convinced, that the MPCA was not taking making the workers best interest a priority.

Sugar workers at the time were enraged as they wanted to be fairly represented by a union that looked out for the best interest of the workers instead of the interest of themselves. At that point in time the workers felt that were deceitfully being represented by the only

On June 16, 1948, the workers were overwhelmed with annoyance as they proceeded to attack the guarded and fenced compound of the Enmore Factory. In an attempt to hold back the crowd of over five hundred, the police fired shots leading to the deaths of our five Martyrs and leaving fourteen of the fellow protestors wounded.

Growing up and going to school in Guyana, we are thought to respect the ive Enmore Martyrs, Lallabaggie Kisson, Pooran, Dookhie, Rambarran FORECAST

and Harry who stood up against injustice and fought for what they believed in. On June 16, 1977, a monument was erected in their honour and labelled The Enmore Martyrs Monument. Today we live in a similar world where sugar factories are being shut down and workers are left without jobs, but as we look at the monument and wreaths that will be laid around it, we see that we have come a long way from rioting and protesting for betterment and that we can stand on the memories of those who did and see the brighter future.

- Page 5

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc. conducts coffee tasting exercise at Agriculture Ministry -as new Agro processing company expresses its confidence in Guyana’s economy

T

he Ministry of Agriculture with the aim of pushing agro processing and diversification in Guyana today facilitated Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc. coffee tasting exercise in the compound of the Ministry of Agriculture. The activity saw a number of persons sampling the premium grade coffee made locally in Guyana.

Since its inception, Amy’s Pomeroon Food Inc. has been supplying the regional and international market with the local bend of ground coffee.

Chief Executive Officer, Amy’s Pomeroon Foods Inc., Mr. Louis

Holder lauded the move by Government in affording the development of small and medium enterprises in Guyana. “Gone are the days when small and medium businesses are left behind…today, we are able to tap into regional and international markets to better position our country to be a leading export once again,” Mr. Holder said.

The coffee currently being produced is a premium grade which goes through a five step process to ensure it is brewed to perfection. The bean used to

produce the coffee is grown locally by Pomeroon farmers.

Amy’s Pomeroon Coffee comes in two sizes; 500g and 250g and is distributed by Banks DIH Ltd and can be found in all major supermarkets across Guyana.

US University partners with NAREI, UG to bolster sweet potato production

S

weet potato production in Guyana will be enhanced thanks to collaboration between the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB), Partners of America (Local Chapter), the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the University of Guyana. A two-member team from UAPB comprising Dr. James Garner, Sweet Potato Specialist, and Dr. Edmund Buckner, Dean of School of Agriculture, recently visited important activity and pledged the Guyana to initiate the project Ministry’s full support for the project. The implementation activities. project duration is five years.

They met with Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder and other key stakeholders including Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth. Minister Holder expressed his gratitude to the UAPB team for selecting Guyana to be part of this

The project, which is being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), will focus on improving seed quality in order to boost production and yields. Emphasizes will be placed on the

development of superior sweet potato lines as measured by horticultural quality, reduced virus infection and increased yield and soil pest resistance.

Additionally, two local scientists would be trained in the areas of micro-propagation and biotech procedures needed to establish a virus tested sweet potato foundation seed programme. The successful implementation of this project will add to NAREI’s efforts in advancing sweet potato production.

NAREI is currently conducting sweet potato trails at Mon Repos and Parika. The aim of the trails is to determine whether the use of sprinkler irrigation would increase yields.

Further, NAREI is also engaged in the multiplication of different varieties of sweet potatoes. (GINA)

- Page 6

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

Technical education touted as means to address unemployment hief Education Officer (CEO) at the Ministry of Education, Olato Sam says the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) is under-utilised at a time when there is high unemployment.

C

and expanding industry in Guyana demands technical skills yet; the young able-bodied citizens who should be acquiring skills in relation to what we offer are “recognizably absent.”

He was speaking at the opening of a new training programme and workshop at the Institute.

The Chief Education Officer called for a range of options for females, particularly in non-traditional areas of pursuit in an effort to encourage students to embrace TVET. He also called for the upgrading of the training offered beyond traditional methods and infusion of new technologies, modern approaches and state of the art equipment to usher in a new TVET age.

