The Guyanese Newspaper 14th Edition - April 10, 2015

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

Issue No: 14

April 10, 2015

PPP/C presents diverse list on Nomination Day! See story on page 7

INSIDE

Granger’s military connections a cause for concern

–Dr. Luncheon

Page 3

Corruption is Opposition’s whipping horse, having no developmental agenda to speak of – Attorney Page 8 General

Qualfon opens US $12 M, training Centre – to

create 6000 jobs Page 4

PPP/C Gov’t will ensure sugar industry’s survival – President PPP/C’s Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar presents his party’s list to Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield

Weekly Digest & Development Digest

Sundays 6:30pm - 7:30pm on Time Warner Cable Channel 96 Read the Guyanese online @ theguyanese.gy

– as 102nd anniversary of Rose Hall Page 10 Martyrs commemorated

2

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Thousands attend PPP/C Kitty Rally President Ramotar promises more and bigger developments

President Donald Ramotar greeting supporters at the PPP/C elections campaign launch at the Kitty Market Square

H

ead of State, President Donald Ramotar called for the support of citizens for majority victory, as the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) formally launched its elections campaign, with a rally, at the Kitty Market Square, on the evening of March 29.

Before an estimated crowd of 6,000 people, the president sought their support, noting that the PPP/C has stood with Guyanese. “We have come a far way in Guyana.

We have become the envy of many…we have a far way to go…this is why I ask you, collectively and individually, to stand with me. The PPP/C has stood for 65 years with the Guyanese people…I appeal to you to stand with me, stand with Elisabeth Harper and let us take our country forward,” he stressed.

President Ramotar issued a promise to his opposition challenger saying, “(David) Granger, game over”. He reminded the audience of his efforts, to reach out to the political opposition, with his historic appeal to the National Assembly, but which was to no avail.

He noted that the three years of his term as Head of State were not easy years.

“They were trying years…we do not want to be in power and not deliver to the Guyanese people. Power is a means to an end and the end is to ensure that every Guyanese has a comfortable life,” he said.

He pointed out the fact that in the three years the political opposition embarked on a programme to stymie major projects such as Amaila Falls Hydro Power, the Specialty Hospital and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion Project despite extensive consultations.

“They want to create problems so they can damage the development of our society.” The cutting of the Capital Budget for Amerindian communities and other key programmes, along with the non support for the Anti-Money Laundering Bill was

highlighted by the president.

Noting that the nation’s debt was 700% of the GDP during the People's National Congress (PNC) era, and its present rate of 6%, President Ramotar said that despite all of the opposition's efforts, the economy still grew by 4.5%, when a PPP/C Parliamentary majority would have resulted in a 10% growth.

Huge investments are still coming on stream, he added, and along with the planned Lethem to Linden paved road, Deep Water Harbour, a new bridge over the Demerara River and several others, all will see the continuation of the nation’s development.

He added that “We have a record we can stand on, we are proud of, and can defend,” vowing that when “we get back the majority, they will see how fast we will grow”.

The president promised to ensure the survival of the sugar and rice industries, and spoke of future plans for a “World class ICT Park” to ensure Guyanese be prepared for the world’s rapidly advancing technology and future investors seeking a highly trained and educated workforce.

The president slammed the opposition saying that it cannot be trusted, opining that given its actions, development was not the focus, but only power.

The President underscored that there is much at stake, more importantly the future is at stake. “We have to make our country ready…we have to prepare people for what progress will bring,” he said.

The President named David Granger, Carl Greenidge, Basil Williams and Winston Felix and cited their ‘dismal’ and ‘questionable’ records during their years in public service and high-ranking positions.

“These are the people who want to run our country, we cannot afford it because elections are about the future…we want to work to build a modern and prosperous Guyana,” he stressed.

Guyana’s future at stake -PPP/C General Secretary tells Kitty Rally

L

ikening the PPP/C to a scorpion, General Secretary Clement Rohee said that the final “nail in the coffin” will be put in the political opposition on May 11, Elections Day. When this scorpion stings the APNU+AFC, it means that on May 11, we will nail the final nail in the coffin,” Rohee said, addressing the PPP/C Kitty rally, in optimism of the crushing defeat that awaits the political opposition.

He called on supporters to continue to walk with the PPP/C on the “journey of development” and take Guyana even further.

He recalled that "Every single day, unfair, unjustified, malicious, mischievous, every single day, 365 days per year, they batter us. They tried to make us believe that we have done nothing for this country, but you know better, you the people of this country know that we have built Guyana!”

The PPP/C General Secretary blasted the “power hungry” endeavours of the political 0pposition to get the PPP/C out of office. He noted that the 166,000 persons who voted for the PPP/C were disrespected by the political opposition, who, he added, were trying to prevent the current administration from governing the country.

“These people are so disrespectful of the people who cast their votes for this party, and they behave as though we are not entitled to run a government…so arrogant and so delusional and they have gone down a path that has brought us to where we are today,” he said, lamenting the actions of the combined opposition in the 10th Parliament.

He rebuffed the calls being made by the political opposition, who are calling for a change. “They ask us to give them a chance, but Comrades, the time for

General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee addressing the gathering chances are over. We don’t have any more time for an experiment…. that is why we have lost so much time in terms of our development”.

“Hell no; we are not going to give up the PPP/C,” the Party’s General Secretary said, “We voted in 1992 for change and for rebuilding. The change and rebuilding continues.” “The electorate, they have confidence in us…they voted to ensure that the PPP/C remain in office…come May 11, make no mistake where you put your ‘X’, we are voting for peace, progress and prosperity…too much is at stake. Our country is at stake…so much we have gained,” he posited.

The General Secretary said too that they must ensure that their names be on the voters’ list. “Our country’s future is at stake, the future of our children is at stake, we have come too far to turn back comrades…" continued on page 31

Proudly demonstrating their support of the PPP/C

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Granger’s military connections a cause for concern –Dr. Luncheon

T

he apparent militarisation of the leadership of the “A Partnership For National Unity” (APNU) has caused consternation for government, according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon.

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media conference, Dr Luncheon noted that there has been a recent influx of a number of exmilitary personnel to Guyana, presumably to support APNU in its campaign.

“Guyana went down a road with the Burnhamite People’s National Congress; a road that was facilitated by the concept of party paramountcy that brought the disciplined forces, particularly the military, to be a part of the enforcement arm of the then government”. He added that while one may want to argue this point, it cannot be denied that the military

was not an active participant in the repression that took place in the Burnhamite PNC government in this country.

Dr. Luncheon revealed that in 1992, the late Former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, instructed him, and Former Home Affairs Minister Feroze Mohammed to “rehabilitate the image of the military in the minds of the Guyanese”. The late president said the spectre of the military, being a “hand maiden of the Burnhamite PNC” could not be allowed to cloud the new government and that of Guyana’s image, the Cabinet Secretary said, telling him, “Luncheon and Mohammed, you all got a job, clean up. Make sure that this image is corrected.”

Dr. Luncheon said he believes that a good job been done thus far, and “I want to believe that, today, a professional military ex-

Top Executive Member of the APNU, David Granger, Joe Harmon and Winston Felix are all former Joint Service members ists, that on its post - 1992 wonder, what if? Suppose, nity to be provided again, actions, has endeared itself heaven forbid, APNU would we be certain that to the Guyanese people, its were to succeed in 2015 we won’t have the same exploits and achievements elections, obviously they outcome, that indeed, in and what it has done for would have a serious debt the face of an opposition, individuals, communities to pay to these military in the PPP, that that same and for this nation...” personnel who are back, military in the BurnhamThe fact that when gov- as it is.” APNU, he added, ite era that supported the ernment sees the two (mili- has always supported gov- PNC in their undemocratic tary and APNU) getting ernment’s efforts to equip actions might not be coback together does raise and resource the military, erced into doing the same, suspicions, Dr. Luncheon hence, “One can only under a possible APNU said, “and causes us to wonder, were this opportu- administration”.

Even more empty promises - Minister Singh describes opposition’s proposed wage increase

M

inister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh said that the APNU+AFC coalition has exposed its level of political desperation with its resort to utter promises of random “goodies.” He was at the time responding to the coalition’s recent proposals of salary and pension increases within 100 days in Office.

The Finance Minister described this recent pronouncement as even more empty promises from the Opposition camp.

He said, “This is nothing short of a blatant attempt to bribe voters and is a gross insult to the Guyanese people.”

The Opposition recently announced that if elected into Office, they will institute a 13 percent across the board public service wage increase, while old age pension will be increased to $15,000.

What is worse, Minister Singh highlighted, is that the members of the APNU+AFC bloc have become notorious for inconsistency; offering a different set of “goodies” every time they speak.

In the lead up to the 2011 general and regional elections, the AFC had promised a 20 percent pay increase for public servants.

Salaries and old age pension have seen steady and sustainable increases over the

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh last 20 years under the current Administration. In 1992, when the PPP/C took Office, public servants were in receipt of $3,137 as minimum wage. This increased to $23,204 by 2005. In 2009, there was a six percent increase, 2010-five, 2011-eight, and five percent in 2012 and 2013.

In 2014, workers earning below $50,000 were granted eight percent increase while those earning over that sum were granted five percent.

3

The main Opposition Leader David Granger was written to on this matter, Dr. Luncheon said. “I think this is the worst decision you ever made in your life, short - term yes. A military injection probably has a lot to do with the successes in being the APNU, in being the leader of the PNC but it will reawake, it will arouse fears that have been dormant. That we have succeeded in allaying, it will raise those fears again”.

He said that while much of what the opposition has done thus far is merely politicking, this “military connection” has undone 23 years of patient cultivation by this administration. That is what Granger has done”. He added that given this development, “one can only imagine the impact on the serving military”. Dr. Luncheon said, “Who got ears to hear, let them hear”.

Recent litigation against Finance Minister, a smokescreen to convey negativity to electorate about Gov’t spending -Dr. Luncheon

C

abinet views the most recent litigation move against Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh as totally un-necessary. Dr. Singh, using his constitutional and statutory power to spend money from the consolidated fund, under Cabinet’s guidance, has been on the receiving end of court challenges by the opposition.

This most recent challenge has to do with the policy-based loan for the environmental sector, recently signed by the Board of Director of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Guyana. The opposition issue appears to be that the proceeds of that loan were to be disbursed by government, in the absence of an appropriate Appropriation Act. Head of the Presidential Secretary and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Luncheon said

Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon that Cabinet is of the view that the move to litigate is a ‘smoke screen,’ another opportunity to continue to bring to the public’s attention the issue of Minister Singh’s spending and issues surrounding public expenditure manner.

As the Cabinet Secretary pointed out, the issue of Minister Singh’s spending continues in Court. Dr. Luncheon said that the fact of the matter is that that is known by those who engaged in the litigation, that

the proceeds of the policy based loans are indeed deposited into the consolidated funds and indeed remain there as long as there is not and there has not been an Appropriation Act for the proceeds to be disbursed.

Therefore, the Cabinet Secretary said that Cabinet is convinced that the litigation is wholly unnecessary, and obvious in its aim is to convey to the public, more especially to the electorate, more negativity about government’s spending.

4

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Qualfon opens US$12M training centre - to create 6000 jobs

P

resident Donald Ramotar has reiterated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s commitment to businesses, more so that Qualfon formally opened its newest training centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The president, who congratulated the principals of the company for their achievement, also thanked the employees and others, who were instrumental in realising the gains made over the last 10 years of local operation.

The new US$12 M multibuilding contact centre campus

has a high living standards and a powerful economy, have a highly educated and qualified population. With the largest amount of budgetary spending being on the social sector, education receives the biggest amount, he pointed out. All of this, he stated is part of the effort to attract investors who can take advantage of a quality workforce.

“That is one of the ways that we partner with the private sector, local and foreign private sector,” he said, and added that while many spend money on training, the bulk of the investment

The Qualfon Campus, Providence, East Bank Demerara is the Mexican company’s third in training and education comes in Guyana. It will result in some from government.

6,000 jobs being created over the Government is investing a next few years lot in information technology as The fact that the company it helps to modernise traditional chose to operate in Guyana, could industries and create new ones, be seen as testament to govern- President Ramotar said, noting ment’s philosophy, the president that it will “help us to provide serstated. “It is the belief that the vices in a more efficient way”. most important factor for develIt is in keeping with this desire opment is the quality of people that government has embarked on we have.” He pointed out that putting more of its services onthe richest countries, endowed line, and this, he added will also with the richest natural resources, help to fight perceptions of corsometime share the worst kind of ruption. Secondary schools will poverty. Others like Japan, which also be equipped with IT labora-

H

tories, and efforts are underway to ensure that the entire population be computer literate, he said.

He also spoke of his state visit to India in January, and subsequent plans to build a world class ICT training facility in the Providence area. He mentioned other aspects such as health services and housing schemes to lift the quality of lives.

A short story was told by Qualfon’s Guyana Chief Executive Officer, Mike Marrow, of a company executive, Holly Romero, visiting Guyana for the first time to check on its investment potential. She was stranded at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, but eventually rescued by a taxi driver despite having no access to her baggage or cash at hand. This, he said, represented the spirit of the company and Guyana for, “If it weren’t for Holly’s courage and your kindness, we probably wouldn’t be here today, thank you very much.”

Also expressing similar sentiments to that of the president was Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who spoke of government’s commitment to the industry. “You have transformed lives by employing literally thousands of persons and improving their lives.”

Noting that every Guyanese has a role to play in the country’s prosperity, Minister Singh said that were it not for the actions of the aforementioned taxi driver, thousands of jobs would not have existed.

“Each and every Guyanese person literally has in his hands, and in the manner, in which he conducts himself, literally has in

(From left to right ) Nearshore Americas Founder Kirk Laughlin, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, President Donald Ramotar, Qualfon’s CEO, Guyana, Mike Marrow, Qualfon’s Founder and Chairman Alfonso Gonzalez and Qualfon’s General Manager Scott Warner at the commissioning of the company’s training center his hands, the potential to influ- tor of Nearshore Americas, Kirk ence the prosperity of his coun- Laughlin, who described Guyana try.” He also reiterated govern- as having “incredible potential” ment’s firm commitment to the and it has begun to execute this Business Process Outsourcing “potential,” noting however that industry’s going forward. the road is long and there are Founder and Chairman of many milestones ahead. Three Qualfon, Alfonso Gonzalez, ex- key factors for realising this popressed his gratitude to the PPP/C tential, or “the dream’s coming government which helped the alive,” Laughlin added, are invescompany celebrate “ten years of a tors’ coming to Guyana to see for beautiful history in Guyana”, and themselves the opportunities, havto the local management team and ing the right infrastructure, and all of the employees, stating that “associates, who enact the dream Qualfon’s aim was to “make peo- and make it come alive.” ple’s lives better.”

Nearshore Americas is an inHe explained that this also ternationally recognised consultmeant making the lives of their ing company, which specialises families and the community bet- in researching Business Process ter as, “This is the purpose of our Outsourcing. In a White Paper on company, this is the mission. This this country, in 2012, it described is the reason why we are here, to Guyana as “Well positioned for make people’s lives better.” He future growth and expansion.” also thanked the company’s cliIt should be noted that Qualents who have put their trust in fon launched local operations in the company, who he described as 2005 and has since become the doing “something transcendental country’s largest private employfor this country, for many lives.” er. Founded in 1995, the MexiRemarks were also given by can company employs more than Founder and Managing Direc- 11,000 persons in Guyana.

MOU signed with Chinese company for pre-feasibility study of deep-water harbour

ead of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with a Chinese company for a pre-feasibility study of a deep-water harbour at the mouth of the Berbice River, but clearly stated that the MoU executed does not in any way include obligations on the Government of Guyana.

“In so far as one, cost and financing the study, and two, using the outcome of the pre-feasibility

study, there was explicit attention in the MoU to the avoidance to such obligation to the Government of Guyana.”

According to Dr. Luncheon, mining giants Reynold and Alcoa, in the mid 1990s, had been interested in a deep-water harbour, at the mouth of the Berbice River. This, he said, has led to the Guyana Government’s decision to proceed with signing of the MoU and its contracting of the Chinese company.

Very soon, Dr. Luncheon

said, the technical members of the firm will arrive in Guyana and would be engaged in carrying out the pre-feasibility study of the deep-water harbour.

“Reinforcing the government’s resolve, of course has been the disclosure of President Zee of the People’s Republic of China, of significant funding, developmental in nature.”

The announcement of the funding was made known recently at the CARICOM-China summit in Trinidad and subse-

quently at the Brazil, Russia, Indian and South Africa Conference (BRICS), held in Brazil.

Those funds, signed by the Chinese government, will be destined for infrastructure works in the Caribbean, of which Guyana is to benefit.

Speaking at a forum late last year, President Donald Ramotar said, “This harbour will help to integrate our countries and make us a marine hub; we can definitely become the bridge between South America and the Caribbean.”

Meanwhile, responding to questions about the feasibility study, which was done for another deep-water harbour in the Essequibo River, Dr. Luncheon said he was unable to provide information on same.

“I can say that the pre-feasibility will be done at Berbice, and like many other countries, I presume that more than one will eventually grace the shores of Guyana, but sequentially the one at Berbice is actively being pursued.”

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

5

$82.3M Nursery School at No.77 Village commissioned -caters for differently abled children

A

state-of-the-art nursery school, built to Caricom standards, at a cost of $82.3 M, and equipped with ramps at the entrances and exits, to cater for disabled children, has been commissioned at No.77 Village, East Berbice Corentyne.

The beautiful edifice, which was commissioned

ment makes no bones about prioritising education, noting that the education sector budget has moved from 5 percent to 15 percent of the National Budget, and this is spent across the sector.

She explained that the administration has undertaken a programme which has a vision to ensure that

that are needed.

She also highlighted that the Number 77 Nursery School is the 57th such school in Region Six. The Education Minister urged that parents give their children the jump start and do so early, so that they can do better than their parents.

She said building schools is one thing, but

Students, along with Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand cut the ribbon to officially commission the school

by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, was described by her as the most beautiful and modern nursery school in that part of the country. The structure received funding, under the Basic Needs Trust Funds (BNTF).

Minister Manickchand highlighted the importance of Early Childhood Education (ECE), noting that the early childhood years are recognised by psychologists, teachers and policy makers as being very important years in children’s lives She said the govern-

all students will be able to read and understand what they are reading by Grade Four. This project is expected to see results by 2020.

