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Guyanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s President Donald Ramotar and First Lady, Mrs Deolatchmee Ramotar with President of the United States, Barack Obama and First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama during a reception for Heads of States attending the United Nations General Assembly

President Ramotar meets Guyanese in U.S This summation was poignantly evident when President Donald Ramotar took time out to 'buddy-up' with the Guyanese community in New York, where he updated them on the economic, social and political developments in Guyana. The president grasped the moment to authenticate a number of things, as regards his government's pursuits “… to propel the country from a developing middle income one to the “next level”. All within the Diaspora know that there have been many global economic and ﬁnancial crises over the years, but Guyana came through the storm and kept its head above water, managing overall to record eight years of consecutive economic growth. His take: “…that is in my view, a remarkable achievement, taking into consideration Europe and North America in particular are our country's biggest trading partners, and whatever happens in those countries affect us.” The assent to this was resounding and the keen-listening Diaspora drank it in. They were getting goods news ﬁrst hand; news and the reason for Guyana's recovery and steady rise . The president's reason was very obvious-logical and simple. “I think we have done that fundamentally, not only because we pursue the right economic policies, but because we also pursue the right social policies. For instance if you examine our budgets over the years…you will

see that the biggest expenditure goes to the social sector, where we think we can have that impact, a positive impact on people's lives directly. We use our social policy as a way to redistribute income within the society itself, and that is why about 30 percent of our budget almost goes to the social sector and the largest amount of the social sector budget goes to education, then health, housing and so forth; that's how the priority is.” As regards education, the president made a stirring comment at the General Assembly. He aroused his listeners and burned the hearts of his fellow dignitaries by explaining the disadvantages that Guyana is suffering, because of copyrights and high textbook costs. He challenged them that they all need to do something since “… education is the way out and up; out of stagnation and up into development.” President Ramotar repeated to the Diaspora what he said when he addressed a meeting of Champions of the United Nations Secretary General's Global Initiative on Education. “There must be investment by countries in their education sectors if there is to be development,” he stated. “There is enough evidence to show that countries which have developed the most are not necessarily the countries that have the most natural resources, but the countries where you have a high educational standard.”

President Donald Ramotar shares a light moment with members of the US Diaspora

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President Donald Ramotar addressing the United Nations General Assembly 2014

This kind of talk is not empty, as the Diaspora got ﬁrsthand what their president really meant. He detailed that Guyana has the highest number of nursery school enrolment in the Caribbean; that Universal Achievement of Primary Education was realised; and that the country is now on the path to attaining Universal Secondary Education.“We want to raise the standard of education and we are investing quite a lot in the physical infrastructure-the schools and the facilities. We're trying to help with developing more critical skills, life skills in our people, and we want to ensure the relevance of the education system towards the national focus. We are trying to do that by extending education levels in all parts of our country.” However, Intellectual property rights and the cost of textbooks remain challenges that need to be addressed, said President Ramotar. “This is

something that the international community will have to look at, in order to ensure that developing countries be not left behind as far as quality is concerned”. No wonder all were left with the indelible impression that Guyana is really on the move. The Diaspora also got ﬁrst hand a touch of the philosophical mindset of President Ramotar. He explicated on what was also another stirring issue that he presented at the UN meet. He elaborated how he issued a passionate call for the United Nations to pay more attention to the issue of inequality and address concerns by many nations. President Ramotar said that “… if the world were to become a better place for everyone the issue of inequality must be addressed.” Rightly so and at every level! He said income distribution continues to be skewed in favour of the rich nations and rich persons within countries. “The gap has grown dangerously wider,” the President said.

First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and members of the US Diaspora

President Ramotar outlines positive indicators of continuous economic growth Artistic impression of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project

President Donald Ramotar is of the view that the economy will continue to grow, given the fact that the country recorded a 3.2percent growth rate at the half year mark. Since all the macro-economic fundamentals are in place, coupled with a stable exchange rate and low inﬂation, this is assured.

Moving on to investments, he referred to the Aurora Gold Mining Project that has employed 700 persons, as well as reporting that another large mine is to be established. This is an indication that investments are on a sound footing in Guyana. He also noted t h a t s e v e r a l

infrastructural works have slowed, due to a lack of quarry material; but that he has instructed the subject Minister to issue more quarry licences for increased stone production, which will also facilitate increased construction of roads. Tourism has continued to grow because of continued

investment in the sector, according to the President, referring to the increase in arrivals as indicative of this positive trend. He also alluded to reports that hotels are doing “very well at this point in time”, and that the Marriott will be opened for business before year-end. Touching on the sugar industry, he said that he is hoping for better results in the next quarter; but despite the challenge of slight price decrease, the industry is on the road to recovery. The President noted that Information Technology is a new emerging sector,

observing that it has penetrated all aspects of life. The result of this seminal advent has been the growth of new industries, which adds to signiﬁcant investments being made in the country's economy. On the very important issue of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power Project, he said cheap energy continues to be a major priority, since such is vital for Guyana's “rapid e c o n o m i c development.” He said that both Guyana and Brazil are examining the country's hydro potential, as well as the question of paving the roads for reduction in travel time.

There will be a broadening of the country's agriculture base, with the commencement of soya bean and corn production, and more attention will be paid to the coconut industry that holds huge possibilities, the President outlined further. While noting that Guyana is free from the bovine foot and mouth disease, the president emphasised the need for stimulation of the livestock industry, especially the cattle industry for the generation of further income into Guyana.

Guyana to participate in CARICOM consumer protection drive Guyana is participating in the timely move by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as it moves towards the promotion of a rapid consumer protection alert system throughout CARICOM member states. During an in-country promotion and sensitisation session held earlier this month, stakeholders were informed that the move was timely and much needed throughout the region. The CARICOM Rapid Alert System on the Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non-food) Consumer Goods, CARREX, is a major initiative aimed at protecting consumers via quick and efﬁcient information-sharing on harmful products in the market. At the session, Executive Director of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), Evadnie Innis focused on the issue which she described as critical for the region. Innis, speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, as well as the GNBS, pointed out that standardisation would play a critical role in the process, since this is the benchmark against which quality and safety of goods will be measured.

“The timeliness of this initiative cannot be overemphasised,” she noted, pointing to the period of globalisation and free market which currently exists around the world. Innis observed that with the wide trade of goods, it is the onus of the country into which these goods are traded to ensure that the goods are good. She noted that the free-market and conventions to which countries are signatory, prevent countries from setting up technical barriers to trade. As a result, justiﬁable reasons have to be found to prevent certain products from entering countries, as such, standards have to be used. “When you are going to make judgment, standards must play a role, because that is the benchmark against which those goods will be measured,” she declared. Regarding the testing of goods, a veriﬁable means should be found through which proof could be provided of bad products. Innis pointed to a proposal by the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for a national state of the art laboratory for this purpose.

She stated that a consultant is currently working to determine whether Guyana needs such a laboratory accredited to ISO 17025 to conduct testing. She is hopeful that such a laboratory would be put in place to conduct tests for which results would not be questioned, since the laboratory would be accredited to international standards. T h i s , s h e noted, would help Guyana to protect consumers against bad products which have entered the international market. Innis also observed that consumer education would be needed, and noted that this would be done in part through social media to make the system effective. She cautioned about dumping which is conducted by some companies, and products end up in the region. Innis also expressed concern about Guyana's open borders which could allow unsafe products into the country. C A R R E X focuses on the development of a comprehensive framework, including a computerbased platform for the administration of a regional information exchange and response system. It is aimed at strengthening Member States' market surveillance capabilities in the respect

of non-food, and non-pharmaceuticals which pose a serious risk to consumers' health and safety. The clearing house for information will be the CARICOM Secretariat, and is designed as a webbased portal for information sharing among national consumer protection agencies and other related bodies. National contact points from respective member states are expected to use the system and interface with their counterparts as they send and receive alerts regarding unsafe items that may be in the market. Meanwhile, Consumer Health and Safety Ofﬁcer, Hilda Kelshall of the CSME in Barbados, pointed to the importance of the seminar. She noted that it is aimed to operationalise and activate the CARREX system in the C A R I C O M member states, by providing national contact points and national authorities full access to the network. It would also raise public awareness through national consultations with all stakeholders and sharing information through the media, so that CARICOM nationals would become fully sensitised and better informed about the CARREX.

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EDITORIAL From poverty to prosperity Editor -in -Chief Shanta Gobardhan Editorial: 592 227 0773 Web: www.gina.gov.gy Facebook: GINA Email: ginagovgy@gmail.com Area ‘B’ Homestretch Avenue,

Durban backlands, Georgetown, Guyana Guyana at the dawn of ascension of the PPP/C government was a country weak and prostrate, after enduring the brutalities of dictatorial rule, perpetrated by the regime of the former People's National Congress (PNC) government. The challenges were foreboding as the new government was about to inherit a nation with a totally collapsed socioeconomic infrastructure that was exemplified by the numerous potholed roads; broken down bridges; a shockingly, primitive medical system, dilapidated school buildings; broken down bridges; a non-existent water supply system with no potable water distribution system; and a high level of functional problems. Economically, industry was dead, with the manufacturing sector chugging to a halt because of restrictions on foreign exchange; a depleted treasury that rendered importation of even basic food items non-existent. This was exacerbated by long queues for essentials such as gasoline and cooking gas; no foreign investment; the production of traditional exports down, and a parallel economy that was much in evidence, giving rise to a thriving black market culture. S o c i a l l y, m o r a l s h a d dissipated, as the struggle for daily survival became paramount, and the citizenry continued to lose hope in their country, because of the long years of political abuses of all kinds, but finally encouraged that the events of October 5, heralded a new day for their country and future wellbeing. Specifically, the Amerindian communities suffered greatly due to a

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system of neglect and exploitation that surprisingly continued during the former PNC administration. Almost twenty two years later, 2014, and what astounding results there have been for a country that had been once bracketed with the poorest country in the Hemisphere, Haiti. Without any hint of triumphalism, Guyana's economy has become the envy of its sister CARICOM member states, experiencing around 5% growth for the seventh consecutive year. . Indisputably, Guyana has seen its greatest success thus far, during the Bharrat Jagdeo’s presidency, as he must be fully credited with conceptualizing Guyana's modern economic plateau, laying its foundation, and also inspiring its realization. It is even remarkable, given the fact that the State had been threatened by anarchy fomented by the opposition forces, at his commencement of office. Guided by a steely determination, and coupled with an extraordinary vision, this leader propelled Guyana to unprecedented levels of socio-economic achievement and stability that has continuously emitted praise from all the multilateral financial institutions, inclusive of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. He started the transformative revolution, and what a bountiful harvest to the nation's development it has been! Guyana now boasts not only the strongest CARICOM economy, but surely one of the most powerful private sectors, which investment capital amounts to tens of billions of dollars. One only has to observe the c a p i t a l c i t y, w i t h t h e s t e a d y construction of high rise buildings representing business enterprises such as malls, restaurants, bars, garment and electrical appliances stores. This is replicated throughout both sides of the coastlands, extending to both counties of Berbice and Essequibo. A significant signpost of the upward mobility of Guyanese workers is their new found ability to garner increased material possessions, as a result of more disposable income

compliments of the raising of the income tax threshold. And no more is this evident than in the improved quality of life which many now lead with their families. Car ownership is no longer conﬁned to a particular social grouping, as stated above. In fact, there are thousands of young, working Guyanese who are now vehicle owners. This prosperity that has resulted from the transformative process is also very evident in government's visionary housing programme that has resulted in tens of thousands of low-income Guyanese becoming homeowners. This is a tremendous signiﬁcant, the crown jewel of government's many social programmes, considering the heavy state subsidization costs. This particular achievement has added to the economic stock of many Guyanese. There are other vital social services, such as education, health, and water supply, from which the nation now enjoys delivery of quality services: new schools have been built and refurbished throughout Guyana; construction of new hospitals and health centres, including specialty facilities and an ophthalmological hospital; and the supply of potable

water to every region in Guyana. There is now even a national stadium, an acquatic centre, and an almost completed synthetic track – all unheard of twenty years ago. The mantle of leading this nation, thus continuing the modernization process, is now the responsibility of President Donald Ramotar, since 2011, albeit in a Parliament in which the combined opposition parties has a one seat majority. Despite the latter's display of diktat and reckless power play that has resulted in consecutive years of budget cuts to important socio-economic programmes, the development process is continuing apace. President Ramotar continues to work assidiously for a Guyana that is peaceful and prosperous. To its eternal credit, the PPP/C government despite those who have continued to criticized its performance in governance, has been sustained in its sacred mission of giving Guyanese irrespective of race and political afﬁliation, an improved quality of life. In this regard, it deserves every credit for resurrecting a fallen country from the ashes, and in the process, from poverty to prosperity. Every Guyanese has been beneﬁtting from this dispensation.

Parliamentary opposition holding country to ransom - Attempting to strangle its development while attacking its democracy requested of the government, on questions as to the ﬁnancial viability of this key national project, refused its support. It is instructive to note, that not even a plea from the international sponsor Sithe Global, that both APNU and AFC parties give their combined parliamentary approval, before it proceeded with the project, impacted on the opposition’s decision of nonsupport.

Artist's impression of Cheddi Jagan International Airport’s new terminal

It is always the traditional, given that an opposition political party is an alternative to the standing government of the day. This means that its principal function should be to offer constructive criticisms on policies by the Executive, in a consistent and intelligent manner that convinces the body politic, that it has a more than knowledgeable grasp of government. Of course, this has to be considered against the background of the adversarial nature of politics, where no quarter is given, nor any asked. But should this be? Guyana's current dispensation is where the current Tenth Parliament represents the Executive in the form of a minority government, with the combined parliamentary opposition holding a one seat majority, as a result of the 2011 national elections; And should such an advantage as held, by the parliamentary opposition, this is used for displays of power politics, as has deﬁnitely been the case, since the convening of the present parliament.

