2nd edition the guyanese newspaper oct 20, 2014

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Issue No: 2

October 24, 2014

Given time, gov’t can turn Guyana into a very developed country Page 3

-President Ramotar

$10,000 “Because We Care” initiative takes off Page 2

INSIDE

Former president slams Page 8 Opposition for not supporting hydrodevelopment in Guyana

Head of State hails investor confidence in Guyana’s economy

- as Troy Page 9 Resources mining agreement signed

GuyExpo 2014 a Page 13 resounding success GRA takes Kaieteur News to court Page 12 -Publisher charged with TAX evasion

Excellence in Education

-Guyanese dominate Region at CSEC yet again Page 10

Weekly Digest & Development Digest Sundays 6:30pm - 7:30pm on Time Warner Cable Channel 96

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Government continues education drive-$10,000 “Because We Care” initiative takes off

The response was typical and quite fitting for the occasion, as it was the “Because We Care” $10,000 Cash Grant. The initiative was on Saturday, October 11 launched at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Region Seven, where scores of parents and children, gathered in the presence of President Donald Ramotar and a number of ministers, namely Priya Manickchand, to collect their grants.

The following day, over 1100 Leguan and Wakenaam parents received their grants in the presence of Education Minister, Priya Manickchand and Member of Parliament (MP) Bibi Shaddick. The disbursement then continued on October 14, in Moruca, and on October 16, in Mabaruma.

The cash grant initiative was first announced by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, during the presentation of Budget 2014. As explained by the Minister of Finance, this measure is set to benefit some 188,406 families and at a total cost of a hefty $2B. It is meant to provide more support to parents with school aged children

and increase their disposable income, with a view to raising enrollment and attendance rates.

Historic The $10,000 “Because We Care” Cash Grant is in fact the first programme of its kind in the Caribbean and indeed anywhere else in this part of the world, where every public school child is entitled to this benefit.

Enshrined in Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana, which recommends inclusionary democracy and because of the Government’s deep commitment to making decisions, based on the desires of the peoples of Guyana, the Ministry of Education did engage in many consultations all across Guyana, so as to hear firsthand from Guyana’s parents, systems they believe would serve them best.

More than 55 public consultations were held, where the questions were examined on whether parents would prefer to be able to receive cash or exchange a voucher for goods, in the manner that the uniform voucher program is currently being operated. Then

in terms of en-cashing, the most preferred optionparents went for was that of being able to en-cash their vouchers at Western Union/Bill Express money services. However, where geographically there are limitations of financial services, a number of different arrangements are in the offing, so that the cash grant will not engender any kind of difficulty.

Eligibility The only eligibility criterion required to benefit from the “Because We Care” cash grant programme is that a student must be on the register of a public school. To this end, every class in every school across Guyana was asked to submit a list of the students on the current 2014/2015 Register. Head teachers were instructed to verify the lists submitted by their class teachers and Regional Education Officers were instructed to further verify those lists submitted by schools in their region.

The Ministry of Education is therefore constrained to distribute vouchers only to parents/guardians of children who appear on the list compiled by the school

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand poses with these nursery level children in Moruca, Region One and submitted to Central Ministry, the exception being that of the Ministry’s policy to accept children into school anytime that they appear and express an interest once they are within the age range.

Other support for education The Ministry of Education has since implemented several initiatives to aid families and parents to provide the opportunity for all of Guyanese children to have expo-

The massive gathering at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Region Seven for the official launch and distribution of the Government’s $10,000 education grant

“This is a very good initiative-I welcome it and I also welcome the idea or suggestion of the attendance for next year because many people just want to come and collect, but it is important the students stay in school, remain in school and have that education. So I welcome it and I would like to say kudos to the government of Guyana on this initiative.”

(Jacqueline Thomas, Bartica) sure to academic development. These include quite a few things: the “2010 National School Feeding Programme”(where the Government provides a biscuit and Juice to Nursery and Primary Schools in Regions 2,3,4,5,6,10. In Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9, hot meal and/cassava bread and juice is provided); the“2002 Uniform Vouchers Programme”whereby school uniform vouchers are provided to the parents of the children residing on the coastlands, whilst in the riverain communities, school uniform materials are given to sewing groups in the various communities to sew uniforms for free distribution.

Overall, some $1 billion was expended on the National School Feeding Programme, benefitting over 65,000 children in

2013, while $208 million was spent on the National Uniform Programme, benefitting over 139,000 children in efforts to ensure improved attendance and attentiveness in the classroom.

These inputs have largely been responsible for Guyana’s attainment of Universal Primary Education in terms of notching up a Millennium Development Goal. The way things stand, it will be of no surprise if achievment of Universal Secondary Education (MDG) does not follow.

Another big side benefit to what the Ministry of Education is doing is the fact of outstanding successes for non-traditional top schools, coming mainly from the city. Already Anna Regina and Skeldon Line Path are major competing ones.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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Given time, gov’t can turn Guyana into a very developed country President Donald Ramotar is optimistic that Guyana’s development will continue to expand under the guidance of his administration. In a recent interview with the National Communications Network, the president said that he, and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, intend to build on the successes gained thus far since Guyana’s first free and fair elections in 1992.

The fact that Guyana has moved from being a heavily indebted poor country to the status of a middle income developing country, under the PPP/C, has been commended by the international financial community. Given enough time, President Ramotar said, the government could advance Guyana to being a very developed society.

Government’s investment in developing the country’s human capital is

-President Ramotar

Kidney transplant operation being conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation one such step towards accomplishing this objective, the president said. He cited the innovative “One Laptop Per Family Programme” and its intended goal.

“We are ensuring that our young people and their families will have the ability to use one of the most modern tools, to be able

The Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown

to manage these tools and be able to be competitive.

They will also be more competitive in the international economy because our people are becoming more educated,” the Head of State said.

In addition to the investments in Information Communication Technology (ICT), millions are being spent to improve the country’s infrastructure, President Ramotar said. “These are just some of the things we are putting into place to modernise the society”.

He made mention of the Amalia Falls Hydro Project which has been stymied by the political opposition. “I don’t see it as a block, I see it as a delay, and we are going to work towards it. Very soon I’m going to conclude

some more discussions to put it back on track”.

The fact that the project is vital to the country’s overall development was reiterated by the president, noting that, “cheap electricity is vital to developing an industrial manufacturing sector, to developing an agro-industrial sector where we can add value to our agricultural products.

We can look at other forms of low carbon development technology, solar energy, wind energy, tidal energy, all of these things we have to look at, and use to develop our society”.

Agriculture was cited

by President Ramotar as another factor in the push to further Guyana’s development. The performance of rice, changing fortunes of the sugar industry, new crops such as soya and expansion of agricultural areas, will “broaden the base of our economy”.

Mining, he added which has become very important to the local economy, is being examined to see how more value can be added to the sector,and “Instead of exporting gold alone, we can export jewellery, all of these things we can do.”

Describing tourism as an equally important product, President Ramotar said that what Guyana has to of-

fer is “second to none as far as that is concerned and we are only scratching the surface of the tourism industry. That can help to really push this country, much, much further ahead.”

The Head of State stated unequivocally that he is optimistic that Guyana can really soar because government has laid the foundation for that, “in the investment in our human capital, we have repaired and put back in place, and added to the infrastructure that we have had, and now we are working on new infrastructure that will be able to take us to greater levels of development in our society” In closing, President Ramotar said that the transformation that has taken place in the Guyanese society is nothing less than a revolution as he cited strides made in education, health, and housing especially.

Aquatic pool at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown

Government debunks AFC’S bribery allegations - Granger labels AFC claims as an invention The Alliance for Change (AFC) party leader, Khemraj Ramjattan’s recent allegation of the PPP/C government’s offering $30M in bribes to opposition parliamentarians, with the aim of securing their non-support for the expected motion of no-confidence, has been met with outright dismissal from the PPP/C government, that has described it as

“reckless” and without “merit”.

Ramjattan’s latest inexplicable accusation drew a sharp response from President Donald Ramotar who said, “I am concerned that Ramjattan seems to be in the mode of slandering our country.” Further denouncing such accusation as a “vicious” attack on parliament, the President demanded an explanation on behalf of the nation. This was followed by an equal-

ly strong view posited by Government Chief Whip, Gail Teixeira, who stated that such “……accusations bring all Members of Parliament into disrepute, and in doing so , damages the image and integrity of the Guyanese Legislature…..”

What was very interesting about Ramjattan’s statement was that it totally exonerated his party’s serving members of the House, but pointed the finger towards his colleague

opposition party, the A Partnership for National Unity(APNU).

However, APNU’s leader David Granger, in a shocking response, said that the AFC “may have fabricated’’ the allegations. This brutal description, apart from debunking what is to all intents and purposes, a rabbit- beingpulled-out-of-a-hat statement, has further shed light on the on-going, testy relations between the two

political opposition parties. From the statements and manoeuvrings of the APNU, there is a marked hint of reluctance from the latter as far as supporting the proposed motion of no – confidence, scheduled for presentation and debate, when the House re-convenes shortly.

It would appear that there is reluctance, especially on the part of Granger in supporting what many have concluded is an unneces-

sary distraction from the business of nation building at this time.

It is a scenario from which Ramjattan and company calculated that the radicals within APNU would readily support such a proposition, and which its leader would be forced to support. Granger’s calls for Local Government elections are a clear indication as to his reluctance.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

More than US$117M development finance secured for Guyana to boost continued growth and expansion

A number of agreements, totaling in excess of US$117M were inked, and these will continue Government’s focus of delivering demonstrable improvements to the quality of life enjoyed by all Guyanese. The agreements were inked by Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh, whilst on a recent visit to Washington, USA

Financing for electricity and water sectors Minister Dr. Ashni Singh signed two project agreements with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU), mobilising a total of US$96 million of development financing to benefit the electricity and water sectors of Guyana. The Minister signed with IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno,in the presence of EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs.

Power supply Under this first agreement, an amount of US$64.6M will be provided to finance a Power Util-

the management and corporate performance of the utility company.The programme consists of three components which will be implemented over a five- year period The three main components of the agreement are expected to produce a sustained trend in overall loss reduction; an improved and accountable management performance against consistent Key Performance Indicators and within minimum international standards, and a more modern, efficient, and reliable operational systems in GPL. This new programme will rehabilitate approximately 830 kilometers of GPL’s distribution network by implementing an integral approach to tackle overall losses while strengthening GPL’s management and technical capabilities.

This project is funded by loans totalling US$37.6 million provided by the IDB and grants totalling US$26.9 provided by the EU. Water and sanitation Under the second

households with 24-hour access to water and water pressure that is in line with national standards.

This programme will also reduce the percentage of water that goes unaccounted for and increase the number of homes with improved access to drinking water and proper sanitation arrangements.

It will also improve efficiency, quality and sustainability of potable water services in Regions 3, 4 and 6, strengthen GWI’s operational capacity and the management and improve the delivery of sanitation in programme areas.

The programme specifically aims to improve water service pressure, quality and continuity of water service, as well as reduce the level of NonRevenue Water (NRW) in programme areas.

Civil works will include the construction of three new Water Treatment Plants at Uitvlugt in Region 3, Diamond in Region 4 and Sheet Anchor in Region 6. It will also involve the expansion of two existing water treatment plants in George-

Three Wartsila generators inside the new Kingston power plant ity Upgrade Programme, under which GPL’s efficiency and reliability will be enhanced through electricity loss reduction measures, improvements in the operational capabilities, and strengthening

agreement, amounts totalling US$31.7 million will be provided to finance a Water Supply and Sanitation Infrastructure Improvement Programme that is expected to increase the percentage of

town located at Sophia and Central Ruimveldt, as well as the rehabilitation of the Shelter-Belt Water Treatment facility in Georgetown. Other works will include the upgrade of nearly 20,000 service

Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and President of the IDB, Alberto Luis Moreno signing the historic agreements connections, as well as the replacement and installation of 70km of transmission and distribution mains in program areas.

(Verify accuracy that this is actually what the project will be doing).

This project is funded by loans totalling US$16.8 million provided by the IDB and grants totalling US$14.8 provided by the Caribbean Investment Fund of the EU. Support for Guyana’s education and agriculture sectors The Minister of Finance also signed two other agreements with the World Bank that will support Guyana’s education and agriculture sectors with funding totalling US$21M. The agreement by Minister Singh and Sophie Sirtaine, Director of the Caribbean Country Management Unit of the World Bank, is to support increased enrollment in general secondary schools and improve standards of mathematics teaching for secondary education. In the agriculture sector, the loan agreement will support the implementation of a flood risk management programme.

Education One of the agreements signed was for a loan of US$10 million in support of the Secondary School Improvement Programme which aims to increase enrollment in general secondary schools and improve teaching standards of mathematics at the secondary level.

The Secondary School Improvement Project forms part of the Government of Guyana’s longterm initiative to achieve Universal Secondary Education by 2016. About 85 percent of young Guyanese are enrolled in secondary education institutions. Guyana has already achieved Universal Primary Education in keeping with the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG).

Among concrete results to be achieved by the project are the following: • 2,600 new students from vulnerable areas enrolled in general secondary schools • A pilot technology-assisted learning in mathematics • 600 secondary mathematics teachers trained, mathematics standards for secondary school teachers increased, and math kits distributed

to 250 secondary schools Flood risk management The second loan signed by Minister Singh with the World Bank is for US$11M to reduce flooding along the flood prone East Coast of Demerara.

More than 300,000 people from the area will benefit from reduced flooding and climate risks as a result of the loan which forms part of the International Development Association (IDA) approved by the World Bank.

The Flood Risk Management Programme seeks to:Upgrade critical sections of the East Demerara Water Conservancy dams and channels; Improve drainage capacity in priority areas along the East Demerara Coast; and Increase flood preparedness by installing instruments to monitor hydrometeorological data.

Close to 90% of Guyana’s population live on the coastal plain which is largely below sea level and vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

In 2005, Guyana faced devastation from flooding that led to damage in excess of 60% of GDP.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana secures US $35M investment

by Asian company Another historic public-private partnership is underway that will see the creation of 400 to 500 jobs and will take the country a step further on the green pathway.

The Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) has managed to secure a solid investment partnership with Pinnacle Green Resources, an Asian-based company for the execution of three projects, a total investment of approximately US $35M. In exchange for providing technical and scientific support to Pinnacle, the IAST will receive five percent equity from the entire project. This was recently at a press briefing at the Office of the President.

Wood-pellet plant The first project is the construction and operation of a facility that will produce 200 tons of woodpellets per day, for export to Europe.

In the execution of this project, Pinnacle Green Resources (Guyana) Limited will begin cultivation of an energy plantation on 5, 000 acres of land in the Akawini area in the Pomeroon, Region Two. This crop, commonly called the “jumbie bean” is of the plant Leucaena leucocephala and is a non-invasive species already found in Guyana.

Pinnacle has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Go-Invest for the lease of the land. The price for truck delivery to private consumers in sacks is €333 per tonne, while the price for bulk delivery is slightly lower.

Activated carbon facility The second project involved the construction and operation of a facility to produce three tonnes per day of activated carbon from coconut shells, primarily to service the gold recovery industry in Guyana.

Head of the IAST, Dr.

Suresh Narine explained that there is a growing demand for activated carbon both locally and internationally. Apart from the gold mining industry, it is also used in the beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

Activated carbon is a non-graphite form of carbon which could be produced from any carbonaceous material such as coal, lignite, wood, paddy husk, coir pith, coconut shell, etc.

Dr. Narine explained that as the coconut industry benefits from investments like these, it will no doubt lead to a growth in production.

Gasification and electricity generating facility The third project will see the construction and operation of an eight MW electricity generating facility using bio-mass. An ECLAC study has indicated that Guyana has the capacity to generate an-

nually, 300 percent of its diesel demand equivalent in bio-mass; however, that potential is yet to be fully harnessed.

IAST and Pinnacle Green Resources will be moving to make the best use of Guyana’s forest and agricultural wastes in order to generate eight MW/ hour of electricity using gasification technology. It is estimated that the venture can produce electricity for sale at US cents 19/ kwh.

Speaking briefly to the media and the investors, President Donald Ramotar said that he has always been pushing for the IAST to move into more commercial-type and valueadded activities.

“I am extremely happy that we are beginning to see this now. This project will not be putting any pressure on our forest…,” he said.