Highest enrolment in Commonwealth Caribbean The minister pointed out that 85% of nursery school aged children in Guyana are enrolled in schools. This, she noted, is the highest enrolment figure in the entire Commonwealth Caribbean, and was only possible because the administration has created the facilities

having the trained teachers to teach the children is another, even as she highlighted that government has also invested heavily in the training of teachers. She said that 80% of the nursery school teachers in Berbice are trained.

She related that many were applying to the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), but didn’t qualify in one of the core subjects, but today, the situation is different, as consciously, the PPP/C administration has been providing for teacher training. She cited Region Six as an example

which has about 12 nursery aged children to a teacher.

“We have now brought the number down so much …so a teacher can spend time with the children, so when you know a child is really good you can give them extra work and when the child is slow you can bring them up and that is what having smaller classrooms does…it didn’t happen simply because we desired it or we wanted it to happen. It happened because we had a vision that we want to see smaller classrooms, with trained teachers, with children who were graduating with skills, and we pursued that vision, we funded that vision that your children are benefitting from.”

Explaining how the ministry was able to attract more teachers, Minister Manickchand said that education system is doing well and more children are passing Maths and English and can go on and become teachers. In 1992, just 8 of students passed English, and 18 percent passed Maths, whereas in 2014, 46 percent passed English and 36 percent passed Maths, which is similar, to what obtains in the Caribbean.

Also, to allow a greater intake of students, children were entered into the formal education system in September at three years three months, six months earlier than previously obtained. This however, was done after an assessment and the children were

Inside the new nursery school taught basic things at home before starting school, Minister Manickchand explained. She said such a policy will not be reversed unless the parents call for its turnaround.

Further, with the administration’s being keen to support groups and parents, it has ensured that programmes be put in place to do so, hence the projects covering fortified snacks, hot meals, uniform assistance, free exercise and text books, along with the new cash grant programme launched in 2014.

The contract for the construction of the Number 77 Nursery School was signed in April 2014 and the school was completed approximately seven months later.

The school was welcomed by the staff of the facility, especially the head teacher, and the residents.

Meanwhile, BNTF Representative, Michael Singh, said the school is equipped with sick bay, kitchen, administrative department and washroom facilities, and has the capacity to house 120 students, that is, 20 per classroom.

BNTF is a Government of Guyana programme and is responsible for implementing projects and providing infrastructure for capacity building through funding from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The project undertaken falls into the 7th and 8th BNTF cycle which deals with education and human development. Under this aspect, US$2.7M was expended on the construction of the Diamond, Ithaca, Tuschen, and the latest No.77 village nursery schools, along with the refurbishing of others.

The 8th cycle which is currently ongoing will see the injection of US$804M into the education sector.

Meanwhile Region Six Chairman Mr. Permaul Armogan lauded the education sector and the importance that government has given to nursery education, which is the backbone to more intellectual development.

He recognised that the government is not only pushing nursery, but all forms of education, with a special focus on technical and vocational areas.

Guyana strengthens ties with Georgia -signs visa agreement

G

uyana has strengthened ties with Georgia, as the two countries have signed a visa agreement, aimed at strengthening relations and improving trade. The agreement was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Georgia’s Ambassador to Guyana, resident in Brazil, Otar Berdzenishvili.

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett observed that the visa agreement is for a partial abolition of visas for diplomats. “No country can be seen as being too far away for improving trade relations …we will

have to address issues of visas and to begin with, it is good to have our diplomats exempted from having to obtain visas,” she stated.

She further observed that whilst Georgia is far away, she thanked the ambassador for becoming a good friend of Guyana, in such a short space of time.

In 2012 Guyana established diplomatic relations with Georgia and has since seen the relationship grow from strength to strength.

Three Guyanese students are studying medicine in Georgia with two more slated to join them sometime very soon.

“The government and people of Georgia have been very gracious to us, recognising that part of our programme is to develop the social capital and the skills of our people,” the minister explained.

Ambassador Berdzenishvili explained that Georgia has made some progress on education and is ready to increase achievements with the Guyana Government and especially with the people. “It is not only the education projects that we are proposing, but also we Georgia’s Ambassador to Guyana, resident in Brazil, Otar are ready to share our experiences Berdzenishvili and Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn in our e-government issues,” the Rodrigues-Birkett sign visa agreement at the Ministry of Ambassador indicated.

Foreign Affairs, Guyana

6

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

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 What new can the APNU+AFC coalition offer Guyana? Just empty promises!

A

t this point of the country’s imminent national elections, at which juncture the race is heating up, it is appropriate to ask just what does the Cummingsburg coalition intend to bring to the nation’s body politic as a means of securing electoral support, enough to remove the current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration from office? And this is particularly against the background of an incumbent’s performance record that is as durable as the mountains.

Further, we ask this very important question, because of the comprehensiveness of the government’s socio-economic development policies that have ushered in four fold changes, in national life, and that have gradually lifted Guyana and its citizens from abject poverty to the level of a middle income state.

For any government with such an economic development achievement record, led by nine successive years of economic growth, it has nothing to fear; for it has been carrying out its promised mandate of delivering on its numerous programmes that have made life vastly improved for the mass of the Guyanese people, irrespective of ethnicity and political affiliation.

Just for five minutes, everyone should pause, and take a fleeting journey back, to say twenty five

years ago, at what conditions were then current in our country. This editorial will not here repeat the indignities, the human deprivations, and dissipated social infrastructure that were our lot.

But look what Guyana has become, since those punishing years! A nation in transformation, with so much improvement that has changed lives for the better! There is so much development! We recall the eminent Caribbean Development Bank President, Dr. William Warren Smith, in his praise for the positive growth of the local economy, saying that every time he visits Guyana there is always something happening, and that the country has been “doing some of the right things.” And there have been other equally commendable statements from all of the other international multilateral agencies, attesting to Guyana’s economic advancement.

We agree that there is much that should have been done, and will be done, taking into consideration what conditions were at the dawn of 1992; the political challenges that the government faced at its early birthing as it began its monumental task of resurrecting and rebuilding Guyana from its collapsed state. So much has been done for Guyana since then that it can be labeled as an economic model success story.

Listening to what the APNU + AFC coalition CLAIMS that it will do for Guyana is all about re-writes of what the government has already been doing, or proposed to get done. For example, the coalition has proposed higher salaries for teachers, as if they have ever been omitted from all such prior considerations, inclusive of the annual five per cent that is awarded to public sector workers. This ‘Johnny come lately’ duo should be reminded that there was a multiyear remuneration package agreement by the Guyana Teachers Union, on behalf of teachers with the Ministry of Education in 2011. This deal can be described as the best so far that has ever been concluded for our educators.

Apart from the annual five per cent increase, this package prescribes nonsalary benefits such as $8,000 per annum; $40M for a Housing Revolving Fund for facilitating the construction of houses for teachers; payment of Whitley Council leave allowances to eligible teachers at the end of the month in which they qualify for such payment, and the granting of 30 scholarships at the University of Guyana in accordance with programmes approved by the Ministry of Education. There will also be duty free concessions for Head teachers. It also removed an anomaly of where a teacher, who has been in the profession

Letter to the Editor Mammoth rally crowd signals a stronger PPP/C Dear Editor, Wow! What a crowd!

What a mass of people who answered the rally call at the Kitty Market Square, to attend to what the Peoples Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) had to say to them.

As dem boys would say “Dat is support!”

Such a massive crowd, in the sea of party colours original in every way, immediately sends the message to all, bringing home the

realization that the PPP/C is still the people’s party and choice, and remains one and indivisible. The atmosphere was just electric; filled with energy as was the unanimous opinion.

For the opposition, it should be worrying, since such multitude rubbishes the bandied about misconception that support for the governing party has fallen away. What Sunday’s mammoth crowd has also evi-

denced is that the PPP/C has been able to have its supporters back. Of course, government’s continued socio-economic development record has proven that people are first.

There is no body politic that is going to reject a government that continues to govern in their best interests. That is what the rally crowd signalled.

Ahmed Khan

Water fetching days are over!

Dear Editor, Water, that indispensable drink of life, was once a big problem in Guyana; and by this, I mean its total unavailability when needed for household domestic chores, and mandatory baths. It is not that people did not have the necessary infrastructure for water to be piped to their homes. Of course they did, though the other side of this was the fact of numerous areas and homes throughout Guyana had no access to potable water.

We all can recall the analogy that had become so popular at that time – that in the “land of many waters”, the precious commodity was very scarce.

But it had been so, because of the absence of relevant infrastructure, such as adequate mains. Not even treatment plants, that are now so many since 1992 were present.

Thus gastro enteritis and diarrhoea were very common among very young for years, will no longer be receiving the same salary as a new entrant.

Obviously, there will always be a demand for higher salaries, whether in Guyana or anywhere; however, it should be reminded that such can only be paid on availability of funds.

Moreover, we are absolutely certain that there will be further considerations for improvement of educators’ conditions of service, since they are pivotal to Guy-

children, while the sight of makeshift carts hauled by citizens and animal drawn carts, laden with barrels were daily sightings along our coastal communities.

Another well known scenario was citizens having to break mains for acquisition of the precious drink. Often, this was done alongside drains and in surroundings that were a definite health hazard. To add to this, was the great inconvenience of householders being made to fetch water from their pipes in the yards, for baths and other household reasons. I was there, too, and recalled having to endure the tiresome fetching of water, and after becoming fed-up, begun paying for it to be transported to my home.

But twenty two years after, and with billions invested by government, citizens in over 800 commu-

nities throughout Guyana, now have access to water; and this is even within hinterland locales where modern technologies facilitate this liquid to residents.

Water treatment plants are strategically placed, so as to ensure potable water to communities. This has resulted in significant reductions in gastro cases. Water is now present in abundance, flowing through taps in most homes. I can now have showers in the comfort and privacy of my home.

No more are residents seen pulling carts with water containers, nor mains being broken. I share their relief.

Even the supporters of the political opposition can testify to the comfort of receiving water in their homes.

Darnley King

Email letters to: ginagovgy@gmail.com ana’s national development needs, when a new PPP/C administration takes office.

Another of the “promises” from the coalition has been the “retooling” of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project! Just what does APNU + AFC mean by this is best known to its inner sanctum.

But, it has once again confirmed that the plethora of objections that both parties made against this groundbreaking socio-economic project were all a definite

political, hence wholly reckless, and anti-national.

Such actions can only be described as plain dumb, for which there will be a costly political price to pay on May 11.

Finally, this nation that has seen so much development since 1992 refuses to be fooled by the coalition’s empty “promises” since they lack foundation; and are simply attempts at stealing the thunder, so to speak.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

7

It is a winning list -President Ramotar-

following presentation of PPPC’s List of Candidates to GECOM

U

rging Guyanese to stand by him and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), the incumbent President Donald Ramotar presented what he described as the “winning list” for the 2015 National and Regional elections to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), on April 7, at City Hall, Avenue of the Republic.

headquarters, Freedom House, Robb Street.

With much fanfare, the President, who heads his Party’s list, led thousands of supporters on the journey from Freedom House, to the nomination point.

There, in the company of the Prime Ministerial Candidate Ms. Elisabeth Harper and PPP/C’s General Secretary Clement Rohee, as well as their families and

President Donald Ramotar addressing supporters in front of Freedom House, Robb Street, after presenting the PPP/C elections Candidate List to GECOM officials, at City Hall He urged that Guyanese stand by the PPP/C, so that together they can make the country realise its dreams of being a developed and strong country. “ I ask you when you leave here to take a resolution to ensure that you redouble your efforts, you work even harder and we all must work even harder to ensure the direction of our country will be forward and never again will we allow Guyana to stand still or go backward!”

President Ramotar requested of an enthused crowd of supporters at the Party’s

other representatives on the nomination list, he presented the PPP/C’s national Top Up and Regional Lists to the Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield.

“We just handed over the winning list to the Elections Commission and you will see we have a very good list. We have a blend of maturity and youth. We have professional workers.

We have housewives, farmers. We have all races on our list. Our list represents this country in every way.

We have a fully balanced list, and I am sure that list is

going to take us to victory, and as far as I know we are the only party that has as its Prime Ministerial Candidate a woman of substance in Elisabeth Harper,” Ramotar said.

Leaving City Hall, the President said the PPP/C’s campaign will be intensified. “Our campaign will be a very positive campaign.

We want to win back the majority in the National Assembly, and I think we have a very good programme to do so.”

He alluded to the numerous progressive steps under the current government, including achievements such as Guyanese students topping the Region at Caribbean Secondary Examinations Council (CSEC) for the past decade.

“Our investment has been in our people. We are the only country in the Region where more than 30 percent of our budget goes to the social sector for education, health, housing, water, old age pension, $10,000 per child in school, assistance for university students,” the President said.

He also reminded that Government also provides text books and support, such as school feeding programmes for children to stay in school.

These successes are in spite of the political opposition’s stymieing development efforts over the past three years, he said. Outlining some of the challenges, the President pointed to the Cheddi Jagan International

Overhead view of PPP/C supporters enroute to City Hall to present the PPP/C‘s List of Candidates for the May 11 elections

Airport (CJIA) expansion project and the hydro project “and that is why I promise you that when we win the elections on May 11, the Amaila Hydro project will be very high on our agenda because we need to grow not by four

more housing for our people to solve the housing problem once and for all,” he said.

When asked about his Government’s plan to establish a dedicated unit to fight corruption after being in office for years, Presi-

people that will represent your party and your government, your country across the spectrum… women, young people,” she said. She also noted that the C component of the party’s name is for continuity and requested the people’s

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper, President Donald Ramotar and First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar leading party supporters to City Hall to present the PPP/C’s Candidates’ List to GECOM officials and a half and five percent, impressive as that is when you take into consideration the opposition antidevelopment thrust and the international economic development, we will grow by 10 and 12 percent per annum when we get cheap electricity in our country,” he said.

Speaking of his party’s plans, the President said that high on the agenda is creating investment and jobs, as well as a highly skilled and capable workforce. The party’s plans also include improving Guyanese quality of life, securing more markets for rice farmers, spending at least $20 billion to keep the sugar industry alive, building the specialty hospital, expanding the airport, continuously improving the country’s infrastructure, supporting farmers and creating a stable and progressive economic environment. His government also promises to redouble efforts to capitalise on the tourism sector by improving the infrastructure locally.

“This Election is about jobs for the people of our country, better health services. It’s about better and

dent Ramotar said, “We have always been fighting corruption. We have been the ones that established all the systems. When we got into the government there was no system to fight corruption, no bidding system.

The Auditor General was not allowed to audit government’s accounts. There was absolutely no transparency in government. We have established those systems. So what we are doing now is a continuation of what we started a long time ago. We have nothing to hide. We are ready to take any measure to stamp out corruption in our country.”

Adding her voice to the call for continued progress with the PPP/C, Prime Ministerial Candidate Harper said the candidates will work with the people to ensure that the majority in the National Assembly is restored to the PPP/C. She expressed confidence in the list of names presented, adding that “the second ‘P’ in the PPP, Progressive, will be written again today because it shows that the list which was presented is an inclusive one. It is a visionary list. It shows that we have

support for the PPP/C to continue.

Addressing the exuberant crowd at Freedom House after the nominations, the Party’s General Secretary thanked the supporters for their continued solidarity noting that at “every election since 1957 the people have been confidently behind us because we stand for Peace, we stand for Progress and we stand for Prosperity. You must leave no stone unturned. Every single day from today we must mobilise, we must energise and we must get our people out to make sure on May 11 they vote resoundingly for the PPP. Every one of us has a stake in the future.”

Echoing these sentiments, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony noted that the PPP/C is a people’s party and has been with the people through “ups and downs” working for the betterment of Guyana.

Several parties presented their List of Candidates, including the A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance For Change Coalition (APNU-AFC), and The United Force (TUF).

8

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Corruption is Opposition’s whipping horse, having no developmental agenda to speak of – Attorney General

M

inister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall has explained that while there are levels of corruption and that “no level of corruption is acceptable” he contends that the topic has become a political weapon, exploited by the opposition.

During an interview conducted with journalist Shaun Samaroo, on Political Scope on the National Communications Network, he detailed that the opposition “cannot speak to the Guyanese people on issues of development, they cannot advocate and indeed, they do not have a plan to adumbrate, to illustrate to the people what their developmental agenda is for Guyana.” He added that they have not been able to inform the populace on “how they will build our economy, how they will provide jobs for our people, how they will alleviate poverty, how they will attract investment. In that vacuum of ideas wild ideas of corruption fill a void.”

Measures implemented

by PPP/C Minister Nandlall pointed out that people must examine what the PPP/C government has done to ensure that corruption is kept at a minimum and to bring in transparency and accountability to governance. He recalled that before 1992 “there was absolutely no policy on how procurement of goods and services was being done at the level of government indeed, it was done in an ad hoc way without any transparency whatsoever, no one knew who used to get what contract, by what principles, and by what criteria contractors were selected.”

He explained that against this dubious bequeath from the PNC, one of the very first things that this current ruling administration did was to, in 1993, present in the Parliament, a White paper for discussion on the procurement of goods and services at the level of the government and for government agencies,

as well as agencies of the state. He reminded that the document was thoroughly discussed by the National Assembly and was unanimously approved. This, he emphatically said, was a turning point in how things were done in Guyana.

According to the AG, herein began a process whereby “We, the PPP/C, fixed terms, process and procedures outlining how every single contract for the procurement of goods and services must be done and determined that these must be done by way of a public, transparent process.”

He noted that this position obtained until 2003, when there was the enactment of a comprehensive Procurement Act which established a National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), insulated from government/political interference, and manned by public servants at every level. “There is absolutely no political contamination of the operation of the Board, in terms of its functioning or in terms of who comprise that board.”

The AG detailed that with this new background, every single tender is done publicly, an advertisement is placed in the newspaper, inviting persons to apply for whatever the project is, there is an engineer’s estimate, giving an estimate of the project. He declared that all the bids are received and opened at a date, which is advertised, and then the bids are publicly opened, and the press is invited, members of the public are invited, and the contractors who have an interest are obviously invited. Following this stage, the AG pointed out that the bids are opened and read out aloud and then sent to be evaluated by an evaluation committee.

Here too, lies another anti-corruption measure, the minister explained, as “the evaluation committee is comprised of persons randomly chosen from the various ministries and are public servants.” This group will then evaluate those bids, and the minutes of those evaluation meet-

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall ings are recorded and posted on the Procurement and Tender Board website.