“If we are to be honest the reality is that LTI as a community institution is significantly under utilised. This is highly ironic since, many lament the high degree of unemployment in various communities and the absences of job creation options,” Sam pointed out.

He told the gathering that Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) has to be embraced as one of the more obvious and immediate avenues for job creation.

“Scores of unemployed, untrained and uncertified youths need to be enlightened about the tremendous potential that exists in this realm, in fact I would venture to say that the economic viability of this community depends on the extent to which we utilise this resource and others like it to effectively prepare our youths to take advantage of opportunities that would ultimately present themselves,” Sam said.

The Chief Education Officer noted that the country’s recent history must serve as a key motivator, where employment opportunities were taken up by foreigners due to the lack of adequate training and certification of the local workforce.

Sam pointed out that virtually every new

“Courses in robotics and other cutting edge approaches are necessary if we are to capture the mind of our young people and to prepare them readily for emerging industries,” Sam said.

He said that the opening of the new training programme and workshop at LTI is “a step in the right direction,” but to exploit those opportunities and venture into other spheres, “our workforce must have the perquisite foundation, and too many of them are absent from institutions.”

He observed that an adequately trained population is better able to exploit emerging opportunities, is more receptive to further training, can adapt to changes in the workforce and will contribute to the economic sustainability of the local communities.

“A clarion call must go out, the message must go out, far and wide, that we are literally squandering opportunities to transfer our economic and social realities,” Sam said. He said that the

leaders of Linden and other communities across the country must come to grip with this great anomaly and work assiduously to correct it.

“Significantly, a large amount of our youths must transition directly from our secondary institutions into LTI and similar institutions …it will not happen because we wish it, it must be overtly caused to happen,” he stressed.

- Page 7

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

Education is a right not a privilege- Minister Allicock

M

inister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock handing over the certificate to a student of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme Georgetown, GINA, June 16, 2016 Last evening, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme saw its largest batch of students graduating at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara. A total of eighty- five students from Regions One, Two, Four, Six, Nine and Ten graduated from secondary schools on the coastland while two graduated from technical institutes.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs and 4th Vice President, Sydney Allicock, delivering the feature address, noted that he is happy that the students had the opportunity to strengthen their foundation in education. “Education is not a privilege, it is a right. The enjoyment that helps in big way to prepare you for the role you must play in nation building,” he told the students.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock handing over the certificate to a student of the Hinterland Scholarship Programme The Minister pointed out that not every student will perform on the same level, but highlighted that it is their individual efforts to the cause of development that matters. “You are now responsible for doing your part in determining the destiny of our country,” he said.

Noting that the graduands will choose

different paths as they leave high school, Allicock advised that they be, “ever committed to the cause of lifting the quality of life of our hinterland people and of all Guyanese.” The Minister urged the students that on their journey ahead they must not forget where they came from. “Know and value your identity, resist the lure of abandoning your heritage, yours is as rich and as important as any other in the world… get close to your culture and customs,” Minister Allicock urged.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme has been the birthplace of many highly trained professionals. The minister is hoping that the batch of graduate students will have their accomplishments added to the list of success stories.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock with the graduting students of the 2016 batch of Hinterland Scholarship Programme The Hinterland Scholarship Programme, formerly known as the Amerindian Scholarship Programme was introduced in 1962. The name was changed to cater for the children of mixed parentage or nonAmerindians living and working in the hinterland.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme provides academic opportunities at both the secondary and tertiary levels, and promotes the integration of hinterland students into the wider Guyanese society.

It also affords them the opportunity to benefit from quality secondary and technical education, not accessible in their communities. This programme is

supported by the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and provides students with a monthly stipend, school necessities, accommodation and meals.

- Page 8

GUYANA DAILY NEWS

6/16/2016

“Building Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood” -Experts join to finalize Work Plan for DRR/DRM in Guyana’s Agriculture Sector

W

ith the aim of building resilience and sustainable livelihood through mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management/ Disaster Risk Reduction in Guyana’s agriculture sector, representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) and the Ministry of Agriculture today met to finalize the Project Implementation Work plan for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) /Disaster Risk Management (DRM) in Guyana.