The President noted too that this project will

President Donald Ramotar meeting with Executive Director of Pinnacle Green Resources, Manu Basal (third from right); Dr. Suresh Narine (extreme right); and other stakeholders. Also in photograph is Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag), Irfaan Ali (second from right). be a major boost to resiMinister of Tourism, ogy being used to generdents on the Essequibo commercialisation, Industry and Commerce ate coast, which has till now, wealth creation, address(ag), Irfaan Ali was the depended heavily on rice. ing environmental issues, He expressed the hope that person who suggested that utilising natural resources Pinnacle partner with the this kind of value-added and ensuring that a value is IAST since the latter has venture will be mirrored in placed on the provision of already done considerable other regions. work in this area. No local technology.

Pinnacle is a multinational company from India and Singapore with presence in Taiwan, Hong Hong, and various parts of India. It’s Executive Director, Manu Bansal had first approached Guyana’s honorary consul in Miami, Ramzan Roshanali.

funding will be plugged into this project nor is Pinnacle being offered any special concessions. The Government only paved the way for the lease of the 5000 acres of land.

Dr. Narine said that this is a clear example of science and technol-

The activated carbon facility which is the first project that will be rolled out is expected to become operational in eight months, the power generation facility, in 24 months, and the biomass pellet plant, 18 months.

SOCU ranks to receive specialised training

A Memorandum of Understanding, signed between the Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom has paved the way for training and mentoring for the staff of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), created by the government, to investigate money laundering crimes.

Signing the agreement on the ruling administration’s behalf on September 22, was Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who noted that it was remarkable that such an event could occur within the relatively short space of time that the SOCU was conceptualised and established to investigate suspected money laundering crimes, prosecuting persons suspected of terrorism and financial offences.

Investigations and prosecution of money laundering activities, Dr. Luncheon noted, along with the

British High Commissioner Andrew Ayre and Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the training and mentoring of staff attached to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) financing of terrorism crimes, became a matter of concern in Guyana’s mutual evaluation under the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) programme of activities, “and the response was the Special Organised Crime Unit”.

He added that from SOCU’s gestation to the present, certified and verified support by the donor

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community, the time frame of less than six months, and points to how much could be achieved when all work together.

“This is a further example of the Government of Guyana and the donor community as prime stakeholders in this struggle against serious crimes, as they go out in positioning Guyana to respond to its

obligations.”

Referring to the words of advice from a British expert on money laundering, explaining that jailing offenders was no longer seen as a deterrent, and recognised that in these modern times, forfeiture of assets and interrupting the financing of those with criminal intent were added factors, said the HPS. He emphasised to the head of SOCU, Lt Col. Sydney James, that his successes will not be measured necessarily in convictions and putting criminals behind bar, “A different order is required and it is our fervent hope, our expectation that this training that flows from the execution of the memorandum of understanding, and indeed the very existence of SOCU, would indeed give rise to expectations that are met, and that can clearly demonstrate that, yes Guyana is meeting its obligations

to its people and its obligations to the rest of the world, when it comes to fighting money laundering and financing of terrorism” The agreement will result in significant support from the UK, for SOCU, according to British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre. “It is important to us both, that organised crime be tackled, at its root, both in Guyana and outside the confines of Guyana. It is also important, today, because it helps Guyana to fulfill its international obligations under the Financial Action Task Force’s framework”.

The High Commissioner also wished the SOCU, “every success” and also thanked the United States Government for supporting the initiative.

This most recent MOU builds on a previous one signed on January 13, for similar assistance.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Letter to the Editor Editor-In-Chief: Shanta Gobardhan Editor: Henry Singh Editorial: 592 227 0773 Web: www.gina.gov.gy Facebook: GINA Email: ginagovgy@gmail.com Area ‘B’ Homestretch Avenue, Durban Backlands, Georgetown,Guyana

Editorial

Allegation of sexual abuse should not be occasion for gagging victim Dear Editor, The struggle for women’s and children’s rights began in the late 1940s in the then British Guiana.

First amongst these rights was the right to have a

October 5th – a reminder that democracy is precious

Twenty years ago, October 5, 2014, the dawn of a new day broke over Guyana. It was the beginning of national life again; life with the refreshing wind of freedom, replacing the cold and brutally harsh air of dictatorship that had come to symbolize a land and its people for almost three decades. Many of this current generation of young Guyanese were not present during those rather unfortunate times, experienced by their parents and older family relations.

They therefore would have had no understanding, much less appreciation of what it was like to live in a land and a time, where there were prolonged power outages that lasted for as long as three consecutive days, often resulting in foods in cold storage, having to be dumped through spoilage, or boiled, as in the case of meats; where mostly mothers and grandmothers were made to stand in what were seemingly endless queues, so as to acquire basic food items and cooking gas; where cars also had to endure a similar wait for petrol; where legitimate business sank to an all time low, and a flourishing black market reigned; where the only existing media was muzzled, thereby silencing free speech; where those who attempted to exercise the right of assembly and protest were physically set upon by hired thugs of the State; where many a brave

Guyanese, such as the internationally eminent historian, Dr. Walter Rodney, paid the ultimate price for daring to challenge the dictatorial might of the Forbes Burnham regime; where a country had been declared bankrupt, and its citizens were disrespected and treated shabbily, when visiting regional countries.

These were just some of the gross indignities that were perpetrated on the nation that included even the denial of the right, of its people, to fairly choose a government of their own, as elections were distorted by criminal rigging of the electoral system.

On that great historic day, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, long denied his rightful place as leader of a land for which he had so valianly struggled, and his Peoples Progressive Party/Civic led this country out of its cruel bondage into an era of hope and promise.

That the above scenarios are recalled is to remind those who would have lived through those tumultuous years, about the painful lessons learned.

But especially for the young, it is for them to appreciate that the land in which they now live, observing and enjoying the benefits of the transformative process, would not have been. It had to be rescued after years of great sacrifice and struggle, led by some of the bravest sons born in this land.

Their names are worthy of inscription among history’s

like-minded souls, in the highest pantheon.

For this young generation, sacrifices were made so that they can live in a land of peace and stability, having hopes for a brighter future; that the sustained development process could have only been realized by a government that understands the importance of investing in their growth and development, since the future of this great land rests in their hands.

The crux of the matter then is that nothing must be taken for granted. Never ever! This translates that above all, the freedoms and all the rights to which they are entitled, and now enjoy should be zealously guarded, since they are constantly being threatened by sinister forces that endeavour to take us all back to those bitter, undemocratic year.

Thus October 5, 1992 is a day that has to be rated as the greatest day in this country’s historical being; one that sounded the trumpet of hope at the dawn of the most significant era, yet experienced in Guyana. As the dawn of a new era, it signalled the clarion call that caused a billion strengths to rise to the challenge of beginning that long walk together, that has led us into the brighter light that now shines on all the collective good work that have been done.

Because of the PPP/C government, the nation’s future has never been more secured.

voice, to be able to participate equally in the right to vote, regardless of gender and whether one owned property or not. This was achieved in 1952.

It was not until the late 1980s after years of calling for the end to sexual and domestic violence that several women’s organizations – the Women’s Progressive Organisation, the Guyana Women’s Lawyers Association and the Red Thread came together calling for the revisions of the antiquated sexual offences statutes and the introduction of statutes criminalising domestic violence.

The legacy of the 9th Parliament, particularly 2009-2011, is the enactment of a compendium of 5 progressive laws to protect and promote children’s rights and protect victims of sexual violence in the new Sexual Offences Act. The latter statute was gender neutral thereby giving for the first time protection to males in general, and, male children in particular, in cases of sexual offences.

These statutes came to fruition after long and con-

sistent consultations stretching over years, involvement of grass roots organisations and communities, inputs from non–governmental organisations, and several parliamentary special select committees which received submissions and revised the original bills to incorporate expert advice and further strengthened the objective of protecting victims of sexual violence and protecting children, in particular.

The overriding understanding by all, was and still is, that children are powerless as victims of child abuse and sexual violence, and therefore the responsibility of all citizens and the executive, legislature and judiciary must be the “best interests of the child” in accordance with the constitution.

After these long and hard fought for gains, it is therefore with utter disbelief and alarm that l read that an injunction has been issued against a young man who alleges that when he was a child, he was sexually abused by an attorney-at – law who is also the Speaker of the National Assembly

and a known politician in Guyana.

I also note with even more alarm that the rights groups, or those who have held themselves out to be rights groups, have been deafeningly silent on of the issuance of the injunction.

The injunction No allegation of sexual abuse whether made by a male or female, and whether current or going back to their childhood, should be muzzled. One expects that the accusation will be subjected to the scrutiny of the justice system where the accuser and accused will be heard and a judgment made by a jury.

A young man has made an allegation of sexual abuse claiming that this was done when he was a child.

His complaint should always be taken seriously and be heard and our facilities, institutions, services and environment must always be ones that promote and facilitate such a complaint being made.

This should never be an occasion or an See page 22

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana remains on Ebola alert

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-President seeks maximum cooperation

President Donald Ramotar says the Ebola situation is one that calls for the full cooperation of the whole country. In a recent address to the nation, the President says he will seek maximum cooperation on this urgent matter and will formally invite the Leader of the Opposition and the leaders of all political Parties and civil society to join forces with the government in a national response.

The President announced that in the event of the discovery of suspected cases, the public health responses have been organized. Surveillance has been stepped up at ports of entry and passengers arriving in Guyana are being more thoroughly screened. The

Medical staff demonstrate Ebola prevention measures Civil Aviation Authority, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Ogle Airport Authorities, the Ministries of Works and Health have been working closely to monitor the arriving passengers.

Suspected arriving passengers will be quarantined at holding centers at ports of entry. He assured that the government has been and will be acquiring additional medical supplies including

more protective gear, gloves etc. in order to be better prepared. He noted that residents from a number of West African countries are not being issued with visas to come to Guyana during

this epidemic. He advised citizens to avoid travelling to these destinations for the time being, but if they must, they must declare if they have visited any of the Ebola affected countries or those that are at risk in West Africa.

The Ministry of Health has taken on a mass preparedness approach towards the virus. Dr. Johanna Cole, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Internal Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Consultant said that some 1600 medical professionals are to soon commence training on dealing with the virus and the necessary approach towards administrating care to persons who have contracted the virus as oppose to those who have suspect-

ed to done so.

Emphasis will be on safety and precautionary measures for health care providers, who may come in contact with an infected person or environment.

Ebola is highly contagious and spreads rapidly through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids.

The virus is spread through humans by direct person to person contact via 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.

Rodney’s COI hearings extended to 2015 The extension of the life of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (COI) was approved by Cabinet and will continue up to January 31, 2015.

The decision was made on September 30, by President Donald Ramotar and the extension date has since been communicated to the Chairperson and members of the Commission, who had been appointed earlier this year to inquire into the circumstances surrounding the death of popular Guyanese historian, Dr. Walter Rodney.

The Commission had been scheduling the hearings and it was revealed that those hearings would likely continue into 2015,

stantiated by documents, their inclination to do so could see the need to extend the hearings beyond January 31.

The COI into the death of historian Dr. Rodney began on April 28, 2014 at the Supreme Court Library.

The Commission is headed

by Sir Richard Cheltenham, and comprises Mrs. Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, and Mr. Seenath Jairam.

The Lead Counsel is Glenn Hanoman assisted by Attorneys-at-Law Nicola Pierre and Latchmie Rahamat.

Representing the interest of the People’s National Congress are Attorneys-at-law Basil Williams and James Bond. Attorney Joseph Harmon represents the ExGDF Association.

Dr. Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980, when a bomb exploded in the car in which he was sitting. He was 38 years old at the time. A Guyanese political activist and intellectual, Dr. Rodney was believed to have been murdered. The COI Remains of the car, in which Dr. Rodney was killed among other things hence the extension. The Commission has advised that the sixth session of hearings would last three weeks instead of the normal two. This session would be held from October 20 to November 7.

When asked if the hearings would go beyond January 31, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) Dr. Roger Luncheon told reporters that he could not respond on behalf of the Commission. He however noted that considering the number of persons who had indicated their willingness to testify, the Commission would be inclined to accommodate hearings to satisfy this willingness.

The HPS explained that although this is not sub-

The Commissioners on the Walter Rodney COI. The three-member commission comprises top Barbadian attorney, Queen’s Counsel, Sir Richard Cheltenham, (the commission’s Chairperson), Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown from Jamaica, and Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam from Trinidad and Tobago. will inquire who or what was responsible for the explosion that led to Rodney’s death; whether it was an accident or an act of terrorism and the role of some persons and agencies, if any, in his death.

The hearings of the Commission have so far revealed explosive testimonies presented by a number of former high profiled and current personalities. These include former GDF Chiefof Staff, Major General retd. Norman Mclean; GDF Colonel Sydney James; former Peoples National Congress (PNC) member of parliament, Joseph Hamilton; former intelligence agent, Cecil Gates; former

GDF pilot, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Working People’s Alliance activists, Tacuma Ogunseye, Karen De Souza and Joycelyn Dow; and Roman Catholic priest, Father Malcolm Rodrigues.

From their individual testimonies, a number of shocking revelations are now coming to the fore: members of the House of Israel were used to disrupt and violently break up political meetings; dozens of weapons from the army had been procured by the PNC and most have not been returned; the plot to murder Dr. Rodney was born in the higher echelons of the Guyana Defence and Police Forces, but engineered

by the PNC; an intelligence operative from the Guyana Police Force was clandestinely ensconced within the WPA; this said spy was also instructed to kill Dr. Rupert Roopnarine; and the main accused in the Rodney killing was secretly aided to flee the country.

All of these do paint a vivid picture of how Guyana was during that era; a country that was under a dictatorship, ruled by the former PNC Government. The only eye witness to Dr. Rodney’s death, his brother Donald Rodney, is still to give evidence, and this is now keenly anticipated.

8

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Former president slams Opposition for not supporting hydro-development in Guyana

The Political Opposition has been accused of playing ‘silly politics’ by continually refusing to give support to developmental initiatives such as the Amalia Falls project, which will provide cheaper and cleaner energy, saving Guyanese millions.

This is according to former President and United Nations Champion of the Earth, Bharrat Jagdeo, who spoke during a recently held Guyana Manufacturing Services Association (GMSA) dinner at the Princess International Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The former president said that he was perplexed and disappointed that the Political Opposition turned their backs on a project that has an overall capacity to save Guyana some $94 million per year and US$3.5 billion over a 20year period.

“Yet we have con-

troversy because of this silly politics,” Jagdeo said. “This doesn’t have whether you’re a consumer, it doesn’t differentiate whether you’re APNU supporter or PPP supporter or whether you have a business in this country. We have never judged people based on what they supported. That’s their private business. But clearly when something is so transparently and vividly beneficial then you expect everyone to support it,” said the former President.

Pointing to the need that Guyana and the Caribbean as a whole must pursue cleaner sources of energy, he noted as well that as time progresses, it will become increasingly harder for developing countries to acquire financing from international bodies for traditional ways of sourcing energy and that the time was now for countries to invest

Former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during his address to attendees at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Dinner in green technologies.

“The new spurt of world growth can come from the green sector as it came in the past from the industrial revolution. Fixing the problems of climate change can spur a new level of growth across the world which in

turn will have an impact on us. So we in Guyana and in the Caribbean cannot be oblivious of what is happening in the rest of the world. If we are, then we will miss out on this huge opportunity, and my fear is that is precisely what is

happening in Guyana.”

The President also expressed his disappointment with the Opposition spokespersons who have publicly deemed the project as unwise and unfit for Guyana at this point in time.

“I heard from some Opposition commentators that we would have incurred a debt from $700 million to $2.1 billion… the debt is zero because the Government is buying power,” he said.

“The biggest green opportunity in Guyana, everyone knows is hydropower.

The hydropower will allow us to practically decarbonise our entire energy sector,” he added.

The economic potential of hydropower in Guyana is estimated to be in the region of 7000MW although this resource is not now being exploited to any significant extent; it is considered

that a large part of this solution to the country’s longterm power requirements lies in hydro-energy.

Hydropower represents a major economic endowment and opportunity for Guyana both as a primary resource of power for domestic consumption, and as the hub around which the development of the country’s economic potential could revolve.

Priority was thus given to the development of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the utilisation of which would enable the establishment of industries such as the smelting of aluminum, and yet leave sufficient excess capacity to serve the remainder of Guyana’s domestic and industrial needs for some time to come. However, this project was blocked by moves made by the Political Opposition.

Transformative projects are vital imperatives of a modern state An objective examination and analyses of the PPP/C socio-economic development blueprint, underline a three-dimensional policy. Firstly, interventions, comprising of numerous initiatives for the working class to improve their daily lives; secondly establishing mechanisms for making Guyana investor friendly; and thirdly vital core projects with the aim of transforming a country that prior to 1992, had collapsed. Undeniably, these projects, three of which are discussed in the following article, are compulsory for Guyana to become a modern state, whilst in the process achieving peace, stability, and ultimate prosperity.