When that process is finished, a recommendation emanates from the evaluation committee, in relation to which contractor is suitably considered for the award, and the reasons. This, for him, clearly eliminates any kind of collusion. At this point, all the documents, along with the report, are sent to Cabinet for a “no objection as per the legislation”. Then when that ‘no objection’ is obtained, it is sent back to NPTAB, where the award is made, based upon the recommendations of the evaluation committee.

In a succinct manner, the AG clearly stated that “this is how procurement is done in Guyana; there is legislation in place that outlines in great details how goods and services are procured for government or state agencies, and including many semi-autonomous agencies like the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).”

Government’s thrust The all-important point for the minister is that “every cent of public money is spent only after utilising that transparent process. If a contractor feels aggrieved by a decision taken at the evaluation committee, or by any aspect of the procurement process, he has a legal right to challenge the process right there at the NPTB. He also has a right to resort to a special court, the Constitutional and Admin-

istrative Law Court, which is a court that is established to specifically hear and determine constitutional law and public administration matters. This is a specialised court, which only hears those types of matter, where you get a quick and speedy hearing. These matters include allegations of constitutional violations by the State or officers of the State including Ministers of Government and more importantly it hears cases concerning allegations of abuse of power and authority by any Government Minister or public officer. This court has been established nearly a decade now.”

Perception versus reality Minister Nandlall explained that the opposition and their followers have managed to find a ‘whipping horse’ and that is corruption and “it is what the people like, people buy scandals they like scandals

company, registered in Guyana to do business, because there was no policy in relation to how you do public procurement and how you dispose of state assets… the agreement of sales for those rice milling complexes which were then owned by the government, …the agreements of sale were signed by the Confidential Secretary to President Desmond Hoyte.”

Another instance recalled was that Mr. Carl Greenidge’s contretemps were exposed, as he was forced to defend the sale of a house to him. This house was sold to him by Guyana Stores, at the time he was the Finance Minister, and this for the minister was an egregious anomaly, as “I never knew that they sold houses.” However, AG Nandlall declared that “Mr. Greenidge must be the only person in Guyana, who was able to buy a house from Guyana Stores.”

in the newspapers, “but that is scandalous- Guyana Stores selling a house, Office of the President selling rice mills”.

The minister explained that the prevailing systems of workings were so corrupt, that the PPP/C started to put mechanisms in place, one of which is the aforementioned Procurement Legislation. Significantly government’s role in procurement in the Caribbean is now under review. Guyana is the only country in the entire Caribbean, where the government plays such a minimal a role in the public procurement process.

“We (Guyana) have one of the more advanced Procurement process in the English speaking Caribbean.”

He pointed out that at the level of CARICOM; governments of the Caribbean are trying to come up with a common Procurement Legislation, which they want to implement

Former PNC Finance Minister Carl Greenidge’s Bel Air Gardens property.

Greenidge allegedly entered into a corrupt transaction to buy the posh property – house and land – in the elite Bel Air Gardens area for a paltry $4 million with no tender. and corruption smacks of scandals.

Unfortunately these allegations are never supported by any evidence of worth. After all, the intent is to create sensational news.”

AG Nandlall revisited a case of hard core evidence where corruption does exist… “five rice milling complexes were sold sometime around 1990, along with thousands of acres of rice land …to a Surinamese

The transport, which is dated 1993, lists Mr. Greenidge’s occupation as Minister of Finance although he left government since October 1992.

There was absolutely no transparency in relation to these transactions.

Sordid practices and history Minister Nandlall explained that these kinds of stories people will not read

in all the countries. “Guyana’s legislation has been reviewed, the Caribbean governments ironically, have rejected Guyana’s legislation, on the grounds, that the government plays too insignificant a role in the procurement process, and that they are not prepared to play that minimal a role that the Government of Guyana plays in the procurement process.” continued on page 22

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

9

Walter Rodney CoI completes its ninth session…

Donald Rodney ended his testimony, cross examination, Gregory Smith’s sister testifies

T

he brother of the late Dr. Rodney’s, Donald Rodney, and Ann Wagner, the sister of former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Sergeant Gregory Smith, took the stand, as the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI,) completed its ninth session on March 27, 2015. Ann Wagner coauthored a book with Smith, who reportedly fled to French Guiana, after he became the prime suspect in Rodney’s assassination, which occurred on June 13, 1980.

Rodney feared ‘death by the dictatorship’ Quiet, calm and collected, Donald Rodney stood his ground in the witness box and faced off against Counsel for the People’s National Congress (PNC) Basil Williams, as the commission resumed, following a near-month long break since its last session in February, 2015.

Williams saw his cross examination draw the ire of Commission Chairman Sir Richard Cheltenham of Barbados. Sir Richard’s voice rose with stern rebuke, as he asked Williams how Counsel could proceed with a line of questioning after the Witness had denied the premise of the line of argument.

Williams peppered Rodney with leading questions, seeking to have the witness commit to the premise that the leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. Walter Rodney, may have deliberately been working to secure an explosive device.

Williams was referring to Guyana’s only case of a deadly bomb blast in the nation’s history, when a bomb, disguised as a communications device, exploded in the lap of Dr. Rodney, killing him, as he sat in his car in the early evening of Friday, June 13, 1980, in Georgetown. The cold case sat unsolved for 34 years as is ranked in the Commonwealth Caribbean as the worst political assassination, alongside Maurice Bishop’s demise in Grenada.

Donald Rodney, Dr. Rodney’s brother, is today the only eyewitness to that infamous bomb blast that changed Guyana’s history forever. He became a star witness of the Commission, submitting a detailed written statement, and appearing several times to be questioned and cross examined.

Rampant suspicion abounds around the world that the PNC State assassinated Dr. Rodney, and the PNC took an official position of not cooperating with the Presidential Commission, although Williams acts as PNC Counsel, crossexamining witnesses.

Williams cross-examines witnesses, as with Rodney, seeking to establish that the WPA was planning a violent overthrow of the PNC regime, and thus the movement sought to secure the explosive

Ann Wagner, sister of accused Gregory Smith, with her lawyer Edward George at the CoI device.

Witnesses have contradicted that premise, and the Commission Chairman had strong rebukes for Williams, as he tried the tactic with Rodney.

The PNC Counsel even told Rodney that when in “fleeing” the scene of the bomb blast, wounded and alone, it was a sign of “guilt.”

Williams said Rodney behaved “like a guilty man”.

Williams also said Rodney “fled the scene because he knew and was involved in an unlawful enterprise with the so-called walkie-talkie”.

But Rodney quietly denied this and said he went to get help for Dr Rodney, whom he knew was badly wounded. Rodney said he himself was bloodied and when he tried to ring the doorbell of the WPA activist’s house to which he resorted, he found his finger slit to the bone and numb. His left hand was “in worse shape.”

Before the bomb blast, the Rodney brothers drove to Russel Street in Georgetown. Donald Rodney left Dr. Rodney in the car on that awful night of June 13, 1980, and went into the house of the main suspect in the alleged assassination, Gregory Smith, an ex-Guyana Defense Force (GDF) soldier. He was scheduled to collect a communications device from Smith.

Smith worked, unknowing to the WPA or the Rodney’s, according to testimonies to the Commission, as a double agent, spying for both the WPA and the PNC State’s Intelligence Command.

Smith promised the Rodneys he would secure for them an electronic communications device, as this was banned in Guyana, and illegal to acquire. On that night, Rodney showed up at Smith’s house to collect the device.

Following instructions, the brothers proceeded to test the device, but instead of its conveying of communication, it exploded in the deadly blast that rocked Georgetown and forever changed the political climate of this nation.

Wagner stuns Commission, twists sinister political plot on

WPA Rodney’s testimony was followed by that of the sister of the main suspect Gregory Smith, Ann Wagner, who denied Smith’s role in the assassination, and called for Rodney to take a lie-detector test.

Wagner stated that although Smith had constructed the triggering device that exploded the bomb, the bomb-blast was an “accident.”

She tried to clear his name.

Shocking the Commission, Wagner twisted the tale and turned the allegations of nefarious and sinister political plotting on the WPA, claiming that the party and its leader, Dr. Rodney had infiltrated every facet of the dictatorship government of the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Wagner painted Smith as a “quiet”, devout choir boy, who never missed mass at the Catholic Church. This image radically departs from wide-ranging testimony at the Commission over the past year, with several witnesses portraying Smith as an expert electronics bomb-making espionage double-agent, who worked with the PNC government’s Joint Intelligence Command to cripple the WPA’s popular resistance against the draconian PNC dictatorship.

The stunned courtroom sat with trance-like attention as Wagner answered questions from Counsel Andrew Pilgrim of Trinidad and Tobago, who represents Donald Rodney, and from Christopher Ram, Counsel for the WPA. Wagner said her brother, Smith, eluded several execution attempts against him in French Guiana, where he had fled, after the bombblast rocked Georgetown, instantly killing Dr Rodney.

Smith passed away due to cancer of the lungs, in November of 2002 in French Guiana, and Wagner said she “maintained close contact with him throughout his life. He made me aware of every attempt on his life. We discussed every newspaper article printed on the subject of his involvement with the death of Dr. Walter Rodney and we discussed it over and over again.

He lived in constant fear for his life

and the lives of his family,” Wagner said.

Wagner said Smith suffered as “one of many Guyanese who experienced the hardships of the Burnham regime. Gregory claimed that many people told him that he would have to join the PNC to get a job”, she said. She denied he ever joined the PNC party, which at the time, practised as a State policy, paramountcy of the Party.

In February 1976, Smith was selected for specialized electronics training overseas, and returned to work with the GDF, as a Corporal, Wagner said, claiming that Smith got peeved that he was not being promoted, and when his Commanding Officer told him he had to join the PNC in order to be promoted, he resigned from the GDF. Wagner played a crucial role in shedding light on the mystery and veil that shroud Smith in secrecy.

She is named as the co-author with Smith, of a book, “Assassination: Cry of a Failed Revolution,” that was published in 2007.

Smith was “a friend and confidante of Dr. Walter Rodney, the political activist”, she said, noting that the book aims to correct the historical record of Dr. Rodney’s death, in revealing the “truth” of what happened, and in clearing the name of Smith, her brother.

“In writing the book, I am seeking to exonerate my brother of the accusations levelled against him by

She told the Commission that Smith called her the night that Dr. Rodney was assassinated. “I received a phone call from my brother who was in tears and in shock from Dr. Rodney’s death”, she said, claiming that “Gregory’s shock turned to horror as he was soon labelled by the media, and sympathizers and supporters of the WPA, as the bomber, and as an agent of the Burnham Government, who was on a mission to kill Dr. Rodney.”

Wagner submitted several documents as evidence to the Commission, including a birth certificate issued to Smith in Georgetown, in his new identity as Cyril Johnson, on June 21, 1982. However, before that birth certificate was issued to him in Georgetown, he had mysteriously secured a passport two years earlier, on July 5, 1980.

This grave anomaly indicates that Smith’s post-Rodney assassination living arrangements may have been handled at the highest State in Guyana, but no Counsel has as yet raised this point to Wagner.

Wagner however faced both hostile and sympathetic questioning from the battery of lawyers even as they sought to find the truth of her story. Counsel Hanoman established that Smith travelled in and out of Guyana in 1982 unknown to Wagner, although Wagner testified that she subsequently knew of the trip, and knew that Smith trav-

Lawyer for the PNC, Basil Williams cross examining the brother of Dr. Walter Rodney, Donald members of the WPA and their international allies,” Wagner said in her statement.

Wagner’s stunning testimony claimed that the WPA and Dr. Rodney were plotting violence against the brutish PNC dictatorship. “Gregory was persuaded by Dr. Rodney that (hand-made bomb) devices would be used to destroy physical infrastructure such as buildings and electricity generating installations.

“When my brother refused, Dr. Rodney asked him to modify portable walkie-talkies into triggering devices.

“Gregory agreed to help Dr Rodney because he was impressed by him and wanted to help him change the direction of the country,” Wagner said.

elled to Guyana because he had to in order to secure his permanent residence in French Guiana, where he had fled after the deadly bomb blast.

Hanoman circulated several documents to support his premise that Wagner lacked full knowledge of Smith’s activities surrounding the bombing death of Dr. Rodney, despite her self-confessed co-authorship of the book she titled “the truth” about that tragic night in Guyana’s socio-political history.

The ninth session of the Rodney CoI came to an end on Friday March 27th and will resume after May 11, 2015. The Rodney CoI began in April 2014 and seeks to find out what occurred in Guyana during the period of Dr. Rodney’s death.

10

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

PPP/C Gov’t will ensure sugar industry’s – as 102nd anniversary of Rose survival – President Hall Martyrs commemorated

P

resident Donald Ramotar has reiterated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government will work indefatigably to ensure that sugar not only endure, but that the industry continue to make the great contribution that it has been making throughout its history to develop Guyana.

He said that the sugar industry’s best days are ahead, for not only the people of Guyana, but in particular for the workers.

Addressing attendees at the 102nd anniversary commemoration ceremony of the Rose Hall martyrs, at the monument site in Canje, on March 25, the Head of State highlighted the challenges faced in the sugar industry since the European Union (EU) price cut. In 2005, the EU Agriculture ministers had agreed to cut the price of sugar by 36 percent, leading to outrage by the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states which urged that the cut be 19 percent. With no remorse from the EU, several Caribbean countries closed their sugar industries, but Guyana persisted with theirs.

The president told the

attendees at the ceremony, held to remember the 15 sugar workers who lost their lives and 56 others injured when colonial police opened fire, that the PPP/C government will continue its support for the industry, as it plans to spend $20 billion over the next five years to ensure its survival.

He blasted the opposition for not supporting the industry, noting its call for its closure. Only this week, former People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentarian Stanley Ming said sugar was dead and that government was pumping money into an industry which is being eliminated in other countries.

The president said labour competition with other industries will see more mechanisation in the industry, but noted that workers will not be fired, but retrained.

He said alternative sources of fuel such as ethanol, as produced by the Albion estate in Region Six, will see new revenue streams for the industry, and electricity will be produced using bagasse, so as to insulate the industry from the vagaries of world prices.

The Head of State said

President Donald Ramotar lays a wreath at the Rosehall Martyrs' Monument that India has promised as- been receiving include for sistance in producing spe- their children, free text cialty sugars and extensive books, hot meals, snacks, discussions were held with uniforms and the $10,000 Indian officials in this re- cash grant, as well and free gard. In January, the presi- health care. dent, during a state visit He pointed out the bento India, toured the Valsad efits of having a Specialty Sugar Factory in the State of Hospital, the Amaila Falls Gujarat and was briefed on Hydro power project and the the plant’s operations. investments made in techniGovernment has worked cal education in anticipation tirelessly to develop all the of developments to come. sectors and sugar workers Meanwhile Minister of have seen the quality of their Culture Youth and Sport Dr lives improved, he said. Ad- Frank Anthony said Guyaditional benefits they have nese have a proud history,

and their ancestors did them proud and therefore their memory must be honoured, and “one way of honouring that memory is that we must instill that history in our generation and in the next because what they stood for, what they did for us, because of that, we are here today.”

He warned against the ‘false prophets’ who will want Guyanese to forget history, noting that, “We must not be fooled, they are telling us we must forget our history; they are telling us we must not go back to 28 years because if we go back there, then they would be unveiled. They want us to forget; but when they were in charge, what did they do for the people of this country? “So comrades, while we honour our 15 ancestors who lost their lives, what they stood for, what they fought for, we must never lose sight of that,” Minister Anthony urged.

Meanwhile, 95- year old Harold Bishoo, the oldest pensioner of Rose Hall Estate was presented with a certificate of appreciation.

Following the ceremony, wreaths were laid by relatives of the deceased, President Ramotar, Minis-

ter Anthony, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and regional officials.

On March 15, 2014, a 9ft tall memorial was unveiled by the Head of State.

This rests on a reinforced concrete base, inset with a 2x2ft porcelain plaque, inscribed with the names of those killed and sits on the mass grave containing their bodies,.

The massacre resulted after workers decided to protest the retraction of a four-day holiday given to them for good production.

The workers took strike action on the days scheduled as break, in protest. It was decided that in order for charges of failing to report for work to be dropped, the workers would pay legal costs. They refused and the matter was taken to court, after being found guilty of “instigating resistance to work,” the workers protested and management threatened to transfer protesting families to other plantations.

More protests occurred and warrants were issued for the protests’ leaders. Workers resisted this move and colonial police ranks opened fire, killing 15 and injuring 56 others, on that fateful day.

Berbice boosted as new co-generation power company formally launched

T

he electricity supply for Berbice residents has gotten a further boost with the formal announcement of the launch of Skeldon Energy Inc. This was revealed during a joint press conference, hosted by the Chairman of National Industrial and Commercial Investments Ltd (NICIL) and Chairman of the Guyana Power and Light Company Winston Brassington; Chief Executive Officer, Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco), Raj Singh, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Aeshwar Deonarine.

It was announced that following the approval of Cabinet, the GuySuco energy- assets of Skeldon, along with the Power Pur-

chase Agreement (PPA) between the GPL and GuySuco, were transferred to a newly created company to be known as Skeldon Energy Inc. This new company will be managed by Wartsila Guyana Inc. According to Brassington, SEI will be a state owned company, under the joint ownership of GPL and NICIL, in what he described as a “win, win situation”.

“In consideration of the transfer of assets, GuySuco will be paid a total of US$30 million. Additionally, SEI will supply power to GuySuco at the same prices that GPL currently pays GuySuco today.”

The agreement will also see GuySuco selling the bagasse that is required for its Skeldon operation. It is ex-

Skeldon Sugar Factory pected that there will be an The GuySuco power enhancement of the generat- generating assets consist of ing capacity of the Skeldon three Wartsila power plants Wartsila and bagasse Co- with an installed capacity of Generation Power Plants, 10 MW, and a co-generation provision of a reliable, sta- bagasse plant with an inble power source and an stalled capacity of 30 MW. expanded power generating All employees employed by capacity at Skeldon, as part GuySuco, will be seconded of the Demerara- Berbice to the new operation, on Interconnected System. An the same terms and condiincrease of energy supplied tions enjoyed at present. to the grid by some 50% is Brassington added that unanticipated by the end of der the PPA, which will see 2016 and close to 100% by GPL purchasing most of the 2019. power from the SEI, Wartsi-

la will provide financing for the rehabilitation of the 10 MW plant. The SEI Wartsila plant is expected to inherit the many benefits of the more than 20 year relationship Wartsila has had with the GPL, such as discounts on spare parts, and proven advice as the company currently operates several bagasse and steam generating facilities internationally.