The workshop was held at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Office and saw persons from a wide crosssection of society in participation.

In February 2016, the Government of Japan approved a USD 299,855 fund in support of building resilience and sustainable livelihood, to be implemented by the UNDP in coordination with the FAO and the other key stake holders in the sector. The project was built of the momentum of past and ongoing UNDP and FAO projects and initiatives in the field of Disaster Risk Management (DRM).

While delivering her welcoming remarks Ms. Shabnam Mallick, the Resident Representative for the UNDP, stated that agriculture is the most disaster sensitive sector and it is heavily dependent on improvement phenomena for DRR and DRM. “Guyana is extremely susceptible to hydro disasters and with this several United Nations agencies have been playing a major role in coordinating disaster risk management initiatives as there is a vital need to strengthen disaster risk management in Guyana.” Ms. Mallick stated.

Historically, Guyana’s agriculture sector plays an important role in Guyana’s economy and accounts for approximately 25 percent of our national Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

and provides more than 33 percent of direct employment.

While delivering the feature address, Agriculture Minister Hon. Noel Holder acknowledged the significance of the occasion, adding that the agricultural sector plays a significant role in the fight against poverty and food and nutrition insecurity, among other factors.

“Since the implementation of the Disaster Risk Management Plan, the Ministry has witnessed several achievements within the area of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management through the success of various activities… We have been also able to spearhead the development of documents and implementation of initiatives which have benefitted stakeholders across the sector,” he said.

Among the areas of development included the development of a detailed Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Emergency Response Plan for Guyana, with associated training for major chemical importers and vendors; addressing gaps in existing livelihood baseline data; investing in Disaster Risk Reduction for Resilience through various initiatives, including communication of information on building designs to farmers in vulnerable areas, so as to minimize negative impacts; building of a chemical storage facility and the establishment of agrometeorological stations across Guyana.

Recognizing the need for mainstreaming, Minister Holder lauded the continued effort of the development agencies in Guyana’s quest to have a functional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management plan in place giving the topography of its coast being below sea level.

Meanwhile, FAO’s Country Representative to Guyana Mr. Reuben Robertson alluded to the fact that the FAO has been instrumental

in affording strong partnerships, especially at the level of disaster risk reduction in Guyana which continues to proven feasible.

Expounding on the importance of the forum, Mr. Robertson pointed to the fact that improved decision-making and coordination is necessary if Guyana is to respond to disaster at the regional level.

The importance of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management were also underscored by Director General of the Civil Defence Commission Col. Chabilall Ramsarup and Agricultural Diversification Specialist within the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Jean David who delivered presentation on the way forward for Guyana using a more collaborative approach.

At the end of the day’s proceedings, the participants were expected to give inputs through suggestions and recommendation on the way forward, with the aim of ensuring a successful Project Implementation Work plan which can garner the support of all key players in the industry.

The forum was held under the theme, ““Building Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood” and looked at ways to strengthen capacities and operating frameworks within the agriculture sector to prevent and mitigate the impacts of disasters, while promoting efficient and effective restoration of livelihoods through a well-coordinated mechanism.

PAGE 9

W.H.O. Says Olympics Should Go Ahead in Brazil Despite Zika Virus

T

he Olympic Games should go on as planned, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, and athletes and spectators, except for pregnant women, should not hesitate to attend so long as they take precautions against infection with the Zika virus.

Pregnant women were advised not to go to Brazil for the event or theParalympics.

The W.H.O. previously told them to avoid any area where Zika is circulating.

Some attendees may contract the mosquito-borne infection and even bring it back home, but the risk in August — midwinter in Rio de Janeiro — is relatively low, W.H.O. officials said.

Travel related to the Olympics accounts for only a fraction of the travel already occurring to and from countries with Zika transmission, the officials noted.

Mass gatherings like the World Cup or the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca “can amplify a disease or can raise the risk that it will spread to other countries,” said Dr. Bruce Aylward, who is leading the W.H.O. response to Zika. “You can’t dismiss that, but the committee felt there should be a much lower risk from the Olympics.”

The W.H.O. was acting on the advice of its emergency committee, but essentially repeated the Olympics-related travel advice it gave on May 12, which implied that the Games should go on. The agency expects Zika to spread from northern Argentina to the southern United States whether or not the Games take place.