Change (AFC) parties, especially during their respective election campaigns, and reiterated after the declared results. Parliamentary opposition bent on wrecking national economy Unfortunately, this has not been the case, as both opposition parties, seemingly bent on the wrecking mission of the national economy, have continuously sought to frustrate, and stymie the country's socio-economic advancement that seeks to create a better life for all Guyanese. Examples of opposition’s plot to strangle socio-economic development The following examples of the combined political opposition parties' orchestrated plot to strangle Guyana's development are offered, beginning with the non-support of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

President Ramotar offers working Denying Guyana cheap energy together for resolution of national issues How does one explain an opposition collective that has vetoed the most Though unprecedented, it was held that important socio-economic project, ever t h e p e c u l i a r i t i e s o f t h e Te n t h undertaken in Guyana's development Parliament, had high hopes for the history, the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric working together of both sides of the Project(AFHP)? This is a most critical political aisle, in a consensual mode for development initiative, that when the national good. It was a position that completed, will forever change the was readily offered by President Donald lives of all citizens, because of the Ramotar and his PPP/C government, beneﬁts that will accrue to every when he assumed ofﬁce and more so, by economic sector, as a result of cheap both the A Partnership for National energy. Yet, the opposition, despite Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For being given all documentation that it

alerted other countries to the risk factor, when doing transactions with this country. Guyana has been forwarded to FATF, for what can be described as a final review; this imminently due, and the Bill still unlegislated, this country stands to be severely penalized, because of an opposition that continues its antinational behaviour towards the country's development process. The consequences of such a review deliberation are too grim to Imperilling Guyana's economy and contemplate. good name Refusal of support for advanced An even greater tragedy has been the medical institution refusal of both APNU and the AFC to support the legislative passage of the T h e r e f u s a l o f f u n d i n g f o r t h e AntiMoney Laundering and Countering construction of what would be the the Financing of Terrorism Bill nation's first specialty hospital is (AML/CTF). This legislation, so a n o t h e r c l e a r e x a m p l e o f t h e c r u c i a l i n e n s u r i n g G u y a n a ' s parliamentary opposition parties, impropriety in its international financial d e l i b e r a t i n g i m p e d i n g n a t i o n a l business transactions, has become progress. another hostage to what can be It is no secret that many Guyanese have described as the opposition diktat and continuously been accessing advance 'bully boy' politics. Despite being medical treatment, overseas, especially advised by none other than two of the surgeries, that are not available in most senior officials from the Caribbean Guyana. It is against this background, Financial Action Task Force(CFATF), that the Specialty Hospital had been the regional oversight of this important conceived: one that will not only offer process, that their amendments will specialized and critical medical render non-compliant, amendments services, but at reduced costs. Critical is proposed for parliamentary action, the the fact that such considerations will opposition still persisted in its demands. save lives in the process, since it is a Of course, both CFATF and the FATF, proven fact many persons have died, c o m p l i e d w i t h g o v e r n m e n t ' s waiting to travel abroad, for further conscientious efforts in having the Bill medical intervention. Even this has urgently legislated, have already suffered as a result of opposition granted two reprieves to blacklisting budgetary cuts. Guyana, although they would have Opposition blocks transition project See page 6...

National Communications Network

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Parliamentary opposition holding...

Artistic impression of the Specialty Hospital From page 5

No country that is in a transformative mode as Guyana is, which finished process is to modernize every facet of its socio-economic life, can continue to do so, or even complete this renewal process, without an international airport of first world standards. With the restoration of a democratic Guyana, its international image and respect being restored, as well being the increasing host for a number of very important international conferences; visits by eminently important persons; and increased numbers of visitor arrivals, it is only natural that there be such an airport of international status. But there are also other key considerations, beginning with the primary one of larger, wide bodied aircraft from other international carriers being able to land – the reason for the extending of the current runway to international standards; accommodating stopovers and refuelling of aircrafts; and serving as an intransit route for flights going to Africa, as well as becoming a travel hub for South America. GINA Vigil for budget cuts 2014

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These are the reasons, very justiﬁable, that do necessitate the Cheddi Jagan International Airport project; except, that the parliamentary opposition, for sinister reasons, do not support such enlightenment. An assault on democratic process

AFC, contend that they ought to have similar courtesies. In fact, they have levelled accusations of bias on the part of the two state media, the Government Information Agency(GINA) and the National Communications Network(N C N), that disseminate information and programmes relating to government's activities. It is unheard of that any opposition party or group of parties is ever granted such a dispensation on a media that belonged to any government. But more over, where is the bias on the part of government for keeping the nation informed? This explains why GINA and the NCN, have both had their respective subventions incised consecutively from Budgets 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Even the democratic process has been attacked, in the form of attempts to suppress one of the pillars of this vital element of a free state – the right to freedom of expression. Every government has the right to a media that will announce its policies, and maintain that communication link of information to citizens, pertaining to socio-economic development that affects their daily lives. This is a given and a right that is indisputable, to which the coalition APNU'S main component, An opposition is expected to support the PNC, had recourse, during its period initiatives enhancing country in government. Despite the adversarial nature of politics that daily characterize parliamentary Government has the right to a media behaviour in almost every parliament or B u t , t h e f o r m e r p a r t y, n o w i n representative body of the people, a opposition, and its opposition ally the patriotic opposition, and one that is fully comprehensive of its role in nation building and stability, will foremost be ready to support, unconditionally, initiatives that lend toward the enhancement of the nation which interests it proclaim to represent. There have been numerous examples of minority governments being supported by opposition parties in furthering the national interests. In such politically delicate situations, any opposition party is demanded to think country rather than the narrow lanes of self and other related

interests. No parliamentary opposition is worthy of its brand as Representatives of the People, if it seeks to power play and coerce, because of its increased parliamentary numerical number. Such is tantamount to reckless use of a grave responsibility, of which it is not worthy. Opposition bent on strangling national development As the above examples do illustrate, the combined opposition parties have been patently absorbed in the aggrandizement of self-power, with its known attributes of spite and recklessness. Their cuts to successive annual budgets have targeted projects that are extremely critical to Guyana's future well being. Every nation needs an international airport of modernity; a specialty hospital for acute medical conditions; legislation for combatting the menace of money laundering and ﬁnance from terrorism sources; and to be democratically kept inform about its development. More urgent is the need for sources of renewable energy that are an absolute for protecting the environment, and offering sources of cheap energy to citizens. No responsible opposition, irrespective of their parliamentary strength, should frustrate such programmes; for such actions are really those of holding a country to ransom, particularly strangling its development. These two parties can only be damned by future generations, and be criminally c o n d e m n e d b y history.

Education Ministry launches five-year literacy strategic plan M i n i s ter o f Ed u catio n , P r iy a Manickchand on September 08, 2014 officially launched the Education Ministry's five-year literacy strategic plan, as Guyana joined with the rest of the world in observing International Literacy Day under the theme “The Literacy Revolution has begun.” This five-year strategic plan aims to ensure that the nation's children are literate by Grade Four, through consistent home, school and community involvement. Aspects catered for under this act include: schools will be mandated to ensure that every effort is made to have students reading at Grade 4, reading tents and centres will be established country-wide, and literacy awareness programmes will be promoted via television and radio. Classes will also be offered for parents with reading difficulties. Meanwhile business organisations, clinics and government agencies will be asked to create literacy friendly environments. Resource materials will also be given to parents indicating how they can enhance the ability of their child's reading. Te a c h e r s ' c a p a c i t y t o implement an effective literacy programme will be improved, massive training and retraining of teachers and head teachers will be done. Support materials to improve literacy throughout the education sector will also be availed as well as, reading clubs and libraries will be developed in every school. There will also be improved monitoring and

support supervision of teachers, among other targeted areas. Minister Manickchand speaking at the launch held on the avenue in Main Street, called for a more collaborative effort to ensure that the nation's children are literate. “In everything, every position we hold, whether we be a p a r e n t , t e a c h e r, a s t u d e n t , neighbour, education officer or pastor …you have a role to play in this literacy revolution we are declaring this morning…you have to ask yourself what you want your role to be in this war on literacy,” Minister Manickchand noted. A child's ability to read positively creates opportunities for academic and vocational success. Minister Manickchand emphasised the importance of each person in playing a role in the drive to eliminate illiteracy among the Guyanese populace. She said that while the Government has been implementing programmes and policies, it is still not satisfied with where the country is in this regard. “As far as literacy rates go in our country, we are at the best place we have ever been…while we are the best place we have ever been, we are not comfortable and we as a people should not comfortable of where we are as a nation as far as literacy goes,” the Minister stated. Once the country's children are literate everyone stands to benefit. Minister Manickchand said that the ministry

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand launching the literacy plan

has spent a signiﬁcant amount of time planning in this regard, and a lot of changes have to happen, and more monitoring needs to be made. A test was conducted last year in Grades One to Six based on literacy standards, bench marks and guidelines, and it was observed that 32% of the children were reading grade level and that is way too low, hence the implementation of this plan. “That does not mean that the other children could not read, they were perhaps not reading at grade level, it doesn't mean they were completely illiterate… I am not suggesting that 68 percent of our school population is illiterate,” she explained. All across the world, Governments and people have realised that literacy is an emerging issue, and the fact that the world is observing this day says that it is a worldwide issue and the Government and people of Guyana

are not failing to recognise that it is also prevalent in the country. Chief Education Ofﬁcer, Olato Sam highlighted that the more literate the population, the greater the output in all sectors. Sam called for the establishment of a culture of literacy in the society, while noting that there is a need for a more comprehensive multi-sectoral approach to ensure that the populace is more literate. He said that the ministry has taken signiﬁcant steps to ensure greater numbers of students master the literacy expectations, by the completion of the primary cycle, developing materials and establishing literacy blocks in the primary schools. September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It aims to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

Guyana is poised to become a full-blown yachting destination -marine facility to be established by 2017 They have braved strong currents, sailed against the winds and dared to do something new by deciding to sail south. The yatchees, courageous men and women arrived in Guyana, on the second Nereid Rally and anchored their boats in the mighty Essequibo. Sailing off from the twin island republic, Trinidad and Tobago on September

1, the Nereid Yachting Rally again graced Guyana's waters with participants from the United Kingdom, A rg e n t i n a , I s r a e l , Italy, France, United States, Switzerland and Australia. The Tourism Ministry and the G u y a n a To u r i s m A u t h o r i t y ( G TA ) hosted a reception at the Hurukabra River Resort to ofﬁcially

welcome the yachtees, all of whom had wonderful things to say about what they have seen of the country, as well as the trademark Guyanese hospitality. Organiser of t h e r a l l y, D a v i d Matelicani said that this time of year is hurricane season in many other Caribbean islands and this makes Guyana an ideal

destination since the country is not plagued by such disasters. “It's is through the hard work of the Government and the private sector that we are now starting to see Guyana as an a l t e r n a t i v e destination…sailors don't need to stay in the Caribbean waiting for hurricane season to end,” Matelicani said. He said that one of the main

purposes of the Nereid Rally has always been to encourage sailors to sail southwards. Matelicani said that convincing people to sail to Guyana, was easy since it is a country so well-endowed with natural wonders, has hospitable people and a rich diverse culture. At the moment there is no place for a

yachtsman to go to repair his yacht if the need arises and to this end, a training center for the service and repair of yachts will be opened in Guyana next year. This will then be developed into a m a r i n e f a c i l i t y, offering the full range of services including haul out and storage of yachts. Matelicani said that he is convinced

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Guyana is poised to become...

From page 8

that Guyana can compete with yachting destinations like Trinidad and Tobago, and will be able to attract its share of what is rapidly becoming a multi-million dollar industry. Meanwhile, GTA's Director, IndranauthHaralsingh said that the tourism industry is very passionate about the development of a yachting industry in Guyana given the country's potential. He told the visitors that they are in country that the National Geographic has named as one of the top 20 must see destinations in the world. The yachtees were taken by Guyana's pristine environment and Haralsingh informed that the Government is committed to responsible tourism and sustainable development with its Low Carbon

Development Strategy (LCDS). While other Caribbean countries offer more of a sun, sand and sea tourism, Guyana offers nature, eco and adventure tourism. In a few days, the rally will proceed to neighbouring Suriname before coming to an end in French Guiana. The name Nereid has its roots in Greek mythology which means sea nymphs (female spirits of sea waters) who can be very friendly and helpful to sailors ﬁghting perilous storms.

Yachts at Baganara, in the Essequibo River

New financial support for parents of public school children The PPP/C Administration has been investing significantly in the education sector, and has implemented a number of initiatives to improve the quality and standard of education as well to boost attendance and performance. In this light, a new initiative is about to unfold. Come October, parents of children attending public schools are expected to start benefitting from the $10,000 cash grant per student. The parent will be provided with $10,000 for each child, attending a nursery, primary, or secondary school in the public education system. It is expected that the grant will serve as either transportation fees or money that will be used for purchasing school items. This initiative, announced during the 2014 national budget by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, will cost the administration

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$2 billion, and will see up to 188,406 families of Nursery, Primary and Secondary School children of Public schools beneﬁtting. The gesture is reﬂective of care and a prudent approach to education. This $10,000 grant imitative is not a sporadic happening. In fact, it follows a slew of other moves over the years, geared at helping families ensure exposure to academic development for their children. In the February 2010, there was the commencement of the National School Feeding Programme, targeting all Nursery and primary schools. In Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and10 the programme covers the provision, daily of biscuits and juices, (both locally made by Banks DIH Limited and Demerara Distillers Limited) to the student. I n t h e Hinterland communities

of Regions of 1, 7, 8 and 9, the students were provided with a 'hot meal' which included a daily nutritious snack of cassava bread, peanut butter and fruit juice. The students in the hinterland, as opposed to those of the coast, are receiving biscuit and juice, seeing that they travel longer distances to attend school. But even before the National School Feeding programme, there was the Uniform Voucher Assistance. Since 2002, the administration has been rolling out this support to parents. On the coast, the parents are provided with one school uniform voucher to assist with the purchasing of school items. This assistance has become an in valuable support that is ensuring that children in vulnerable/needy households acquire school uniforms so that they too can attend school.