GPL has been supplying power into Berbice since 2014, to the tune of 12MW Brassington said via the newly commissioned transmission line that allows one interconnected grid between Demerara and Berbice. He explained that the new arrangement will reduce the need and risk in power transmission from Georgetown, “and may over time

allow this trend to be reversed. The projected generation of the combined plants of 40MW by 2016 will be over 20% of the generating capacity of the entire Demerara- Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS)”. The Skeldon Energy Inc. will be funded with equity financing of US$5 million from NICIL and US$4 million from GPL, along with debt financing of US$21million from GPL (in the form of a loan), and several local and international financial institutions. The financing will be repaid via the sale of power under the two PPAs to GPL and GuySuco.

GPL’s financing for the projects is as a result of cash flows derived from savings accrued following the drop in international fuel prices.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Minister Ramsammy rejects Stanley Ming’s call to close sugar industry M r. Stanley Ming’s call to close the sugar industry is another wild, vile and wicked attack on the sugar industry and those who work in the industry. But this call is also an anti-Guyana call.

The only persons who will support the call for closure of the sugar industry are those who have no idea on the importance of sugar in the fabric of the development story of our country.

Mr. Ming is unequivocally out of his league when he attempted to talk about sugar.

As Minister of Agriculture, I am deeply disturbed because the Opposition uses people like Mr. Ming to sound out their position on political matters. Today, I am demanding that APNU+AFC state their position on sugar. They must not speak with forked tongues – they must be clear to the Guyanese people and to the sugar workers.

When APNU+AFC refused to provide vital support to GuySuco, they showed disdain to the sugar workers and they betrayed Guyana.

Today, it is another chance for them to be clear – will you close the sugar industry? Are you willing to say Tony Vieira previously and now, Stanley Ming do not represent the position of APNU+AFC? No “ands, ifs or buts”.

We want a clear answer.

The PPP/C will do whatever is necessary to ensure that sugar sustains its importance in Guyana and we will expand sugar for it to continue to play a crucial role in Guyana’s economy and social welfare development. We will invest whatever we need to ensure a strong sugar industry. The PPP/C has no “ands, if, and buts” when it comes to the sugar industry.

The PPP/C continues to treat sugar as an indispensable part of the economy and social welfare of our people. We see sugar as “too big to fail”, a position taken by Cheddi

Minister of Agriculture Dr. Leslie Ramsammy Jagan, Bharat Jagdeo, Don- But APNU voted against a ald Ramotar and various PPP/C budget provision to Ministers of Agriculture support the sugar industry. of the PPP/C. Throughout AFC abstained from that my tenure as Minister of vote, playing politics, but Agriculture, during one the AFC never disassociatof the very difficult peri- ed itself from Ramjattan’s ods for the sugar industry, support of the call made at as it tries to position itself the APNU press conference against global circumstanc- to close sugar. They buckes unfavourable for sugar, I led under pressure that they have maintained a position will have to explain to the consistent with the PPP/C’s sugar workers and in the position – we must take all end they abstained from initiatives and facilitate the voting against the budgetsustainability and expan- ary provision for sugar. sion of sugar in Guyana.

At the luncheon meetAPNU in March 2014 ing the Private Sector hostheld a press conference ed for Granger to present hosted by Mr. Joe Harmon APNU+AFC vision for and Mr. Tony Vieira. At Guyana about two weeks that Press Conference host- ago, Granger stated that ed at APNU’s headquarters, “sugar was too big to fail”.

Mr. Vieira insisted that the This is what the PPP/C has only sensible thing to do stated since 1992. We have is close the sugar industry. supported and facilitated Today, almost exactly one the sugar industry as the year later, another activ- industry first had to recover ist of APNU, Mr. Stanley from the destruction caused Ming, a former PNC MP, by the PNC and throughout again reiterate the call to this period the PPP/C had close the industry. to facilitate the industry’s Mr. Granger and APNU response to global changes, never disassociated them- including the European’s selves from the call to close betrayal of the sugar prosugar that was made at its tocol and the falling sugar Press Conference on March prices that saw sometimes 8, 2014. Mr. Ramjattan on prices falling by 50%.

March 9th or so in 2014 The PPP/C’s position also gave full support to has always been very clear the call made at the APNU and unambiguous – sugar is press conference then. too big to fail. We are enAt the 2014 budget de- couraged that Granger now bate I raised the issue and says that he agrees with our called on APNU and AFC position. But he was leadto give a definitive posi- er of the PNC and APNU tion on the call to close when a call was made to the sugar industry. Neither close the industry at one party heeded my call and of its weekly press conferignored my request for ence. During the budget them to tell us during the debate 2014, he led the budget debate if they want- opposition’s response in ed to close the industry. parliament. He never once

disassociated himself from those statements. Now that mining has raised the possibility again, what is APNU’s position?

When APNU came with its wild assault on our country, on sugar workers and on the sugar industry by demanding that we end sugar and grow tilapia in the sugar cane fields, none of the APNU MPs stated that that was not their position and Ramjattan stated he agreed with the call.

There is documented evidence to support what I am

At the press conference March 2014, APNU talked about an exchange – replace sugar with tilapia. Ming in 2015 has not stated that sugar should be replaced with tilapia, but also wants Guyana to replace sugar with other economic activities. Such other economic activities are already being pursued by the PPP/C, but not to replace sugar. The position of the PPP/C is that sugar must be sustained and expanded and other activities are additive.

11

Sugar workers realized that Granger was playing to the gallery when he declared ‘sugar is too big to fail’ . He knows that he needs to fool the sugar workers. APNU and its main partner, the PNC, have a history of being against the sugar industry and the sugar workers since they view the sugar industry as a stronghold of the PPP/C and they have always been anti-sugar workers. They play politics with the sugar industry, instead of protecting the interests

Flashback 2014: Sugar workers protesting in the vicinity of Parliament for their industry’s allocated subsidy stating As the PPP/C Minister of Agriculture, let me state that we will continue to build the sugar industry to be a lead industry in our country and we will work with the sugar workers to ensure that their industry continues to provide employment and economic and social gains for our people and our country.

Let me be unequivocally clear – Ming’s call to close the sugar industry is DEAD WRONG. It was dead wrong when APNU called for the closure last March and it is dead wrong now. APNU’s plan to close the sugar industry is wicked and it is a plan of a party that has no moral right to even ask the people for the right to be the Government of Guyana one day.

When APNU, though its spokespersons, Mr. Joe Harmon, a front bench MP for APNU, and Mr. Anthony Vieira, a former front bench PNC MP, at its official APNU Media Conference, called for the closure of GuySuco in March 2014, it exposed itself of wanting to destroy an important industry in Guyana. Unfortunately, it was not the first time that APNU had called for the closure of the sugar industry. In 2013, Mr. Anthony Vieira first described the plan to replace sugar with tilapia.

Now the call is reiterated by Mr. Ming and it is incumbent on APNU+AFC to declare their position, notwithstanding Mr. Granger’s statement recently that “sugar is too big to fail”.

of our country and our people. They speak from both sides of their mouth.

The truth is that there is a long history of the PNC and now APNU pursuing policies and practices that have been and are anti-sugar workers. I am certain that they will close the industry if they have a chance. Mr. Vieira and Mr. Ming are merely sound bites of the real PNC and AFC. I reject this notion and I reject this plan. I vehemently reject the position of APNU not only as the Minister of Agriculture, but as a citizen of Guyana.

The present assault on the sugar industry is reminiscent of the assault on the industry by the PNC Government in the late 1980s when they began the prepacontinued on page 21

12

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana’s forests are safe and will always be managed in a sustainable way -President - on Int’l Day of Forests

President Donald Ramotar addressing stakeholders at the observance for International Day of Forests and the Tree, at the Guyana International Conference Center s Guyana joined the and adaptable to other counworld in observing tries’ economies.

International Day of Forests and the Tree, Presi- Iwokrama project in deep dent Donald Ramotar gave jeopardy a commitment on his gov- The donation by Guyana to ernment’s behalf, that local the world of 360,000 hecforests will remain safe from tares of prime virgin state risky harvesting practices forest lands under the Iwokand other ills, which face rama Initiative to serve as other countries with similar “a research and developforests. ment center while testing He joined with others models of sustainable forest in recognising the environ- utilisation with local commental and climate change munity partnerships” is in mitigation contributions of “deep jeopardy” due to the sustainably managed for- lack critical financing. The ests, noting that at the last global community he added, FAO Committee on Forestry “with very few exceptions (COFO) meeting there was simply has not supported a call for countries, “indi- the activities of Iwokrama, vidually and collectively, to and we have the unenviable place much more emphasis situation where the governon identifying and properly ment of Guyana has to inquantifying the real socio- ject monies to allow for its economic benefits of for- continuity”. This issue was ests, along another calling raised at the United Nations the development of accurate last year, he said, during a data on the important role sub-committee meeting in of women and indigenous which he challenged other peoples in forest utilisation, nations to put their money giving greater recognition to where their mouth is, but to them”. no avail.

Addressing a full to President Ramotar also capacity auditorium at the revealed that Guyana was Guyana International Con- the first to set up a small ference Center on March 23, conservation concession, the president highlighted the but after number of years, fact that Guyana has long this failed after the holders been managing its forests who paid a small annual and resources, contained fee to government, indiwherein, in a sustainable cated that they were unable and transparent manner for to continue doing so, hence decades, even under the pre- it was reverted to state convious administration, where trol. “Despite these disapGuyanese displayed a “high pointments, Guyana contindegree of environmental ues to show its unwavering consciousness”. commitment to good forest The Low Carbon Devel- governance and as it pracopment Strategy (LCDS), tices sustainable, multiple President Ramotar said, that use of forest activities”, he is currently being imple- added. “Government will mented successfully, proves continue to demand that all that sustainable forest man- large scale forest utilisation agement and utilisation projects be done in keeping along a low carbon trajec- with the relevant legislation tory is absolutely achievable inclusive of a publicly trans-

A

parent environmental and social impact assessment,” he further added.

The forest of Guyana was described as a “lifeline” by the president and hallowed territory for the Indigenous people, and offered the assurance that Guyana will continue to keep abreast of international developments and on the role of forests in the fight against climate change. The monitoring and reporting system of local forests, show that Guyana has had one of the lowest deforestation rates in the world, for the past 23 years, ranging between 0.02% and 0.078% annually. The president said forests will be a main focus of the UNFCC meeting scheduled for Parris, France in December later this year. Important discussions will arise from this and other international sessions and Guyana is preparing for these.

Opt-In mechanism Other important developments, President Ramotar added, will take place nationally, such as the piloting of the ‘Opt In’ mechanism soon to be implemented.

This will lay the platform for indigenous communities to participate by their choice, and be part of a national system of payments of forest carbon services.

“This will see even greater benefits flowing to villages

amongst others”. He described the future of forests in Guyana as very bright, adding, “We will continue to work with our local forest industry, and other stakeholders; along with international partners, such as the Government of Norway to advance common goals regarding forests, climate change and development”.

In brief remarks, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud said while all are acutely aware of the untapped climate change mitigation potential that forests have, this continues to be a global paradox. “Even though forests are scientifically proven to represent the lowest-cost climate abatement solution, yet the political will of the developed countries to provide the required enabling finance is simply not there, or mired in unbelievable bureaucracy”. This has proven to be a real challenge, the minister noted, especially those that have large expanses of prime tropical forests which are “the lungs of the world, the reservoirs of biodiversity, the homes and very livelihoods of many especially the Indigenous peoples, the source of essential products for mankind and so forth”.

Guyana a responsible nation Minister Persaud indicated

Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud examining some forest produce on display that will transform village economies across the hinterland of Guyana.”

The president vowed that government will work with sector stakeholders “to enhance efficiencies, adding value; and further harmonising the forest multiple use legislation, policies, capacity building and monitoring

that tropical forested countries face a real dilemma as they must utilise the forests for the socio-economic development of country and people, even as they are being lectured on the dire consequences for humanity, if these multiple use forests are utilised. He noted, “Even more tragic is that

they speak of social equity; however, they fail to provide any viable alternatives for the socio-economic development and empowerment of our peoples, especially the indigenous persons and those living in the villages.

Guyana, however, has demonstrated that irrespective of the lip service being paid by some voices, we will continue being a responsible nation, both nationally and globally”.

According to Minister Persaud, being blessed with in excess of 18 million hectares of pristine tropical dense timbers, covering almost 86 % of Guyana’s land area, it is obvious that the nation’s developmental activities necessitate the utilisation of this renewable natural resource. This is done under a stakeholder informed multiple use National Land use plan, modern and relevant land-use sector specific legislation, appropriate multi-stakeholder governance mechanisms, internationally acknowledged environmental best practices and guidelines- all under the coordination of one umbrella Ministry: the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, he explained.

He listed some of the initiatives implemented by the sector ministry, adding that a strategic plan has also been developed for its operation.

The rights of indigenous peoples have been recognised by government which has ensured that their traditional access to the forest is enshrined in the law, the minister said. “Our caring Government has even gone beyond this by facilitating land titling and extension of Amerindian land through a transparent process as dictated by the Amerindian Act.” Government has also ensured that Indigenous Peoples and other Communities which live in or near to the forest resources, have direct access to state forest, “For example, under the GFC Community Forestry Programme, a total of 72 Community Forestry Associations have been given access to approximately 470,000 hectares of state forest.” With over 3000 people benefiting directly and several thousands more indirectly, Minister Persaud

explained that the Community Associations also contribute directly to the development of their communities, “Of course, this Community Forestry Programme has had a direct positive impact on empowering the members socio-economically and otherwise”.

It was also explained by the minister that government has also partnered with donors to improve the skills, capacities, efficiencies and sustainability of these community organisations, “Only recently, the FTCI signed another contract with the FAO, to access EU funding to further build capacities in six communities in Region 10.”

Brief remarks were also given by Chairperson of the Guyana Forestry Commission’s Board of Directors Dr. Indarjit Ramdass, head of the National Toshaos’ Council Derrick John, UNDP Resident Representative Khadija Musa, ITTO regional Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean Professor, Floriano Pastore and several others.

There was also an exhibition staged at the event to highlight awareness of the forests, and their sustainable use, as well as forest products.

International Day of Forests, March 21, was established by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on November 28, 2012. Each year, various events celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests, and trees outside forests, for the benefit of current and future generations. Countries are encouraged to undertake efforts to organise local, national, and international activities involving forests and trees, such as tree planting campaigns, on International Day of Forests.

The Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, facilitates the implementation of such events in collaboration with governments, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, and international, regional and sub-regional organisations. The day was observed for the first time on March 21, 2013.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

13

Court must be defender of the poor -President Ramotar, as No 51 Village Magistrate’s Court commissioned

J

ustice must be blind, so that people with money must not have more access to justice than the poor, in other words, the court must be a major defender of the poor. These were President Donald Ramotar’s words to members of the judicary, as he commisisoned yet another new court building, this time in Region Six. The president, accompanied by the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Mr. Carl Singh, Justice B.S. Roy and other members of the judicary, unveiled the plaque to the $46 million, No. 51 Village Magistrate’s Court, East Berbice/Corentyne.

The president recounted hearing of untold suffering from people across the country, who feel deprived of justice because they lack resources and contacts. Persons, he said, also complain frequently of others being released on bail, even though they are charged with committing serious offences or are repeating offenders. The consequence has been that many of those on bail, commit similar and even more serious offences, or they threaten witnesses, who then are fearful to testify, and hence the cases fall apart.

Justice “In those instances, the complainants claim that they were denied justice. It is difficult to disagree with them...

While I recognise that I cannot interfere with how bail is granted, I feel compelled to draw these matters to the attention of the judiciary.

These are some of the issues

The Number 51 Village Magistrate’s court, Region Six that lead to a loss of confidence in the judicial system.

When the public loses confidence in the justice system, we will have major problems in our country,” the president said.

Efficiency Further addressing the issue of efficiency within the judiciary, the president also noted that “billions of dollars of state revenue as taxes is also the subject of pending litigations. The impact of all this is that economic progress and financial activities are severely affected. The judiciary must continue to strive therefore to ensure that there be greater efficiency in the way that the system functions... we invest billions of dollars annually into the judicial sector because we recognise a connection between access to justice and the economic development of our country and the social progress of our people.”

The president emphasised that people are more likely to invest in a country, when they are assured that the judicial system can guarantee them quick results and justice in accordance with

law, if litigation arises. These include alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. In this regard, the president said, mediation centres were established in Georgetown and New Amsterdam.

President Ramotar also noted that government has expended much resource, seeking to broaden people’s access to justice. One such area has been developing the infrastructure, he said, and added that “over the last five years, we have refurbished almost every court building right across the length and breath of this country.”

A new magistrate’s court is also scheduled for opening at Lethem, Region Nine, within the next few weeks, while contracts have been awarded for construction of a building in the High Court’s compound in Georgetown, to accomodate two land courts and a registry.

Also on the cards is a new building at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara to house two magistrate’s courts.

“We have increased the complement of High Court Judges from 12- to 20 and the new court houses which are being constructed in the out-

lying regions of our country are now equipped with residential accommodation so that magistrates will be able to sit for longer periods in our hinterland,” he said.

These, and other improvements are being done even while the Government continues to ensure the judiciary remains independent.

“You will never see the PPP flag flying at any court building or any judicial area.

It will remain independent of any political influence,” he stressed, adding that the judiciary is the place to which citizens can resort if they feel violated by anyone, including those in authority.

Cases backlog The president also urged members of the judicary to work effectively and expeditiously to reduce the backlog of cases. He acknowledged that even though significant strides have been made, “the truth is that where ever I go, I receive complaints of cases pending in the system for years. This is unacceptable... we will continue to encourage the judicary to embark upon new initiatives that will foster greater speed in the system in order to minimise the delay we often hear about and the reduction of the backlog of cases.”

Attorney General Nandlall also underscored the many developments facilitated, for the judiciary to improve its efficiency and remain independent. He too noted that the courts must provide redress for everyone, especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged.

He said that the history of Guyana and the world is one

marred by struggle for freedom and justice, and once these liberties are secured, there is economic and social development and the entire country progresses.