Cheaper energy from Amaila Falls Project: compulsory for modernization No country that is on the road to modernization can do so without cheap energy, advanced health facilities, and an international airport.

All three developments are inherently indispensable in their individual development contributions to the process of modernization.

In an age when planet earth is increasingly being threatened by the perils of climate change; when the continuing rise in petroleum costs adds exponentially to national expenditures, proving burdensome to small economies; and increasing conflicts in the world’s oil producing regions that cause fluctuation of prices, and which someday may render oil suppliesunreliable, it is not surprising that Guyana has opted to pursue the course of alternative energy in the form of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project.

It is the alternative energy pathway that any country’s development planners will adopt, given the immense benefits that such will accrue to the particular state, of which Guyana is no exception.

The realization of Hy-

droelectricity in Guyana means the availability of cheaper energy, which means a 40-60 percent reduction in energy charges for citizens, allowing for more disposable income.

The achievement of this crucial threshold will concomitantly have positive impacts on investments in Guyana, as well as businesses in general. For example, it is well known that high energy costs have had a prohibitive effect on business expansion, particularly with regards value added products, for which there are overwhelming opportunities.

Domestic businesses, such as fruit and vegetable processing would definitely become a profitable reality, as well as creating employment, because of cheaper, and stable supply of energy.

The realization of this mainstay of any national economy means for Guyana, the removal of the perils of price fluctuation, as alluded to above, and the

The springboards of the transformation process

Artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls hydropower plant removal of a burdensome of health care, there is still has over the years been asenergy bill, that has result- the challenge of the ab- sisting many Guyanese to ed in government having to sence of specialized treat- access specialise treatment increase its budgetary sub- ment, resulting in many overseas. This of course sidy to Guyana Power and affected patients having to comes at tremendous cost, Light for 2014. seek medical overseas. Of but nevertheless vital for course, costs for such can providing health care to A Specialty hospital: sav- be quite high. However Guyanese. ing money, saving lives even for those who may afA specialty hospital Despite exponential ford, death some intervenes will greatly relieve citizens sums invested in the na- by the time travel arrange- of such outcomes and hintional health sector that ments can be completed. drances to instant medical has resulted in a vastly It is instructive to note See page 24 improved delivery quality that the Ministry of Health

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

9

Head of State hails investor confidence in Guyana’s economy

President Donald Ramotar has described the signing of the historic mining agreement between Guyana and Troy Mining Resources as significant, noting that it represents, another concrete demonstration of the confidence being shown by investors in the local economy.

He noted that recently

there have been other significant investments made, not only in the mining sector, but in agriculture.

President Ramotar expressed the hope that the company’s first bar of gold could be poured before the end of first quarter of 2015, and the fact that high paying jobs for locals will be created, must be recognised as significant.

He also expressed hope that farmers would be able to take advantage of the company’s food requirements, since 500 people are now being employed for the construction phase and up to 300, during the mining phase.

The president said it is hoped too that more investments in the jewellery and refining sectors would re-

(from left to right) Chairman of the GGMC, Clinton Williams; Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud; President Donald Ramotar and Troy Resources Guyana Director, Ken Nilsson

- as Troy Resources mining agreement signed

sult, adding more value to the gold produced.

“We have to maximise the benefits that we get from it, on behalf of our people and use them at the same time to develop their capacity so that they can go forward stronger as a result of this type of investment”.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud, in brief remarks, said that based on Troy’s international record in the industry, he was confident that it would meet its social, corporate and environmental responsibilities, “as well as ensuring that at the end of the day, the benefits that we have coming to the country will be maximised, and all the people of Guyana will be proud of this, another significant investment for Guyana”.

It was important to recognise that this foreign di-

rect investment was being made at a time despite the significant variation in international prices,Chairman of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Clinton Williams said.

The sector currently contributes up to 50% of Guyana’s foreign exchange earnings, Williams added and the investment will contribute to macroeconomic stability in terms of foreign exchange earnings and fluctuations. He described Troy Resources as a credible partner to the GGMC, and lauded the commitment to foster “maximum engagement thereby avoiding dysfunctional with local communities with the mining district”. Williams challenged the company to meet its construction and operational schedule.

Troy Resources Guyana’s Director, Ken Nils-

son, described the agreement as a true partnership between the company and the people of Guyana since the government was signing on behalf of all Guyanese. He threw out his own challenge to the commercial community to enhance the “economic flow-on effects” by looking carefully at what they could supply to the company as they preferred to buy from local suppliers rather than from overseas.

Witnessing the signing were: Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, senior company and mining sector officials including Commissioner of the GGMC Rickford Vieira, Assistant Commissioner of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Clement Sealy, President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, Patrick Harding and several others.

Several Region Nine communities receive Presidential Grant to support community development projects As part of its efforts to elevate the standard of living of residents in hinterland communities, Government continues to provide the necessary funds to the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, through Presidential Grants that have drastically impacted Amerindian communities, and have allowed many villages to implement income generating projects.

During a visit to Region Nine, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai handed over presidential grants to several communities of the region to be utilised for various projects.The Presidential Grant programme, launched in 2007, provides communities with the financial resources necessary to fund projects that

are aimed at providing the required services within their communities so as to help make them more economically viable. The projects range from expansion of village farms, to eco-lodges, building of dams, clearing of trails, providing the kitchen facilities for school feeding programmes, and cattle rearing.

Taushida, with a population of approximately 290 persons, and known for being one of the communities that have been successful in executing village projects, received $1M for the construction of a village snackette, and a further $1.5M to assist the community with its self-help programme to upgrade the trail that leads to Toka.

Pai Pang received $500,000 to extend thevil-

lage shop; Rupanau, $1M to engage in leather craft production, and Rukumoto, $1M to furnish its village shop, by putting in a solar powered freezer.

Rewareceived $1M to construct 12 small bridges to improve the trail that leads to its community, while Potarinaureceived $1.2M to fence the farm land. Quarrie will be constructing its village centre and completing a cassava processing building to the tune of $1.5M, while Maruranau received $500,000 to complete its benab.

Minister Sukhai congratulated the villages on their projects and urged the people to ensure proper implementation, so that they benefit the residents.

The Minister highlighted that the projects are initiated by the villagers, and

Toshao, Pai Pang, Kendell Francis receives from Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai Presidential Grant totalling $500,000 to extend the village shop that the Ministry does not dictate to the villages, but rather, it responds to their requests.

“Amerindians have been marginalised by the previous regime, and this

Government has been correcting that by putting programmes and policies in place that will aid in development…the indigenous people have been treated in a way that

they do not deserve and we as a Government will ensure that Amerindians take their rightful place in their society as the first people,” Minister Sukhai told the residents.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Excellence in Education -Guyanese dominate Region at CSEC yet again

Guyana has once again done extraordinarily at the CSEC examinations, gaining four Regional Awards for Outstanding Performance in the May/ June 2014 examinations.

Leading the list is Elisa Hamilton from Queen’s College. She took the prestigious Overall Outstanding Achievement.

Other top performers are: Aliyyah Abdul Kadir, Queen’s College–Most Outstanding in Humanities; Ryhan Chand, Queen’s College– Most Outstanding in Business Studies;

and Kishan Crichlow, New Amsterdam Multilateral School –Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational.

In recognition of their achievements, CXC will present these students with awards at a ceremony to be held at the UWI Regional Headquarters, Mona Campus, Jamaica on Thursday December 4, 2014.

The Ministry of Education has extended congratulations to the students on their exemplary performance and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours.

Last year Guyana won five of the eight awards offered, testimony to the hard work of the students and an ever improving and expanding educational infrastructure in the country.

More Investments Meanwhile, with the aim of more success, the Ministry of Education has completed the $26M extension to the St. Agnes Primary School on Camp Street, providing classroom space for the more than 210 children seeking to attend the school. The building

The rebuilt wing of L’Aventure Secondary School

was commissioned in September by Minister of Education Priya Manickchand.

Speaking at the commissioning, the Education Minister explained that when she took office in 2011, it quickly became apparent that an extension was badly needed to service the educational needs of the students demanding to attend the school.

Overcrowding at the school had become an issue because of increased enrollment and this was further compounded by the fact that the Blind Institution was housed in the said school compound. The Blind Institution has since been moved to a discrete, independent building, thus clearing the way for teachers and students to function with more space.

The Education Minister noted that even as Government has achieved the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of Universal Primary Education, focus still continues to be on seeking out and solving any overlooked problems in the provision of education at this level. To this end, she pointed out that,

Employment dialogue addresses key challenges

The Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) 2014 Labour Markets and Social Security Regional Policy Dialogue ended in Seoul, South Korea, on a high note, having discussed challenges and options forward, for participating countries. Guyana was represented by its Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda K. Gopaul.

The meeting provided countries with a forum to reflect about what public policies can improve the quality of employment. It also witnessed discussions on the insecurity, informality and precariousness associated with jobs in Latin America and the Caribbean.

It was noted, that while the unemployment

Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul with South Korea’s Labour Minister, and other delegates at the IDB’s Labour Policy meeting in Korea. rate is low, the high labour nerable groups in finding come a world power and now provides a useful exturnover means that many employment. workers are travelling, ofDuring this, dialogue, ample for the region. Its ten between employment an analysis of the situation growth strategy placed and unemployment, and in Latin America and the its public policy on hubetween formal and in- Caribbean was presented, man capital development and employment formal jobs. In addition, and discussed. many challenges remain Korea, in just half a in the center of affairs in for youths, women and vul- century managed to be- the country.

“All around the country you will continuously see things happening.”

“We are not at a place where schools are falling down. There was that time, but not anymore. We know that making the learning environment child friendly is of utmost importance and we are working on that,” she added.

Further, attention is also being placed on ensuring that all primary school students are literate by Grade Four, which the Minister said she believes removes most of the problems students often face in secondary school years.

In keeping with increased literacy and quality output, Minister Manickchand noted the ministry’s expectation that every child has text books for the four main subject areas.

Rebuilt L’Aventure Meanwhile, L’Aventure Secondary School, Canal Number One Polder, West Bank Demerara has recommenced classes for the first time, since fire destroyed a wing of the school in September last year.

Government set about its rebuilding, and on September 24, the new wing, which was constructed to the tune of $37.4 M, was commissioned. Following the fire, the 700 students were being housed at Mr. Komal Singh’s property, as they had to continue their studies, during the construction of the new wing.

L’Aventure School was formerly a primary top and under the Education Ministry’s Secondary School Reform Project (SSRP) and was transformed into a secondary school. During the commissioning, Minister Manickchand highlighted the growth of the school, noting that it was testimony to the enormous success in the education sector over the past two decades.

“This story is a very concise story that paints the picture to the rest of Guyana of where we are in education. Do we have things

Elisa Hamilton to be done? Do we have improvements we can make? I will stand here and say yes we do,” she noted.

The Minister also used the opportunity to reiterate that while a lot more must be done in the education sector; there are significant improvements, as they relate to physical infrastructure and placement of secondary aged students. The country is less than four years away from achieving Universal Secondary Education, which means that every child, throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, will have access to a secondary school, she noted.

Also stressed was the fact that while the infrastructure and other resources are being put in place, the Education Ministry is currently working on improving the quality of education delivered to the students.

Minister Manickchand also emphasised the need for greater collaboration in this regard, and urged parents to “get on this train for quality education.” “…it is easy to speak about the challenges …our education officers have to do more; our teachers have to do more; our parents have to do more. If you look at attendance, it is not what we want it to be…we can build the schools, but if the children are not attending, it wouldn’t make sense,” the Minister Manickchand stressed.

During the ceremony, a plaque was presented to Singh for his service to the children, in that he offered his house to be used by the 700 displaced students, immediately after the fire last year.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana still at risk of blacklisting by FATF – AG

The failure of Guyana as a country to pass the internationally recognised amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism legislation means that the risk of its being blacklisted still remains.

Guyana’s case to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will be put forth during the body’s plenary meeting on October 18-24 in France.

Speaking to the Government Information Agency, Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall said that despite the identification of deficiencies in Guyana’s financial and legal architecture, along with the timeline to rectify same, the political opposition continues to reject recommendations to address its shortcomings.

The vital legislation is currently languishing in the Select Committee, chaired

by A Partnership for National Unity Member, Carl Greenidge, and according to Minister Nandlall, an “exorbitant political ransom” is being demanded for its release.

Describing the opposition’s move to stymie the bill’s passage, as political blackmailing and machinations, the nation remains on the “precipice” of being blacklisted, Minister Nandlall emphasised.

11

Lethem to benefit from improved electricity supply - new power station to be completed by year-end

Residents of Lethem and the surrounding Region Nine communities are set to benefit from improved electricity supply by year-end. This will result from the installation of six generating sets at the new power station, currently under construction.

The power station is being constructed by Government at acost of $137M, with equipment alone amount-

Government Ministers of Special Select Committee (examining the AML/CFT Bill) updating the general public on the Bill.

Guyana is executing a work plan given to government by the FATF, and a unit of the aforementioned organisation has been given the responsibility of supervising the correction of deficiencies identified, he added, saying that as far as possible “Guyana has attempted to comply with the work plan”.

Guyana’s efforts were recently reviewed during a face-to-face interaction with the Americas Regional Review Group (ARRG) in Miami on September 29.

FATF appointed a special body, comprising representatives from the Americas to work with Guyana for the purpose of making a presentation of Guyana’s case in Paris.

The report, which was worked out by both stakeholders, the minister said, has already been sent to Paris for scrutiny.

“In Paris, France, it will be decided whether we will be given any further time to correct the deficiencies,” the Attorney General stated.

Guyana is the only country that is technically deficient in terms of its financial crimes’ legislative framework in the western hemisphere, as all of the other FATF member-countries are now concluding their fourth round of examinations. Guyana is still to come out of the third round.

Government is aware of the deficiencies and whilst it has attempted to correct them, most of what is needed, Minister Nandlall added, can only be done with the legislation’s passage and enactment. “Government’s efforts to enact that legislation have been frustrated by the non-support of the political opposition,” he reiterated.

Government has been trying for close to two years, to realise the passage of the critically needed legislation, but to no avail.

This is despite several interventions by local and international financial experts and stakeholders urging all sides of the National Assembly to support it.

The AMLCFT Bill was tabled in the National Assembly since early last year and despite the pressures mounted by Guyanese and foreigners alike, the Bill that will bring Guyana into compliance with international requirements, has been voted down, re-tabled in Parliament, crucial deadlines were missed and to date, it is still at the select committee whose deliberations have and continue to be marred by delaying tactics.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds inspects works at the Lethem Power Station which is under construction ing to an estimated $20M. Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, who on October 1, visited and inspected ongoing works at the construction site, expressed satisfaction with the pace of work. The Prime Minister also expressed confidence that the generators will be in place by year-end, and that residents can expect a better service.

He noted that the decision to construct a new power station was based on the issue of flooding in the community, resulting in the old station being severely affected.

The new station is now located on relatively high ground in the commercial/ industrial area.

Over the years a number of power plants have been constructed to meet the needs of consumers.

On the Coast, there has been the construction of a US$30M, Wartsila power plant, which is at Kingston, Georgetown, and would provide 20MV adding much needed base-load capacity to Demerara, allowing adequate and reliable generating capacity.

Government again rescues City Hall-provides funding for restoration

The threatened edifice of City Hall will finally receive urgently needed funding, to rescue its deteriorating structure.

Government, through Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon announced that an intervention of $100M will be made towards restoration works.

The cabinet secretary further said that it is hoped that the announced decision to provide funding will “inspire other interested parties to make similar contributions to the

restoration of this historical site.”

This is the second tranche of central government’s funding for this city landmark. In 2011, then President Bharrat Jagdeo allotted $20M to aid in the restorative process; however, due to reported administrative issues, only $5M of this sum had been spent for the purchase and installation of windows, without any major works being done.

This imposing and unique architectural struc-

City Hall

ture is described as of Gothic Revival style of the British Victorian era.

Designed by the Italian, Father Ignatius Scholes, and completed in 1889, its built is said to be distinct in Guyana and other territories in the Caribbean region.

For many years, this historic building has attracted the concerns of many, because of its continuous deteriorating condition. There were visitations from at least two groups of architects in the ensuing years. They

came to lend their expertise in the restorative process; but no funding came from the Mayor and his council.

However, despite these and the numerous accusations against Central Government not doing enough, and not being concerned about one of the nation’s significant sites, it was the former that provided the funds, as has been in so many instances when Municipal workers cannot be paid.

12

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

NDIA debunks Kaieteur News claim -Paper still to apologise for misleading public

The Kaieteur News has again resorted to its usual act of unprofessional journalism, as attributed to a front page pictorial of a sluice, at Diamond. In its issue of September30, its caption stated that after a cost of $50M, the sluice was still non-operational.