In the hinterland region, this support is implemented in a slightly different manner. In fact, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, who is responsible for the hinterland aspect of this programme, procures the school uniform material and distributes this to the communities, where various sewing groups are paid for sewing the uniforms for the various schools. The uniforms are then freely distributed by the school.

The sewing groups are paid $800 for sewing each uniform. These programmes have a l l i m p a c t e d successfully on attendance and enrollment and reﬂect the strides made by the administration in the education system. Reason-a top priority is education. This has always taken the top s p o t o n t h e administration's agenda. Over the last few decades funding has also been put towards a number of related areas-

teachers training, the advancing and the promotion of Technical Vocational Education training, and harnessing I n f o r m a t i o n Communication Technology. No wonder then that the the administration has attained the goal of ensuring the provision of access to primary education and is well on its way to ensuring access to secondary education.

Work together for betterment of Guyana despite political orientation - NTC Chairperson urges Guyanese -at launch of Amerindian Heritage Month

National Toshaos Council Chairman, Derrick John

D e l i v e r i n g a n impassioned speech as he addressed Amerindians and other stakeholders at the launch of Amerindian Heritage Month 2014 on September 1, National Toshaos Council (NTC) Chairperson Derrick John called on them to support the government which has led the process to development of their communities. John said that Amerindians must give their appreciation to government, particularly as over the last two decades it has been the catalyst of their development.

All of the developments within hinterland communities did not come at a cheap cost, the NTC head said, “We have experienced a lot of struggles and challenges, and we continue to face challenges”. He added that Amerindians are a strong people, who having walked across the Bering Straits, and travelled thousands of miles enduring various climatic conditions and other challenges, can stand proudly as the ﬁrst people of this land whilst maintaining their diverse culture, social and economic traditions.

Budget cuts Recalling the recent Opposition-led national Budget cuts which slashed just over $1 billion dollars from the capital expenditure of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, John questioned the supposed “unity” of Guyanese as reﬂected by the motto of “One people, One nation, One destiny”. He asked, “Where are the ones… where is the unity, the working together to continue to move this country forward?” The time has come, he said, to look at those things which they promote.

Referring to the Golden Arrowhead, John said that the makeup of the national ﬂag which comprises “A golden arrow which points in a forward direction” does not result in some people being comfortable and as a result they want to reverse this direction. This should not be so, he said and all should continue to work and “move this beautiful land” forward. Recalling the mobilisation of hundreds of Amerindians to protest the budget cuts in front of Parliament, John said it was a stand against prejudice of which many were critical. Condemnation instead of support “When we took to the streets, to defend what rightly is ours, there are some of our so-called Amerindians brothers who condemned us instead of coming and support us. These are the people who say they are representing “ We t h e A m e r i n d i a n people. Where is our

representation? When we had needed you, you condemned us. That is not good for the future of our people,” John stated. He called for the return to tradition, noting they were never a divided people and having stood against various challenges, they are still here. He said they must implement the dreams of their ancestors and continue that fight. “I'm appealing to you, let us use this month to reflect on our lives, reflect on our progress, reflect on our country. Where do you want to see Guyana in the future? Where do you want us to go? In which direction?” He stressed that as a patriotic Guyanese, he wanted to see Guyana move forward, “with sustainable use of the resources that we are so rich of, but this can only happen if we respect one another and if we work together”. John explained that when he attended an international forum, he was amazed at how

Guyana was described by representatives of other indigenous groups in attendance. This, he deplored and said, “We should not speak of Guyana as if it is alien to us or if Guyana is the worst country in this hemisphere”. He added that as Guyanese, they should be proud of their nation, achievements and dreams, and, “This can only take place if we respect one another and work together”. He closed by calling on all Guyanese regardless of which political party or organisation to put their differences aside and work together for the sake and betterment of Guyana, “Do you want this beautiful land of our country to fall into pieces or do you want to promote and bring this country to be the best country in this hemisphere? I'm appealing to you, I'm calling on you, be Guyanese. Let us go back to our motto, one nation, one people, one destiny”.

Guyana moves towards sustainability in HIV/AIDS response The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the President's Emergency Plan for A I D S Relief ( P E P FA R ) , r e c e n t l y hosted a training workshop aimed at training Health Care Workers on diversity and sensitivity training. Held at the Grand Coastal Inn on the East Coast of Demerara, the workshop was aimed at controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic and achieving sustainable response. The pilot training in Guyana is based on providing the key population with friendly services regarding HIV/AIDS issues. Chief Medical Ofﬁcer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud pointed out to the participants that the training was especially as

Caribbean Wellness Day 2014 is being observed and which focuses on the plight of persons with noncommunicable diseases. Observing that it has been 28 years since Guyana has been combating HIV/AIDS, he pointed out that even though enormous work has been done, there are still small pockets in the country that are affected by the disease. Dr. Persaud pointed out that enormous work should still be put in to address H I V/A I D S since many key pockets of those at risk are very difﬁcult to reach. He commended the organisers of the workshop who have recognised this. Acknowledging that despite the successes

in the programmes, the issue of stigma and discrimination is still lingering and urged that it should be addressed. He indicated that while increased focus is placed on transmission, more should also be placed on prevention and care. Pointing out that the gains were difﬁcult to achieve, he suggested that Government should put more responsibility and funds towards the ﬁght against HIV/AIDS. Dr. Persaud challenged the trainers and participants to learn from each other during the interactive sessions of the workshop. Head of the National A I D S Programme Secretariat Dr. Shanti Singh pointed out

that the epidemic has been stabilized in Guyana which can be seen through available evidence. Pointing to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme, she noted that it has done very well with a reduction in the number of children being born with the virus. She added that the HIV treatment programme has also done very well and apart from public health care, private medical care has also added to this. Dr. Singh insisted that it was through the commitment of the health care workers that these achievements have been made. Acknowledging that the core responsibility

for HIV sustainability belongs to Government, Dr. Singh explained that it also needed the support of all other stakeholders. Meanwhile, Charge d' Affaires of the United States Embassy Bryan Hunt pointed out that Guyana has done remarkably well in addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS. This he pointed out can be seen through improved access to treatment, availability of support services and g o v e r n m e n t ' s programmes, in addition to signiﬁcantly decreased HIV mortality. The modules of the workshop will address HIV and HIV prevention and response for those at high risk whilst deﬁning

high risk groups. Focus will also be on health care providers working with those at high risk and their characteristics. Participants will also learn how to get to know their clients and assessing their risks in relation to their community. The workshop will also guide participants through the different groups of persons at risk of the disease whilst discovering the packages of services to address them. Stigma and discrimination will also be addressed during the workshop, and participants will learn how to address myths relating to the disease.

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PAHO Director lauds performance of local health sector

PAHO's Director Dr Carissa Etienne along with Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran addressing the gathering at Wellness Day observance and care has to be based on a strong primary health care approach which she has seen as quite prevalent in Guyana's health sector. “At the hospital, I visited the diabetic foot initiative, you know that one of the complications of diabetes, people a lot of time have to have amputations because of infection in their limbs and so this programme helps to treat, manage and follow up people with diabetic foot ulcers and save many amputations, and I think this is an extremely good initiative in a country with a high incidence of diabetes,” Dr. Etienne related. Further the group consisting of, Health M i n i s t e r D r. Bheri Ramsaran, P A H O Representative in G u y a n a , D r. Wi l l i a m A d u Krow, Sir Trevor Hassell President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Dr. A section of the patrons at the fair Anselm Henniss is commendable,” Dr. Etienne said Director – NCD/Mental Health She added that she also PAHO/Headquarters among others, looked at the immunisation coverage visited the neonatal care unit of the and the way healthcare ofﬁcials G e o rg e t o w n P u b l i c H o s p i t a l manage chronic diseases is quiet Corporation on Friday. impressive. She pointed out that Dr. Etienne said it is an access to universal health coverage expanded unit and, “I met with the Director of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Dr. Carissa Etienne, during the ofﬁcial commemoration of Wellness Day 2014, at the Wellness Fair and Exhibition held at the Square of the Revolution, commended the Government of Guyana on the performance of various sections of the health sector. “I am encouraged by the work that is being done in primary health care, certainly to ensure you have trained health care workers at the community level and that you are expanding the access to care at that level. I noted the work that was being done at Campbellville and I think it

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staff and it is a committed staff and most of your mortality under the age of ﬁve is from the neonatal and so we looked at the work that they were doing there. I am very pleased, I think this is the way we can build the awareness, this is very good because yesterday we said that it is a multisector approach, it is not just a Ministry of Health, it's all other sectors working together to combat emerging health threats of NCDs,” Dr Etienne said. She further congratulated the Ministry of Health and the Government of Guyana for the organisation of the week's activities to commemorate Wellness Day. Wellness Day is not only celebrated in the Caribbean, but also all of the Americas. She urged everyone to work together to ensure chronic diseases are prevented and controlled, and those who are victims of NCDs are treated. Meanwhile Minister Ramsaran said the Campbellville Health Center's training room will be converted into the Wellness Warriors Training Headquarters, and Chief Executive Ofﬁcer of the Georgetown Public Hospital, Michael Khan is tasked with ensuring it is up and running within two weeks. The Wellness Warriors club was launched on Friday comprising 10 chapters for each of the 10 administrative regions in Guyana.

Its membership encompasses mainly in and out of school youths, and young adults. These individuals will undergo structured training administered by professional health care providers from the Health Ministry in basic non-invasive testing techniques such as blood pressure and blood sugar testing. “Downstairs (Campbellville Health Centre) will be for the practical training and upstairs will be the classrooms. There are three resident doctors and six rotating medical doctors, a dentist who was trained in China, mid-wives; there is support staff and a small area for taking blood samples etcetera,” the Minister explained. There were booths from the various health organisations on display, the Guyana Shop, Namilco, and the Guyana Pharmacists Association among others. Patrons beneﬁtted from testing their blood pressure and sugar levels, as well as for HIV/AIDS. There was a large turnout at the Wellness Fair and persons expressed satisfaction and gratitude to the Ministry of Health to be able to see a doctor free of cost, for advice given on healthy eating, exercise and on the rising NCDs health threat.

160 Amerindian villages set to improve socio-economic development - $1.3B agreement signed for Phase 2 of GRIF project Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh drew attention to the fact that Guyana has forgone development for centuries, a c t i n g r e s p o n s i b l y, i n preserving its natural environment, and for that he said, tribute must be paid to Amerindian leaders, who spearheaded this effort long before the world woke up the reality of climate change. “This government has placed climate change, and in particular, fighting the effects of climate change, at the top of our policy agenda. We have articulated a Low Carbon Development Strategy that has as its central pillar, the argument that accelerated economic development and e n v i r o n m e n t a l Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, UNDP Resident Representative, Khadija Musa and responsibility need not be conflicting objectives, but Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai sign the $1.3 B agreement. i n s t e a d c a n b e complementary objectives The signing of a $1.3Billion agreement services including village shop, museum and we have articulated this strategy, between the Government and the United building and bus/transportation; low impact advocated it, made the point that standing Nations Development Programme (UNDP) mining and tourism including guest house, forest, and in particular the environmental has paved the way for the funding for the nature based and eco-tourism. service provided by standing forests must be implementation of the Community During Phase l of the ADF project, recognised, valued and remunerated.” Development Plans (CDPs). This will allow 26 communities received disbursements to Under Guyana's historic over 160 Amerindian communities to benefit implement their respective CDPs. Phase l is partnership with Norway, that country will from funding over a three-year period for nearing completion and has seen some b e p a y i n g Guyana US$250M for their projects which support their socio- achievements, including the disbursement of economic development. approximately $112M to these communities. environmental services provided by Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Community and village members have been Guyana's forests, of which over US$100M Singh, and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, trained in business development, agriculture, has been released. “We have identified a number of Pauline Sukhai, along with United Nations aquaculture, forestry, and apiculture. Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Lessons learned from Phase l have projects for implementation with the Representative and Coordinator, Khadija been recorded in the Phase ll project p r o c e e d s o f t h e s e p a y m e n t s f o r Musa, on September 18, signed the documentation and will help to optimise environmental services; one of which is the agreement at the Guyana International project execution. An Operational Manual Amerindian Development Fund we are Conference Centre (GICC), that will and Business Strategy document have been implementing in partnership with UNDP, facilitate Phase II of the Low Carbon developed to govern important processes and but there are others worthy of mentioning Development Strategy (LCDS), Amerindian to outline the approach to important business too- Amerindian Land titling, an extremely Development Fund (ADF) Project, under areas, such as obtaining markets; A scalable important project from the perspective of which the CDPs are catered for. and transparent financial framework for recognising the rights of Amerindian villages to have ownership over the territory within The project is funded under the disbursement has also been developed. Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF) A f e w e x a m p l e s o f C D P s their village area and exercise economic and consequently is overseen by the Project implemented in Phase l include the village of rights over those areas,” he stated. Dr Singh mentioned others such as Management Office in the Office of the Santa Aratack, which used the funds to build the small and medium sized enterprises President. a guest house. The community had their The communities will benefit from official launch on September 6, and the guest w h i c h a r e i n t h e p r o c e s s o f b e i n g funding of up to $5M each for every village's house complements the community's implemented; climate resilient strategy and action plan project; institutional development, of a community based project. ecotourism offerings. All CDPs are approved by consensus or T h e v i l l a g e o f M o r a i k o b a i strengthening project to strengthen the majority vote at village meetings, governed completed rehabilitation works to their institutions involved in environmental by Section 32 of the Amerindian Act of 2006. Multi-Purpose Centre and has acquired management- Environmental Protection The UNDP is providing technical support to sewing machines, computers and a printer, Agency, Guyana Forestry Commission, the project, including, administration of stove, freezer and kitchen utensils, to equip Project Management Office of the Office of the President and the Amaila Falls social, fiduciary and environmental the facility. hydropower project, the flagship project of safeguards. There were several villages that focused on agriculture in Phase l, including the LCDS. He reiterated that the Amaila Kurukubaru, Region Eight, where funding Projects project “will see Guyana migrate from 100% Projects are to be done in seven sectors: went to cattle rearing. This saw the dependence on fossil fuel, generated energy agriculture including farming, agro- completion of the construction of a ranch processing, aquaculture, poultry and cattle house and corral along with the purchase of a to 100% generation of energy, from clean and rearing; sustainable forestry; village horse and cattle along with medications renewable sources... but it is also a project infrastructure including construction of while in Rupertee village, Region Nine, five that goes to the core of improving the village office, multi-purpose building and acres of cassava has been cultivated and a attractiveness of Guyana as a destination for investment, and improving the attractiveness processing facility completed. sewing centre and upgrade of airstrip; of the business environment of Guyana. We manufacturing, including water purification all know that the cost and reliability of energy plant, furniture, sanitary blocks and crafts; Amaila project

are currently the most signiﬁcant impediments to doing business in Guyana.” In recognition of this, the Amaila hydropower project has been conceived, conceptualised and developed, and is aimed at removing this impediment, at generating environmental advantages to migrating to clean and renewable energy, and at the same time reducing the cost of electric energy to those doing business in Guyana “We are committed to realising all of these projects, including Amaila; we are committed to working with all of our partners, ﬁrstly with Norway, in ensuring that we discharge our obligations. We are particularly pleased with the development agencies that have been working with us. The UNDP has been an outstanding partner…”