“There is economic and social progress when there is a well-functioning justice system. The thrust of our justice system is accessibility for every citizen to justice.

This government ensures that resources are there to facilitate access to the justice system”.

He said, “That’s why we

er again will that happen,” the Attorney General said.

Both Justice B.S. Roy and Chancellor Singh pointed out that the new building is a much needed replacement that will not only improve the working conditions of members of the judicary, but the environment of those seeking justice.

The chancellor also spoke of the judiciary’s independence and noted that magistrates are often encouraged to be effective, fair and efficient.

President Donald Ramotar accompanied by Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh tour the new magistrate’s court invest billions of dollars to ensure people of this country, where ever they are located can have access.”

Minister Nandlall added that, “This government assures you in Berbice, and all Guyanese, that the judicial system will forever remain independent, free of government dictat. There was once a time when the party flag of the ruling party in government (the People’s National Congress), flew over the High Court of the land. Nev-

“In any country, where there is a functioning and effective court system, that is a good indicator of a strong democratic culture and an adherence to the rule of law and that is what this building we are about to open demonstrates,” he said.

The No. 51 Village Magistrate’s Court was constructed by Ramesh Kissoon Contracting Company between February and August 2014; it is next to the old court building.

President commissions gasifier in Essequibo

T

President Donald and other officials commissioning the gasifier at Ramlakhan and Sons Rice Mill at Exmouth, Essequibo

he move by a rice farmer to take up a challenge by government, to explore the use of alternative energy sources, was welcomed President Donald Ramotar.

The president, on March 21, visited the Ramlakhan and Sons’ Rice Mill, located at Exmouth, Essequibo Coast, for a firsthand look at Rice Miller Ramesh Ramlakhan's operations. The miller has invested approximately $40 million in an effort to reduce the cost of fuel consumption at his mill. The plant, which arrived late last year, has already undergone installation and successful testing. The state-of-the-art unit

works with the gases derived from the rice husk. The gases emitted are cleaned of solid particles, tar/carbon and water/moisture, and directed into the combustion chambers of a 250 kW power generation set, replacing 70 per cent of the diesel normally required.

According to Ramlakhan, the gasifier would greatly reduce his energy costs, improve his market viability, and also allow him to keep paying a competitive price to farmers for their paddy, making sure they stay profitable.

Government views energy management and conservation as an im-

portant tool to ensure the rice industry meet critical objectives for short and long term goals. Enhanced energy efficient technologies for design and profits of rice mills have been identified to improve energy efficiency, lower the industry’s dependence on fossil fuel, reduce the environmental impact, reduce carbon emissions and lower production costs.

During his state visit to India earlier this year, President Ramotar discussed the use of such technologies to improve efficiency and reduce operations costs in various sectors using alternative energy sources such as the gasifier and bio-fuels.

14

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

National Housing drive ...an unprecedented success of the various schemes, to reduce traffic congestion and travel time, and improving living standard.

Herstelling Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara ens of thousands of subsidisation. for that... I think it is very working class Guya“We sold some front positive, because it helps nese are now proud lands and retired the sugar in many ways and eases home owners, as a result estate lands more into the tension of overcrowding of Government’s national backlands, and sold some which causes problems housing programme. With front lands to some of the within families, and so we subsidies worth billions of middle and higher income have reduced that considdollars towards providing people for development, erably, to allow more and infrastructure support, over and used that together with more people to have their 200 squatter settlements government’s money to separate homes,” President have been transformed cross subsidise and develop Ramotar added. into housing schemes with house lots, so that ordinary beautifully built homes. low income people could Huge demand -One From cramped one- have afforded to get their stop shop room dwellings in what can own house lots… that is Because of the huge debe described as hazardous how the whole housing mand for housing, the conditions, families are drive was launched, and government initiated the now accommodated in spa- that has gone a very far way “one stop shop” initiative cious homes. now...,” President Ramotar in 2009. This initiative has The PPP/C Govern- pointed out. given significant impetus ment, in 1992, met a very to the distribution process. poor housing sector; many Low mortgage rates It serves as a vehicle for people were living under The next step was to deal fast - tracking the process very bad conditions and with the issue of high in- of house lots, their distriburents were very high. Dur- terest rates from the bank, tion, and accessing loans. ing that time, one of the big which was 30% around Meanwhile, the govcries of the people was for 1992. Today, citizens can ernment’s turn-key homes, housing, and many resorted enjoy an affordable interest which range between to squatting, living under rate, as low as 4.3% and as $4.6M to $14M, continue poor conditions, without a result, persons have been to pave the way for more any kind of facilities. able to build their own persons, especially young Subsequently, the homes. The banks are also people, to have access to PPP/C administration lending more money and their own home at a low sought to implement pro- having faster turn over. cost. Today, the average grammes that were aimed One of the things the home owner is below the at having Guyanese elevat- government has done, to age of 35. ing their standard of liv- ensure people were able There is also the remiing; one of which was the to access loans from banks grant scheme, which canational housing drive, and to build their homes, was ters for overseas Guyanese today over 112,000 Guya- to have the lands used as who want to return to their nese own a home under this collateral. homeland. The lands set programme.

Legislations were also aside for these groups are During the 6th edition put in place to facilitate over-subscribed. of “At Home with the Pres- first time home owners, “so Over the past two years, ident,” Mr Donald Ramotar one of the legislations was focus was also placed on explained that the govern- kind of a rebate for mort- upgrading the main access ment’s first priority was to gage interest rate which roads to asphaltic concrete facilitate the low income was passed in 2013; so now in the housing schemes, in people by a system of cross a lot of people are applying particular the interlinking

T

Hinterland Housing Residents of hinterland areas have not been excluded from the national housing programme: more than 600 residents benefited from the Second Low Income Settlement (LIS), a $40M programme, initiated by the Housing Ministry in collaboration with the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), to address the housing needs in the hinterland.

In Region One, the communities targeted were White Water, Manawarin and Oronoque, while Region Nine communities included Kwatamang, Central Annai, Massara, Katoka and Apoteri.

According to the presi-

ever, he said it will take a lot of planning, because jobs are to be created for people so as not to travel far to get to work.

“We will be putting down a call centre at Tuschen which will create jobs for over 900 persons, and a similar call centre in Enmore to employ another 900; persons,” the president further explained. Plans are also on-stream to establish a factory to make plantain chips in Wakenaam and Leguan to create employment for the residents.

Moving housing development to other areas The availability of land in the urban areas is becoming less; hence the need for land to be developed in the rural areas.

President Ramotar noted that the government is currently working on

President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali with White Water, Region One residents at one of the houses built under the Hinterland Housing Project dent, this programme is a “spin off,” in that not only are persons accessing their own homes, but it also allows for job creation.

New housing schemes Plans are afoot to build new housing areas where state-of-the- art housing infrastructure will be built; more social facilities for the people such as play grounds, recreational facilities, schools, health facilities or full blown hospitals, and malls and gas station among other key facilities.

The president also highlighted government’s plans to build a new city (Silica City) on the LindenSoesdyke Highway. How-

developing the infrastructure in those urban areas to make them safer, and much more comfortable, for persons to live. Government will be building the roads in the West Bank and the Canals Number One and

Two. The construction of the new bridge across the Demerara River will also assist in this regard.

The new highway on the West Coast Demerara, from Parika to Vreed en Hoop, is also another initiative to allow for quicker, more efficient but safe use of the road. This will also cut travel time between Parika and Vreed-en-Hoop by about 20%.

Government is also looking at opening new lands, both for meeting the housing needs and agriculture purposes. “…and we can go to homestead, the old Delconte road, going from Parika all the way opposite to Bartica to… where we can open new lands for farming - different types of agriculture products and also housing schemes will obviously be developed into those areas and we can look at modern kinds of housing and the facilities that people can have,” the president pointed out.

A similar project will be done in the Corentyne, to develop the road from Crabwood Creek to Orealla.

Accessing lands The Government will also be looking at ways to increase access to lands, especially for the young professionals. This initiative will seek to provide an incentive for young university graduates to pursue higher learning, and subsequently provide them with lands to build their own homes. Plans will also be put in place to address the time it takes to access lands.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

15

The Marriott Hotel: Viability of Investment

T

he Marriott Brand, a five star brand, is known around the world as one of the most prestigious and quality hotel brands; and the hotel chain is present in 72 countries, with more than 3600 hotels, and a staff complement of 129,000. The addition of this to the country’s tourism landscape will place Guyana strategically The new hotel will provide employment for 250 people in the hospitality business, through direct employment, and another 100 indirectly. This will be accomplished through the utilization of the services of local construction workers, electricians etc.

The Marriott Hotel, a world class brand, will meet the expectations set out in the hospitality industry here since there are many flagship hotels that have not been delivering the service that is required for the expanding economy.

“It has really set another standard for construction in our country, and we are looking forward to an early opening as possible

tourism sector, the country welcomes such investments to meet the standards required for a thriving accommodation and hospitality sector locally, as we strive to cater to the needs of the high end market.

Guyana is a fledgling in terms of tourism, the business environment is attractive and with a world-class A sneak peak of one of the rooms at the Marriott Hotel so that we can develop our 500 Guyanese. tourist industry,” the head The US$51 million proof state President Donald ject was launched in 2011.

Ramotar said.

As Guyana grows ecoThe Marriott Hotel is nomically, there will be on target for an August greater demands for the ex2014 commissioning, and pansion of the hospitality President Donald Ramotar industry; the Marriott will noted that such infrastruc- help to provide quality serture would go a very far vice and fill the gap in the way in advancing Guy- industry. ana’s economic developThe country has moved ment, and improving the from a US$300 million livelihood of Guyanese. economy in 1992 to a The Marriott will boast whopping US$2.5 billion 197 rooms, a large ball- presently, and the adminroom, conference centre, istration is confident that casino, nightclub, restau- there will be an increase in rant, a concrete walkway business travellers and as and all other amenities of such, Guyana will need topa world-class hotel. When class accommodations. completed, it will provide In an effort to prepare employment for close to for the expansion in the

markets, such as sport and culture, and to aid in the overall expansion of the tourism sector.

The presence of the Marriott Hotel will serve to intensify the competition in the local hotel industry, thereby resulting in better rates, increased packaging and better services. In addition, the

way and all other amenities of a world-class hotel. This, coupled with the planned expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Hotel, will encourage packaging with international flights and accommodations for travellers.

The employment created will have a trickledown effect, and the need

A view of the newly constructed Marriott Hotel hotel that employs 129,000 presence of the ‘Marriott will also for ancillary serassociates, the country will Brand’ will aid in boosting vices from the agricultural be better positioned to at- competition regionally and sector, services sector, and tract conventioneers and internationally. communication sector etc. businessmen.

With branches in nine This will contribute to the The Hotel will comple- countries, Marriot in Guy- country’s tax base. ment the additional infra- ana will boast 197 rooms, a Undoubtedly there will structure investments be- large ballroom, conference be the transfer of technoling made in other areas of centre, a casino, nightclub, ogy and skills with the adTourism to support niche restaurant, a concrete walk- dition of this brand.

Record number of participants take part in 13th Pakaraima Mt. Safari

A

dditional destinations are under consideration as interest in the annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari expands.

Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Indranauth Haralsingh, has disclosed that plans are afoot for the development of other safaris, exploring other areas of Guyana.

The GTA Director was at the time speaking to the Government Information Agency (GINA) at the GuyOil gas station at Regent Street, where he, along with Prime Minister Samuels Hinds, had gathered to send off the participants of the 13th Annual Pakaraima Mountain Safari.

A convoy of 34 vehicles, inclusive of eight motorcycles, about 1 am on March 29, embarked on the 529-mile journey from Georgetown to Orinduik Falls and back.

“It is the most adven-

turous trip in Guyana,” Haralsingh said. He pointed out that the journey is one that takes the participants through one of the most “pristine and beautiful parts of Guyana.”

The safari, travelling through Karasabai, Tiperu, Rukomoto, Morabaiko, Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain, Paramakatoi, Kato, Kurukubaru, and Itabac, culminated at the base of the Pakaraima Mountain Range, where the Orinduik Falls is located.

This year there was the largest number of participants, in terms of vehicles, and some of the contingent are from countries such as Jamaica, Germany and Holland.

Haralsingh said that it is the continuing buzz and excitement for this safari, and the others in the past, that stimulate the exploration for other routes for safaris.

He stated that treks to

Mahdia and visits to other places in Guyana are being explored, as well considerations for some for shorter safaris.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds noted that the safari would not have been as successful today had in not been for the work put in at the beginning by former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. Harripersaud Nokta.

“It was Harripersaud, working with the villages, working with the people along the way (route) and getting them in the first years to manually improve the walking trails, so that the vehicles could come by,” he noted.

Prime Minister Hinds, who has been a constant participant of the safari, described the journey as ‘interesting and challenging’ more so, in the very beginning, “when you were not

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds share safari experiences with a group of participants who undertook the journey on motorcycle. Also in photo is Coordinator, Pakaraima Mountain Safari, Frank Singh and Director, Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) Indranauth Haralsingh sure you would make it and and breathtaking sunset in Tourism Industry and Comwhen for the first time, ve- the interior. The team travels merce, GTA and Rainforest hicles were driving through for most of the day, navigat- Tours. places such as Rukomoto, ing the rough terrain, crossGuyOil/Castrol and MeTiperu…,” he explained. ing rivers and creeks, some- kdeci Mining remain the That the journey today is times being stuck in ruts in major sponsors of this anmuch smoother “is an indi- the trails, even though this is nual event; however, the cation of how the country is not that frequent anymore.

GTA has managed to attract being opened up,” the Prime At nightfall, the team a number of other entities, Minister said. sets up tents or hammocks, including Marketing and The annual Pakaraima and starts cooking in the Distribution, Rover World, Mountain Safari is one open. As part of the experi- and the Guyana Telephone of Guyana’s best tourism ence, the team also interacts and Telegraph Company. products, offering local and with the different villages, The two administrations of international participants a conducting outreaches, and Regions Eight and Nine also 10-day trek into the beauti- making donations, more so play an important role in ful scenic interior, and with to the schools. making the event a success. it, the opportunity to experiThe safari is a collaboence the magnificent sunrise ration of the Ministry of

16

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Region Seven – Moving Forward It is evident that Region Seven-Cuyuni/Mazaruni now stands on the threshold of great economic and social advancement.

Government has spared no expense in providing the region with critical social infrastructure that has brought great improvement and comfort to the lives of the residents of this important mineral producing area.

Quebanang Primary & Nursery School This single building serves both the primary and nursery levels of children in Quebanang, as it has a small population.

Imbaimadai Primary Headteacher’s Quarter Because Imbaimadai is a remote area, the government built this structure to accommodate the Head teacher.

Bartica Hospital The Bartica Hospital has undergone upgrades with more departments added, to cater to the needs of Barticians and other Region Seven residents.

Bartica Fire Station The Guyana Fire Service, Bartica Branch, serves the entire region with specific focus on Bartica and some service extended to the Mazaruni Prisons.

Ekereku Bottom Airstrip Many remote communities in the hinterland (interior) regions of Guyana depend on domestic flights for movement, and to shuttle in certain supplies. This airstrip at Ekereku Bottom, like many others, is maintained by the government, to ensure safe travel for passengers and easy transport of supplies.

Bartica/Potaro Road The Bartica/Potaro road is the pathway to areas such as Mahdia, Mabura, Frenchman and others in Regions Eight and Nine. There has been continuous investment by government to upgrade this road to ensure easier commute for travellers going into these areas.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Riverview Health Hut This modern structure, equipped with solar panels to provide electricity, serves the Riverview and surrounding areas.

Kartabo Health Post This new health post, equipped with electricity via solar panels, serves more than 180 residents. It offers services such as maternal and child health care, malaria testing, and clinics for chronic diseases.

Jawalla Primary School This structure houses a large population of about 2000 children.

Three Mile Secondary School This Grade ‘A’ school, located at Three Mile, Potaro Road, Bartica, houses about 590 students and 38 teachers.

17

The Batavia Bridge This 100-foot long bridge provides easy access to the Batavia Primary and Nursery Schools and to the area’s health post.

Bartica Community Centre The Bartica Community Centre and pavilion were rebuilt in 2013. This facility is promoting the development of cultural and sporting events for youths in disciplines such as football and cricket.

Bartica Water Treatment plant This plant built at a cost of $450M provides safe water to thousands of Bartica residents.

18

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Belle West: A sterling product of government’s housing investment

E

stablished in 1999 to accommodate 1,124 house lots, Belle West Phase One is now a thriving community, with a 77 percent occupancy rate.

Situated on the West Bank of the Demerara River, it is an approximate 20-minute drive from the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).

The area was once Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuco’s) cane fields, and now the growing community is seen as one of the top ranked developing housing schemes across the country.

This growing community has access to electricity, cellular services, potable water and roads. Government, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, is currently upgrading the

ity supply in our homes, the area has developed a lot”.

Shaneeza Ali, who has been residing in Belle West for over 13 years, noted that, “Before, the area was not like this, now you have big houses being put up, shops in all corners and the roads are now being built through every street, there has indeed been tremendous development from then to now. Yes, I own my own home and it feels really good, I do not have to worry about paying rent anymore”.

19

lot, where 59 core houses were constructed, benefiting 236 persons.

Soon the ministry will commence maintenance works on the roads in Phase Two. Resurfacing of the roadways will not be done until the occupancy level increases, but in the interim, maintenance works would be done to assist the flow of traffic.

Social services To ensure the children of the community do not have to travel far to access education, the government has established a primary and a nursery school; these serve students in and around that community.

Serving to enhance the health of the populace is the Belle West Health Centre, constructed in

A road upgraded in Belle West Housing Scheme Phase Two with the level of develop- have improved access to the rity of having one’s own To satisfy the growing ment in the area, especially community. home was comforting. housing demands of more the ongoing road works. She George said that while Guyanese, the Ministry is optimistic in light of the not all the roads in the comOther testimonies various opportunities that munity were bad, there were As time passed, schools established Belle West would be available when potholes and failure of road and places of worship Phase Two in 2011. This is the works are completed. surface material that made were constructed and small a smaller scheme, created commute difficult during businesses began to grow. to accommodate 440 lots. the wet weather.