However, a subsequent visit to the site evidenced a fully functioning sluice, which according to the Chief Executive Officer, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Lionel Wordsworth has been operational at its scheduled intervals. Also the cost of the sluice, inclusive of consultancy, is $43M, less than what was peddled by this newspaper.

There have been similar instances of this kind of mischievous misrepresentation as regards national development projects.

However the concocted lies by Kaieteur News have always been exposed.

In the Guyana Chronicle issue of 5.3.11, vivid

Fully Operational

The door of the Diamond/Grove Sluice being opened.

Also in picture CEO, National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, Lionel Wordsworth pictorials were carried of the Caledonia sluice, clearly misleading, instead of the Coverden sluice, where refurbishing works were then about to commence.

But this should come as no surprise to any reader, aware of the print’s clear political agenda, and its liaison with the political opposition.

It is amazing that for all the successful socioeconomic development projects, undertaken by the PPP/C government for the benefit of all Guya-

nese, the Kaieteur News does not highlight any, whether in pictorials or written form. Instead, it focuses on hitches, often portraying such as a waste

GRA takes Kaieteur News to court

of taxpayers’ money, and its perennial accusation of impropriety.

There is no question as to its editorial department’s not being au fait with what is professional journalism. But with such a deep seated hatred for the government, and driven by great envy for an Executive that has continued to score success after success, thereby confounding the critics, it has displayed the worse level of media conduct, in advancing its political agenda.

This has been the unethical brand of media publication that is the daily menus of the Kaieteur News; this of course which translates into a waste of human capacity, and bad example to well intentioned, young journalists. Of worthy note is the fact that the newspaper has been most averse to offering any form of apologies, even when it has been clearly proved to be culpable and irresponsible in its practice.

-Publisher charged with TAX evasion The Guyana Revenue Authority is bent on setting the record straight, as regards tax issues surrounding Kaieteur news owner/publisher Glen Lall and his wife, Bhene.

The Lalls were jointly charged with conspiring to evade taxes on two vehicles imported by two remigrants. The couple were also charged with attempting to defraud the GRA of revenue.

Publisher Glenn Lall, and his wife, Bhena, denied all the charges read to them in the court. After the preliminary readings, Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry released the cou-

ple on self-bail.

Emanating from investigations so far by GRA, is that Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall reportedly defrauded the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) of some $40 million in taxes.

It is alleged that two Lexus vehicles were imported by relatives of the Lalls, who benefited from duty free concessions, under the Re-migrant Scheme, but they were not in possession of the vehicles, for the six month stipulation reporting period.

These vehicles were only awarded on the con-

dition that they cannot be leased or transferred within three years.

GRA Commissioner General, Kurshid Sattaur explained that that both vehicles are worth approximately US$90,000 each; adding that the GRA has been therefore cheated some $40 million in taxes.

“The vehicles are, in essence, really owned by Lall and his wife, but were imported by his re-migrant relatives for him to benefit from their duty-free status.’

“I say this because the vehicles used to be prominently parked in front of Lall’s and his wife’s (Bhena Lall, owner of Bhena’s

Footwear) place of work daily, even though they were registered to his relatives and should be in their possession,” explained the GRA Head.

The build up to the Lalls’ indictment was his accusation that there was a plot to ‘bring down’ Kaieteur News. Glenn Lall levelled attacks that Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur, the Attorney General Anil Nandlall and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, spoke of a plot to silence Kaieteur News.

The purported plot, claimed Lall, was discov-

Kaieteur News owner/ publisher Glen Lall ered in a series of leaked email, he subsequently published. The GRA however is maintaining that the four emails, which have been published repeatedly by the embattled Kaieteur News, were

GRA Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur fabricated.

The GRA also is claiming that the emails were responses, conjured up to counter plans, for an impending audit into the operations of the local daily.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

GuyExpo 2014 a resounding success

“GuyExpo 2014 has been a resounding success from many perspectives in terms of the corporate sponsorship and the companies that support this event and the private sector.” Minister of Tourism (ag) Irfaan Ali on the summation of the fourday (October 2-5) event which attracted close to 30,000 people each night to the Sophia Exhibition Complex.

Numberless superlatives cannot describe the astounding success that the recently held GuyExpo has been. Equally, too, no

sector. “These companies have stood by the event, they have ensured that they budgeted for the sponsorship of the event and we must salute the private sector and the private companies, and the government for their continuous involvement both financially and physically in the planning of GuyExpo,” Minister Ali pointed out.

The Guyana Supermarket for instance was an imaginative masterstroke for putting on display, every food product that is produced and made by Guyanese. Those indigenous

13

panies improved tremendously this year, despite the fact that in some instances some of the local exhibitors underestimated the traffic that the exposition would have received and as such were not prepared to deliver to persons interested in the local products.

“Many booths had to be re- stocked. There was under-estimation in the supplies - the local supermarket and furniture were big hits, Trinidadians are interested in our furniture,” Minister Ali noted.

Nonetheless, the Minister pointed out that patrons

The entrance to GuyExpo

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Tourism (ag), Irfaan Ali with Guyanese reggae singer, Natural Black at GuyExpo 2014 description will be enough to commend what was definitely, Guyana’s best business and commerce extravaganza to date.

Call it a creativity of the highest standards; a display of that true Guyanese ingenuity, that manifested itself in varied imaginative art in all categories-be it the fine machine and handcrafted jewellery that elicited oohs and aahs; the delicately shaped and expressively coloured ceramic pieces; the wonderfully designed furniture pieces that were so beautifully varnished; the alternate herbal medicines; soaps from indigenous materials; and the numerous sauces and food preparations.

This year again witnessed the unhesitating participation of the private

preparations must have surprised many, who had the opportunity to visit this food outlet. It was not uncommon to listen to comments such as “I din know we gat so many local tings selling”. Good for them!

Now that they all know, we hope that such products become part of their food purchases. For some emphasis – the decision to display a booth, is as timely, as it is a reminder to Guyanese in general of the array of locally produced food products, produced at certified international standards. It is a message to all those who still perceive foreign made foods to be of better quality, that our products so far made, and are worthy and deserving of our full support.

Indeed the level of preparation from the local com-

including foreigners and Guyanese living in the Diaspora were satisfied with the event overall, more so the new traffic arrangement and layout of the booths which both allowed for a better flow of traffic and patrons. Also singled out for praised was the ranks of the Guyana Police Force who did an exceedingly professional job at maintaining order and preserving the ground of GuyExpo, the Minister pointed out.

This year’s expo saw the largest international delegation with more than 116 buyers, suppliers, and business operatives participating. “This itself speaks to the international traction that GuyExpo is getting, definitely it has become more efficiently marketed, and as a result more persons are coming in specifi-

cally to benefit from it.”

A special feature of expo this year was the inclusion of an Investment Forum held at the Guyana International Conference Centre that targeted getting the visiting delegations to invest in Guyana. “We had many MOUs signed.

We have about five prospective business initiatives that are on the verge of being signed so from an investment perspective it has been very successful,” Minister Ali said about the success of that venture.

At the investment forum Guyana and Barbados would have inked a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at establishing Trade Missions between the two countries.

Meanwhile, President Ramotar has described Guyana’s and indeed the

Caribbean’s largest trade fair and exposition as a fantastic event, which shows the industriousness and resourcefulness of local entrepreneurs.

Giving an invited comment to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the president said that the fact that thousands of people from all walks of life attended the event clearly indicates that public/ private partnership is being embraced by stakeholders.

Indeed, the just concluded GuyExpo, will be remembered for those exhibitors, who displayed their particular pieces at quite some financial costs, in terms of rental, and payment of staff. They were a mix of all sizes of business and commerce endeavours, underlining that they have faith in the opportunities

Packed aisles at GuyExpo

on offer, under this dispensation since 1992. This is further exemplified by the overwhelming presence of the Private Sector, whose participation again reflected their all importance to national development, and satisfaction of what the national economy has been doing for them.

Even the Amerindians were well represented, and it is heartening to report, that quite a number of their goods are now on the overseas market. One can only feel proud of the efforts of our First People, and encourage them to greater achievements.

The displays during the four days, herald a country that is continuously on the rise. It explains why Guyana has achieved eight consecutive years of economic growth.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana’s popularity as a bird watching destination increasing-continues to boost tourism Guyana is blessed with a plethora of bird species and capitalising on this, the Government quite rightly keeps pushing this form of tourism in a bid to aid in the overall development of Guyana.

Indeed of recent, bird watching has been gaining momentum, now becoming quite sa popular activity, and one that has given international recognition to Guyana.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, while reporting on the 2014 International British Bird Watching Fair, held in Rutland England said, “I must tell you, seven years

ago, we did not have any birding international tour operators selling Destination Guyana; today we have over 35 international bird watching companies selling Guyana. At Bird Fair 2014, there were 20 international birding companies selling Destination Guyana (and) that is the largest number that has been selling Guyana at the fair. Last year, there were 16 companies selling Guyana”.

He added that the bird watching fair is one of the most effective promotional and marketing activities for Guyana’s tourism industry.

“The kind of feedback

we have received from the bird fair is very positive from a lot of satisfied visitors and bird watchers.

The report and the indication from the trade are that Guyana is a good selling destination. Many other companies now also want to sell Destination Guyana,” Haralsingh added.

He listed tourism companies such as Explore, Travel Design (from Germany), Encounter the Wild, Nuevo Mundo (from Ireland) and Na. These are in addition to the 35 companies that are already selling Destination Guyana, including, Birding Eco-tours, Green Tours, Manu Expeditions,

Guyana’s booth at British Bird Watching fair

Bird Watching at the Botanical Gardens Nature Trek, New Tropical Birding, Rock Jumpa Holidays, Sunbird, Sunrise Birding, Travelling Naturalist, Trinidad and Tobago, Wild Life Travel, Wild Wings and Zoo Terror. “… we also did a presentation at the fair, on ‘tropical coastal birding,’ and it’s a new itinerary, and a new area in Guyana in which we are promoting bird watching. Most of the Rupununi and the interior are famous and popular for bird watching, but for the first time we have gone to the bird fair to launch coastal birding-this covers from Shell Beach to

Abary, and includes the seawall, Botanical Gardens, Abary and there are quite a number-over 400 species of birds which can be seen on the coast and birding here is very accessible compared with the interior,” Haralsingh said.

He added that the interest in coastal bird watching has been very high, and that a brochure on coastal bird watching was produced and launched at the bird fair.

Wilderness Explorers, a wildlife biologist from Guyana, a representative from Wilderness explorers based in the UK, and Mr. Carl Brown from Guyana’s

High Commission based in the UK, participated at the bird fair on Guyana’s behalf.

The GTA Director explained that “… the momentum is being built for bird watching in Guyana… a lot of persons and inquiries on butterfly watching.

And in January, we will be bringing an expert from UK to help pave the way on the development of butterfly watching. A lot of people are also interested in orchids, insects and lots of other tours besides birding, that is, wild life watching as well.”

It was further stated that usually at the bird fair, Guyana hosts an event in London, targeted at the high-end bird market-birding specialists, media, and conservation organisations as well. The Guyana Summer event is held sometimes prior to the bird fair, but on this occasion, it was held after, at the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago.

The bird fair is a continued success for Guyana and next year the Tourism Ministry hopes to have more Guyanese tour operators and companies attend.

GINA launches ‘The Guyanese’ -impresses GuyExpo 2014 patrons Some 24 pieces, with concomitant pictures, in a first edition of ‘The Guyanese,’ proved a telling statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA), at GuyExpo 2014, at which event the publication was unveiled.

President Donald Ramotar received his copy at GuyExpo 2014, from Director of the Government Information Agency (GINA), Neaz Subhan, while the Head of State was visiting the GINA booth, and was impressed with the publication’s glossy visage and neat packaging that were perfect for its content.

This first edition has taken many by surprise, and copies were quickly snapped up by the general public. The Guyanese complements the numerous publications of the agency, as it stays in keeping with its mandate to inform the public of the policies and programmes of the government, seeking to better the lives of citizens and to improve the country overall.

The publication, to be segued by another in December, covers all aspects of development in Guyana, with titles such as Economic Optimism, Education Explosion, The Rice Boom, Yachting, The Berbice River Bridge and even pieces

on entertainment, sports and tourism. All the features reflect the reality of growth and development, so noticeable in Guyana.

The magazine is reflective of, and parallels a new dispensation in Guyana-authentic evolvement into that which is most admirable and enviable. Its major purpose is to keep Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora totally informed of happenings in their ‘Land of Birth,’ which has been unfairly stigmatised by many in the local press.

All things being in place, The Guyanese will become a staple and the frequency of its publication will increase.

President Donald Ramotar and Director of the Government information Agency, Neaz Subhan with a copy of GINA’S newest publication ‘The Guyanese.’

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

15

Attorney General exposes APNU on Local Government Elections

The move by the main political party, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to distance itself from the ‘historical evolution’ surrounding the highly debated local government election issue is ‘simply wrong and dishonest’. This is the contention of Attorney General, and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall.

In an interview with the Government Information Agency, Minister Nandlall said since the last local government election which was held in 1994, the main

Assembly, a no-confidence motion for debate.

That no confidence motion if it is taken to its logical conclusion will mean that by virtue of the constitution, parliament will be dissolved, forcing the President and the Cabinet to resign, and elections to be held within three months after the dissolution of parliament.

With this constitutional formulation, the holding of local government election will be highly improbable, according to the Attorney General.

the main opposition has actively participated in to postpone the holding of the election.

“Under the law, local government elections are required to be held once every three years, so 1994 the last one was held, and the next one was supposed to have been held in 1997, now let us go back to 1997 and examine the situation there.”

The Attorney General recalled that in 1997, the then government of the day went to General Elections and for the same reason, local government and gen-

Recent ‘Peaceful Protest’ in Agricola opposition party has been actively involved in legally postponing the holding the election.

Difficulty “The only year that the PNC (APNU) stood by itself and demanded local government elections was 2014, and in so doing they are attempting to distance themselves from the historical evolution of this matter and the opposition is still contributing to the nonholding of local government elections.”

Local government elections are due under the law and the current government has stated and reiterated its commitment to holding local government elections as early as is reasonably possible.

However, according to Minister Nandlall, the difficulty with which the government is currently confronted is the fact that there is pending in the National

“These elections, as well as national elections are to be administered by the same agency, that is the Guyana Elections Commission, and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that the Guyana Election Commission is simply incapable of administering these two elections either contemporaneously, simultaneously or within short periods of each other.”

Hence, he pointed out that the government therefore has to be sure which one of the elections is likely to take place and then prepare for that one, simply because Guyana does not have the capabilities to facilitate both elections at the same time.

Why no LGE Speaking to the issue as to why local government election has not been held since 1994, the Attorney General chronicled a series of events, all of which

eral elections could not have been facilitated in the same year, the decision was made to hold general elections with the PPP/C presidential Candidate being the late Janet Jagan.

That election was followed by massive social unrest, riots, violence, street protest, and arson, which resulted in a team from CARICOM making interventions.

The team sat with the then PNC which was led

by Mr. Desmond Hoyte, and the Government where they brokered an arrangement that is now popularly referred to as the Herdmanston Accord.

Two important decisions were made in that accord, the first being that the government would go back to general elections within three years, thereby giving up two years of government, and the second one being those elections would be held under a reformed constitution.

“Those are the two important decisions coming out of that accord, local government elections, obviously was not a factor in the equation and both the PNC and the government recognised that and it was decided by the two parties that we will have local government election after the constitutional reform.”

This was done, since the constitutional reform process would have reformed the local government structure, as well and new elections were going to be held under that reformed structure.

Further, for every year for that period there was amendment to the law postponing local government election, an amendment that was consensual in the parliament, Minister Nandlall pointed out. “…the constitutional reform commission assembled and it began its work; that commission recommended several changes to the constitution that affected governmental structure generally, but more significantly that affected local government at the time.”

That commission provided for the establishment of a Local Government Commission and that the commission will have certain constitutional powers in relation to the manner and the way in which local government organs function, the way in which they operate, and the manner in which they are staffed.

However, when that process was completed another general election was held in 2001 and again during that period local government election was being postponed consensually by all the political parties in the parliament.

“When we came out of 2001 election, again there was violence, unrest, burning in the streets, nevertheless a task force was assembled by the PNC and PPP comprising senior functionaries of both political par-

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall ties, and they began to work out a modality of how the local government structure would be done legally.”