Advancing transformation The Finance Minister promised that in Budget 2015, Government will continue to make investments that are critical to advancing the country's transformation, investments and infrastructure, improving the instructional environment, social infrastructure and services and quality of life. “Initiatives such as this being implemented in partnership with agencies such as the UNDP in this instance and others in other instances will feature very prominently. It is our expectation that during the course of the remainder of this year and next year, these projects will see their full implementation.” Meanwhile, Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai pointed to the fact that the release of the funds is an important landmark for Guyana. She however, noted that the projects which began during the ﬁrst phase are still ongoing, with the exception of the 'Santac Tours and Travel' project at the Santa Aratack Village, in Region Three which was recently launched. The Minister pointed out that the success of any project depends on support which comes from various corners. She suggested that the villagers should move to build partnerships to help in the sustainability of their projects. Minister Sukhai also committed her Ministry's support towards planned projects, since they were important to the livelihood of the Amerindian people. The Amerindian Affairs Minister also lamented the cut to the 2014 National Budget which had delayed the development of hinterland residents. UNDP Representative Khadija Musa pointed out that the programme came after a year of intense work. She pointed out that there was a pilot phase from which mistakes were recognised and what was learnt was incorporated into the bigger projects. Musa noted that work was conducted in total partnership, during visits to communities, pointing out that there could be an exchange of knowledge among communities. She also commended the work done at Santa Aratack Village. Musa attended the launch of the project, where she expressed her satisfaction with the quality of work that was put into the project and lauded the initiative and the residents for what she described as outstanding work.

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We are building the foundation to give everyone equal opportunity -President

President of Guayna, H.E. Donald Ramotar The foundation of the PPP/C Administration has always been built on equity for all; equal opportunity for citizens to express and develop themselves, and equal access to free education and health care and by providing these openings, it is actually

building the foundation for giving everyone equal opportunity to what is available in the country. Amerindians, who account for about 10% of the country's population have been left out of the mainstream for centuries

because of the lack of access to services the coastland people have been enjoying. President Donald Ramotar, during a recent interview, said since the Government took ofﬁce in 1992, it would have pushed ahead to make available

the necessary facilities for Amerindians throughout the country. “We have pursued that goal from the beginning, whether in or out of Government, and now we are making it into a reality, where every person in Guyana will have equal opportunity to express and develop themselves so that they can reach their full potential…we have been building new s c h o o l s - n u r s e r y, school, proper primary schools, secondary schools, dorms, providing them with uniforms, meals and books and we are beginning to see a turning around,” President Ramotar noted. Twenty years ago, there were 131 schools in the hinterland; today there are over 250, spread across the

regions, 116 nursery, 139 p r i m a r y, a n d 1 2 secondary schools. As a result of the school feeding and uniform programme, 74% of the nursery school students are attending school, 81% primary and 82% secondary. The president further noted, that more and more, a large number of students are pursuing their education at higher institutions of learning, such as the University of Guyana, the Guyana School of Agriculture, the Carnegie School of Economics and the Government Technical Institutes. President Ramotar further noted that the administration will have to look soon at p r o v i d i n g accommodation for those persons desirous of pursuing higher

education. “This shows that the services that we are providing are bearing fruit. We have a new school at Kato and we are looking at building one in Region Seven. There is a greater appreciation and awareness of education among Amerindians and the ﬁght against poverty and advancing society,” the President further stated. While the Government has provided an enormous amount of health and education infrastructure, and housing in the hinterland, President Ramotar noted that it is also very important to improve the village economy, and the 2014 Budget cuts would have had a negative impact on A m e r i n d i a n development, directed to assist in this regard.

First 50 homes in Government's 1000 turn-key homes project allocated As government continues in its quest to make available affording housing for citizens, the ﬁrst batch of homes, under the Perseverance 1000 turn-key homes has been allocated. According to Denise KingTudor, Director of Operation, Central Housing, and Planning Authority (CH&PA), construction has begun on another 50 homes (Buttercup Cottages) which all measure 600 sq ft, feature two bedrooms, kitchen, toilet and bath. Ms. Tudor said the initiative was tested in several other housing schemes and was accepted with demands ﬂooding the Ministry. Hence, the 1000 turn-key homes initiative was launched in June 2013 and construction soon commenced in May. The project, Ms. Tudor said has also provided employment opportunity for close to 400 citizens.

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“The beauty about this is that In addition, she explained that it we are able to provide water and is not necessary for persons to wait until electricity for the persons who will be the homes are completed to apply. occupying. They apply to us for this; we Tudor said houses are allocated would prequalify them and then forward to persons, even in their construction them to NBS for them to be prequalified. They return to us and we continue the process.” A Turn Key home Tudor further explained that based on the prequalification by the New Building Society (NBS), the applicants are then advised on their down payments, for the $4.5 million structures. “This is an opportunity for all Guyanese to own their own homes. Our policy is to provide housing for all; this is one of the aspects that we have been looking at where everyone in the society can all benefit.” M s . Tu d o r a l s o t o o k t h e opportunity to encourage persons who have not yet applied to visit the ministry and take advantage of the initiative.

phases and they are allowed to visit the site and monitor works. Only recently, some of the beneﬁciaries of the ﬁrst set of homes were given a tour of the scheme and the works ongoing.

Health Ministry establishes action plan against Ebola virus Ebola is a severe febrile illness that affects humans and nonhuman primates and is often fatal. EVD outbreaks mainly occur primarily in Central and West Africa. Guyana is moving towards establishing an action plan to deal with the deadly virus, and in this regard a wide cross section of stakeholders from various organisations had a recent meeting to discuss and establish the measures to be undertaken in order to put the plan into operation. Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Health, various hospitals, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Civil Defence Commission, Ministry of Foreign Trade and International Co-operation, Guyana Revenue Authority, Veterinary Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture and the Civil Aviation Department among others. Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran expressed appreciation at the number of agencies which had representatives at the meeting. He noted that they would be helping the Ministry of Health to focus on the public health approach to the disease. The Minister pointed out that Chief Medical Ofﬁcer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud had been having discussions with smaller groups which were supported by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO). The movement to address Ebola, he noted, follows similar moves to address chikungunya and SARs. Minister Ramsaran pointed out that even before the meeting work had been ongoing regarding students in Guyana who came from Africa. However, he noted that checks on them have proved them safe. “I hope that you will create for us a barrier against the disease penetrating (Guyana), and if we do have cases, we will quickly identify and isolate them, and the good work that you will do will allow us to triumph quickly,” the Minister stated. He observed that a lot of work has been done in relation to identifying isolation areas. He noted that there is the intellectual capacity and the infrastructure along with the political will to address the issue. Spearheading the meeting, Dr. Persaud gave an overview of the disease which he said was 90% fatal. He said that the issue was to spearhead the plans and programmes which are mainly couched under International

Health Regulations, and pointed to the need to identify the symptoms. Meanwhile, Dr. Mariano Bonet, Epidemiologist, PAHO/WHO, giving a background of the Ebola virus pointed out that it is not a new virus. He lamented the fact that there is still no vaccine or treatment for it. Noting that the response is weak, he stated that it is growing in West Africa and expanding. With an incubation period of 20 days it is a rapid infection which can kill in about two days. Dr. William Adu-Krow, Representative of PAHO/WHO in Guyana urged that all should be on the alert. He also insisted that rapid detection is necessary to capture the symptoms of the disease. Dr. AduKrow added that risk reduction was just as important through the involvement of Customs, Immigration, Police and Travel Agents. He stressed that the travel agents would be able to link travellers to their susceptibility to the disease through their line of travel. The PAHO/WHO representative underscored that the process which would be put in place would be able to be adapted in other situations. DRAFT PLAN The draft plan addresses ﬁve areas. The ﬁrst for co-ordination and control will see the activation of the national health emergency committee which will hold regular meetings. This committee will develop and approve the action plan and work on the constitution of the national rapid response team. It will also establish communication systems and develop targeted communication materials. This material will include an airport advisory in the form of a poster; travellers’ information in pamphlet form; public information; health care provider information. The committee will also be responsible for the implementation of WHO's International Health Regulations (IHR) plan including a Situation Room. The second area of Point Of Entry (POE) will identify all points of entry into Guyana with the possibility of introducing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) into the country. The POEs will concentrate on the CJIA and Ogle airports; the Lethem and Moleson Creek crossings and the various sea ports such as Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Bartica, Charity etc. The points of entry will also seek to have

Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran personnel ensure that all arrival procedures are in place. This will include aircraft and ship sanitation, general flight declaration including the health sections and the training of flight attendants among other issues. The POE personnel will also ensure the examination of flight manifests to identify any possible traveller from infected areas and maintain a register of such travellers. They will also meet with persons from the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Airport Authority for establishing control points. Posters for arrival areas at the CJIA and Ogle Airports will also be organised. In addition, they will provide outgoing travellers with information and identify port quarantine facilities at both airports and provide all basic equipment and supplies. P O E personnel will also identify and equip ambulances for special transfer of suspected EVD cases. The third area is clinical preparedness. This will ensure that personnel follow the standard precautions guidelines and implement the infection control plan. They will also meet with hospitals to identify isolation units and train health workers on infection control. Workers will also be trained on clinical management of Ebola. The fourth area regards laboratory work and will ensure testing to ensure that all differential diagnosis diagnostic testing takes place with feedback transferred to physicians. There will also be moves to identify a reference laboratory and establish

protocol whilst establishing guidelines for EVD. The fifth area deals with epidemiology, public health and prevention. This will strengthen the surveillance for febrile illness accompanied by analysis and reports which includes a case definition. Personnel will also define the target audience and conduct briefings for all health workers. EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Ebola is transmitted to the human population through close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected wild animals such as infected fruit bats, chimpanzees, gorillas and monkeys. The virus is spread through humans by direct person to person contact through broken skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) with the blood, secretions, organs or other body fluids of infected persons with Ebola signs and symptoms. This virus can also be spread through indirect contact with environments contaminated with such body fluids. The initial symptoms are sudden fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain and intense weakness. These symptoms advance to vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rash and bleeding (internal and external). The virus attacks the body quickly, and causes the infected individual to be sick in as little as two days but can take up to 21 days for the symptoms to show up.