The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that spread Zika are rare in Europe and in nontropical regions of North America. The virus is believed to be endemic in Africa and Asia, though it is not certain how many people have had it or whether they are immune to the strain circulating in the Americas, a descendant of the Asian strain.

Dr. Karin Nielsen, an infectious disease pediatrician at the University of California, Los Angeles, who is studying

Zika infections in Rio de Janeiro with the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, said the foundation had reported no new cases in nearly eight weeks since the weather began cooling. Mosquito-borne diseases “run a cycle and are not continuously present, so Zika should not be a problem for the Olympics,” she said.

But other experts disagreed.

Amir Attaran, a public health and law professor at the University of Ottawa, called the decision “scientifically illconsidered.” Dr. Bruce Aylward, who is leading the W.H.O. response to Zika, said, “the committee felt there should be a much lower risk from the Olympics.”

“The people going to Rio are the elite: the athletes and the global 1 percent who can afford tickets and can take precautions,” he said. “But the people shouldering the risk if this spreads will be the slumdwellers in Mumbai, Kinshasa and Lagos who aren’t going to be able to take precautions.”

Dr. Attaran has been urging the W.H.O. to advise postponing nonessential travel to affected areas. The agency did not, but said that officials in Brazil should “continue to intensify” mosquito control and that insect repellent,condoms and health advice should be available for all athletes and visitors.

Arthur L. Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University who wrote in February that holding the Olympics in Brazil would be “irresponsible,” said the W.H.O. was “betting on the weather, responsible behavior by visitors, adequate mosquito control and a low sexual-transmission rate by returning visitors. All are gambles.”

Also on Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a proposed plan for fighting Zika if it starts spreading in the continental United States.

The agency expects some local mosquito transmission this summer in Florida and along the Gulf Coast to Texas. The plan outlines steps if even one case appears.

Because Aedes aegypti mosquitoes do not fly far, officials can provide “a large margin of safety” by concentrating efforts within a one-mile circle around each known infection, the plan said. One case, with no further transmission, would require a 45-day effort, the C.D.C. said.

But if the infection spreads, the agency will help local officials investigate and warn residents. If needed, it will send emergency teams.

The W.H.O. convened its emergency committee by phone to consider the Olympics because, under regulations adopted in 2007, the declaration of an international public health emergency requires that the committee that recommended it meet every three months to assess the situation. On Feb. 1, the committee advised the W.H.O. director general, Dr. Margaret Chan, to declare an emergency over the possibility that the Zika virus had caused a cluster of birth defects in large numbers of babies in Brazil.

The W.H.O. and the C.D.C. have concluded that Zika causes microcephaly: abnormally small heads and brain damage in infants. (The New York Times)

PAGE 10

National sports policy awaiting input from sports associations The long awaited National Sports Policy is one step closer to completion now that consultations have been held with various sports associations across Guyana. Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, in an interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA) said that sports associations across Guyana were given a draft policy document which they would review and make their input.

“We would have shared with them a draft sports policy document and with a view of the associations and the federations brining submissions to us to update that sports policy document,” Jones elaborated.

According to jones, once the associations make their submissions, the sports policy could soon come into existence.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, on addressing the sports associations last Saturday, noted that the policy could be the tool that strengthens

sports in Guyana. “I believe that this is something that requires the undivided attention of highly skilled and technical persons who can take the lead on developing that strategic plan,” Henry stated.

However, the Minister pointed out that in developing the sports policy, all objectives need to be well thought out. “We have to have objectives that are in keeping with where we are as a country. We know that we do not have the infrastructure nor the resources like the developed world and therefore the policy must take that into account,” she explained.

According to the Minister, the crafting of a solid sports policy would require everyone working together. “I believed that all of us who have responsibility, particularly those closer to the athletes and to the actually sports here in Guyana and, that would be you who manage the federations and associations, to come together collectively and let us use

the opportunity to collaborate,” Minister Henry told representatives of the sports associations..

Henry pointed out that the crafting of the policy grabbed the attention of the international sporting community who offered to lend their expertise.

Once the policy is completed, it would essentially monitor the course of sports for the next 15 years.