While the constitution provided for the establishment of a local government commission, it did not provide for the way that the commission will function, the powers that the commission will have, the way the commission will staff itself, all of which were supposed to be the subject of ordinary legislation.

“So while the constitution laid the foundation, ordinary law would have outlined the way the constitutionally enshrined commissioner was to function.”

Hence, the task force which was assembled was intended to work out these modalities and to come up with draft legislation.

Again, as this process was being carried out, an amendment was moved in the National Assembly repeatedly and on an annual basis to postpone local government election.

This process continued until that task force completed its job which was sometime between 2009/2010.

According to the Attorney General, local government election could have been held, but again a decision had to be made between that or general election.

Proof “There is on record, a letter written by the then Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin asking for the country to go to national elections instead of local government elections, that letter was sent by Mr. Corbin to President (Bharrat) Jagdeo. That letter is on file

so there again you had another postponement at the request of the opposition.”

Consequently, the Attorney General said general election was held and yet again an amendment was moved in the National Assembly for its postponement.

“So from 1997 to 2001, if you check every year you will see an amendment to the law postponing local government elections and significantly, that amendment though proposed by the government was always supported by the opposition parties.”

It was also noted that in 2011 when the 10th Parliament was convened works began on the local government bills which took about two to three years.

“While we were in committee dealing with those bills, again every year local government election had to have been lawfully postponed by an amendment to the law, and again if you check the record over the years up to 2013, you will see an amendment being moved to postpone the election by the government which was supported by APNU.” To support this, the Attorney General noted that only in 2014 the APNU started its “new enthusiasm” for local government election, making the government the culprits in the process of postponement when for nearly 15 years they supported the process.

Meanwhile the government remains committed toward the hosting of local government election but maintains that GECOM cannot facilitate both local and general election in a short period of time.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana values immensely contribution of its Diaspora

Government has not given up on Guyanese who have migrated from the country during times of hardship, but is rather proud of their achievements in their adopted homes or new country of residence.

This message was reiterated to Guyanese Diaspora living in the United States of America (USA), when President Donald Ramotar, who recently travelled to that country to attend and address the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assem-

have we been able to do that? We have been able to do that despite the fact that one - traditionally, one of the most important sectors of the economy- sugar, was not doing very well… broadening the base of our economy what we had promised from since 1992 about broadening the base of our economy and making it more immune from external shocks (that) we have succeeded in a very large way... because rooted in the philosophy of the PPP , is the fact that the economy must serve

- education gets the biggest in this, 30 percent of our budget,” he explained.

The President also reiterated his government commitment to continuing the transformation of Guyana, but noted that the country needs the help of all Guyanese, since the Government does not have a development partner in the opposition. He pointed out the Opposition’s anti-developmental stance since they won a one-seat majority in the National Assembly and the fact that they have used

President Donald Ramotar having a one on one conversation with a Guyanese in Washington

President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar in conversation with Guyanese living in Florida bly, used the opportunity to meet Guyanese living there. The President accompanied by a Guyanese delegation including Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh met the Guyanese community in Queens, New York, those in Washington and members of the Guyanese Diaspora living in Los Angeles, California.

The several hundreds of Guyanese, who attended the meetings, were updated on developments taking place in the country in the current and prevailing political uncertainty.

President Donald Ramotar also spoke of the eight successive years of economic growth in the Guyanese economy, infrastructural advancements and Guyana’s success stories in the social sector, particularly housing, education, and health.

“This says a lot and really drives a nail in the lie that our country wasn’t going anywhere. And why

the people in a inter-related and connected way, while the economy will serve the people, the people will have to build the economy.”

The President also noted his government’s believes in the fact that the most important factor for development is the people, and that his government has been investing heavily in its people to build capacity. The President pointed to the way in which his government has been allocating resources.

“Let me give you one startling figure that you never see in the press anytime. When we came into office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was getting more money than the Ministries of Education, Health, Housing and Agriculture all put together. Today, we have the opposite situation, where the bulk of our investment, if you examine our economy, goes to the social sector- health

this one-seat to cut critical budgetary allocations, defeat important legislation like the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (amendment) Bill and block transformational projects like the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project, and the Specialty Hospital among others.

The President urged the Diaspora to return home and invest in the economy so that Guyana can reach its full potential.

Meanwhile, at the meeting in California, Minister Singh used the opportunity to laud the achievement of the Guyanese Diaspora. “The Guyanese Diaspora has distinguished itself wherever it has gone, whether is it in academic or professional accomplishments, whether it is in civic and political affairs, whether it is in business or entrepreneurial activities, …but

in every field of endeavour Guyanese nationals and Caribbean nationals in their adopted homes have distinguished themselves, and we are immensely proud of what they have accomplished and the contribution they have made in their adoptive homes”, the Finance Minister said, addressing the mostly professional members of the audience.

The Finance Minister also noted that with the passage of time and the proliferation of technology, members of the Diaspora are no longer disconnected from their homelands, pointing to the instantaneous manner in which the internet allows Guyanese abroad to communicate with their loved

ones at home, and the swiftness with which they can access information on current activities in Guyana. This, he noted, has also helped Guyanese and Guyanese organisations overseas to make meaningful and timely contributions to their country.

“Today’s interconnected, connected wired world allows Diaspora communities like yourself to remain in touch with your source country, your homeland Guyana and allow you, I believe, to have a far richer engagement and a more substantial contribution, and we are delighted to see that communities like yours have seized that opportunity,” Dr Singh explained.

“I want to say to you

that we value immensely that contribution, not only the tangible contribution in helping to build hospitals and so on, but you have an important role to play too in ensuring Guyana is represented, the Guyanese flag is flown proudly, that you are good ambassadors,” he added.

The Minister also pointed to the significant importance of Guyanese living abroad in ensuring Guyana maintains its rightful place in the global community and to advocate the country’s interest at every possible forum. He also stressed that Guyana needs the advocacy of its Diaspora to tackle the legislative challenges facing the country at this point in time.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

More infrastructure boost in Region Five

Residents of Region Five-Demerara-Mahaicagot a fillip to their existence, as Government shored up a number buildings; namely an extension to the Mahaicony Secondary School, the Fort Wellington Hotel and Farm-Market Road at Champagne.

These strategic investment projects, promising positive economic development of the region, were all officially commissioned,September 24; this by officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, including Minister Norman Whittaker and officials of the Region Five, Regional Democratic Council.The projects will significantly increase the delivery of education, the provision of health care and the improvement of accessibility and connectivity within the region.

The extension to theMahaicony Secondary Schoolapproximated to $16 million, part of the $2 billion budget allocation to Region 5 RDC for 2014. The sum was spent on this project to ensure that the students benefit from learning in an environment, more conducive to education. In this

-Extension to Mahaicony Secondary School

The extended Mahaicony Secondary School Ribbon cutting ceremony to commission Mahaicony Secondary School extension light, Minister Whittaker was very bold in his commissioning remarks: “I am happy to see this kind of project, because it creates a better learning environment for all-the teachers and students, therefore, learning can take place with more efficiency and effectiveness.”

The Minister pointed out that such initiatives are not to be taken lightly, because it is taxpayers’ money that is being invested. He told students to place emphasis on education and not the material things of the world, explaining to them that the Ministry of Education is now focusing on functional literacy. The minister also urged children to give additional attention to Math-

ematics as well.

Region Five, being primarily a farming region, needed a boost in terms of better transport, and in light of this, focus has been on improving farmers’ access to and from their farms and market. This backdrop is really what led to the commissioning of 10 roads: the farm to market road at Champagne, rehabilitated at costs $6.5 million; the 2nd Cross Street at El Dorado, West Coast Berbice, completely refurbished at a cost of $5.2 million; the rehabilitated first Cross Street at Golden Fleece; the First Side Line Dam at Brahan; a Street at Trafalgar; Middle Walk NOPR Lovely Lass; third Cross Street Sec-

tion ‘A’ Bushlot; the main entrances and First Street Hope, parallel to the public road, Bath Settlement; the Side line Dam, Number 10/11 Village; Dhanar Street, Cotton Tree and Old Road Cotton Tree Section 1; Lot 1 and 2, Nursery School Street, Cotton Tree; and the continuation of Façade Dam Cotton Tree. A timber bridge at No. 5 was also newly constructed and commissioned.

Speaking at the commissioning of the rehabilitated farm to market road at Champagne, Regional Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth said that financial availability was limited, but after community

National Museum modernised -seeks to educate and meet demands of electronic era

The Guyana National Museum is now on a journey of modernisation, as it seeks to meet the demands of a 21st century society. This is in keeping with Government’s continuing investment policies, towards the thrust to transform and update the entire nation building process.

Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, said that the museum recognised the need to improve itself in light of the current new era of computers and digital technology; hence the decision was taken to bring it up to the 21st century.

“We started to talk about it; instead of perhaps trying to read the sign, they can have a

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Students inspect one of the interactive touch screens at the museum headphone and listen to the narration of what they are seeing. Or maybe if you want more in-depth information, you will be able to access that,” Minister Anthony said. “We want to make the exhibits more interactive,” the Minister added.

The ‘Modernisation and

Digitisation Project” was awarded to contractor, Digital Technology, and work commenced late November 2013 and was completed on August 5, 2014.

The project is the database of the National Museum’s collection on artifacts and displays, with a website format, and provides

expanded history on artifacts. Using today’s modern technology, the project is expected to continue to provide learning experiences for everyone who visits the museum.

The project includes three, 21-inch interactive touch screens and one 84inch customised interactive touch screen with necessary individual wiring, server and attachments.

Two screens are on the upper floor of the museum and the other is on the lower floor.

The National Museum’s Library is currently being rehabilitated and soon all collections will be accessible to the public. Further, museum staff members are being trained in digital technology, to be

meetings, the RDC and MLG&RD decided to asphalt the road to reduce dust pollution, since farming equipment usually traverse frequently this stretch of road way. The project cost $6.5 million.

While Bisnauth notedthat only a portion of the road was done, the entire stretch is expected to be done in 2015. Minister Whittaker further pointed out that there is not a single country in the world that can afford to meet all the needs of its citizens and thus, prioritisation has to be done.

He further explained that funds have been allocated to conduct various projects, and urged that persons focus on what have so far been done and the plans of the future. The minister intoned that the

projects will be of benefit to everyone in and around the region, as well as visitors to the area. He said the Government focuses on the quality of work done and congratulated the contractor M&B Construction for a job well done.

An old resident of Champagne who was visiting from the United States said that as a little boy, he never saw the asphalting of the road on the horizon and congratulated the Government of Guyana for so doing.

The extension of the Pharmacy Building at the Fort Wellington Hospital was also commissioned and this was done at a cost of $4.6 million. This addition will allow for better storage of drugs and for reducing wastage.

able to properly carry out their duties. At present, a small amount of data from the National Museum can be accessed online, via the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport’s website.

Minister Anthony said a process has been started to digitise holdings at the museum, and “… that’s where we want to go and today we are taking a step in that direction. It will be much more appealing to the young people to be able to interact with onscreen displays. It is a first step on the long road of making the museum a 21st century museum and eventually we hope that a lot of our holdings can be accessed online.”

Then in its thrust to make the museum an educational place where people can learn about their country, a few galleries have been added over the past

few years. The museum also provides a bus that will take travelling exhibits to assist in the learning progress of school children. Schools are therefore encouraged to become a part of the museum’s loan programme.

Minister Anthony informed the public that workshops and camps for young people, especially during the summer holidays, are also held at the museum. Persons are also urged to explore other museums across Guyana to continue to learn about Guyana’s rich heritage.

The Museum will also work with teachers to facilitate the schools’ curriculum and provided relevant exhibits. “We want to be a partner to our learning institutions and schools,” Minister Anthony said. .

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Auditor General’s 2013 report submitted to National Assembly Auditor General Deodat Sharma on September 30 handed over his report for the fiscal year that ended December 31, 2013. This was given to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Raphael Trotman, at Parliament Building.

The report is on public accounts for Government Ministries.

The report is in keeping with Government’s commitment to ensure transparent and democratic governance and is testimony to the transparency and accountability that have developed over the years, in relation to the public accounts of Guyana. The report includes Government’s spending for its various Ministries and agencies.

Before, the Office of the Auditor General was reformed, the report was formally handed to the Minister of Finance. Now, under new constitutional arrangements, it is delivered to the Speaker of the National Assembly, who takes charge of it.

The report is then sent to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Carl Greenidge, after which it is scrutinised and then presented to Parliament.

Under this new process, the PAC has the authority to summon Ministers and other officials to provide explanations and information, should there be questions on the utili-

sation of public funds. If necessary, corrective actions are taken.

The Audit Office has undergone significant changes over the years to strengthen its capacity to ensure improved auditing.

This was supported by the International Development Bank (IDB), Canada and India, with contributions that assisted the office to maintain its commitment to transparency.

It was the PPPC administration after the 1992 election, which ensured that such audits were conducted and reports were submitted.

Prior to 1992, there were many years when accounts were not audited resulting in the nonsubmission of such vital reports.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma hands over the audited report to Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman.

Tackling climate change President Donald Ramotar and the new Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg, met on September 24 in New York and discussed the ongoing Guyana/Norway forest deal. The two leaders used the occasion to reaffirm their commitment in tackling climate change and to work together to ensure other countries emulate the deal.

In an interview after the meeting, President Ramotar said that, “We both expressed satisfaction with the relationship that Guyana and Norway has had. We both think it is a very useful partnership and a good example of links between developed and developing countries in the common fight against climate change and for saving the international environment.”

In terms of getting more countries on board to foster the climate change fight, the Guyanese Leader said, “We think we are

ready to share our experiences with other countries so that we can have more countries coming in…other developing countries, more developed countries, so we can make a tangible and real contribution in fighting against climate change.”

This climate change issue goes back to November 9, 2009, when the Governments of Guyana and Norway signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), and simultaneously published a Joint Concept Note, which sets out how the two countries will “work together to provide the world with a relevant, replicable model for how REDD+ can align the development objectives of forest countries with the world’s need to combat climate change”.

Norway at the time committed to providing financial support of up to US$250 million until 2015, for results anticipated to be achieved by

Guyana, in limiting emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.

This money was set aside to support the implementation of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). As part of the agreement, the two countries agreed to establish the Guyana Redd + Investment Fund (GRIF) as the financial intermediary mechanism for the performance-based payments from contributors to Guyana.

Being a valued and good partner, Guyana has lived up and already received about US$115M from Norway under that agreement and the money has indeed gone towards several projects in this effort. These include: the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), which is being implemented in partnership with the UNDP; Amerindian Land titling; the small and medium sized enterprises which are in the

-President and Norway Prime Minister reaffirm commitment

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh with Norwegian Prime Minister, Erna Solberg process of being implemented; climate resilient strategy and action plan; institutional strengthening project to reinforce

the institutions involved in environmental management; Project Management Office of the Office of the President;

and the Amaila Falls hydropower project, the flagship project of the LCDS.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Gov’t reaches out to Region 10 residents

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Residents of several communities in Region Ten were recently given the opportunity to voice their concern and ideas for their community development, after the region was targeted for a month-long outreach.

Minister of Finance Juan Edghill has been visiting and holding meetings in various communities within the region, listening to residents’ concerns and making interventions.

Thus far, 23 meetings have been conducted in communities such as Mackenzie, Block 22, Rock Stone, Ituni and Moblissa.

The meetings saw the Minister dispelling rumors that the region is being neglected by the administration. The Minister pointed to government’s policies and programmes crafted for the development of every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation or geographical location.

He also emphato task as there consised to the residents tinues to be very little that their future lies engagement between in their own hands the region and central and called on resigovernment. dents to move away It was noted that from the ‘victim synsuch engagement is drome’ and to start critical for the region making decisions to move forward and that will better their get the kind of devellives and that of their opment it deserves. children.

Meanwhile sev“We must recogeral issues including nise that the outcome high water bills, street of life as an individulighting in some areas, al is based on choices Residents at a community meeting with Minister within the deplorable roads, and we make, you can the need for proper Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill either allow yourrecreational facilities selves to be seen as for youths were raised The residents were also and the relevant authorioutcasts or you can change urged to reflect on their ties playing their roles, by residents, as they sought that perception. Nobody past actions of engagement, Minister Edghill stressed government’s intervention. defines you, you define with the aim of trying to see the need to revive commuHowever, while the yourselves.”

Minister noted the issues how fruitful and beneficial nity spirit in Region Ten. “Don’t allow peo- those have been for their “We need your coopera- raised, he took the time to ple to define you, when community. “If you keep tion at the minimum if we point out some of these isyou do that you will have doing one thing over and are going to do our part… sues should have been adproblems, no matter what over and you keep getting we must also cross the dressed at the level of their people say about you. the same result, isn’t it time line of prejudice and start town council.