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Agri Minister and delegation tour Ontario Dairy Industry – as Guyana seeks to set up dairy plant A Guyana Ministerial Mission visited Ontario, Canada to learn from the experiences of the highly successful Ontario dairy industry. The Guyana delegation, which was led by Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie R a m s a m m y, w a s focused primarily on leveraging Ontario's signiﬁcant knowledge and experience in the dairy industry, since the country is preparing to establish a local dairy plant operation that will supply its dairy needs in part. The mission was organised by the High Commission of Canada and included a consortium of Government, regional agencies and private sector leaders, who are all critical players in the development of a dairy production facility in Guyana. Minister Ramsammy and team were welcomed by Ontario dairy leaders, many of whom had met with the Minister on the Margins of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture October 2013. T h e t e a m visited Grasshill Dairy Farms, Summitholm farm, C a l e d o n J e r s e y, K a w a r t h a d a i r y, M a r i p o s a d a i r y, Maryland Farms, Eastgen and Via Pax ET Led. T h e Delegation was hosted by the Ontario Ministry for Agriculture Farm and

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R u r a l leverage Affairs t h e (OMAFRA expertise of ) a n d diverse Kawartha stakeholder L a k e s s towards Economic t h e Developme developme nt office. n t o f a The high v i a b l e l e v e l Guyanese delegation dairy plant w a s facility. exposed to Minist the full e r range of Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy and delegation Ramsamm C a n a d i a n with Canadian officials infront Maryland farms y noted that Guyana technologies could learn much from including: genetics; Ontario and Canada. w i t h G u y a n e s e t h e O n t a r i o d a i r y d a i r y c a t t l e T h e G u y a n a c o m p a n y D & S experience as the traceability; precision d e l e g a t i o n a l s o Construction, joined country prepares to dairy management; included top brass of the mission as the reduce its dependence feed and forage and the Guyana Livestock company explores on dairy imports. In varying dairy farm Development D r . o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r discussing Guyana's operations. These Dindyal Permaul and investment in Guyana. need to set up a dairy technologies will be Dr. Dwight Waldron, Minister Ramsammy p l a n t , M i n i s t e r i n s t r u m e n t a l a s head of IICA Guyana a l o n g w i t h t h e Ramsammy pointed Guyana establishes a Mr. Wilmot Garnett delegation also met o u t t h a t t h e l a r g e s c a l e d a i r y and Guyana's Private w i t h C a n a d i a n C a r i b b e a n ' s f o o d sector dairy leader e d u c a t i o n l e a d s i m p o r t b i l l i s $ 5 operation. Ontario dairy industry S t e r l i n g P r o d u c t s including Dr. Arnold billion per year, and operations feature the r e p r e s e n t e d b y Doobay and Professor this situation provides b e s t i n c l a s s Quality Assurance S u r e s h N a r i n e . an opportunity for operations. There are M a n a g e r , M r . Discussions were held Guyana to reclaim its over 4000 dairy farm A n t h o n y R o s s . t o e x p l o r e t h e role as the breadbasket operations in rural C a n a d i a n p r i v a t e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r o f t h e C a r i b b e a n Ontario that boast s e c t o r c o m p a n y skills transfer, vertical w h i l s t also both environmentally Amanitas Group that i n t e g r a t i o n a n d c o n t r i b u t i n g t o a s u s t a i n a b l e is currently partnering techniques and p r e c i s i o n m a n a g e m e n t technologies for improved efficiency. During the visit, Minister Ramsammy took the opportunity to meet with members of the Ontario dairy c o m m u n i t y, r e g u l a t o r y associations and the University of Trent. Discussions were held on broadening technical exchange and educational programs between Minister Ramsammy talks to Lloyd Wicks of Grasshill Farms

reduced regional food import reliance. In discussions with Trent and Guelph Universities, Minister Ramsammy called for the establishment of a consortium among the Guyana Ministry of Agriculture, Trent University, the High Commission of Canada, the Ontario M i n i s t r y o f Agriculture Farm and Rural Affairs, University of Guelph, IICA, and Grasshill farms. This partnership would help Guyana set up a National Soil Laboratory that would offer support between the agriculture and extractive sectors. The establishing a multi-sectoral grouping would allow for Guyana to inﬂuence the expertise of the partners and will facilitate access to laboratory funding through the Export Development Bank of Canada and private investors. (Canadian High Commission)

APNU mounts street protest -citizens, business community wary of negative impact

Leader of the Opposition David Granger leads protest action

Leader of the Opposition and the People's National Congress (PNC), Brig. Rt. David Granger, has been involved in protest action to help bolster his call for Local G o v e r n m e n t Elections (LGE). He has called on his supporters to take such actions in an effort to force H.E. President Donald Ramotar to announce a date for LGE.

A few weeks a g o , M r. G r a n g e r wrote to the President with an ultimatum that a date for LGE be announced by September 15, 2014. President Ramotar in response asked the Opposition Leader to clarify whether it's L G E or National election he wants. This clariﬁcation was sought in the context of the no conﬁdence motion tabled in the National Assembly by

the Alliance For Change (AFC) and for which Mr. Granger has publicly signalled his Party's support. If such a motion becomes successful, then National elections will have to be held shortly after making it even more compelling for the clariﬁcation the President sought. Mr. Granger's demand for LGE is seemingly in conﬂict with the AFC's position

through the no conﬁdence motion for National elections. President Ramotar has reiterated that the two elections cannot be held at the same time; it's one or the other. To d a t e , n o such clariﬁcation has been provided and Mr. Granger has, without hesitation, taken to the streets. From all reports, there have been poor responses to the protests in

Georgetown and other municipalities around the country. Concerns have been raised by citizens and the business community following the calls for street protest given the negative impact such actions had on the country and its people. During past street protests organised by the Opposition many innocent Guyanese were beaten and robbed while

businesses looted with some set ablaze. Those events not only instilled fear in the populace and restricted movement, but negatively impacted the economy in an attempt to destabilise t h e c o u n t r y. I n addition, it deterred foreign investors impacting negatively on job creation and G u y a n a ' s international image.

protest in Agricola

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$604M Parfaite Harmonie access road commissioned

H.E Donald Ramotar unvieling the plaque of the new highway

Residents of Parfaite Harmonie, a new housing area on the West Bank of Demerara are now beneﬁtting from a 3.5 kilometre access road that was built at a cost of over $604M. This road was recently commissioned as the Government of Guyana strives toward countrywide development. Minister of Housing and Water Irfaan Ali during the ceremony said the Government saved $64M on the design and construction of the road because it was done by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) while the contractors were BK International and Gaico. CH&PA's Chief Executive O f ﬁ c e r, M r y n a P i t t s a i d , t h e alternative access road was of critical importance to CH&PA since they were certain that it was needed to

enhance more direct access to and from the area and relieve traffic congestion that would result as the area becomes fully occupied. “It is designed to accommodate two lanes of traffic and is linked to the La Parfaite Harmonie Housing area by way of a heavy-duty bridge, which in turn inter-connects with the existing north to south access to La Parfaite Harmonie from the Canal No.1 road,” Pitt explained. She added that the scheme comprises 8743 house lots and there is a projected population of approximately 40,000 people when the entire area is fully developed. Further, it was stated that a secondary school is to be built shortly at Westminster phase two and five acres of land has been identified and allocated to the Guyana Water

The new Parfaite Harmonie Highway

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Incorporated (GWI) for the construction of a water treatment plant that will serve the West Bank area. The Ministry is working with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), towards an electricity supply project for the area and once there are no objections by the IDB, the project is expected to start before the end of the year, according to Minster Ali. Plans are also in place for the construction of a polyclinic. Pitt added that the area also has reserve sites for the construction of a Police Station and Magistrate's Court and that land is also available for commercial and industrial areas that will provide employment for persons in the community and contiguous areas. Minister Ali said, “In the 2014 budget $1 billion was set aside for rural enterprise development and for the creation of employment; presently we are doing an economic analysis in La Parfaite Harmonie for the establishment of a call center to provide jobs for more than 300 residents.” A plot of land has also been set aside in Rect-Door-Zee to build a burial ground. Minister Ali added that the average investment per lot is approximately $2 million. He stated that currently ongoing projects include upgrading of approximately 20 kilometers of road to asphalt. “For these areas where we still have

challenges, I assure you that your turn will come. The total investment in housing in Region Three since 2000 is more than $30 billion,” the Minister said. “I remember the front pages of many newspapers showing holes… major roads coming out of La Parfaite Harmonie. Yes we acknowledge that there were challenges then and we are committed to changing things and today we are all sitting and standing on the output of that commitment,” Minister Ali stated. He said security in the area is being addressed by the government as, “only last night after we painted the road, some individuals tried to burn the paint and we urge residents to guard the new infrastructure.” Minister Ali announced that the Guyana Police Force is working with the private sector and has constructed a forty- foot container outpost which will be placed at the head of the access road shortly. The paint used to mark the road is made of thermoplastic, a new technology in road marking and the Minister said the Government hopes that the life span would be four years. “This is a direct fulﬁllment of the one of the President's manifesto promises to the people of La Parfaite Harmonie,” Minister Ali declared. The Minister further acknowledged the magnanimity of rice farmer and businessman, Bhagwandin Madoo, who provided some of the land for the construction of the access road free to the Government. “One of the major challenges to building this road was getting the land to connect all the major schemes to the front road because all the front lands are privately owned,” Minister Ali said. Street signage and tree planting will also be implemented, increased house lot occupancy for low income families, developing a waste management strategy and the installation of trafﬁc lights at the junction of the new access road and the West Bank Public Road, are among others plans on the horizon. Emile McGarrel, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Housing and Water said the road provides access to six areas namely; La Parfaite Harmonie, Onderneeming, Westminister, Rect-Door-Zee phase one and two; and Schoonord and Lusten-Rust.

Private sector bodies impressed with housing developments along East Bank corridor

Herstelling Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara Members of the Private Sector were given a tour of several housing development projects along the East Bank Demerara corridor, which are aiding in the massive transformation of that area. The Private Sector members all expressed their satisfaction over what is taking place in the local housing sector and moreso the country's development at large. The tour which was facilitated by Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, and other officials from his Ministry allowed Ramesh Persaud, Chairman, of the Private Sector Commission (PSC), Vice Chairman, Edward Boyer, Past President Clinton Urling, Kit Nascimento and Annette Arjune along with other stakeholders to have a firsthand look at the developments. The first site visited was Eccles where 60 turn-key homes for young professionals have been constructed. The project officially started in 2012, and has seen young professionals, taking full advantage of the public private partnership initiative. According to Minister Ali, in 2009 the area which now has a high occupancy was a swampy area, but today it has one of the fastest rate of occupation any housing development project has seen. “We are in partnership with the private sector and professional groups. The government would have put in the infrastructure, private capital would have assisted in the building of the homes and the professionals were allocated.” Each house which features bungalow roof is fitted with three

bedrooms, two toilets and bath area, kitchen, cupboards and room for expansion. It carries a cost of $13 M but with a bank value of $25 M. “This partnership was able to bring the private sector and professionals together and the government, since the beginning of this we have had immense interest in this type of initiative. People are moving away from land allocation because we are able to achieve economy of scale.” This initiative, the Minister explained, gives home owners 35 percent less of what they would have to invest in terms of security and supervision cost if they were building for themselves. However, in explaining to members of the Private Sector about why some sections of the road have only been partially completed, Minister Ali said the idea is to complete road work when there is 75 percent occupancy in the scheme. This, he said, is also done, taking into consideration heavy vehicles traversing for construction purposes. In addition, the construction has had several spin-off beneﬁts as some 300 persons were provided with full time employment over an eightmonth period.

ﬂooded with close to 600 requests for the turn -key type homes. The team also visited another location in the scheme where works are ongoing on 31 houses under the same project, but with a different value. The second set of houses feature two ﬂats, three bedrooms, kitchen facility and all have been allocated. The structures, through the initiative carry a value of $19.5 million with a bank value of $30 M. Impressed Meanwhile the Private Sector members lauded the government for the initiative and noted that they will be collaborating with the Ministry with a view to creating opportunities for persons who will be occupying the schemes. Vice Chairman of the PSC, Edward Boyer said, “We are all very impressed with what we saw here. I just want to say we are going to be bringing back a technical team to look at these projects on a wider scale with a view to see how we can structure to be a

part of the development.” Boyer added that the private sector will be collaborating more in terms of the commercial, manufacturing and employment sectors as over the next few months there will be rapid development and opportunities for investment in these areas. PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud, thanked the Minister for the tour as it has given them a clearer picture of what is taking place. “We will be looking at the opportunity for business. There is a great amount of opportunities that businesses can beneﬁt from that is an important focus that we will look at, as the impact on the economy will be signiﬁcant.” In addition, similar sentiments were expressed by Kit Nascimento as he lauded the government's effort in the housing sector. “It is the job of a government to house its people well. It's one of the most important means of use of taxpayers' money. This is superb evidence of the government carrying out its mandate.”

Souvenir Housing Scheme on the East Coast Demerara

Growing demand for turn-key homes The Ministry will be looking at constructing another 200 homes at the same value by 2015 as there continues to be a growing demand. Already the Ministry has been

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Contracts allocated for municipal markets' rehabilitation

One of the representatives signing the contract as Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry, Collin Croal looks on

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has disbursed contracts for solid waste management for Municipal Markets around the country under the US$1.5M agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the Guyana Solid Waste Management Project. The three-component project is being funded by the India/ Brazil/ South Africa (IBSA) Trust Fund, but is being implemented by the UNDP. It is aimed at strengthening solid waste management in Guyana. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker expressed appreciation for the IBSA funding, noting that in

addition to the Clean up My Country programme, the solid waste project is another intervention to support solid waste management. He indicated that this is what can come out of collaborative efforts, and urged the contractors to remember that much is expected of them. The Minister pointed to timely completion of their work even as he stressed on quality to be delivered. He pointed out that market vendors had expressed concerns at having their inadequacies met. Noting that the new East Bank Road extension would soon be completed, he pointed to the necessity for the removal of roadside vendors. The project will see the

strengthening of solid waste management across the Regions. It will include the procurement of two garbage compactor trucks and semi excavators at a cost of $93.2M. It will also see the rehabilitation of markets and tarmacs and will address the Anna Regina, Rose Hall, New Amsterdam, Corriverton, Linden, Lethem, Rosignol, Annandale, and Diamond markets. A new market tarmac and a sanitary block will be constructed at Annandale, and the Diamond market tarmac fenced. There will also be the procurement of 30 garbage collection bins, the contract for which has been awarded to Jagmohan Hardware Supplies at a cost of $2.4M. The project has a total allocation of US$1.5M, of which $1M is funded by the IBSA and $475,000 by the Government of Guyana. The project document was prepared by the Local Government Ministry with major input from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The contract for the project was signed in March, 2014. The funding will ﬂow from the UNDP even as the organisation monitors the work, and a management team from the Local Government Ministry will handle the project. UNDP's Deputy Resident Representative, Chisa Mikami pointed out that the awarding of the contracts was an important step forward for the

project. She added that UNDP is happy to work in partnership with the Local Government Ministry with the support of IBSA on solid waste management. The sum of $3.8M will be spent on repairs to the Anna Regina market and will include repairs to the roof along with plumbing and electrical works and the construction of a fence. For the Rosignol Market, $14.6M will go towards the construction of a new shed and the extension of the old one, plumbing and electrical works; the installation of gutters and fittings and the painting of the entire market. The sum of $7.8M will see repairs to Rose Hall market which will include the construction of a fish shed, a water reservoir, provision of surveillance cameras and minor repairs to sanitary facilities. The Linden market will utilise $11M to repair its Constabulary Office, Revenue Clerk Office, Stall Area, Store Room and washroom. For the Ireng/Sawariwau NDC market, the sum of $7.5M will see the supply of a cast floor, repairs to internal and external walls, electrical installation and painting of the market. The construction of a chain link fence around the Diamond market tarmac will utilise $3.8M. The fence will include four gates and a two-foot high wall made of hollow concrete blocks.