Within the last five years In fact, more vehicles there has been an increase are now traversing the com- in activities, particularly the munity since the construc- construction of more houses tion works began. Devika that have led to the transforPersaud, who operates a mation of Belle West Phase small shop in Belle West One. Phase I, and whose street is Businessman, Razack already upgraded to asphal- Mohammed, lauded the tic concrete surface, said work done by the governprior to the works, hire cars ment to have house lots bedid not traverse there. Pur- come available to residents A religious place of worship in Belle West Belle West Health Centre chasing goods for her small at an affordable price. “The community’s roads to asGeorge related, that business was challenging, previous government never Today, it has an occupancy 2012, and which caters for phaltic concrete surface. prior to the road project, since she was forced to used to give house lots, al- rate of 45 percent, and this the thousands of residents though the land was there, is expected to increase, in the community.

Roads Residents as well benbut now this government given that the electrical disContractors, H. Nauth and is giving house lots to the tribution network in the area efit from a good supply Sons and Bardon Construcof water, making life far residents, through the new has been completed. tion Services, were awarded Belle West Phase Two easier for them. housing programme they contracts to upgrade the Creating these housing have, which I think is a very is one of the schemes unroads. The projects began der the Government of establishments is costly, good initiative.” on January 22 last and are Ravi Sugrim, who has Guyana /Inter-American but investment in family expected to be completed been living in the scheme Development Bank’s Sec- is priceless. The Housing on June 22, 2015. Works are for over five years, also ond Low Income Settle- Ministry is proud to have moving apace and already lauded the work of govern- ment Programme. It ben- provided families with an the socio-economic benefits ment on the rehabilitation of efited from the provision asset that could be passed of having proper road netthe roads. “We also have 24 or upgrade of infrastruc- on from one generation to works are being felt. hours of water and electric- ture and the core house pi- another.

Resident accessing potable water Belle West, over the supply in his home years, has come a long way, as over $1.5B was spent on Minister of Housing and fetch heavy bags over long infrastructural development Water Irfaan Ali, at the ar- distances. in Phases One and Two, and ea’s multipurpose building, Reflecting on the dethis is in addition to $120M consulted with residents velopment of Belle West for the construction of core on different developmental Phase One, Persaud said homes. projects for the community. that when her family moved Pamela George, who There, it was decided that to the area 14 years ago, moved two years ago to having better roads was a there were hardly any house Belle West Phase One from priority for the residents. and electricity was not Wales, another community They also signalled the there. Life, at that time, had in Region Three, is pleased need for a bridge, so as to seemed hard, but the secuBelle West Primary school

20

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

READ project ends - leaves its mark on small scale producers -Minister Ramsammy

Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy listens to an exhibitor he six-year Rural En- Ten. terprise and Agricul Minister Ramsamtural Development my, speaking at the event, (READ) project has suc- held at the Guyana Internacessfully come to an end, tional Conference Centre, having achieved its major observed that in Guyana objectives. The main goal “…we have lived as a ‘least of the initiative revolved developed’ country and we around seeking to improve are now a middle income the living conditions of country, our next stop is a poor households, especially high middle income counsmall scale producers and try, and that will happen vulnerable groups, thereby because Guyana has good increasing their human, farmers.” social, organisational and He noted too, that the financial assets. closing of the READ event On March 27, at an has shown the many sucexhibition to mark the end cesses which have come of the project, Agriculture about since the government Minister Dr. Leslie Ram- has shown a willingness to sammy told farmers that invest in small farmers. In the project has impacted the process, it achieved the small producers. It was support of IFAD, although financed by the Interna- initially it did not seem that tional Fund for Agricultural the programme would have Development (IFAD) and been successful. However, implemented by the gov- much has happened unernment and the Agricul- der new leadership in the ture Ministry’s Agricultural programme.

Sector Development Unit The new leadership was (ASDU). brought into the programme The beneficiaries of the through the late Vimala BalREAD project were entre- gobin, who understood its preneurs, agro processors, vision. The minister stated producers and enterprise that Vimala understood her owners from Regions Two, job and knew what had to Three, Four, Five, Six and be done and she was doing

T

it. He observed that IFAD had wanted a numeracy programme in Parika Backdam and she suggested that it would be better to build a bridge instead.

Graduating at the top of her class with an MBA, Vimala demonstrated to the young people in Guyana that there was much scope to develop here. “Your best tribute to Vimala is to ensure that your organisation and business continue to prosper,” he stated. Vimala died recently during a vehicular accident on the trail to Lethem.

Minister Ramsammy observed that farming is one of the most important businesses in the world, adding that “For far too long in our country, we have treated farming and farmers as peasants…the truth is they feed our country and our world.” The 2005 flood had a crippling impact on the country’s agriculture, he noted, and urged the farmers that as business people, they should use farming and agriculture to promote their businesses.

The READ project recognised the many small groups which need support, and the efforts of government to promote agriculture do not end with the project.

He has instructed the Permanent Secretary George Jervis to ensure that the READ staff do not disappear from the ministry and that they will find ways to help the farmers to succeed through the linking of producers and buyers, since businesses collapse if there is no one to buy. The fact

that more than 32 countries around the world are buying rice from Guyana is what makes this successful, he indicated.

Agriculture in Guyana cannot be merely to meet food security; it has to be an export industry the minister insisted. However, farmers should get registered with the Food and Drug Agency.

He explained that in Guyana, some things can be grown better than in other countries, and with better seeds and better breeds of animals and better feeding mechanisms, things can go even further. This is what Government is trying to do

to genuine businesses will see that every farm will be registered if the products are to be sold to hotels in Guyana. Whilst hotels have to demonstrate that they are buying safe food, farms will have to be registered.

The minister also noted that whilst raw material should be converted into processed goods and packaged to international standards so that they can compete with brands from around the world. “…we have to start with us, by buying from us…we got to make sure that we support our own,” Minister Ramsammy posited.

Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy addresses farmers at the Guyana International Conference Centre which will reduce the cost He made reference to a of production. value-added workshop held He also pointed out by Arnold Mendonca from that farmers are not earn- the Inter American Institute ing much from their crops for Cooperation on Agriand the new work that the culture (IICA) from which ministry is doing is to link farmers learnt to make sauthe farmers directly to the sages among other prodconsumer, who will pay ucts. He said they could do the farmers. The READ so safely and be certified staff will now become fa- and take it to the hotels. “… cilitators, who will make we could build the enterthe links. He added that the prise, farming remains our Guyana Marketing Corpo- best opportunity to elevate ration will become the av- our lives and grow our enue for Guyana’s goods economy.” and will create contacts.

Whilst Guyana’s econMoving from subsistence omy will have to be diver-

sified through oil and gas and ICT and services which would all become part of it, “…the pillar has been and will be agriculture. I believe that farming is a fledgling business, ready to take off as an important contributor to the development of our country and the Caribbean,” the minister stated.

He observed that of the US$5B spent by the Caribbean on food imports, Guyana could provide much of that food. This money should go to Guyanese farmers for chicken, mutton and lamb. He added that it is his belief that some of Guyana’s meat should be processed instead of purchasing them from outside.

“We should, by the end of this year, be purchasing carrots from local manufacturers, and only blended flour should be used in all commercial enterprises which mean that a certain percentage should be blended with wheat flour,” he added.

Meanwhile, members of the groups who were present lauded the READ project which helped them significantly. Among them were Marsha Williams of the Mainstay Village Council Farmers’ Group; Denise Thomas of the Kuru Kuru Farmers’ Crops and Livestock Association; Jived Ishmael of the West Berbice Sheep and Goat Farmers’ Association; Dhaniram Ramchand of the Bath Referendum Farmers’ Group and Paula Marks of the Young Women’s Christian Association.

New FAO Country Representative presents credentials to Agri. Minister -plans to continue foster ties to push agriculture in region

F

ood and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) Country Representative to Guyana, Mr. Reuben Hamilton Robertson has presented his letters of Credence to Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

The newly appointed FAO representative, during brief discussions with Dr.

Ramsammy, spoke of ways in which the FAO can work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to further push agriculture in the region.

Among the areas of interest discussed were AgroProcessing, Value Added and Disaster Risk Management (DRM).

“The success of any DRM programme depends

on coordination and continuous monitoring, and this is one of the areas in which the FAO is excited to be working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture,” he said.

Enhanced focus was placed on the ministry’s 2013/2020 strategy which targeted the F5 approach in agriculture-Food, Fibre,

Fuel, Fashion and Furniture. According to Robertson, such efforts will see Guyana’s reducing its imports in a major way.

Mr. Robertson’s work as the new Country Representative will be not to only enhance relations, but to strengthen coordination to further push agriculture in the Region.

FAO Country Representative presents his Letters of Credence to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

21

Guyana must resolve towards having a viable source of renewable energy by 2020-Minister Persaud - as Guyana observes Earth Hour

N

atural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud is hopeful that Guyana’s economy will become green, as more alternative energy sources are utilised in the future.

The Minister was at the time addressing the World

mitment to reducing climate change effects and its dedication to reducing its own carbon footprint.

Minister Persaud noted that Guyana has already been demonstrating a high level of consciousness and awareness, in terms of what needs to be done to manage

A dance performance during the Earth Hour 2015 observance at the National Park Wildlife Fund (WWF) and other partners' ‘Light-Out Concert’ at the National Park to mark Earth Hour 2015 on March 28.

The event held under the national theme, “Put Your Best Carbon Footprint Forward” and featured songs, poetry, dances and the symbolic Lights-Off (from 8:30 to 9:30pm,) symbolised Guyana’s continued com-

the environment. As Minister Persaud pointed out, at the national level, the country has its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS,) which sets out the road map for ensuring its development is done in a low emission and low carbon pathway.

Guyana is one of a few countries that have adopted a low carbon strategy as a

national development model. “This indicates political commitment and buy-in by the population that we will proceed in this direction,” Minister Persaud said.

He said that the country is also an example because it continues to demonstrate to the international community and the many skeptics, who believe that once 'you talk environment and you do the things to protect the environment that you will not have economic opportunities and jobs'.

“We have proven you can pursue sustainable development, that you can do the things that are climate friendly and at the same time you can grow the economy and create opportunities for our people,” he said.

Minister Persaud also pointed out that Guyana is the only one of two countries around the world that is receiving payment for eco-services.

“We have been able to put dollar figures on those concepts that many people doubted and have been

As the National Park is plunged into darkness for an hour to mark Earth Hour 2015, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Robert Persaud and others gathered at the observance enjoy light from alternative source skeptical about,” he said.

He said that the Earth Hour initiative is important to lift awareness and consciousness, and reaffirm a commitment, that in moving forward, more is done locally that will have an international impact.

To this end, he challenged that the country resolve to end its dependency on fossil fuel for energy, and in so doing become one of a few countries to have

done so. “Before 2020, Guyana should be proud to stand up and say to all that our energy source comes from renewable sources and particularly hydro,” he said.

Such a move makes sense, not only in terms of having an impact on climate change and reducing the emission, but is one that makes strong economic sense, the Minister noted. He pointed to the fact that the country

will save the US$200M it currently spends on fuel importation. It will also gain because it will create a green economy that will lead to new industries and green jobs.

Cities across the world were plunged into darkness for an hour to mark Earth Hour 2015. The initiative was established in 2007 in Australia by WWF and is now celebrated in over 1000 countries.

Minister Ramsammy rejects Stanley Ming’s call to...

from page 11

ration to privatize the sugar industry. It’s an ugly truth that Mr. Harmon, Mr. Vieira, Mr. Greenidge and others in APNU and AFC want the nation to ignore and forget, but Vieira and Ming are reminding Guyanese of the people who have always wanted to close sugar.

In order to complete the privatisation of the industry, the PNC Government in 1989 gave Bookers-Tate an expensive management contract to manage the industry and prepare it for divestment under a World Bank/IMF Economic Reconstruction Program (ERP). This preposterous plan in the late 1980s by the PNC is now surpassed by the idiocy of their present plan to replace sugar with tilapia or with something else, as presented by Vieira and Ming.

The truth is each time the PPP/C try to finan-

cially support GuySuco, they have tried to stop our efforts. Yet they have the audacity to say the PPP/C Government has starved the industry. Indeed, the PPP/C Government has provided more financial support to the industry than the EU has provided in budgetary support on the Supporting Action for Sugar. Incidentally, APNU is on record of calling on the EU to withhold the sugar funds.

The PNC inherited a sugar industry which in the 1960s, routinely produced greater than 300,000 tonnes of sugar. But this production efficiency began to deteriorate and production fell to a low of 131,999 tonnes by 1991. The PNC cannot deny or hide the truth: they took the resources of the sugar industry and squandered it on failed ventures and mismanagement. The PNC’s sugar levy raped

the industry and left it as a failed industry by 1991.

The PPP/C Government ended all efforts to privatize the industry. We ended any thought of closing the Demerara Sugar Estates, one of the goals of the privatization efforts. Under the PPP/C Government, production increased from the 131,000 tonnes in 1991 to surpass 300,000 tonnes by 2002.

Under the PPP/C Government, we have restored production and have surpassed 250,000 tonnes 13 times in the last 20 years, and three times surpassed 300,000 tonnes. But we knew production above 300,000 tonnes could not be sustained unless critical reconfiguration of the sugar industry is undertaken. We have been doing such reconfiguration and this still requires more time. But the reconfiguration will pre-

pare GUYSUCO to again routinely produce more than 300,000 tonnes and to reach 400,000 tonnes by 2020.

New circumstances, such as reduced sugar price, climate change, dwindling labour pools, more expensive equipment and supplies, etc., that the sugar industry faced in the 1990s and up to now have killed many sugar industries around the world. In CARICOM, St. Kitts, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago have all ended sugar.

Jamaica, Cuba and other countries have down-sized sugar.

In Guyana, we face the same enormous challenges.

But instead of lamenting the changing circumstances and being overwhelmed, we have boldly embraced the challenges and seize opportunities. The experience has been painful and

the set-backs frustrating.

But we have also not been devoured by confronting the challenges.

The truth is there is a silver lining and we will succeed in reaching our goal and sustaining production at over 400,000 tonnes per year. The success of sugar in the future has nothing to do with the gloom and doom of the enemies of the industry, but depend on our most valuable asset – those persons who toil day by day in the sugar industry, the employees of GuySuco.

In these difficult times, when challenges seem more than opportunities some may feel the need to savagely attack our efforts.

But the workers and managers have been sticking to the task at hand – reconfiguration of the industry for another century of leading the economic growth of

Guyana.

I am, therefore, offended by the call by Ming to close the sugar industry and I call on all Guyanese, particularly those in the sugar estates, to reject this call. But this is an opportune time for APNU+AFC to join us and give our country a chance to sustain a crucial industry. Let us declare together in solidarity that we will NEVER CLOSE THE SUGAR INDUSTRY OF GUYANA. I salute the workers of Guyana and I salute the young Guyanese who with deficits in experience, but with a strong sense of commitment, have been managing the industry in these difficult times. Make no mistake though that our best days are ahead of us and sugar, like it did before, will secure a beautiful and sweet future for Guyana and Guyanese.

22

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

10th EDF capacity building project in CARIFORUM launched

I

n the presence of diplomats from the Forum of the Caribbean Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) and relevant stakeholders, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, on March 25, officially launched the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Capacity building project.

This auspicious event took place at the Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown.

Mr. Eugene Petty, Director of Development Cooperation, CARIFORUM Directorate, pointed out that the three-day regional sensitisation workshop, which commenced today, is designed to contribute to the effective overall implementation of the EU-CARIFORUM Cooperation, including the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), with particular reference to obligations relating to Competition, Public Procurement and Customs and Trade Facilitation.

The objective of this project is to provide EPAsupport training programmes in the area of

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, sharing a light moment with her colleagues of CARIFOURM states at Duke Lodge Competition, Public ProAccording to Mr. Per- COM Single Market and curement and Customs and cival Marie, Director Gen- Economy (CSME).

Trade Facilitation. eral, CARIFORUM, this He further added that At the end of the work- workshop will aid in the this is the first phase of the shop, participants will be sustenance of economic continuation of such trainexpected to acquire skills development among the ing under the 11th EDF in EPA support training participating countries. regional indicative proprogrammes, in the above He said it is a very timely gramme, for which negonamed areas. project, which will help to tiations recently concluded The workshop targets build capacity in key areas in Barbados. private sector stakeholders of trade.

Meanwhile Ambassaand staff of CARIFORUM He also underlined the dor Robert Kopecky, Head regional institutions, and importance of efficiency of the Delegation of the Euis being implemented by in the area targeted by the ropean Union (EU) to GuyEquinoccio. The project workshop in the trade and ana, Suriname, Trinidad is a sub-component of the customs industry. and Tobago and the Dutch Institutional and ImpleMarie added that this OCTs, pleaded for the EU’s mentation Capacity com- training will not only ben- continued support towards ponent of the 10th CARI- efit the CARIFORUM this programme.

FORUM EDF, which saw States, but also improve Also, Minister Birkett, €10,800,000 being invested quality in other areas of who is the current Chair of in capacity building. services, such as the CARI- CARIFORUM, urged the

participants to fully engage in the sessions because “there can never be too much training.”

She added that the sessions will allow the participants to share knowledge and experience, even as she expresses pleasure to be a part of this ceremony because it is her view, that trade policy is now by far, more complicated, having evolved in many places of public policy, dealing with the movement of frontiers

currently ongoing.

In addition, she noted that the actions taken thus far by the body, have proved that the region is serious about sustaining its efforts to form and improve its trade regime at the institutional and sector levels.

The EU-CARIFORUM agreement is an economic partnership agreement (EPA) concluded between the EU, and the 15 Caribbean States-Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas,

Mr. Eugene Petty, Director of Development Cooperation, CARIFORUM Directorate delivering his remarks at the launch of the 10th EDF capacity building project of goods and capital.

She pointed out that EPA was signed by member states in October of 2008, with the guarantee that the agreement will be subjected to periodic reviews and the first five year review is

Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Corruption is Opposition’s whipping horse, having...

from page 8

Auditor General AG Nandlall spoke on the matter of the Auditor General’s report. He went back to the time when the PNC was in government, from 1980 to 1992, and the entire tenure of the Minister of Finance in that government, Carl Greenidge during which he never produced an Auditor General’s report to the National Assembly. According to the AG, “that is an indictment of such colossal proportion that this man, by that fact alone, should never be permitted publicly to speak about corruption, because he simply has no moral authority to do so.”