You must make a choice to try something different seeing a bright future.”

“In every region you of how you carry yourself which might give a differhave a regional democratic Further, the Minister and with dignity, can lift ent result?” council, and they are supinformed the residents that yourselves out of poverty,” posed to represent you and However, in moving they need to hold their he added. give voice to your dreams forward with government elected Regional leaders

and make known to the government your wishes and desires, and how we can be best serve. The truth that is the engagement between government central government and the region is almost non-existent,” he acknowledged.

As the Minister promised government’s interventions where necessary, he called on residents to demand more from the regional level; “it is their responsibility to visit communities, see what their needs are and make proper representation for budgetary allocations.”

At each session, residents were thanked for coming out. Minister Edghill in fact pointed out that their attendance reflected positively and shows that there are still persons within the region, who are willing to engage in dialogue with the aim of furthering development in their communities.

The passing of Professor Victor Ramraj, on August 25, 2014 in Canada was noted with shock and sorrow. He was born on October 24, 1941 in British Guiana (now the Cooperative Republic of Guyana) in Wakenaam.

Ramraj received his secondary education at the prestigious St. Stanislaus College before proceeding to the University College of the West Indies (London) – now UWI Mona, Jamaica. There he gained a BA degree in English literature and also met his life’s companion, Ruby. Ramraj then furthered his education with a doctorate in Canadian Literature from the University of New Brunswick, after which he joined the University of Calgary as a Professor. It was at Calgary, where he made his dint in the world of academics Ramraj had a reputation for his ‘passion for literature’ and always manifested a profoundly criti-

cal mind. Ramraj delved deeply in the literatures of emerging nations (Commonwealth Literature, Third World Literature, International English Literature, and Post Colonialism) and he championed for ‘marginalised voices,’ making great efforts towards their being heard, understood and responded to.

This kind of spirit actually led to his masterpiece, “Concert of Voices: An Anthology of World Writing in English (1995; reprinted four times). Also to his credit is Mordecai Richler (Twayne Publishers, 1983).

Outside of his writing and teaching life, the outstanding professor was an active member of the international literary community, serving in a number of capacities: playwright, anthologist, editor, critic, judge, organiser and more. The involvement goes deeper: he was Chief Judge of the Guyana Prize for Literature on at least two occa-

ty to man” in India (an embryonic Marxist response) bold and refreshing. He said this book was no whitewash, and Vidia (as he called him) harboured no fear of letting the side down. He added that many are deeply incensed by the book, but this is what great writing should do: “shake you up.”

According to Seecharran, Professor Ramraj “… never harboured grudges against fellow academics; besides, he was generous in offering wise counsel to young scholars. This alone made Vic Ramraj an outstanding man; but this is just a sketch; he was a very fine scholar, dedicated to a life of the mind.”

No doubt then, even as this outstanding Guyanese has now departed this earthly life, he is leaving a rich legacy-his works and his memory.

He is one to emulate and as he testifies to the richness in people that Guyana has been turning out over the years. He will be sadly missed.

Outstanding Guyanese Scholar passes on

The late Professor Victor Ramraj sions; he was editor of the he had already subtitled academic Journal, Ariel: “Encore!”

A Review of International Ambassador to China, English Literature (based Professor David Dabyat the University of Cal- deen, was jolted when he gary); he sat on the Edi- was informed about the torial Board of The Arts death of Ramraj. “News Journal and edited Vol- of Victor Ramraj’s death ume 2 Number 1 (2005); stilled me. I reflected upon he was also preparing to his generosity as a scholco-edit Volume 10 Num- ar (Professor of English bers 1 and 2 (2014) of at Calgary). He inspired The Arts Journal which countless students at his

university, and his many papers presented at international conferences provoked enlightened discussion. His friendship and support of the Trinidadian novelist Sam Selvon, was outstanding. His editorship of the literary magazine, Ariel, was a substantial contribution to postcolonial studies. His books and articles were shining works of the intellect.”

Another person who felt deeply move with Ramraj’s death is Clem Seecharan, Emeritus Professor of History, London Metropolitan University.

“He did not teach me, but I chatted with him on several occasions.

He stopped me one day because I was reading Naipaul’s ‘An Area of Darkness’, which he had obviously read and thoroughly liked. He asked what my reaction was, and I told him that I like Naipaul because of his clarity-one of the best writers I had read. Moreover, I found his forthright treatment of “Man’s inhumani-

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Education, human capital crucial to national development

If ever a nation will grow, it must think long-term and focus on education and human capital. This is really the recurring focus for the PPP/C Administration, and it goes back to 1992, when the nation vested power in this incumbent.

This twin-point was poignantly explicated by President Donald Ramotar, who launched the $10,000 education grant on October 11 in Bartica, where the gratitude of the recipients was quite visible-smiles and many words of support for the PPP/C. It should be noted that this grant is not a sporadic, knee-jerk reaction from the PPP/C. It accompanies a host of other inputs in Guyana’s school childrenthe uniform voucher, the school feeding programme for some areas, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme and building and refurbishing over 1000 schools. These investments stem from provision made in Budget 2014, for some 188,406 families, at a hefty cost of a $2B educational input.

This ongoing venture is meant to provide more support to parents with school aged children and increase their disposable income as well. The overall objective is to raise enrollment number and attendance rates.

The $10,000 grant is testimony yet again to the seriousness of the Government, where education and human capital are concerned. “… education is important, not only in itself, but it underpins every other sector of our society … so this programme that we doing here, we hope that it will help you to ensure that the kids stay in school, that they study and do not come out of school until they have a secondary education so that they can take advantage of other government programmes like scholarships to University of Guyana and further afield so that they can lift their development

– President Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar speaking at the launch of the “Because We Care” educational grant in Bartica and make a greater contribution to the development of our society,” the President urged.

People still remember past times, when education was not a priority. In fact, the PPP/C started in 1992, with a jump of eight percent of the National Budget going to the social sector and at that time it was a very small budget. Now, Guyana has far bigger and more expansive budgets, where more than 30 percent is dedicated to the social sector and where education gets the largest of this allocation.

The rewarding thing is that all of this hard work and monetary inputs are paying massive dividends.

Locally, the traditional schools of success have to now compete for top honours with places like Anna Regina and Line Path Secondary Schools. Also, at the Regional/Caribbean level, Guyana’s dominance is well documented having copped five out of eight top Regional CSEC spots in 2013.

What must not be forgotten is the fact that Guyana is riding a high in education right alongside some major movements in the world, namely the rise in advocacy for females to be educated. In this light, it is quite fitting that the Nobel Prize for Peace was just deservedly bestowed upon a ‘still’ secondary school stu-

dent, Malala Yusufzai from Pakistan. She is the young lady, who stood up against terrorism where education is concerned. She was almost killed in her homeland by terrorist sub-planters, who shot her in a bus at point blank rage.

So with success stories of Guyana’s children, there is the belief that students here can and will make significant contributions to Guyana’s development, and that of the world by extension.

The Head of State explained that if any more evidence is needed of the deep philosophical belief of the PPP Civic Government of the importance of human resources, then the education grant is another demonstration of this idealistic underpinning of the Administration.

The Bartica occasion also brought out a most telling point from the president.

He tied education, human capital and natural resources with a single string. This kind of thinking is most vital if Guyana is to move from the status of ‘developing’ to fully ‘developed’ in terms of how nations are ranked.

Unequivocally putnatural resources abound in Guyana, both land and sea.

The land is filled with mineral wealth and rich for agriculture; while the water is teeming with marine foods.

However, as a rule, it is not what a nation has, but what it can do with what it has, and this goes back to the president’s emphasis on education and human capital. “... if we look around the world and look at countries that have prospered and countries that have been left behind, you would find that there are countries with enormous natural resources that still have unbelievable poverty and there are others with very little resources where they are prospering.

And the reason is the investment that we put in our people. And that is why from the very inception we have been investing heavily in our people,” President Ramotar stated.

“When we got into office, only about 30 percent of children leaving primary school went into secondary schools. Most of our children had to fail at their exams, at the end of their primary education, not because they were dunce they had to fail because there was no provision for them in secondary school at that time.”

The achievement of Universal Primary Education and being close to realising Universal Secondary Education are important for the future of the country as both levels are the foundation of the people. “It’s as if you are building a structureyou have to put a solid foun-

dation on the ground to hold up the infrastructure, to hold up the superstructure that you will put on this base, and primary and secondary education offer that grounding so that our children can aim not only to remain at that level, but they can go on to tertiary education at different levels in our society and this government is ensuring that not only children on the coastland will have that opportunity, but in the interior also.”

The Administration has built secondary schools in the interior areas with dormitories and provides not only all the text books, but three meals a day so that parents will have no excuse to keep their children at home.

“Because if we speak about developing the interior of our country which everyone says is important for the prosperity of Guyana, we have to have the human capital, we have to have the people capable of developing it and therefore these investments are important.

Today you can go to the top of the mountain in Paramakatoi and find 700 students at secondary school able to write the CXC exams or you can go to the riverain area of Waramadong in this very region and you will find another secondary school with 700 students.”

This cogent assessment encapsulates life in Guyanathe PPP/C is about repairing Guyana and taking it alongside any prospering nation in the world. However, this quest will never be sudden and with ‘quick-fix’ methods; a slow, wise and patient investment is necessary. Thus far the process of rebuilding has been great; it promises to get better. Why? The Government’s vision is that tomorrow’s success and prosperity are hinged upon Guyana’s children and their education.

The Head of State also turned his attention to the

fact that the administration has been investing heavily in the livelihoods of the vulnerable society, shedding light on the fact that Guyana is one of the very few countries where every citizen can benefit from old age pension when at the required age. “…We are one of only two countries in the world, where we give a pension to people who do not have to make a single cent contribution to that pension and their only qualification is their age. Bolivia is the only other country that I know that provides an old age pension, and you know I hear people are saying it’s not enough…” he pointed out.

He added that it is under this administration that the pension saw a consistent rise.

Prior to 1992, individuals were required to undertake a means test showing that they had no source of income and were not receiving financial aid from any organisation or family members.

President Ramotar, acknowledged the fact that this is no longer so, and pensioners now benefit from $13,125 monthly.

This goes directly to our country-our Government’s philosophy, but our country can grow much more and further. We have brought our country from being a heavily indebted poor country, to today, as being described as a middle income country, but we have the ability and that is one of the reasons we are investing more and more in our young people and students and why we are investing in the social sector so much, because we have the ability in a short period of time, to go to a developed status and to reverse the migration process, but we are sure that in a short period of time we can catch up and be described as a developed country…”

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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Opposition has used one seat majority to hold back progress-President

The gaining of the one seat majority by the Parliamentary Opposition was seen as a milestone in local politics; however, gaining of numerical superiority, in the National Assembly, has not been put to effective use by the combined opposition. this is the view of President Donald Ramotar.

In a recent interview with the National Communications Network (NCN), the president said that with their new found position in the National Assembly, the opposition should have seized the opportunity to further Guyana’s developmental agenda, by working with government to ensure that key transformational projects were undertaken.

“They have never used their one seat majority to say, “PPP, you are not building enough houses, you are not building enough roads,” they’re cutting our budget, and the emphasis from them is obstruction, not using their one seat ma-

jority to try to push us to do more,” he stated.

Listing projects such as the Specialty Hospital to give people services that government cannot afford now, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion, Amalia Falls Hydro project, Amerindian Development Programmes, and other infrastructural projects, the president said that they are not trying to push government, as far as development is concerned.

“What we have,” he explained, “is an opposition trying to hold back the progress of the country that is the sad reality of the one seat majority”.

He also cited the failure of the opposition to support the passage of the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLCFT) Bill, a piece of legislation that most recently saw the Caribbean Bankers Association describing as necessary, in addition to many other international financial

bodies. This legislation is so necessary to Guyana’s wellbeing, yet they are refusing to support it.

The Head of State recalled that when in opposition, the PPP always had the nation’s interest at heart. “We were pointing out mistakes; we were making proposals to show where you could do better.

We don’t have that kind of opposition at all. We have the opposition seeking to do harm and how they can hold back the development of our country,” he stated. “ The fact that you have this conscious position over the last three years of the opposition … going forward, we know our country needs new infrastructure to go into the future, to take us to higher levels instead of encouraging us and be very happy that we would be able to provide cheap energy for our people, that the country will be able to save a huge amount of money on importation of fuel, that we will be able to

Some Opposition members in Parliament save on the subsidy we are spending on electricity, that there is much more we can do with this money… here we have them cutting, holding back, doing their best to stop these development projects from taking place.”

The president said that despite the efforts of the opposition, Guyana’s econ-

omy has continued to grow, and this “speaks to the importance and strength of the democratic system that we have established in Guyana, and with all the negative comments in the press and media about this, tells us that our democracy has taken root in our society and it has facilitated our

development in very difficult circumstances and our country continues to move forward.”

Last year, the combined Opposition cut the Budget by $31B and in 2012 by $21B. This year, $37.4B was cut from the budget.

Guyana emphasises focus on local produce “We cannot persuade anyone else unless we show our support for it...World Food Day is when we reaffirm our support of our own…”

This bold assertion emanated from Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, whose charge on World Food Day was that Guyana should utilize its home produce as much as possible. The minister, in continuing to maximize on Agriculture Month, recommitted to the “Eat What We Grow” campaign, asking that Guyanese take it to a new level, to show that Brand Guyana is cherished and valued.

World Food Day in Guyana was observed October 16 at the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara. The Minister

-observes World Food Day 2014 with ‘Eat What We Grow’ campaign

stated that based on the fact that over 100 million less people in the world are starving, there must be caution since over 800 million people in the world would not get enough to eat on a daily basis. Noting that in Latin America and the Caribbean, 44 million people would also be without enough to eat, the Minister urged the celebration of family farms which ensure that six billion people eat today.

Observing that Guyanese should celebrate the fact that their country is food secure even as the world celebrates World Food Day, the Minister also acknowledged that whilst most countries are food secure, more than three billion people are still not nutrition secure.

He stressed on the fact that agriculture contrib-

utes significantly to the economy of Guyana which remaining robust and diversified. He insisted that the trajectory of development of Guyana must be led by agriculture.

The sector contributes more than 20% to the economy of Guyana, he noted, pointing to the meltdown of the international economy and the fact that agriculture was not significantly contributing to the economies of those countries.

Family farms sustain agriculture in Guyana, and in 1990 the sector contributed to more than 50% of the economy. He added that this will increase significantly in the future. The major difference between Guyana in the past and today is that the agriculture sector is moving towards the value chain, the Minister explained.

Local fruits and vegetables The Agriculture Minister pointed to the theme of “Eat What We Grow”and explained that while this campaign does not involve the banning of products, it seeks to urge persons to develop a preference for local

foods.

Dr. Ramsammy highlighted products emanating from Guyana; they have become popular around the world-Demerara Gold sugar, as well as Guyana rum. He point-

ed also to the achievement of rice exports which in 2014 will surpass any level produced at any other time. The projection is in excess of 600,000 tonnes for export.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Allegation of sexual ...

From page 6 opportunity to gag the accuser.

From reading the injunction it seems as though it was granted because there was a claim that the complainant was depressed and suffering from other mental health problems and because the accused, the politician, claims that the accusation was politically motivated. The accused claimed that it was causing him to lose his reputation and be embarrassed.

A complaint of sexual abuse by a child or an adult against another will always cause that other to lose his/ her reputation, assuming there was one to lose. It will always be something embarrassing.

It will always be harmful to the accused. It is after all a criminal offence to rape or sexually assault someone. In no other accusation of a criminal offense is the issue of the reputation of the accused put under the microscope.

Additionally, according to worldwide research, almost every person who is raped or abused will suffer some form of depression and other mental health issues.

The claim by the accused that it is a political set up is easily something that can be determined by the police and/or a jury. It would be a matter of fact that should not according to our laws be determined by a judge alone.

This injunction sets such a dangerous precedent. It opens a door where any and every person who is accused of rape can go to the court, claim that his/her reputation is being damaged, that the person making the allegations is sick, and that it was a plot or ploy by another person/persons and secure an injunction against the person who is making the claim!

Considering the abysmal state of our rate of prosecutions and convictions in sexual offences cases as exposed by the Guyana Human Rights Association and the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, we can ill afford as a country to have any more obstacles placed in the way of securing justice for our victims of rape and sex assault, where the victims are predominantly women and

children.

A court ought to be aware of these dimensions of rape and sexual assault and the research on these issues should be what informs the court’s decision.

Anything less would be to shortchange the people of Guyana.