Guyana and EU sign 34M euros agreement – to be used for agri infrastructure and sea defence Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and the E U Commissioner for Development Mr Andris Piebalgs signed the National Indicative Programme (NIP) for Guyana for a sum of 34 million euros. The N I P represents the European Union assistance to Guyana and will be used for sea defence and agricultural infrastructure among other areas consistent with Guyana's sustainable development agenda.

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The European Union remains the largest provider of grant assistance to Guyana and CARIFORUM as a whole. NIPs were also signed by several other A C P countries, including Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago in the margins of the UN Small Island Developing States Conference being held in Samoa from the 1-4 September 2014.

A section of Guyana's seawall

Time to reflect, celebrate and unite – President urges – at launch of Heritage Month 2014 Amerindian communities is being Amerindians must take the time to upon,” he asserted. Information Technology addressed by government and reflect on achievements, celebrate their heritage and look to the future infrastructure to build capability is t h r o u g h t h e I n t e r A m e r i c a n t o b u i l d o n w h a t h a s b e e n also being installed in communities Development Bank (IDB) a pilot project targeting houses in Regions accomplished; President Donald where possible, he said. With regards to health care, 1 and 9 was done, with some 208 Ramotar told a large gathering as he delivered the feature address to President Ramotar said that this is families benefitting, the president f o r m a l l y l a u n c h A m e r i n d i a n being greatly improved, citing the said. Government has recognised prevalence of malaria, a disease to Heritage Month. Addressing the gathering at which he also lost childhood and acted on the need to improve the Amerindian Heritage Vi l l a g e , S o p h i a Exhibition Complex, the president said, “I believe that the last two decades have seen our A m e r i n d i a n communities growing and achieving more than they did in previous centuries of colonialism and undemocratic rule”. H e s a i d Amerindian Heritage Month is also a time for reflection, “so that we can peer into the future a n d a n t i c i p a t e t h e President Donald Ramotar delivering his remarks at the opening of Amerindian Heritage Month challenges ahead as we navigate the path to friends, in numerous hinterland and uphold Amerindian rights and greater economic and social communities before the PPP/C took through the comprehensive 2006 progress.” office in 1992. “It was so bad that Amerindian Act. This has been The President stressed that the previous government didn't described as one of the most going forward can only be done even keep records!” The situation progressive pieces of legislation, with a focus on education, nothing has now changed, thanks to President Ramotar said, to loud that it was a “happy” coincidence interventions by this government applause. that Education Month was also such as hospitals in many areas. He explained that being observed in September. Acknowledging that there communities have sub-surface Recalling the inaugural are still some problems, President rights to mining, hence they have a speech made at the University of Ramotar said that these are mostly veto power for small and medium Guyana (UG) by the late President managerial and organisational, and scale mining, with many villages Cheddi Jagan, in which the need for will be addressed. earning significant sums from this everyone to become more educated Whilst government will right. was highlighted so that anyone continue to examine renewable The preservation of could aspire to attain the top job in energy sources to meet growing languages such as the Arawak the country, President Ramotar said demands, the need for Amaila Falls dialect, has seen the publication of this was the basis of the launch of Hydro Project is still very important dictionaries to realise this, the t h e A m e r i n d i a n S c h o l a r s h i p to Guyana's development, President president said. This was one the Programme. Ramotar added. With a savings of programmes that were affected by It is based on this premise, some $9 billion annually, (subsidy the political opposition's budget the president said, that government for Guyana Power and Light) and cuts in the 2014 National Budget. has built and will continue to build the need for cheap, reliable The contributions of more schools and dormitories in electricity, Guyana will be able to Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn hinterland communities. He noted develop even faster. He noted that R o d r i g u e s B i r k e t t w h o w a s that there are more Amerindians at despite the first attempt at the honoured with an Argentinean UG and studying abroad than at any project, which was blocked, national award, and Amerindian other time in Guyana's history. government will continue to seek Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai, by “This is a great sign and indication new partners to make it a reality. Congo for her indigenous work that the progress made will be built The need for housing in were also lauded by the president.

Touching on the budget cuts, the president said that it was a calculated move to stymie the development of interior communities, given that there were some very intelligent persons on the opposite side of the National Assembly. He noted that it was government's decision to restore several key projects designed to benefit Amerindians which were cut by the political opposition, and this has resulted in the move to a noconfidence motion. He also strongly refuted claims that some companies have claims to titled Amerindian lands, describing this as “utter nonsense”. He added that as long as his government stays in office, no company would have the right to take away any lands from any hinterland community. Meanwhile Minister Sukhai, noted that the theme, “Traditional embodiment for Amerindian development”, provides the niche for the sustained inclusion of indigenous people's traditions, in the development trajectory that speaks to changes and modernisation. She said it was truly a time for Amerindians to grasp the opportunities that are at present available, via government, for their development. She reminded those gathered that they alone have the capacity to determine their future, and called for a revival of their cultural heritage and the preservation of languages, songs, foods and customs. The Minister urged that they take a leaf from the pages of those who went before them such as the late cultural activist and musician Basil Rodrigues. These goals can only be achieved if the members of the nine Amerindian groups educate themselves. There were also brief remarks by the head of the National Toshaos Council, Derrick John and cultural performances by groups from various regions across the country.

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Gov't continues to express its commitment to developing a strong agri sector two multi-million $$ state-of-the-art labs commissioned -

Nevertheless, the Government has strengthened its resolve to ensure that the dream of hydropower is realized in Guyana. “We can develop a vibrant agro-industrial sector once we can have cheap energy…this is the kind of physical infrastructure and human resources that we want to put in place…” the President said.

President Donald Ramotar on September 1 commissioned two modern laboratories at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute's (NAREI), Mon Repos compound. One was the Biological Control and the other, the Tissue Culture Laboratories. Both were constructed at the cost of $300M which was made available through a Government of Guyana and InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) loan agreement. The Head of State, speaking at the commissioning said that the construction of the two laboratories is yet another demonstration of the Government's seriousness and commitment, in pursuit of a strong agricultural programme, especially given the fact that Guyana is blessed with arable lands and fresh water. He explained that one of the major concerns in the international community today is that of food security, which has become vital for the world, as a result of the rapid population growth. This means that countries with the capacity to produce food will have signiﬁcant opportunities for growth and development. These laboratories are part of the Ministry of Agriculture's Diversiﬁcation Programme (ADP), whose main objective is to contribute to the increase of the country's export growth rate and reduce volatility. On the occasion, the President spoke of the changing nature of the market for food, both internationally and locally. He made mention of how people are

President Donald Ramotar unveils the plaque at the Tissue Culture Laboratory

becoming more health conscious and therefore there is now a lot of scrutiny on food exported to other countries. “Labs like these become extremely important in this modern time for us to develop and advance safe food for our people and for the markets that we will sell our products to,” President Ramotar said. Twenty-two percent of Guyana's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from agriculture and the Government has been investing heavily in the sector in the area of infrastructure, as well as human resource development. The Tissue Culture Laboratory, in addition to providing tissue culture plantlets, is also designed to carry out molecular studies in the plant sciences. Previously, NAREI had the capacity to produce 50,000 plantlets annually; however, this new facility has the capacity to produce in excess of 200,000 plantlets for the farming community.

Meanwhile, the Biological Control Laboratory will cater for work in molecular biotechnology, which is an indispensible component of ﬁeldbased research. This includes DNA analysis in the plant sciences for the proﬁling and characterizing of new varieties. President Ramotar said that, “the world that we are living in today is moving at a break-neck speed…science and technology is moving at a very rapid pace and it is also displacing jobs while creating new ones, but the new jobs that are created are for the people who are more educated…the workers of the future have to be highly educated people to attract investments and increase production in every way.” He noted that while Guyana has been an agricultural country, it has to also move in the direction of industrialisation. However, the unavailability of cheap, reliable energy is a major stumbling block.

The Mon Repos facility is the nerve centre of the Agriculture Ministry, as not only is it home to NAREI, but also the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Pesticide Control Board and the Aquaculture Station. N A R E I ' s H e a d , D r. O u d h o Homenauth said that the commissioning and operationalizing of these laboratories is a milestone achievement of the sector, and it is in tandem with the National Agriculture Strategy 2013-2020. “A major thrust of the strategy is on modernizing the sector so that it can be on par with what prevails internationally…these labs will advance this process,” Dr. Homenauth said. He further added that the establishment of the Biological Control Laboratories will provide Guyana's trading partners with the assurance that the fruits and vegetables exported meet the necessary phyto-sanitary requirements and are free of pesticide residues. “For us at NAREI, these are indeed very signiﬁcant developments…as we seek to provide improved services to our beneﬁciaries which are the farmers, processors and exporters,” he said.

Fire completely destroys Historic Umana Yana -Government committed to rebuilding

Government plans to move full speed ahead with the reconstruction of the Umana Yana. The prestigious historic site, which was located in Kingston, Georgetown was built in 80 days but destroyed within 15 minutes on September 9, 2014 by ﬁre. Divisional Commander of the Guyana Fire Service Compton Sparman said that based on

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information, the ﬁre is suspected to be electrical in nature because there wasn't any activity occurring in the building that would result in a ﬁre. Minister of Culture Dr. Frank Anthony who visited the scene at the time of the incident said that it was devastating, especially since Guyana was observing Amerindian Heritage Month. “We are happy that no one was injured and

we will be working along with the ﬁre service to determine the cause of the ﬁre… we would want to see it erected back as fast as possible,” Minister Anthony said. “This is a sad day for not only Amerindians, but for the nation,” Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai who was also on scene, said while noting that the Umana Yana stands as a land mark which

represents Amerindian architecture. In 1972, members of the Non - Aligned Movement and Third Wo r l d N a t i o n s c h o s e Guyana as host of the ﬁrst meeting of the Non -

Aligned Nations, and at the northeastern end of High Street where it met Battery Road, it was decided that it was the ideal location for the Benab. Wai Wai Chief Elka and 60- odd

Amerindians were recruited for the execution of this task. After 80 days, the structure was completed at a cost of $26,000.

Minister Sukhai calls for unity among indigenous people to close existing gaps Land

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai and President Donald Ramotar at the opening of Heritage month

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai took a swipe at critics who she said continue to propagate misinformation that the rights of Amerindians are being trampled upon and that their culture is dying as a result of visionless leadership. Speaking at the ofﬁcial ceremony to kick off the Amerindian Heritage Month celebrations, the Minister said that these sentiments are meant to keep Amerindians distracted, and urged them to be wary of these detractors. “Securing rights and safeguarding opportunities are best addressed by us; do not be led to believe that someone else has total of responsibility for our lives and livelihoods. The choice of transitioning from subsistence conditions to more sustained development regimes in our villages requires a higher level of capacity and resourcefulness from us,” Minister Sukhai said.

Healing Process September was designated Amerindian Heritage Month in 1995 by the late President Cheddi Jagan who was of the ﬁrm belief that this kind of recognition offers the means for the strengthening of the nine indigenous tribes while at the same time promoting overall cohesiveness of the social fabric of Guyana.

Minister Sukhai said that this approach has generated a healing process after decades of marginalisation of this ethnic group. It also attracted interest in the revival various aspects of Amerindian heritage and culture. “A fair amount of effort is unfolding; more villages are placing much attention on cultural revival, with speciﬁc reference to the languages, songs and dances, food, art and traditional activities. Increasing, we are raising the bar by believing in ourselves and recognising that our 'Amerindianess' Amerindian Heritage Month opened on September 1, at the is beautiful,” Minister Sukhai said. Amerindian Village, Sophia under the theme, “Traditional Embodiment Language for Amerindian Development”. The Minister alluded to the The Minister spoke of the loss of timeliness of the theme which speaks indigenous languages and how this to the incorporation of indigenous leads to Amerindians losing their p e o p l e ' s t r a d i t i o n s i n t o t h e identity as individuals, as well as development trajectory. She said that t h e i r c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e i r indigenous people in Guyana and communities She noted that if “Guyana around the world expand their does nothing about saving the aspirations, grasp opportunities for indigenous languages, we will all at greater prosperity, and increase e n g a g e m e n t o f d i a l o g u e a n d some point in time in the future cause conversation with Governments and a disservice to ourselves.” other authorities to inﬂuence change.

Opposition that sits in Parliament and pretend to represent indigenous The view has been expressed people as a component of their that the loss of land also contributes work,” Minister Sukhai lamented. to the erosion of cultures and traditions; however, in Guyana, Way Forward Amerindians command, collectively ownership over a sizeable portion of Notwithstanding this its landmass. s t u m b l i n g b l o c k , s h e u rg e d “Here is the basis from which Amerindians not to be side-tracked we must move into rediscovering and called for greater unity. She said this characteristic so that we can that today Guyana's indigenous move ourselves forward with greater peoples are afforded the opportunity zeal and reestablish our strong to walk the corridors of decision presence and positions in all sectors making; serving at the highest level. of this country,” the Minister urged. This however, does not mean that they have arrived where Threatened and Undermined they need to be, but rather, it beckons them to chart their own way Making reference to the cuts that forward in a unified manner to close were dealt to the Amerindian Affairs the gaps that still exist. Ministry's capital budget by the “Our strength lies in our combined Opposition in Parliament, willingness to take responsibility of M i n i s t e r S u k h a i s a i d t h a t our destiny and as a nation, to forge Amerindian rights and development ahead and resolve never to return to prospects are more threatened now the path strewn with hate and than ever before. prejudice against each “ T h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r other…heritage celebrations Amerindians progressing to a better c o n t i n u e t o f o s t e r g r e a t e r life is disregarded and undermined. cohesiveness among Guyanese as a The Ministry's 2014 capital budget w h o l e a n d A m e r i n d i a n s i n allocated to allow for financial particular,” the Minister said. resources to meet the requests made She added that while by village councils and the NTC in Guyana's diversity cannot be support of community projects, ignored, individual cultural identity w h i c h i n c l u d e d must be nurtured and in this regard, transportation…communication reaffirmed the commitment of the equipment, and agriculture and PPP/C Government, which has and cultural support resources… have continues to strive for national unity been denied by the combined using culture as a vehicle.