Proffering irrefutable logics and evidence, AG Nandlall detailed that the then Auditor General, Mr. Anand Goolsarran, publicly

asserted, on more than one occasion, that he received instructions in writing, from the then Minister of Finance, the said Mr. Carl Greenidge that he (the then Auditor General) must not audit certain government agencies. What is very ‘unchallengeable’ is the fact that this was in writing, and “we have it archived at the Ministry of Finance. At that time, the Auditor General’s Office was a department of the Ministry of Finance, that is, it was a government department.”

In contrast, for the AG the PPP/C has injected great transparency and accountability, “from 1992, every single year 1993 onward to 2015, we have produced an Auditor General’s report, which is not handed to the government,

but is sent to the Speaker of the National Assembly, for onward transmission to a Public Accounts Committee, which is chaired by the opposition by the rules of the parliament.”

He also pointed to the fact that this committee has now been empowered by this PPP/C administration “to summon before that committee, any minister of government, any official of state, any public officer, to answer any question, and to produce any document, in relation to matters contained in that Auditor General’s report, and this committee has the power to call in the police too, if it finds evidence of misappropriation of funds.”

For the AG, the PPP/C has great transparency and accountability, as it has

removed the Auditor General’s jurisdiction from the supervision and scrutiny of the Minister of Finance and “we have created an independent office, insulating the functioning of that office, from any form of political or governmental interference.”

Again, the AG lamented, “These things are never highlighted, these were never in this country before, we put them, but the opposition would not highlight those things, because that defeats their arguments, they have found a very effective political weapon which is corruption, and they have a fertile place in some sections of the press, that give them this massive publicity.”

Debunking favouritism

In debunking the allegation of cronyism, Mr. Nandlall explained that the PPP/C is a huge party, with hundreds of thousands of supporters, well-wishers, and therefore it is impossible and wrong for members of the party or for relatives of those in the party’s hierarchy, not to benefit from that which is available to every Guyanese.

“So if a relative of a PPP/C person bids for a contract, and he wins that contract, are you telling me that it is fair, constitutional and lawful, to deny him that ‘lawful entitlement’ because he is a relative of or a friend of a PPP/C member? It is not fair, it is not right, it is not lawful. They are citizens of this country, their support for our party is a constitu-

tional right, a fundamental freedom, which they enjoy, and amongst the fundamental freedom which they enjoy is also protection against discrimination for their political views and or political associations. The benefits in Guyana, Minister Nandlall highlighted, is for all as “…we want a level playing field…all are entitled to everything that a citizen is guaranteed by the State. This applies to persons who support the opposition political parties as well. If a person gets a contract because of his political connections, that is wrong. This government has always protected that right, and will always continue to protect that right as we work to mould a system that creates fair opportunities for all.”

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

23

PPP/C will always remain loyal to the Jagans’ ideals

-President Ramotar tells gathering at 6th memorial ceremony for Janet Jagan

A

s persons gathered at the Babu John memorial site for the 6th memorial ceremony for the late President Janet Jagan, they were reminded of her struggles and were called upon to continue to strive to upkeep her gains.

President Donald Ramotar who was among those who gathered at the site at Port Mourant on March 28 to reflect on Mrs. Jagan’s life and work, hailed her as a dedicated woman who fought for what she believed in.

It is for this reason, he said, that the PPP/C administration will continue to be loyal to the ideas, policies and visions she and her husband shared for the Guyanese nation.

Counting it as a pleasure to have worked under the Jagan stewardship, President Ramotar said even in changing circumstances, their ideas and visions are replicated in many of the current day policies and programmes.

President Ramotar noted that Mrs. Jagan herself worked on a very vibrant housing programme, and

almost all of the current social policies were from her vision or were started by the Jagans in their era.

Reflecting on the character of Mrs. Jagan, President Ramotar said she was a woman of great courage and strength, and pointed out that Mrs. Jagan was ranked 16th among the world’s most rebellious women. She started the early struggles in Guyana for women’s rights.

President Ramotar spoke of Mrs. Jagan identifying herself as a Guyanese even though she was American born, and in the face of criticisms, she still stood up for Guyanese and what she believed in.

At times, when Guyanese were rushing to obtain United States visas, he said Mrs. Jagan stayed in Guyana to fight for freedom and democracy.

Speaking of selfless acts of Mrs. Jagan, President Ramotar said even though she was denied access back into the United States to visit her ailing father and missing his funeral that did not stop her from putting Guyanese first.

President Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at the Memorial site where former president Janet Jagan was laid to rest In spite of numerous elations for the younger rageous and bold woman. attacks by the PNC/R gov- generation.

She had to be, to follow her ernment, President RamotPPP/C Prime Min- husband to a strange land ar said Mrs. Jagan more of- isterial Candidate Mrs. with new cultures and to ten than not placed herself Elisabeth Harper was also stand by him to face all the in unnecessary positions among those paying trib- challenges of the day.” while defending citizens. ute to the late Mrs. Jagan.

Mrs. Harper noted that “Even under attack she “I’m pleased to share her in paying tribute to her never lost her kindness and memory as she undoubt- memory, it is important humanity.” edly touched the lives of to remember what she beMention was also made many people throughout lieved in, and the passion of Mrs. Jagan’s written the length and breadth of with which she fought to work which should be pre- this country.” succeed in advancing her served, as he called on the Mrs. Harper said that vision, “A vision for betPPP/C General Secretary youths today can learn ter economic and social to look into the possibil- from a woman like Mrs. conditions for the people ity of having some of them Jagan and they should of Guyana, and in particupublished. never be daunted or disil- lar for the women of our Remembering her as lusioned by obstacles that country, she was an advoa woman of vast knowl- confront them, but contin- cate for equal rights, for edge and talents, President ue to believe in what they improvements for social Ramotar said most of her are fighting for. welfare in particular houswork would serve as rev“She was a strong cou- ing conditions.”

General Secretary of the PPP/C Clement Rohee also emphasised Mrs. Jagan’s work and contributions to the Guyanese nation.

He said this ceremony, which has become a tradition for the past six years, has been one where the party reaffirms its commitment to a good cause.

“Nowadays there are some who are of the view that the PPP/C has no cause to follow, but the cause that was laid down by Comrade Janet and Comrade Cheddi in 1950 when this party started out remains the cause to which we in the PPP adhere to, to this day.”

This cause, he said, continues to be to improve the wellbeing of every single Guyanese and to ensure that every citizen must one day become prosperous, and a partner in the progress that this country has set out to meet.

Meanwhile tributes were paid to the late Mrs. Jagan by members of the Women’s Progressive Organisation (WPO) in the form of poems and songs, while some members of the Cabinet laid wreaths.

Gov’t commits to NIS’ long-term viability-as scheme’s $35M multi-purpose complex commissioned

T

he National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is an important institution, and can be likened as having the same character as that of the Bank of Guyana, which

$35M Patrick Martinborough multi-purpose complex, on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

The two-storey building is equipped with a bar,

Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, General Manager of the National Insurance Scheme, Doreen Nelson and former General Manager Patrick Martinborough during the cutting of the ribbon to commission the NIS’ multipurpose complex is in its 50th year. Because of its importance to Guyanese, the government has committed to the scheme’s long-term viability.

This was told to attendees at the commissioning ceremony for the scheme’s

kitchenette, conference and training rooms, an office, and a pavilion, and will benefit the 610 staff members stationed at the NIS offices countrywide.

“The NIS was established two or three years

after Guyana attained political independence to provide a robust social security and national insurance programme to the people of the newly independent Guyana… The scheme has gone through tremendous growth and maturity, good years and challenging years,” the Finance Minister explained.

Notwithstanding economic challenges, Minister Singh said that the scheme continues to grow and discharge its functions.

To this end, Minister Singh reaffirmed government’s commitment to the long-term viability and success of the NIS. “I want that to be crystal clear, your government is firmly committed to the long-term viability and strength of the scheme, and we will do all that it takes to ensure that the NIS ride through the challenges it might be facing, traverse them and emerge to an even

stronger institution,” Minister Singh reiterated.

However, the task of ensuring a strong NIS is not only for Government, but those who benefit and those who are expected to benefit from the scheme.

Minister Singh commended those employers who have registered their employees and pay their contributions. To those who are yet to register their employees, and are delinquent in paying contributions, he said they are running the risk of denying their employees extremely important benefits.

He said that the scheme is not only targeting employed persons, and urged those self employed entrepreneurs to participate in the scheme. “Contributing to NIS is not only a legal requirement, but it is in your best interest to do so,” Minister Singh emphasised.

The National Insurance Scheme’s (NIS) Patrick Martinborough multipurpose complex, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown He urged the NIS team to the facility, which will be escalate their efforts to en- the home for many activisure that people understand ties, including conferences the immense value of the and training sessions. scheme.

Meanwhile, General Timely processing of Manager, Doreen Nelcontributions is a pressing son, said that this patiently issue, and Minister Singh awaited facility will be of urged the staff to dispose great benefit to all the NIS of, in a prompt manner, the members, especially since backlog they have, with re- it will facilitate training sesspect to posting all contribu- sions and conferences. tions received to the contribShe expressed appreutors’ records. ciation to the Ministry of Minister Singh ex- Finance, for spearheading pressed gratitude to former the approval of finance for General Manager, Patrick the facility, and the manMartinborough, for allow- agement and staff for their ing the use of his name on patience.

24

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Bank of Guyana launches new coin to celebrate 50 years of service

T

he Bank of Guyana (BoG) has launched a gold plated silver coin, minted in Norway, to mark its 50th anniversary in service to the nation.

The design, taken from an in-house logo competition, displays the theme and emblem, reflecting the work of the bank for the past five decades.

Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh who was presented with one of the commemorative coins, noted that Guyana stood strong whilst other larger countries were foundering, urged that “…we should be vigilant and diligent in guarding and ensuring that we build on it while going forward…this is my call to the bank and other financial intuitions, and government is committed

to helping build …the ultimate objective is a financial system which meets all the objectives of the country and the improved access to financing.”

The launching of the coin is yet another event commemorating the yearlong activities, planned to observe the BoG’s 50th anniversary.

Minister Singh, in congratulating the bank and its staff, pointed to the fact that the building of the bank was a significant step towards Guyana’s independence.

He noted that Guyana will soon be observing 50 years of independence and that the coin has been launched on a special occasion.

While the bank is limited in coins unlike stamps, “I urge Guyanese to delve into the vastness of our numismatic

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh receives a copy of the commemorative coin from Bank of Guyana Governor Dr. Gobind Ganga and philatelic history…..” the minister urged.

He noted that the strong stable financial system which Guyana enjoys, has happened through legislation interventions to make the BoG a stronger

GRA commissions new Tax Centre at Diamond

The G3 Building, where the tax centre is located

A

delegation from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on April 1 commissioned the authority’s new tax centre at the G3 Building, Diamond, East Bank Demerara. The media was also given a tour of the facility.

The visiting team included Deputy Commissioner of Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID), Karen Chapman; Head of Operational Support Services, Ingrid Griffith; and Assistant Com-

missioner of Integrated Regional Tax Office, Lavina Walrond.

The new tax centre will facilitate taxpayers from Diamond and the adjoining communities, allowing them to submit their returns and access taxpayer services.

Chapman said taxpayers will be able to file Income, Property, Corporation and other tax returns, request compliance and apply for Mortgage Interest Relief (MIR) and their Tax-

payer Identification Number (TIN).

She also noted that the only service that will not be offered at this time is the issuance of Drivers Licences; however, GRA will be working to have this service offered at the Tax Centre before the end of 2015.

Meanwhile, Head of Operational Support Services, Ingrid Griffith, said the centre was established around this time, considering the statutory deadline which is April 30, for the submission of Individual Income, Property, Corporation and Capital Gains taxes.

This facility will serve to reduce the need for taxpayers to travel to the GRA Headquarters in Georgetown to access services.

Taxpayers can also visit GRA Regional Offices at Parika in Region Three, New Amsterdam and Corriverton in Region Six, Bartica in Region Seven, Lethem in Region Nine and Linden in Region Ten to make their submissions.

and more independent institution.

Dr Singh observed that making banks stable and deepening the country’s financial markets and allowing for access to financing and credit were all part of

legislative interventions.

These, he noted, have broadened the supervisory perimeter of the bank. Minister Singh pointed out that whilst these initiatives all form the parts of the coin, the legislative interventions, which ensure stronger costs for governance in the financial system, have also brought the country together to achieve a strong, well regulated, supervised robust system. He pointed out that Guyana has achieved financial sector stability and strength.

Meanwhile, Dr. Gobind Ganga, Governor of the BoG noted that the institution has played the vital role of providing monetary and financial stability to Guyana, contributing to economic growth and development.

“The foundation laid so far, is in a resilient banking and financing system, as well as a buoyant economy which will not only provide for a stronger oversight of the financial sector to ensure its safety and function, but will also provide enhanced competition to reduce interest rates to afford financing for higher economic growth,” Dr. Ganga stated.

He added too, that the BoG and the banking system at large, have been repositioning itself to face future challenges and to take advantage of new opportunities, to sustain growth and continued prosperity for all of Guyana, as the bank sees this as very important in its mandate.

The coin will be on sale at the cost of $6,500.

Education Ministry gives posthumous award – for Navin Chandarpal’s contribution to science, technology and innovation

M

rs.

Indranie Chandarpal has received a posthumous award for her late husband, Navin Chandarpal, former Presidential Advisor on Science and Technology for his contributions towards science, technology and innovation. Chandarpal passed away on October 28, 2014, after a two-year battle against cancer.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand, presenting the award, read out the words on the plaque: “We extend this token of appreciation with our heartfelt gratitude for your outstanding and dedicated service so unselfishly given towards the development of science, technology and innovation and in Guyana.”

Mrs. Chandarpal thanked the ministry for the award, noting that all persons who had the op-

Indranie Chandarpal and her daughter Gitanjali with the posthumous award for the late Navin Chandarpal portunity to interact with He pioneered numerhim knew of his passion for ous national initiatives on science and technology. She sustainable development also expressed happiness through his post as Advisor that the National Science to the President on Energy, Policy has indeed become Natural Resources, Science, a reality “because I know Technology and Environhe started the process since ment from 1992-2001.

2008, and it is important During the period 2001that we have such a policy 2003, he served as Agricultoday.” ture Minister and a Member Minister Manickchand, of Parliament. Over the who had mentioned Navin last 10 years, he reassumed Chandarpal in her presenta- the role of Advisor to the tion previously, noted that President on Sustainable “he lives in these kinds of Development, Science and policies”. She observed that Technology. he will continue to live as In 2010-2011, he served Guyana continues to imple- as Principal of GAWU’s ment policies.

Labour College.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

25

300 Region Two residents to benefit from small business grant –Commerce Minister

A

bout 300, Region Two residents will be benefiting from training, under the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSE) Development and Building Alternative Livelihoods for Vulnerable Groups’ project, under the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, through its Small Business Bureau (SBB).

Following the training programme, the Essequibo Coast entrepreneurs will benefit from a $300,000 grant to assist them in starting up their businesses.

According to Minister of Tourism, Industry and

U

Commerce, Irfaan Ali, the ministry has already begun the process of short listing the applicants, and thus far over 100 applications have been submitted.

The minister stated that “we have to change the culture from being ‘employers seekers’ to employment providers.”

Further, the minister highlighted that there are also talks about adding an entrepreneurial and development course, as part of the training programmes provided by the Labour Ministry.

“So when we have young persons coming

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (acting) Irfaan Ali out with a degree or masters, they must be trained and oriented in a business way, so that they could create jobs in the community

and we are going to assist them with the seed capital and grants,” Minister Ali emphasised.

Speaking on the issue

of unemployment in the Essequibo area, Minister Ali noted that every young person in the region, like any other person, must be able to witness a viable future.

“That future cannot be accomplished if we do not have employment opportunities, and we recognised this as a government, and that is why we are building the infrastructure that will enable us to bring employment. For examples, if we did not invest in the fiber optic cable, the more than eight companies that are coming here to invest in call centres would have never come, creating more

than 10,000 jobs in different areas,” Minister Ali explained.

Under the next PPP/C government, he said that the administration will have a call centre company investing in Essequibo, bringing a minimum of 1,000 jobs to the people. This he added would not be accomplished if the fiber optic cable is not built.

The MSE Development and Building Alternative Livelihoods for Vulnerable Groups’ project was launched in 2013, and has created jobs and provided training hundreds for Guyanese entrepreneurs.

76 single parents from Soesdyke, surrounding areas certified under BIT

nder the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training (BIT) programme, 76 single parents from Soesdyke and its surrounding communities on the East Bank of Demerara have graduated and received certificates for a cake decorating and pastry making course.

The six-week course was conducted in collaboration with the Government of Guyana and the Soesdyke Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and is aimed at empowering women with the necessary skills for self development and that of their families.

For Dhannyie Austin, this course was of great assistance, since she will now be able to earn more money and take care of her family in the comfort of her own home. She said that she will be taking orders for wedding and birthday cakes.

“I feel proud, happy and excited. When I started the course, I didn’t know anything. I came here and learned everything. Now I am equipped with a skill and I feel proud,” said Shirley Gibbons. She said she will now be able to start her own business.

Meanwhile, Tisheree Taylor said that this is her

Dhannyie Austin with a cake she made after completing the training programme second certificate through ment, to empower women, this programme. While because special emphasis expressing gratitude to all must be placed on womthose who made this pro- en... you are more than an gramme possible, Taylor incubator, you are persons said that she will now be with dignity and must be opening her own cake shop. treated as such, a valuable Minister in the Ministry contributor in national deof Finance Juan Edghill, in velopment and making the addressing the graduands community better,” Minisat the Camille’s Institute, ter Edghill said.

Soesdyke on March 28, The minister alluded stressed on government’s to the fact that the Peocommitment to empower ple’s Progressive Party/ women to contribute to na- Civic (PPP/C) has always tion building. included women in policy “I believe in what we making; in fact, the late are doing as a govern- Mrs. Janet Jagan served as

the first female president and prime minister in Guyana. Even as the country is preparing for elections, the prime ministerial candidate is also a woman.

The minister also mentioned some of the opportunities that government has created for women, through the Women of Worth (WOW) programme, where more than 1000 women were able to access loans to start-up businesses.

Giving access to financing is one thing, but if people lack the skill, they may not succeed. According to Minister Edghill, the BIT programme has provided an opportunity for women to receive the skills needed for them to venture into their own business.

“In the Ministry of Human Services there is a special department for dealing with women, that is, the Women’s Affairs Bureau.