In a long and country wide campaign to “stamp out sexual violence” in 2007- 2008 (prior to the enactment of the new Sexual Offences Act ), the people of Guyana spoke on the issues that were affecting them relating to the reporting, investigation and prosecution of sexual offences.

They detailed how they thought men with power and or money got away with rape and other sex crimes, they complained against the sloth of the system, they expressed frustration at the then laws being impractical in securing a conviction, particularly where children were the complainants.

The lawmakers listened, heard and drafted laws that saw Guyana passing revolutionary and new legislation to cater for those weaknesses in our system including making provisions modern and real, such as removing the need for corroboration of a complainant’s account, allowing for special measures that remove the aura of heavy formality in the court room, allowing a witness to be shielded from an accused, etc.,.

This injunction now negates the work of the women’s rights movement over the last thirty years and the work of the 9th Parliament which drafted the laws and more importantly the thousands of Guyanese who contributed to that process.

All the work that has been expended to foster an environment to encourage victims of sexual violence to trust the system (police, social workers, prosecutors, and judges) and report these cases has been severely eroded.

This injunction sends a dangerous but clear message that accused persons can use their money and might to go to court and secure an injunction against a complainant from talking about or “publishing” the ordeal that the victim suffered.

It places more burdens on an already traumatised

and very confused, depressed etc person whose very dignity and sense of safety was snatched from them by the very person being protected by the court.

A victim could now legitimately form the impression that a politician can rape and get away with it and that it makes little sense complaining as that person will use his/her power and money to get an injunction.

A victim can now easily decide not to complain

granted.

I am not judging whether the accused Trotman is guilty or not, that l believe is for the court and a jury, if it ever reaches there.

The point is that an injunction can now be issued against every single complainant from making or “publishing” such complaints to the police, a social worker, a family member, the church, etc.,. Surely this must cause profound concern for human rights and democracy in our nation.

Rights groups This is why the deafening silence in response to this unprecedented injunction of the rights groups who have been known to comment and champion the cause of victims and children of rape and sexual assault deeply worries me. That, if nothing else, should Gail Teixeira, MP, have been noisily Government’s Chief Whip protested against.

Nobody is asking against a lawyer for rape rights groups at this point to because the accused will go determine the vexed issues to the court where they will as to whether the accused is reign amongst their friends innocent or guilty. That is not and make the victim into the the point.

In the same way that bad person and use the heavy these groups were justifiably hand of justice to gag them.

Regrettably, the injunc- adamant that the order should tion validates once again not have been made by the public opinion of the judi- High Court in the Commissioner of Police Henry cial system.

And can one blame peo- Greene matter (he too was innocent until proven guilty ple for that viewpoint ??

After all the case against ), so too, one would expect CN Sharma, another politi- that they would now be out cian, on charges of pedo- in full force condemning the philia is still not concluded grant of this injunction.

Recall Henry Greene after 5 years, and, now the accusation against another had gone to the court to sepolitician, the Speaker of cure an order stopping the Director of Public Prosecuthe National Assembly.

Can one blame onlook- tions from charging him beers coming to the conclu- cause he said the evidence sion that wealthier persons was weak.

The complaint at the are more likely to have easitime by many, including a er access to the court?

Minister of the Cabinet, was The injunction reverses that the order was setting the even handed role and function of the court where a terrible precedent in that victims expect to be pro- every person could so claim tected and expect to get and a judge (without a jury) justice to one of facilitating could decide on facts … which is usually supposed the accused.

Justice no longer ap- to be done by a jury…and pears to be blind and even that a judge could determine the matter. handed.

The same applies here.

This is why this injuncEvery person accused of tion is so terribly dangerous; rape/sexual assault can now it has undermined the entire tenets of justice for victims go to a court and claim that of sexual violence. This ter- their reputation is being damrible precedent victimises aged or that they are being the accuser all over again. set up (which incidentally is In my opinion, this injunc- an overwhelming claim by tion should never have been accused persons) or that the

complainant is sick (which incidentally, the complainant is likely to be if the complainant was forced to suffer the indignity and crime of being abused sexually) and on those grounds, the accused could now obtain an injunction preventing the victim from speaking out.

That the rights groups are silent in the face of this horrific development is very, very sad and worrying.

Surely their silence on this matter – unlike others – cannot be based on who the accused is??!! If that is so, then this is a terrible indictment of our times.

In retrospect, l cannot remember any call for CN Sharma to submit to justice from some of these same groups when he was charged with rape of a little girl, and would feign illness and check himself into hospital etc, causing then and even now untold delays in the hearing of the case.

So maybe the rights groups have their little affinities too? One has to wonder if they would have been so silent if it was a government or a “PPP affiliated” person being accused or charged with rape and sexual assault?

It cannot go without notice that Nigel Hughes, leader of the AFC and recently proposed prime ministerial candidate, is the lawyer for the accused.

Plots and constitutional crisis Expectedly the AFC has jumped to defend its founding leader, however, their defense appears to be one of “smoke and mirrors”.

The first thing they did was to counter the accusation of the young man by saying that it is politically motivated! Nothing substantial but unmistakably a diversionary tactic! And to keep the illusion going they have tossed several PPP/C names into the fray from the Attorney General and mine to a young female lawyer.

More recent is the AFC’s announcement that this is all part of a plot to make the Speaker resign and create a constitutional crisis. This is utter poppycock!

Their objective is to create fear and confusion and intimidate the general population, especially investors and the business

community…again another diversion!

To set the record straight, were a Speaker of the National Assembly to resign for whatever reasons, there is a Deputy Speaker who can act as Speaker until the Assembly votes for a new Speaker.

The new Speaker can be nominated and elected from among the sitting Members of Parliament or from someone who would have been eligible to be a Member of Parliament as provided for in the Constitution as was the case with former Speakers Derek Jagan and Ralph Ramkarran, and, present Speaker Raphael Trotman !!!

When Speaker Derek Jagan died the Deputy Speaker Mr. Martin Zephyr became the Speaker by election and a new Deputy speaker from the PNC was also elected.

Has the AFC forgotten that APNU MP Basil Williams holds the Deputy Speaker? There is no constitutional crisis in the making ! Rather it appears that the AFC is afraid that were Trotman to resign —-as he has publicly said recently that he would if charged — then the AFC would lose control of the Speakership of the National Assembly.

All MPs know that many APNU MPs have been unhappy with giving this critical position to the smallest party in the National Assembly.

The crisis would not be constitutional rather it would be one of a power struggle within the opposition forces for the speakership. A struggle the AFC would most likely lose.

The crux of this matter is that a very serious accusation of a sexual offence of a minor has been made against the fourth highest ranking person in the hierarchy of Guyana.

The AFC cannot wish this away and miniaturise the accusation by deflection and illusions of smoke and mirrors!

How Guyanese society treats with this issue will depend on how fair and even handed the scale of justice is for the accuser and the accused. At this stage, the scale seems tilted in favour of the accused!

Sincerely yours, Gail Teixeira, MP Chief Whip

Email letters to: ginagovgy@gmail.com

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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Moco Moco rice project proving fruitful The $128M Moco Moco rice project, which was launched in 2009, under the Ministry of Agriculture’s Hinterland Rice and Beans Project, is now beginning to turn over great dividends. This was one of a few programmes aimed at developing savannah agriculture to increase crop production and minimise poverty.

Moco Moco is a veritable agriculture-driven Amerindian village, located in Central Rupununi, Region Nine, and is a beneficiary of Government’s effort to boost livelihood in hinterland communities, through the implementation of many development programmes.

This project, currently encompassing some 20 acres of land, is being run by the village with support from the Village Council and the Agriculture Ministry’s National Agriculture Research Institute and Extension Institute (NAREI).

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai,recently visited the community and witnessed firsthand the harvesting of the first crop of rice for 2014. This was a very commendable estimated 50 bags per acre. Mark

quire additional hard work, because of the type of soil, and one of the challenges is the availability of water directly to the farm.There are also challenges, especially during the rainy season, with the bridge that leads directly into the field.

The Toshao said that the community submitted a proposal to the Regional Administration, to implement a water system, which will see water flowing directly from one of the nearby falls into the farm itself.

Rice being harvested at Moco Moco, Region 9 George, a young and vibrant Toshao who has been actively involved in the project from the inception, highlighted that the project continues to be of tremendous benefit to the community and its people.

George emphasised that the residents have been very supportive of this venture, while noting that it continues to generate income and create employment. He explained that individuals in the village usually farm their own plots of land; howev-

er, the harvesting is done collectively.

Expansion The potential that has been derived from this particular project is tremendous, and the Village Council has engaged Santa Fe, which also has a very large rice project, for technical assistance to develop 200 more acres of farm land in the near future so as to expand its rice cultivation.

Toshao George explained that this involves

Natural Resources Ministry breaks new ground in partnership with Argentina

In an effort to broaden technical exchange programmes and encourage investment from Guyana’s South American neighbours, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, recently broke new ground, by leading a successful mission to Argentina.

As a result of the visit, the two countries have agreed to formalise a project, focusing on the improvement of parks and protected areas, through technical support and multiple exchange visits which are expected to commence shortly.

Facilitated through a Cooperation Agreement

between the Governments of Guyana and Argentina, the mission focused primarily on benefitting from Argentina’s significant knowledge and experience in protected areas and natural resources management.

The team, which included the Commissioner and a Senior Technical Officer from the Protected Areas Commission, met with a number of technical agencies, including Argentina’s National Parks Service, Ministries of Tourism, Environment and Sustainable Development, Mining, and Foreign Affairs.

Visits were also made to Iguazu Falls National Park and the Biopark Temaiken to assess and identify op-

tions for development and improved management of the Kaieteur National Park, the Zoological Park and the Botanical Gardens.

Significant progress was made in identifying potential support to Guyana’s efforts at improved mining practices and geological assessments.

The Protected Areas System in Argentina, comprises over 30 areas, and has been in existence since 1934. The Argentine Administration of Parks, therefore, is well-advanced, and has a wealth of experience in the establishment and management of protected areas.

It is therefore envisioned that through this

a lot of drainage work and this was expected to commence immediately, after the harvesting of the crop.

“When the rice is finished processing, the villagers get it at a cheaper cost, which is like $5000 per bag, while others get it at about $7000 per bag…

There are also plans, when this project is fully established, to export, but the region has to be fed first.”

Challenges The sustainability and the successful implementation of this project re-

Intervention Minister Sukhai made a timely input by assuring the residents that the Amerindian Affairs Ministry will make representation for them immediately, to ensurethat the project move forward.She encouraged the village to submit directly to the ministry, a proposal for the water system, so as to fast track the process and have it rolled out by year-end.

Minister Sukhai also committed to making representation on behalf of the village to have the bridge rehabilitated.

While commending the community’s residents for their hard work, Minister

Sukhai said that this project will ensure food security, income generation, and employment opportunities for the people. She further noted that it is necessary that Amerindians invest in such ventures, which will reflect very positively on the community itself. She also encouraged the youths to use this model to ensure that they be able to contribute meaningfully to not only their village, but the country as a whole.

Moco Moco has a population of over 600 persons, and is equipped with a nursery and primary school, a health centre, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) hub and a youth centre. This community is also engaged in a number of other projects, including cassava and beans cultivation, and is currently in the conceptualisation stage of a farine factory. There is also the tourism project, which offers get-away trips to the Kaieteur Falls.

The tourism committee pays a percentage to the village, and this goes towards other small community projects, aimed at offering direct assistance to the people.

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and a Senior Technical Officer from the Protected Areas Commission in meeting with the team from Argentina’s National Parks Service partnership, Guyana and Argentina will be able to exchange knowledge and

experiences of protected areas and ultimately improve the management

Guyana’s newly created National Protected Areas System.

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Linden Centre for Laparoscopic Surgery inaugurated as health care expands

Lindeners were encouraged and filled with a sense of well-being as the Linden Centre for Laparoscopic Surgery was inaugurated, by Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, and China’s Health Minister, Li Bin, on September 28.

The centre is located in the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) and caters for patients in need of surgical attention.

At the inauguration, Dr. Persaud pointed to the importance of surgical care, which is very critical to the LHC. He noted that while the hospital addresses a lot of the public health problems that are emerging, issues relating to chronic diseases are part of an active programme such as infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. He noted also that while the LHC is located enroute to the interior of Guyana, “the centre we are open-

ing …is very critical for the overall work of this institution.” The CMO explained that it contributes not only to helping persons from the Linden area, but also the adjoining regions.

Dr. Persaud also pointed out that the LHC was important to the Health Ministry, hence the decision to establish the centre.

Pointing to the significant investments made by government in refurbishing of the LHC, he added that it serves one of the major towns in Guyana. While the LHC is administered through a board, he said the ministry has established a service agreement with the institution, to execute all the functions to be delivered to the population.

He emphasised that the Ministry and its partners from China and Cuba and other persons “provide the technical support along with the local staff, to help to address some of the ma-

Former president slams Opposition...

From page 8 intervention, since it offers a choice. In the medium to long term projection, it will become a training institution for Guyanese junior physicians, acquiring specialized skills.

Expanding the CJIA to meet international standards will attract profitable commerce and business opportunities No country’s blueprint for modernization can ever be completed without the realization of an airport of international standards.

Therefore, the ongoing Cheddie Jagan International Airport (CJIA) project is indicative of a country whose socio-economic profile has vastly improved, necessitating this key advancement.

With Guyana’s international image restored,

many important conferences are now being held here, inclusive of visiting eminent personalities; and also investors continue to flock Guyana for the abundance of business prospects on offer. There is also the fact of many more arrivals that have seen an annual surge for the past ten years.

But there are other equally important considerations that support such an airport, as a longer runway will allow for a number of things: attract other air carriers; facilitate the landing of larger aircraft; accommodate stopovers for refueling; propel Guyana’s becoming a hub for flights to South America, Africa and the Middle East.

Guyana can only become a greater country with such modern facets of development.

jor health issues of this area.”

One of those issues is the move to achieve the Millennium Development Goals relating to child and maternal health in Guyana.

“With the collaboration we have here, we have seen significant reduction in maternal mortality coming out of this area and significant drops in child mortality with the establishment of the neonatal unit. Now we are seeing even fewer neonatal deaths from this area,” Dr. Persaud stated.

“I do thank the obstetricians who helped to build the system …and the pediatricians who have contributed significantly to these gains,” the CMO stated.

Minister Li Bin, also added to the occasion. She detailed that while the Laparoscopic Centre represents the advanced technique mastered by the Linden

Chinese Health Minister Li Bin and Linden Hospital Corporation Chairman, Mortimer Mingo unveil the plaque for the new Linden Laparoscopic Centre hospital, it also represents the tradition of friendship between the Chinese and the Guyanese people.

The Minister explained that the first medical team was deployed to Guyana 21 years ago, and to date, 11 batches of Chinese medical teams have worked in

Guyana, with a total of 174 medical workers. She intoned that while the Chinese medical teams has devoted themselves to providing good services to the local people, their expertise and friendship have been highly spoken of by the government and the people

of Guyana.

“The Chinese government thinks of the Guyana Government and Guyanese people as our brothers and sisters and will provide sincere aid and help to the Guyanese people.”

Minister Li Bin’s words were quite touching: “I have seen the fundamental change of the working environment of the China medical teams as well as the local workers…this will encourage the Chinese medical team to provide even better services to the people. I believe the inauguration of this Laparoscopic centre can be a new starting point for the cooperation between China and Guyana. I hope that starting from here we can gain more and more achievements from our cooperation,” the Chinese Health Minister stated.

Continued confidence reposed in Guyana’s economy -Republic Bank’s D’Edward branch commissioned

The Republic Bank Guyana Limited continues to express confidence in the growth of Guyana’s economy.

This was manifested with its latest expansion project, the commissioning by President Donald Ramotar, of its D’Edward branch, on October 17, 2014.

Some of the services offered at the D’Edward facility: online banking; tele-banking; in-branch point of sale withdrawal; ATM services; and night deposit facility.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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Twelfth Monitoring and Evaluation workshop concluded Technical officers from various public sector agencies, during September 22 to 26 benefited from an introductory workshop on Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E,) conducted at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal. The Ministry of Finance’s workshop targeted managers from the Education, Health, Public Works, Housing and Water Ministries, in addition to participants from the Georgetown Public Hospital and the General Register Office.

The focus was on the designing and building of a results-based M & E system, and highlighting individual responsibility to the senior members of

Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill addressing the ministry’s twelfth M&E workshop at the GICC staff of the various organisations attending the fiveday event at the Guyana International Conference Centre.

Minister within the

Ministry of Finance Juan Edghill, who addressed the opening and closing of workshop, advised participants to focus on the outcome and impact of the

Participants of the Ministry of Finance’s, twelfth M&E workshop

output. Minister Edghill urged participants to take their training back to their offices and share it with their colleagues.