President Donald Ramotar being led into a tradional Amerindian dance .

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Grave consequences of Opposition's non-passage of AMLCFT bill In most cases, a single criminal act that involves even a heinous murder remains a case of isolation. That kind of crime may be neither symptomatic nor prophetic; it is 'dead and buried. This is not so with what the opposition is doing in terms of blocking the AMLCFT bill. This bill is seminal and pivotal; its rejection is the very foundation for all sorts of criminal activities and not just acts of isolation. First, currently Guyana is heading to an inevitable international 'blacklisting' as the Parliamentary Opposition parties continue to ignore the looming October 'final' deadline, set out by the Financial Action Task Force (FTAF) for Guyana to achieve an FTAF compliant legislation. Despite the FTAF's issuing this final warning, the Opposition parties remain unmoved and uncaring. They seem bent of endangering the country. This 'putting Guyana on a pariah' status seems their obsession. If the worst prevails, whatever penalties FATF levies on the country will be solely because of the unpatriotic stance of the Parliamentary Opposition parties, who for over a year now have been putting their own selfish political agenda ahead of supporting the passage of this critical legislation, despite knowing of the untold economic hardship that blacklisting will bring to Guyana. Further, if there are 'deaf ears' to common sense and logics,as regards listening to the overwhelming pleas and concerns, emanating from all quarters on the necessity for this bill to be passed, then they belong to A Partnership for Unity and the Alliance for Change. These two parties have kept on ignoring the cries and pleas of reasoning and goodwill coming from the Government, private sector, the Caribbean Community and CFATF and FATF on the need for successful legislating of this bill. Government took the lead in this effort and went that 'extra mile' many times: many calls on residents to influence the unprogressive mindset

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of the two parties; conducting a number of awareness sessions in all the regions, especially in the Opposition parties' threshold; and several efforts for discussion with APNU and AFC. Yet the response from these two groups has been a blunt refusal to even listen. It is like 'spite politics' and this ploy comes over as a major effort to make the Government look bad, even in the light of many positives in Guyana and the plethora of favourable reports from many reputable international bodies. The extent of the malignity of APNU and AFC must be noted. Both parties were counselled by their own supporters to pay heed to what they are potentially doing to the country. Yet they keep manifesting foolish obduracy and ingratitude. It really became insane to the mind when 'no assent' was embraced by APNU and AFC even though few CARICOM lead figures spoke out, namely Jamaica Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and the Bermuda Premier Fred Cannonier. It got worse too as even the pleas of the international body of CFATF and FATF left the Opposition parties unmoved. The highest ranking official of CFATF in the person of its Chairperson and Executive Director visited Guyana as regards the deadlines. He met with the opposition on the issue and the result was still the same. What is currently obtaining is that two legislations have now been prepared by the Government. Legislation One was first was read on April 22, 2013 but suffered the fate of being placed before a Special Parliamentary Select Committee, after its second reading on May 7, 2013. This bill languished at the level of this committee, which had no meeting until August 5, by which time the country had missed the first CFTAF deadline of May 28, 2013. This first bill was not amended at the PSCC level and was eventually voted down by the National Assembly by the Opposition side of the bench. It then went back to the National

Opposition members in Parliament

Assembly, but by then the country officer and or the FIU. missed two other deadlines: one on August 17, 2013; and another on A proposal now came from the November 7, 2013. President (February 8) that the AMLCFT (Amendment) Bill be A d e t e r m i n e d a n d c o n c e r n e d allowed to go through to the sitting, Government brought back another and that it meet the CFATF deadline legislation (Anti Money Laundering with the promise that he would meet a n d C o u n t e r i n g F i n a n c i n g o f some of the Opposition's demands so Terrorism (Amendment)Bill No 22 0f as to review the non-assented bills by 2013) in early December of 2013, agreeing to appoint a joint bi-partisan consolidating all the amendments committee. This was shot down by made in the first bill, but this bill too the opposition, who made it clear that suffered the fate of being sent before a unless the bill included the new Special Parliamentary Select A P N U amendments and the Committee, comprising the same establishment of the PPC the bill, it m e m b e r s o f t h e fi r s t S e l e c t would not go back to the house. As a Committee. No wonder the result was result Guyana missed that February the same-it languished, there until the 10 deadline. eve of another CFATF (February 10 ) deadline, approximately 10 months The introduction of new amendments after the bill was presented, before the on areas CFATF had previously t w o S e l e c t C o m m i t t e e s , t h e found were already in compliance, Opposition (A P N U) presented and drafting these into the bill, written amendments to the Principal ensured that bill was now held Act and not the bill itself. hostage in the PSSC and so Guyana missed another deadline on the These amendments were focused on February 28 deadline. Guyana missed removing the role of the executive the last deadline in May, and was and supplanting it with the Speaker referred then by CFATF to FTAF for and the National Assembly. The financial sanctioning. Legislature through a parliamentary The now APNU amended bill is still committee would not only nominate at the level of PSCC which has not members to a new Authority called met in months even as the final the AMLCFT Authority but would October deadline draws closer. In also appoint through the Speaker, the short, there is no doubt that a menu of Director, lawyer and accountant of unnecessary hardship is about to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU). befall Guyana because of the APNU The third amendment had to do with and AFC. cash seizures by the police, customs

Culture of mis-management has occasioned Central Government’s $500M City clean–up Finally, the Government’s ‘Clean-Up my country’ campaign is underway, with its main and largest centre of operations, the municipality of Georgetown, undergoing what is deﬁnitely its most comprehensive sanitation exercise ever undertaken in its existence. Surely this endeavour, initiated at a cost of $500M, and with community involvement, has begun to bring great relief to citizens. With almost all the main city waterways cleared of weed, silt, and the Styrofoam and plastic nightmare, and of course, the numerous garbage heaps – Georgetown is beginning to look somewhat like older Guyanese would have known it to be. For any municipality to deteriorate to such a state, where its city or town becomes a depot of garbage piles, coupled with the nauseating smell of human excreta; canals choked with weed and sundry objects; as well as its entire drainage system compromised with the disgusting site of plastic bottles and Styrofoam containers, brings into question its management. Even the cemetery, once a tranquil and garden like environment despite being the resting place of the dead, became a frightening jungle as its graves disappeared into the forested vegetation. To say that something has to be fundamentally wrong with the municipality's managers, for their stewardship to be so abysmal, thus posing a health hazard to citizens in the process, is to describe mildly a deﬁned case of criminal neglect of cataclysmic proportions. A council of excuses and nonperformance Without any apologies, the above status quo applies to the Georgetown Municipality and its city fathers and mothers. For all the excuses that the Mayor and councillors have had to offer as to their inability to even carry out the basic function of garbage collection, the realities of such incompetence lies in their inability to manage. Their cry has always been “lack of funds “! This refrain, would have led to workers resorting to industrial action over non-payment of salaries, and garbage removal contractors not being paid. And the bailout has always been the same – City Hall having to be bailed out by Central Government.

Burrowes Commission exposes failed Management at City Hall It took the Burrowes Commission to conﬁrm what had been perceived about the workings at City Hall; which enquiry arising out of information from an Auditor General's report about ﬁnancial irregularities exposed the non-existence of proper systems of management and accountability, misuse and mismanagement of resources, among other very serious observations.. And as to be expected, both the sitting Town Clerk and City Treasurer were removed in the public's interest. One does not have to be a management expert to understand what the latter action meant. Enquiry into City Hall’s failure to implement recommendations unearths vast scale of criminalities Of course, 45 recommendations, that addressed the issues of fraud, theft, misuse, and mis-management of resources were made with a given time line for implementation; but instead, the same conditions that had given rise to the enquiry and recommendations, continued. It was business as usual, until an investigation was launched to ascertain the reason(s) for the non-implementation of initiatives given for better managing the operations at City Hall. It was at this point, that the heart of the dishonest practices at the Municipality was ripped open, as a well known public commentator and consultant whose mandate had been to investigate the nonimplementation, came upon other festering acts of criminality that occasioned the summoning of the Police. Of course, another Town Clerk and her City Treasurer were dismissed.

Consultant's findings confirm public's perception of dishonest practices What had been found during the consultant's investigation was clear evidence that solidified the public's view of the culture of corrupt practices among senior officials at City Hall. How does one account for the Council's financial books not audited for ten years? What about the fraudulent transactions carried out in the name of a bogus company affiliated with a staff member's family? Then there were the cases of new compactor trucks not in use; of fuel theft; resources sold and for which there was no accountability, and also missing funds. The above reasons explain the descent of our once beloved garden city, becoming the ugly and unsightly place of garbage. Two words will suffice: gross incompetence that allowed for the dissolution of whatever management systems there might have been, that paved the way for the eventual wholesale misappropriation of citizens' hard earned money; and pillaging of public property. In fact, as the consultant's evidence showed, there was the illegality of transactions being carried out under the aegis of the Council all fraudulent in nature.

Idiotic and unintelligent excuses by Mayor and council It should boggle the mind that after three years, Burrowes recommendations were still not implemented, or showed any signs of becoming a part of the Council's management restructuring systems. No amount of the idiotic and unintelligent excuses offered by the Mayor and councillors were rational in explaining this grave dereliction of duty. The great contradiction here is that it was the Mayor who had requested that the Auditor General be summoned; yet, when action had been taken, especially in the form of the recommendations as per implementation, he and his council pleaded that the implementation was outside of their power. This particular view the consultant contemptuously dismissed, since it was his conclusion, and solidly supported by the evidence he garnered, that there was no earnest attempt to implement the recommendations. Why central government has intervened It is instructive to note that the consultant further observed that the Council's records did not show any evidence of discussion on the subject of implementation. Thus, this is the reality of City Hall, as to why our Capital City arrived at the insalubrious status as it is at the moment, causing the Government to launch its $500M plan for the cleaning of the Georgetown municipality as part of the $1B CLEAN-UP MY COUNTRY programme. This is essentially an exercise that ought to have been carried out by the Municipality of Georgetown, but because of its horrible track record of mismanagement and mal-administration HOW CAN IT BE TRUSTED? Those responsible have fallen on their own swords!

City Hall

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Guyana reiterates commitment to restoring, preserving Ozone Layer Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie R a m s a m m y, h a s r e i t e r a t e d t h e country's commitment to ensuring the restoration and preservation of the ozone layer, noting that there is tangible evidence to prove that it has been restored to pre-1979 levels. This statement was made at a recent ceremony which was held two days after Guyana joined with the rest of the world to celebrate International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on September 16. At the ceremony Dr. Ramsammy said Guyana is proud of its advocacy and leadership role it has taken in this regard. The event which was held at Cara Lodge, commemorated the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987 to which Guyana signed onto in 1993, along with all CARICOM countries. “There are genuine reasons to celebrate the global action which started over 25 years ago,” Dr. Ramsammy said; adding that, “that's good news that we can reverse the damage done to the ozone layer.” Since 1989, Guyana has made progress in this regard. Minister Ramsammy noted that 2014 is the times to celebrate global actions that have been carried out since. He said all countries, have a role to play and must do its parts to contribute to the preservation of the environment and a sustainable environment. Highlighting the Montreal Protocol which has beneﬁtted the

A section of the audience at the symposium human race, he pointed out that it has stabilised the situation, and countries that continue to operate in a manner that poses a threat to the environment is doing a disservice to citizens of the world. He urged that the dispensation be changed, noting that developed countries are not meeting their obligations. The Minister pointed out that while global warming and climate change are real; there is no consensus on how to deal with it. Describing the Kyoto Protocol, Minister Ramsammy indicated that its focus was to reduce overall production of greenhouse gas emissions by 88,000 tonnes. “This is a signiﬁcant advance forward,” he pointed out. The Minister pointed to

Guyana's move to phase out several Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) namely, methyl bromide and halogens. There was the introduction of regulation to control imports of ODS, which will allow the imposition of a quota system for imports of the Hydrochloroﬂourocarbons, (Hcfcs) which is the next ODS targeted for a reduction of consumption to 97.5% of current average consumption by 2030. The Minister also pointed out that citizens will soon be discouraged from using refrigeration and air conditioning technicians who are not licenced. This will ensure that step by step, Guyana will accede to the Montreal Protocol. He urged that persons commit to achieving the MDG 7, adding that the environment is featured in the post-2015 agenda.