He pointed to the fact that the preparation of budgets for the agencies, represented by the participants, must focus on presenting benefits to the citizens, and as such (he explained) the workshop would then benefit budget preparations. The Minister emphasised on the Health and Education sectors that are usually allocated the largest chunks of the National Budget.

The Minister stated that he is not satisfied with the way the system currently works, and hence the M & E workshop focused on the outcome and impact of the output. “If Guyana will develop, every Guyanese must commit to the task of getting it done,” he declared.

He emphasised that Government cannot continue to fund failure, explaining that Government is always being asked to honour proposals to benefit the entire country. In order to do this, a Cabinet paper must be prepared and the participants, who are there to help their Ministers, would be ably equipped to help in this regard due to training at

the M & E workshop.

“We are relying on you, plus the 500 who came before you, and the others who are coming behind you, to be part of an army who will work in the implementation of policies and programmes to ensure that the Guyanese people get value for money,” the Minister concluded.

The M&Eworkshops first began in November, 2013 and were aimed at more effective management. They all emphasised the need for responsibility in mobilising and managing resources, emphasising ultimately the delivering of results to their superiors.

The workshops began when Government recognised the need to actively promote more effective management within the system, leading to workers and individuals within the system, being able to take on responsibility to ensure that they do their part. As such, performance based management in the M & E framework was then applied and Ministries were able to hold the employees accountable for their performances, by setting annual targets and monitoring feedback against those targets.

The just concluded

workshops were conducted by Dr. Ray Rist, a renowned world authority on developing monitoring and evaluation systems and co-founder of the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET).

Dr. Rist normally focuses on topics that cover the understanding of the evaluation context and the programme theory of change, developing evaluation questions, and starting the design matrix. He selects designs, data collection, data analysis and presenting of results in his methodology.

These sessions form part of an ongoing series of capacity building initiatives on monitoring and evaluation across government, and are being led by the Ministry of Finance.

The aim is to address demands and pressures for improving the lives of citizens and public management.

Improvements may include greater accountability and transparency and enhanced effectiveness of interventions. M & E is a management tool to help track progress and demonstrate the impact of development projects, programmes and policies.

Training for Security Personnel continues

The United Nations Office for Disarmament’s Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) recently facilitated training for 11 members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and 14 from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in the use and maintenance of both the firearm destruction hydraulic shears and small arms ammunitionburning tank.

During a simple ceremony at the Ministry of Home Affairs building, these ranks were presented with their various certificates and subject Minister Clement Rohee congratu-

lated the officers for their willingness to upgrade.

The Minister also thanked the United Nations (UN) for affording these ranks the opportunity to be better equipped.

“I take this opportunity to thank them for administering the training to these competent ranks. We have benefitted greatly, as the equipment have been used to destroy firearms under the watchful eye of UNLIREC.” According to Minister Rohee, the partnership between Guyana and the UN, on the subject of stock pile management, is part of the greater goal of disarmament.

“Guyana has always

adopted a zero tolerance position towards the arms trade, a growing phenomenon globally and that has links to other offences such as drug trafficking,” Rohee declared.

He noted Guyana has recognised the importance of being able to control the proliferation of weapons, ammunition and explosives, as part of its goal of maintaining national security.

The Minister also stressed that “We should not forget that the proliferation of the illegal arms trade has implications for the welfare of our citizens.”

Further, Minister RoSee page 26

- 25 ranks complete training in firearm destruction

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee; Acting Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud; Lieutenant Colonel, Cargill Kyte of the Guyana Defence Force, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Angela Johnson, along with the ranks who completed the UNILIREC training

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The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

NIS grows stronger and more efficient The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) on September 29 marked its 45th anniversary with a slew of activities including a commemoration ceremony at its Brickdam office.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of NIS’s Board Dr. Roger Luncheon called on workers of the Scheme to recommit to providing services of an impeccable standard to the people whom they serve, and to execute their duties in such a way so as not to expose the institution to criticisms and ridicule.

Speaking of NIS’s public image, Dr. Luncheon said that the scheme like many other organisations has not escaped unscathed from the proclivity of some sections of society to tear down and ridicule.

“It is our 45th year and there is so much for us to be proud of, but at the end of the day we have to be careful to safeguarding the honour, integrity and image of this scheme and not be adopting reckless approaches that would threaten the very image

-celebrates 45th anniversary

that has so laboriously been established through the efforts over the decades of so many people and organisations,” Dr. Luncheon said.

He noted that NIS must be able to clearly identify what it has accomplished over the years as well as where it has fallen short.

This he said is only on the basis of this type of individual and collective organisational self-assessment that the scheme will be able to move forward and continue to improve.

“Armed with what we have accomplished, we must have the strength of character to confront the areas of weaknesses where we have to recognised that we can and must do better …45 years of accomplishments means that we can solve with problems, but we have to identify them as such,” Dr. Luncheon said.

NIS collects over $1B per month in contributions and spends a similar amount in the payment of benefits. The Chairman noted that very few institu-

NIS staffers’ at the scheme’s 45th anniversary celebrations

Chairman of the National Insurance Board, Dr. Roger Luncheon at the scheme’s 45th anniversary celebrations tions in Guyana could boast of conducting financial activities of this scale.

He called on management and staff to strengthen their resolve to continue to move the work of the scheme forward in the same steadfast way it has been promoted over the past years.

Over the 45 years, NIS has moved from a level of unsophistication to expanding its services and making significant strides in the process of technology application. Dr. Luncheon said that going forward into the future, the focus must be on preserving the scheme and ensuring its financial viability.

“This is an eternal obligation on successive

Training for Security ... hee said that in keeping with the administration’s desire to have an effective arms control regime, Guyana has subscribed to a number of international conventions, related to the arms trade, while at the same time, it has been constantly seeking to upgrade legislation to make control of arms more effective.

“It must be noted that Guyana, under international laws, does not take lightly its obligation and this collaboration with UNLIREC, is one example of the commitment of our country to upholding these standards.”

In addition to these measures, Minister Rohee underscored the importance of having the capability to

From page 25

eliminate weapons, thatare no longer functional, as they may end up in the wrong hands.

Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud in his remarks said that the contribution of UNLIREC, in the donation of the hydraulic shears and the training provided to the ranks, represents a total capacity by the Guyana Police Force

management, board and generations of Guyanese… we have to invest in the future of this nation to ensure the future of the NIS and to bring on board the income that would allow us who contribute this year to ensure that as pensioners years from now, we have something to look forward to,” the Chairman said.

Going forward too, steps will be taken to reform the legislation and statutes that govern the scheme so as to open up broader vistas that would allow for it to address the issue of workers’ social security in the most comprehensive of ways. Dr. Luncheon added that legislative interventions will ensure that the scheme remains relevant.

Meanwhile, NIS’s General Manager, Doreen Nelson said that the scheme continues to strive to meet its commitment to the workforce in accordance with its mission statement and provide the social security required at this time.

Tasked with ensuring the registration of workers, the receipt of contributions and the payment of benefits, NIS has, over the past 45 years, registered over 27,700 employers, 660,000 employed persons and 29, 900 self-employed persons.

However, Nelson explained only approximately 16 percent of the employers, 18 percent employed persons and 29 percent of the people in the self-employed category are still ac-

tive in 2014.

“The reduced number of active employees was influenced by the regionalising of public entities, for example public schools that were registered with the scheme individually, are now the responsibility of the regional administration which is regarded as a single employer,” the General Manager explained.

NIS has 550 permanent members of staff at the 14 offices across the country. As is customary at the anniversary celebrations, bursaries were awarded to the children of the members of staff who performed outstandingly at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment examinations.

to perform the operation of firearm destruction.

According to Persaud, the force has thus far destroyed in excess of 6000 firearms, some that were seized years ago, and others that have been rendered unserviceable. The destruction of the firearms brings relief in two areas; one is that it removes the risk associated with slippages that occur from time; and secondly, it frees up space, so that we can better utilise the

stores of the Guyana Police Force.

The Acting Commissioner also lauded the collaborative effort with the Government of Guyana and UNLIREC as the efforts have borne fruit.

As a matter of policy, training is placed high o0n the agenda in the security sector. In fact, over 30 percent of the Force’s budget is spent on training, so much so, that the Government of Guyana

has invested in a $158.4M Training Center. Further, joint services ranks have been exposed to annual training programmes, some of which were designed and conducted by overseas law enforcement agencies. Some of these programmes include; Junior and Senior Officers’ course, Special Prosecutor’s, Drug Investigators, and International Passenger Interdiction Course.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Albion gets flood Lights

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…as government continues development of sports infrastructure

The Albion Sports Complex is one of the largest entertainment and sports venues in Berbice, and is even more popular among cricketers in Guyana and the Caribbean after it hosted the first international match on 16 March 1977.

That match was played between the West Indies and Pakistan teams and was won by the West Indies. Since then Albion has been the host to five one-day matches; however it is more than two decades now since the last international game was played at this sports complex.

Like many other villages along Guyana’s coastline, Albion is home

to one of the largest sugar manufacturing factories/ estates in Guyana. Aside from sugar, Albion is home to the Albion Sports Complex managed by the Guyana Sugar Corporation, GUYSUCO. In partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Government, GUYSUCO has been able to aid in the development of community grounds. This partnership is the precursor of the Ministry’s community grounds development.

Many great cricketers started their careers representing Albion Sports Complex Club. Some of these include Devendra Bishoo, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Narsingh Deon-

President Donald Ramotar flicking the light switch at the commissioning of the $110M lighting system, at the Albion Sports Complex.

Also in picture are Minister of Culture Youth, Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, and Former West Indian Cricket Captain, Clive Lloyd

Albion Sport Complex gets $110M lighting system

arine, Veerasammy Permaul and Sew Shivnarine.

They are about to get better now with the commissioning of six towering flood lights, erected at the facility. Albion Ground is now the second ground in Guyana to have such lights, which are similar to those erected at the Guyana National Stadium.

The lights which totalled close to $110M were officially commissioned

by Head of State President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony in the presence of Region

Rebuilding Guyana’s economy was a ... the PNC. The country’s debt-to-GDP ratio was almost 700 percent; approximately 95 percent of Government revenue was spent servicing that debt.

This meant that out of every dollar, 95 cents had to repay debt alone and the country had to borrow to pay public service wages and other routine services of Government. Today, 22 years later, debt-to-GDP ratio is in the vicinity of 60 percent. The country now spends less than 10 percent

of revenue servicing debt.

Minister Singh said that this is by no means a trivial achievement; it is the result of hard work and a tremendous global effort of advocating debt relief.

He noted that debt write-off is only possible if a country demonstrates credibility and a responsible policy framework.

Striking a balance “To get to the point at which we are today, it took

hard policy choices. Our Government did not shy away from making those difficult policy choices.

There were times when there might have been things that were politically attractive and expedient to do, but these would have undermined our long-term fiscal viability,” he said.

“A responsible Government is not about doing what is popular, but about safeguarding the future of your country…the PPP has

demonstrated that as a party in Government, we are about responsible leadership, striking the right balance between the demands of today and safeguarding the long-term future of our country,” Minister Singh said.

One of those difficult choices was the introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT), of which the Opposition remains highly critical. Today, VAT has not only contributed signifi-

6 Regional Chairman David Armogan, Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, renowned Guyanese cricketer Clive Lloyd, and Permanent Secretary Alfred King.

The installation of the lights was done by Musco Sports Lighting of Oskaloosa, Iowa, USA; the same company that had installed the lights at the Providence National Stadium. Each tower is now outfitted with seventeen units, totalling 102-1500 watt bulbs being powered

by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc.

These lights are at the forefront of the many new possibilities that Berbicians can now experience. One of the main attractions is the fact that the county can now host cricket and other sports events in the evening; prior to this, events were restricted to day-time matches. Apart from the anticipated increase in possible sporting events, the ground is now available for other entertainment ventures. This would indeed be a great boost for the Region. Another positive is the anticipation that international cricket matches can soon return to Albion.

A committee has been put together to oversee the management and operations of the ground and new light project. The members include Veemen Walters, Omesh Shrikishun, Anil Beharry, Imran Saccoor and Pawaan Baldeo, CEO of the Albion Sports Complex. They are currently working on developing the rules and regulations and cost for the use of the facility.

Already, the committee has started a new cricket competition-the Caricom Day Cup which was held under the new flood lights at the ground a few weeks ago. The Albion Cricket Club won that match.

From page 28 cantly to Government revenue, but has also allowed for a reduction in other taxes, such as the income and corporate taxes. Over the past six years, the income tax threshold has more than doubled.

Going forward, Minister Singh said that the Government is firmly committed to continuing the progress that has been thus made, despite the challenges posed by the current parliamentary con-

figuration. He described the Opposition’s use of its parliamentary majority as reckless and obstructive, using blackmail politics to extract unreasonable political concessions, at the cost of doing what is right for Guyana.

“At every step there have been attempts to frustrate. The Opposition is in the business of brandishing power, practising politics of brute force and intimidation,” he said.

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Issue No: 2

October 24, 2014

Rebuilding Guyana’s economy was a herculean task-Finance Minister reflects on 22 years of PPP/C in Office

From a state of being internationally discredited, bankrupt and infrastructurally dilapidated just over two decades ago, Guyana today has been transformed with brighter prospects than ever before in its history. Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh said that this was a herculean task which the PPP/C Administration manfully undertook over the past 22 years in Office. Speaking on the television programme “Political Scope” on the National Communications Network (NCN), the Minister said that undemocratic rule, under the PNC inflicted severe destruction on every aspect of national life.

Mismanagement Every sector of the economy had declined dramatically. The imposition of a programme of mass nationalisation of industries saw foreign investors having their assets expropriated and they themselves being forced out of Guyana. The financial struggles created by poor economic policies were compounded by mismanagement of public funds.

“It’s one thing to nationalise, but to nationalise and mismanage is worse.

The environment was so

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh unfavourable to investment that the domestic entrepreneurial class left because they could not survive in the environment of PNC misrule,” Minister Singh recalled.

By the time the PPP/C assumed office in 1992, the country was bankrupt.

There were no foreign reserves, but an accumulated foreign debt of over U.S. $2B and nothing to show for it.

Many institutions of State were non-functional and Guyanese citizens were extremely despondent.

Minister Singh made refer-

ence to a report commissioned in 1990 by the Caribbean Council of Churches in which the ‘state of despair’ and hopelessness among the populace was prominently mentioned.

Shifted priorities With the restoration of democracy in 1992, came the reinstatement of hope and credibility in the country as well.

“I believe that much has been achieved. Today, institutions are largely rebuilt, democracy is alive and well, we have a free press, a vibrant parliament,

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

a well-functioning and resourceful elections commission and a judiciary that is highly modernised and independent,” the Finance Minister said.

While the PNC invested more on foreign services and the Office of the President than in the social sector, the new Administration shifted its expenditure priorities to invest more in infrastructure and human capital.

Minister Singh explained that more focus was placed on ensuring that basic needs of the people, like access to primary edu-

cation, primary health care services and housing, were met.

“We first of all relooked at expenditure priorities to invest in things that matter. Today every single young employed person can realistically aspire to own a home. We looked at establishing a legislative environment that would be conducive to private enterprise development. We removed all controls over the economy, and put in place a strong financial sector,” the Finance Minister outlined.

These efforts resulted in rebuilt infrastructure and a return of investors since the country was no longer viewed as a ‘pariah state.’

Reversing decline Minister Singh noted that often times Guyana is ranked as below its sister CARICOM countries and he reminded that this country has traversed a different and arguably more difficult path than the rest of the Caribbean.

He explained that other countries in the Caribbean, since their independence, have been steadily growing; however, economic growth in Guyana declined steeply in 1990. This disparity in growth is clearly illustrated in the UNDP’s most recent Human Devel-

opment Index (HDI) report.

“While the rest of the Caribbean were growing, we reached the bottom, and it was only with the restoration of democracy in 1992 that Guyana reversed that trend and started to grow again. For the greater part of post-1992, our efforts were devoted to playing catch-up and reversing the decline,” the Finance Minister said.

Having triumphed over those difficult years, the Guyanese economy is today more resilient and diversified than ever before, recording eight years of uninterrupted economic growth. The Minister noted that while these are laudable achievements, “Our work is not complete and as a Government, we are under no illusions about that. We shouldn’t take for granted the progress that we have made. We need to work hard as a country to protect what we have achieved and to build on it.”

Debt management Another marked accomplishment for the current Administration is the reduction of a tremendous debt burden that was inherited from See page 27

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