Guyana's UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Khadija Musa delivered the message from the UN Secretary General on the occasion. She pointed out that research shows that the Earth's stratospheric ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas that protects the Earth and its surface-dwelling organisms from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, is on track to recovery from ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). The UN General Assembly proclaimed Sept. 16 the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. The theme of this year's observance is Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On. The UN's chief hailed the success of the Montreal Protocol in countering the depletion. “Recent scientific findings reveal the importance of the Montreal Protocol,” Secretary-General of the UN Ban Kimoon stated in his message. “Without the protocol and associated agreements, atmospheric levels of ozone-depleting substances could have increased 10-fold by 2050. Concerted action has prevented millions of cases of skin cancer.” While ozone high above the earth's surface helps protect life, ozone near the earth's surface is a pollutant that is harmful in many ways. It causes rubber to crack, hurts plant life and damages people's lung tissues, according to the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Banning log export not feasible without cheap energy-President

In a recent interview with the State Media ( N a t i o n a l Communications Network) President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar shrugged off the promise of Opposition Party, the Alliance for Change (AFC) that will place a ban on the exportation of logs, once the Party gets into power. The party's Chairman, Nigel Hughes is alleged to have made the promise, whilst engaging

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residents of Region Nine including those of Lethem, Baitoon, Maruranau and Shulinab in meetings. President Ramotar however, said that for the Party to talk about banning logs when the country is without cheap energy is idle talk, and that without this critical variable, a ban on export would put pressure on 'the poor people in the country.' “I would love to do that (ban log export), but we can only do that if

we have cheap energy and so can add value to the wood that we have and make more ﬁnished products for export,” the President explained. In responding to recent statements that Guyana is destroying its forest, the president told Barticians on August 30 that, “Our extraction is way below the allowable extraction for a sustainable forest… if we do not export them, what will we do?... we do not have the cheap energy to do the value

added that is so necessary for exports and to earn us more money.” The country has consistently reflected a low deforestation rate of less than 0.1 percent and has reported a verified low rate of illegality. The national Monitoring Reporting and Verification system ( M RV S ) h a s b e e n independently verified every year for the past three years by a third party international a u d i t o r, f o l l o w i n g international guidance

for such audits, and all results made public. The A F C , already in pre-election mode, in case of an early election is seeking to ride on the recent attack on operations of Bai Shai Shan Lin-the largest logging company in Guyana. Among these are the unproven allegations that the company has been shipping out a large number of the country's timber, a move that is not in accordance with the logging agreement.

The attack on the company followed similar unwarranted attacks on Chinese investments in the c o u n t r y. P r e s i d e n t Ramotar noting these attacks, pointed out that China is the second largest economy in the world today, and is a major source of investments. Moreover, the President noted that Bai Shan Lain has not broken any of the country's laws. “They have not been doing any of the things that people say,” he said.

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First pilot project under Community Development Projects completed -as Santa Mission launches 'Santac Tours and travel' President Donald Ramotar on September 6, cut the symbolic ribbon to commission the first project that has been completed under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Guyana Redd + Investment Fund, (GRIF). Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai and United Nations Development Programme (U N D P) Country Representative, Kadijah Musa joined the Head of State at Santa Aratack village, a riverain community in Region Three where the village launched the 'Santac tours and Travel'. Also on the occasion, the village and its leaders along with the officials commissioned a guest house and dining hall. This project has now paved the way for 100 plus Amerindian communities to receive funding for their Community Development Plans (CDPs). According to Minister Sukhai, she was recently informed that the sum of US $6.3 M has been released and is ready for disbursement to the other communities. The Minister expressed her satisfaction over the timely completion of the project and the quality of work that has been done on the guesthouse. “This project is one that will forever resound in the minds of all who are here. It is Heritage Month and it is important that you chose to launch this facility, and, of course, the project which is one among 26 that is progressing. This is the first one that is being formally launched, and I want to congratulate you.” The Minister noted that it is remarkable what the villagers were able to do with the money allocated to them as it reflects good management. “It does not matter how much funding we give, what matters is that we get value for the money and how well you manage it, it will be an important feature in Amerindian development.” The Minister told the gathering that it is their resourcefulness which

brought about this kind of development as it also reflects unity. “It's resounding evidence and I call on other villages to follow suit, and indeed it is also evidence to those who feel that investment funds placed in Amerindian people go to waste.” Ms. Musa also lauded the initiative and the residents for what she described as outstanding work. “It's really an honour to be here to see the final results, I was here a few months ago and saw it in progress and it's amazing...I think that whatever you will need going forward from here is quite minor.” The UNDP Country Representative also expressed her satisfaction with the quality of work that was put into the project. She, however, encouraged the villagers not to move away from their culture while executing this project as it is very important and it is what will attract persons. “The world wants to know about you and your culture. It is important to see how you sing your songs, introduce your history of the community.” She also urged the residents to maintain a very high standard at the guest house, as well as the service they will be providing. “I think this community will continue to be an example as we unfold the second phase of Amerindian Economic Development Programme. They create a window for other villages.” Musa also pledged the continuous support of her organisation towards the project as she thanked the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs for their contribution to the endeavouer, as well as Office of Climate Change. Meanwhile, President Ramotar, in his address, spoke of the many investments made by the current administration over the years to hinterland communities. He recalled that

President Donald Ramotar cutting the ribbon to commission the Santac Tours and Travel project

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai address residents at Santa mission when the current government took up office there were little or no opportunities for hinterland communities, but that has changed over the years. “Very few hinterland children had the opportunity to go to school… when we think that today that I can stand and tell you that we are closer to having universal secondary education that itself is a major achievement for our country as whole.” Under the current administration, over 1000 schools have been built across the country making provision for every hinterland child. “Where we can't put a school in every community, we built schools with dorms, free uniforms, meals, text books and now the $10,000- grant this will ensure all our children go to school.” Pointing to the recent CSEC results, the President noted that the country's top students came from every administrative region, including hinterland regions. As a result of Government's investment, the President noted that in Waramadong, 700 children are attending school while there has also been an increase in attendance at Paramakatoi, Region Eight. The Head of State also pointed out that the largest portion of the national budget goes to the social sector with a significant portion going towards the education sector, and “that is not by accident. It is because we recognise that investing in our people, the human capital is very important.” According to the President, it has been a proven fact that there is a direct link between education and poverty and with more educated people, the border of poverty is pushed further away. Speaking about other developmental initiatives for hinterland communities, the president zeroed in on the Hinterland Electrification

programme, which has seen communities being equipped with solar panels. Eleven thousand of those are already installed, and more are to come. Mention was also made of the indigenous communities' contribution towards the LCDS. He noted that Guyana's model is being used in places like Indonesia and is now being looked at by Congo. Meanwhile with regards to the project which was launched, the president lauded the efforts of the villagers. He called on the residents of Santa Mission to capitalise on the initiative, as it will have several spin-off beneﬁts for their community. “I join the call for you to look at your marketing, you have to attract people and make them want to come. This can help to develop your craft industry and your market too. It is not limited to people who come here: having the internet now, the whole world becomes a market where people can buy your goods.” He also urged the residents to maintain their culture as it will boost their product. The Santac Tours and Travel is a community-based approach to cultural and heritage tourism. The concept is to promote and preserve indigenous knowledge and skill through interpretation, providing an alternate mean of livelihood and professional development. This new project, which is the Santa Mission's C D P under the LCDS/GRIF initiative, will provide tour packages, tour guides, destination management, natural resources management and training. With the new guest house, persons can now plan overnight trips at the Santa Aratack reservation and with the dining area in place, it provides a new atmosphere for company retreats and other functions.

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Rodney Commission of Inquiry- shocking perceptions, chilling details revealed There have been few Commissions of Inquiry that were more eagerly awaited, than the one convened for investigating the circumstances of the death of Dr Walter Rodney, renowned international scholar, historian, political activist and leader, of the Working People's A l l i a n c e ( W PA ) . H e w a s assassinated under 'suspicious' circumstances in June, 1980. This inquiry, long overdue, was finally convened by the Donald Ramotar PPP/C administration, after pleas from the slain activist's family. With clearly defined Terms of Reference, this Commission began its hearings on April 28, 2014. Mind you, this inquiry was not a possibility during the pre-1992 era. Thus it really stirred a most interested and intense following. It was natural that such a long awaited investigative procedure be held into a murder, most heinous, that had shaken the entire Guyana, and the international community, during a period of great tribulation for the nation of Guyana. That the many questions as to who were the intellectual authors of political crime; and who were its executioners, remained unanswered, at least before the commencement of the Inquiry, had been due to the refusal by the former Forbes Burnham administration, to establish such an investigative body. Even repeated calls for such, from numerous high profiled international bodies, and leading international academics, were constantly ignored. These were questions that the nation had pondered for answers for over three decades. It is instructive to note that an inquest was held sometime in 1989 that returned a verdict of death by misadventure. This had been largely ignored by an overwhelmingly skeptical public because of a justifiably held perception that the truth would not be revealed, apart from the fact that such a judicial procedure was held to be wholly inadequate for such a controversial matter, in which suspicion pointed to the direction of complicity by the State. Thus the Commission, presiding since April, has heard e x p l o s i v e t e s t i m o n y, n o t

unsurprising, coming from a mix of former high proﬁled and current personalities, inclusive of former Guyana Defence Force, Chief-of Staff, Major General ret'd. Norman Mclean; Colonel Sydney James; former People's National Congress (PNC) member of parliament, Joseph Hamilton; former intelligence agent, Cecil Gates; former GDF pilot, Captain Gerry Gouveia; WPA activists, Tacuma Ogunseye, Karen De Souza and Joycelyn Dow; and Roman Catholic priest, Father Malcolm Rodrigues. From their individual testimonies, frightening details Attorney-at-Law, Latchmie Rahamat questioning Rev. Ruben Gilbert at the COI were garnered, leading up to the the army had been procured by a murder of Dr. Rodney. *That an intelligence operative former P N C high ranking * That Guyana was in the grip of from the GPF was planted minister, for distribution to the dictatorship rule by the former within the WPA party. This House of Israel. Most of these PNC government. person, apart from being a w eapons have not been *That those who dared to speak double agent, was also ordered returned, according to out, challenging the to kill Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, a testimony given at the Inquiry. dictatorship, were harassed and high ranking member of the *That the PNC government felt detained, physically harmed, party. He also had several threatened by the emergence of and even eliminated. conversations with the alleged the WPA as a political party, * That the nation, tired of abuses assassin Gregory Smith, before which posed the most serious to liberty and other human Rodney died. threat to its administration, in rights, were in civil rebellion Based on the above the person of Dr Rodney who mode against the Burnham revelations from testimonies fearlessly confronted the regime. from summoned witnesses, and dictatorship. *That the notorious House of subsequent cross examinations, *That the plot to murder Dr Israel religious group members it is anticipated that more Rodney was hatched in the had been used to disrupt and explosive revelations will be highest echelons of both the violently break up political made, regarding this dark GDF and the Guyana Police meetings held by the WPA. episode of an earlier period of Force (GPF), involving high *That dozens of weapons from post-independence Guyana. ranking security ofﬁcials.

Government Information Agency TV Program Timewarner Cable Channel 96 Sunday’s 5:30 - 6:30 pm WPAT Radio Sunday’s 9:30 am 1:30 - 2:00 pm Page 26

Former Guyanese sprint champion Alicia Fortune cops gold at NCCWMA Guyanese former sprint champion Alicia Fortune during a visit to Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony shared with him the gains of her journey to San Jose, Costa Rica where she represented Guyana at the North, Central American and Caribbean Wo r l d M a s t e r s A t h l e t i c Championships (NCCWMA) held in August. Fortune competed in the 3539 age categories of 100, 200 and 400 metre track events. For those meets, Fortune secured gold medals. Following this achievement, the Guyana Masters Association is planning to send a group of athletes to the South American Masters Championships in Medellin, Colombia in November. Fortune was given a special invitation for this competition in an effort to enhance

the quality of the competition. Fortune's success comes after more than 10 years of the Masters Association being inactive. It was resuscitated in June of this year. While interacting with the Minister and Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, Fortune noted that the experience was gratifying especially when the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted and the National Anthem sung. She noted that with the completion of the Synthetic Track athletics training will be boosted. Meanwhile, Minister Anthony lauded Fortune for her achievement which demonstrates that an athlete is never too old to compete. He expressed his satisfaction with Fortune's passion for the sport.

North, Central American and Caribbean World Masters Athletics Championships triple gold medal winner Alicia Fortune.

The Minister was pleased with the resuscitation of the Masters Association, and hopes that there will be more collaboration between the Ministry and the organisation. He also suggested that Guyana start its own masters competition so that Guyanese athletes in this particular

category can have the chance to perform. With regards to the Synthetic Track, Minister Anthony recalled the recent certiﬁcation of the facility, and added that the equipment of international standard are being procured.

Synthetic Track certiﬁed by International Association of Athletics Federation

A section of the Synthetic Track The National Synthetic track at Leonora, Region Three was certified by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) as part of the Government's quest to renew sport and athletics and boost Guyana's capacity to host international sport activities. Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony while at the site, said “We are very pleased that we have been able to certify the track. This will be the first certified facility that we have in Guyana for athletics, so while its looks like a simple thing, it is really a big deal.”

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The Minister added that he track is classiﬁed as class two which pleases the Government because it allows local athletics to race on a surface that would allow their record breaks to be recorded internationally. “A lot of our athletes would have travelled to places like Trinidad and Barbados, now we can do that right here. I see it as a good thing for competition. The venue itself would also allow for training,” Minister Anthony said while adding that the Ministry envisions that at some point in the future athletes from outside of Guyana will also utilise the track for

training. He added that there are still works that need to be done at the facility, and explained that the northern stand is just one component of the set that will be built. In addition, stands will be built at the southern, western and eastern sides of the track, in phases. Once the northern stands and the VIP area are completed (which are expected to accommodate approximately 10,000 people), the facility will be launched. “The other stands will be built as we get money in our budget,” Minister Anthony said. Works such as landscaping, the football ﬁeld and creation of the parking area are also completed. A soft launch which was scheduled for later this year had to be delayed because of the need to replace a contractor. The Minister also expressed satisfaction that a lot of persons and athletic groups have shown interest in the facility. Further, ﬂood lights are scheduled to be installed shortly and a list for persons to be employed has already been compiled. Advertisements will soon be published

for workers. Government anticipates hosting local competitions when the track is up and running, as well as other meets that will be created for the facility. President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) Aubrey Hudson said the AAG is on a constant drive to improve athletics and with collaboration with the Minister and Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, the organisation is elated to have access to a certified track and is anticipating bringing track and field to the synthetic track and receiving expected results so athletes can perform and compete internationally. Hosting of South American seniors, under-23 and junior track and field are also anticipated, and further bids will be placed to host Caribbean F r e e Tr a d e A s s o c i a t i o n g a m e s (CARIFTA). Hudson said the new track with fully automatic timing system (FAT) allows precise judgment of winners and better rating of athletes internationally. “We can accurately compare our athletes to international athletes,” Hudson said.

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