There are women leading in all sectors, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and agriculture...women have their individual responsibilities, and are contributing to the development of Guyana, gone are the days when women were confined to being housewives,” Minister Edghill further noted.

Minister Edghill urged the women to move forward and develop themselves and don’t let their past define the future.

“Your future is not determined by your past. The future is determined by the choices you make to-

day. Out of this group, you might be the pastry chef at the hotels that will be built as a result of the extended runway at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), or you will be the cake decorating person for the next wedding, you must see yourself there,” Minister Edghill told the gathering.

Coordinator, Rima Rohee, said that the programme has been receiving great reviews, and has been impacting many single parent women. She encouraged the graduands to take the skills back to their communities and empower other women.

Recently 50 women graduated under this programme in floral decoration.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, Rima Rohee and the graduates of the single parents training programme under the Ministry of Labour’s Board of Industrial Training programme (BIT), at Soesdyke.

26

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

Guyana’s TB fight seeing results - but challenges still exist

T

uberculosis spells dread for many and quite understandably so. Abbreviated to MTB, or simply TB (short for tubercle bacillus), it is a widespread disease that has fatality written all over it. TB typically attacks the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air.

Annually, on March 24, World TB Day (WTBD) is observed, as the disease is one of the world's top health challenges, evincing some nine million new cases and claiming lives

TB.

Dr. Mohanlall noted that Guyana has every reason to be pleased, because it is actually showing a very positive trend that the incidence of TB, is on the decline, “because from 2012 we had a ‘92 per 100, 000’ population count for TB, but now it stands at ‘72 per 100, 000’ population.”

He noted that in the prisons, “we have had the lowest incidence of just 12 cases in 2014, and this is the lowest in 10 years, and also the general incidence of 494 new cases is actually the lowest in 11 years in the country.”

Solidifying his claim about how well Guyana is faring in this aspect of

Head of the tuberculosis programme, Dr Jeetendra Mohanlall of nearly 1.5 million peo- medicare, he pointed to ple each year. The Day is another trend. “Last year an occasion then to mo- was the lowest TB/HIV cobilise political and social infection rate, that is the pacommitment for further tients with TB co-infected progress towards eliminat- with HIV … 22 percent and ing TB as a public health that is actually the lowest in burden. For World TB ten years. This however, he Day 2015, the call was for pointed out is still high for a global effort to be contin- Guyana overall, and also it ued ‘to find, treat and cure” says nothing regarding “the all people with TB, and ac- key population area that celerate progress towards really needs a lot of attenthe bold goal of ending TB tion and “we have seen a by 2035, and Guy- lot of challenges with that ana has been doing its part population.” in this campaign; it intends He explained that many not to let up. persons do complete the treatment but “when you Guyana forging ahead diagnose persons living Director of the National TB with HIV, who are sick Programme, Dr. Jeetendra with TB, most times they Mohanlall, only recently come in late and that poses brought forth some out- a challenge.” standing statistics. In fact, within the last two years Prison work lauded or so, Guyana has seen 150 Dr. Mohanlall explained fewer new cases of persons that screening for TB with becoming affected with the prison population has

seen positive trends and this is recognised by partner agencies, such as the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO). “We see that the screening is bringing forth the TB disease early and so it makes prevention and curing far more effective. In 2014, we had over 50 % of total inmates in the prison, all the prisons screened for TB, we also do the ‘on entrance’ test when they come into the prison, that is, on entry, and also we do ‘cell by cell’ and also block, so if you have a patient diagnosed in a particular cell, we will have the entire cell screened by contact, so we have very good work going on in the prison, where our team is working with the prison authorities over the years since 2003.

He further elaborated that “we have implemented the DOTS, that is, the Directly Observed Treatment Short course programme in the prison, and we saw 39 cases that year compared with the 12 in 2014.”

The Chest Clinic, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation cation, Dr. Mohanlall ex- care facility and there are 2035.” plained, resides in the fact other nurses too from the In this regard, he statthat TB treatment takes at Georgetown Public Hos- ed that “we are looking least six months, so persons pital Corporation (GPHC), to boost the programme can become non-infectious coming on-stream.” management of multi drug after two to three weeks The doctor however resistant TB and also the after taking treatment, but pointed out that there is still expansion of the new techafter feeling better, a lot the need to see more nurses nology, that is the Xpert of persons become unco- in the various regions com- (GeneXpert) MTB/RIF operative. He added that ing forth, as for example, in test, which is a new motherefore “We will have to Region Three. Two young lecular test for TB, which see how to take other steps, doctors have volunteered diagnoses TB, by detecting because some patients are their services and are cur- the presence of TB bactejust reluctant to work and rently training to man that ria, as well as testing for there is non-adherence in facility. resistance to the drug Riparticular groups, so we fampicin.” Via this method, will be proposing to have Plans results are possible in just some of these difficult pa- According to the National two hours. tients housed in a special TB Programme Director, He explained that “this facility.”

Guyana has an opportunity is a very good test, we have Other challenges Mention was made of to do a proposal for some it implemented in Guyana The TB programme here West Demerara Hospital additional funding from since October 2014, and we still has major challenges and its good work over the Global Fund, and this has have done over 300 tests like ‘decentralisation of the years, but Dr. Mohanlall started seeing that “we are and this technology we are services,’ as “we have sev- said that in the case of the currently doing a concept hoping to roll out in Reeral regions presenting, and new specialised facility, note, we just finished final- gions Three, Six and Ten, the trends are very similar, “there are some things to be ising our multi TB strategy over the next few years. but over the years, we have put in place like to make it 2015-2020, and also we Dr. Mohanlall added had difficult patients from operationalised, we have to are currently finalising the that there was also the Mullow socio economic back- have the full complement Monitoring and Evaluation tidrug-resistant tuberculogrounds, and some of the of staff and other necessary (M & E) plan 2015-2020 sis (MDR-TB) strategy and difficult ones, like patients logistics … now the main and the National TB Strate- the management of these who default, following the thing is the staffing issue, gic Plan 2015-2020.” patients, “as these treatcategory of the migrant and as we have two nurses from He declared that in ments take as long as two homeless population, and the chest clinic, and they terms of projections, “we years, and we can imagine substance abusers, who are actually volunteering have the 2015 NTB Strat- the second line TB medicaactually pose a major chal- to work and I am happy egy, where the Stop TB tions that are used … they lenge to work.” that they volunteered to Partnership is looking at can be very intolerant for This kind of compli- work at this ‘step down’ the elimination of TB by these patients, with a lot of side effects, which will require a lot more social support for the patients and patients’ compliance.

As for some additional risk factors, Dr. Mohanlall cautioned that these relate to “persons from poor socio economic backgrounds, malnourishment, HIV/ AIDS and diabetes … a disease we are keeping a track on, since about six percent of all the TB patients have Staff of the Chest Clinic of the Georgetown Public Hospital diabetes”.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

15, 200 students sit National Grade Six Assessment exams

Minister of Education, Priya encouraging the students of Latchmansingh Primary, Region Five to do their best, just before the sitting of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examination. he National Grade Six As- the end of the primary cycle, to desessment (NGSA) which termine which secondary schools was written on Wednes- students will be placed in. day, April 1 and Thursday, April 2 The exams allow for assessacross centres in Guyana went off ment in four subjects: English smoothly. Exactly 15, 200 Guya- Language, Mathematics, Science nese students sat the placement and Social Studies, each of which examinations, which are offered at consist of two papers.

T

English Language and Science were administered on April 1, and Mathematics and Social Studies on April 2.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, along with Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) Primary, Marcel Hutson, on April 1, visited the Latchmansingh Primary School, Region Five, and extended best wishes to the 97 students, who were set for the exams.

Minister Manickchand said a prayer with the students and urged them to take their time and answer every question on the paper.

Minister Manickchand announced that the results will be made public on or before June 04.

The Education Minister highlighted, that over the years, children have been doing better; in fact, Guyana is at the best place it has ever been, where more children are passing in every single subject area.

“So it’s actually an exciting time in the country, where more

parents can expect that their children will do well...because we have access to education, in a way we have never seen before, everywhere in the country children can access a primary school. We have the highest number of trained teachers than ever before. We used to have 30% trained and now it’s more than 72% of the teachers trained, which means that the children are more likely to get a more solid education,” Minister Manickchand emphasised.

The distribution of resources such as text books and teaching aids has improved tremendously, she noted, resulting in more children across the country doing well.

27

“We have not seen a reduction in enrolment or attendance. We believe that this is evidence of an educated population. We are making fewer children and it matches the universal learning across the world that the more educated people become, the fewer children they make,” Minister Manickchand further explained.

Candidates are required to answer all questions in Paper 1 for English Language, Science, Mathematics and Social Studies and only four questions in Paper 2 for Science, Mathematics and Social Studies. Candidates answer only one question in English Language Paper 2.

Latchmansingh Primary, Region Five

RHOs discuss how to better provide quality health care services

Regional Health Officers, Programme Heads and other health officials s the government and Directors to engage in ticipation from Minister works towards direct dialogue with pro- of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramproviding a better gramme heads, while re- saran, Deputy Permanent quality of health care to the viewing their challenges, Secretary, Trevor Thomas, population, the country’s and engaging in discussions Minister of Local GovernRegional Health Officers on areas of collaboration. ment and Regional Develand Programme Heads met The meeting targeted opment, Norman Whitrecently and discussed the RHOs and programme taker, and Representative challenges they are facing heads from Regions One, of Pan American Health in executing their mandate Seven, Eight, Nine, and Organisation (PAHO), Dr. in the hinterland areas, Ten. William Adu-Krow. and also to address their The officers had an opMinister Ramsaran, achievements. portunity to present a re- noted that Guyana now The two-day (March port on health services in has more doctors in the 27-28) meeting was being their respective regions, af- health institutions than beheld at the Regency Suites, ter which they highlighted fore, due to the number of Hadfield Street. The work- some of the areas on which young doctors who gradushop allowed Regional they can improve. ated from the Cuba/Guyana Health Officers (RHOs) The event saw par- Scholarship Programme.

A

“Every single district hospital, and not only Lethem, Aishalton, Annai and Karasabai which are big communities with health centres, but all have substantive doctors, not only Medics,” he said.

He urged the participants to make full use of the resources provided by the government to ensure that patients in the various hinterland areas receive quality health care. He said that while there may be many challenges in meeting the demands of the public, since the hinterland areas are the most demanding, RHOs must try their best to meet these expectations, and not use the challenges as an excuse for failing to deliver.

The minister further said the Ministry of Health has been successful in eliminating certain diseases that could have had severe economic impact on the lives of citizens.

Meanwhile, Minister

Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran addressing Regional Health Officers, Programme Heads and other health officials of Local Government and with an update on Maternal Regional Development, and Child Health from Dr. Norman Whittaker, noted Janice Woolford, Directhe responsibility his min- tor of Maternal and Child istry has in ensuring the Health, Mental Health from provision of health services Dr. Bhiro Harry, Psychiaacross the country. trist, Georgetown Public “We support the Min- Hospital Corporation, and istry of Health in ensur- issues surrounding Drugs ing that every single resi- and Medical Supplies predent, who wishes to access sented by Mr. Lee Van De health services in those re- Santos. gions, be able to do so, and On Day Two there were in this regard, we reach out presentations on Regions to the population, wherever Nine and Ten’s health serthey are, to ensure that they vices, an update on Vecbe better informed on good tor Borne Diseases by Dr. health practices.”

Reyaud Rahman-Director Day one of the meeting of Vector Control Services saw presentations on the (VCS), and on Tuberculosis update of the health servic- by Dr. Jeetendra Mohanlaes in Regions One, Seven, ll-Director of the National Eight, Nine, and Ten, along Tuberculosis Programme.

28

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

President underscores need for Region Five businesses to come together-lauds Chamber’s revitalisation

T

he resuscitation of the Region Five Chamber of Commerce has been welcomed

by President Donald Ramotar. This was made mention of when he addressed members during their annual dinner on March 21.

The president explained that his administration, notwithstanding the fact that an environment for businesses to continue their contributions towards the growth of Guyana’s economy has been created, the last three years has been complicated due to an intransigent political opposition.

He described the opposition as putting Guyana’s economic development behind that of having “power for the sake of power.” He pointed to the fact that the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project is seen as extremely vital towards the development of a manufacturing sector, as it will make cheaper, reliable and sustainable energy available, and this is well known to all, yet it was blocked by the Parliamentary Opposition. The recent about turn on the Amaila project by the opposition was worth noting, the president said.

“Now (David) Granger

President Donald Ramotar with members of the Region Five Business Chamber is speaking about a Potaro Hydro Development Authority which included Amaila”.

Noting the importance of the critically needed Anti Money Laundering Bill, and that it was voted down, he stated that it shows that the joint opposition was on the side of criminals.

“They have taken the side of the drug lords against the people of this country, two times they voted it down and now they’re telling us they want to pass it”.

He pointed to the draping of the Guyana Flag on the coffin of known criminal “Blackie”.

Speaking of the opposition's claim that the recent killing of Courtney Crum-Ewing was a political assassination, he questioned who would gain by the political activist's death as he was no threat

to the People's Progressive Party Civic government.

The president asked, “Which government would want to do anything like that, to destabilise themselves?”

Continuing on the issue of crime, President Ramotar pointed to the fact that more equipment have been given to the force, more ranks have been trained and hired, Community Policing Groups have been created, and a forensic laboratory established. All of these and other initiatives have been welcomed by government’s international partners, he added. These include the Americans, Canadians and the British, he stated. “In fact they confided in me that the work they are doing in the security sector with them, has allowed them to capture many big drug

lords in their own country, and looking at the links they have with some of the people in Guyana.”

He told the West Coast Berbice business leaders that they need to amalgamate. “It is important that you come together to exchange views and to partner with us, in an organised way, so that we can maximise our efforts in a common goal of creating wealth, and distributing it, so that all of our people can have a very good life, right here in Guyana, so we have credibility in this area”.

Weapons, he further added are being given to businessmen and others who need them, as a priority and more cameras and lights are being installed to fight crime, he said.

Infrastructures such as the deep water harbour and

the road to Lethem are priorities, the president said as part of government’s move to boost business in the future. The role of Go-Invest will also be revised, he said to ensure that it do not “slip into bureaucracy.”

Government’s investment in its citizens via education, improvements to the telecommunications sector with appropriate legislation along with the Education Bill were crafted with the aim of improving services vital to enhancing not only business opportunities, but also the lives of all Guyanese, the president further explained.

The failure of the political opposition to support these initiatives and several other reasons, he explained led to his proroguing of the 10th Parliament.

Instead of proroguing

the parliament until the constitutionally due date, President Ramotar said that being president is “not an end to itself. I don’t want to be president for the sake of being president..."

Additionally, proroguing would have led to uncertainty and negatively affected the economy. This would have been contrary to his beliefs, he added, hence the call for election, and his aim to regain the majority in parliament to move the country’s development forward.

“We can pass the Anti Money Laundering Bill, we can pass the Education Bill and we can put all of those infrastructures in place.”

In closing, the president said it was important for business owners and the country, for them to come together to exchange views and partner with government in an organised way, “in a common goal of creating wealth and distributing it so that all of our people can have a very good life right here in Guyana”.

Also making brief remarks at the event were Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall and Education Minister Priya Manickchand.

Thousands of families benefit from Joint Services ranks, officials complete high -level training courses regularisation process

A

s the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to build its capacity and enhance the capability of joint services ranks, it announced that some of its sector’s key personnel attended Meetings and Training Programmes during February 2015.

From the Ministry of Home Affairs, Helpdesk/ Triage, Guyana National Computer Incident Response Team (GNCIRT) Unit, member Bhoojnarine Hemchand, attended a “Cyber – Security Workshop” from February 2-6, 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The Workshop addressed the issue of Advancing the Caribbean Cyber –Security Framework.

Research Officer Courtney Samuels attended the “First Preparatory Meeting toward the First Conference of States Parties to Arms Trade Treaty” from February 23-24, 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The Meeting discussed the preparatory process towards the settlement of important instruments and issues concerning the implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty in order to lay the ground work for a successful First Conference of States Parties.

Customs Anti- Narcotics Unit, Intelligence Officer Rayon Samuels, attended a Conference on “Legal Intercept Points of Contacts” on February 4, 2015 in Barbados. He was

accompanied by Senior Superintendent Royston Andries-Junor who also participated in an official visit from February 8-10, 2015 in St. Lucia. This visit was part of the ongoing collaboration with the United Kingdom Woman Inspector Phiona Harris and Corporal 17656 Salaish Roopnarine attended a “Deception Detection and Eliciting Responses” Training Course in Barbados from February 23 – 27, 2015. The Training Course focused on enhancing participants understanding of the basics of rapport-based information elicitation techniques and how behavioral analysis can enhance the elicitation process.

T

he Government of Guyana remains concerned about the well-being of all Guyanese, including those who are occupying lands in informal settlements and are under the regularisation programme.

Expounding on the importance of the regularisation programme, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, explained that more than 21,000 families can now access loans because they have built-up equity in land titles, something which was never been possible, prior to 1992.

Since 1992, when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) was elected to government, the problem of squatting was one of the issues the Ministry had to address. Regularisation of squatters, in areas suitable for housing settlements, was one of the pillars around which the new government sought to address the problem of housing. This policy embraced the overall issue of land divestment, where the government ‘adopted the sites and services’ approach, in establishing new housing ar-

eas, along with providing and upgrading infrastructure in regularised squatter areas.

To date, the Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authourity (CH&PA), has regularised approximately 85% of squatting communities country-wide, with an on-going plan to continue regularisation, until all the areas are completed. Benefits of regularisation include ownership of land by way of title, access to infrastructure (roads, electricity, water etc.), empowerment of communities by way of participatory planning for community improvements, and improvement in the quality of life.

The CH&PA will continue to regularise the squatting areas, making them compatible with the standards for development into housing areas, in order to provide security of tenure and improved living conditions for this segment of the population. At the same time, relocation plans for squatters, who occupy areas that cannot be regularised, will be activated to offer improved quality of life for current occupants.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

29

President Ramotar warns against true nature of opposition at Essequibo public meetings

A

s Guyanese prepare for the May 11 General and Regional Elections, they are being urged to reflect and become more informed on the country and its history, and where it is today.

President Donald Ramotar made the call while speaking at two public meetings, which were held at Cotton Tree and Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

said, was a herculean task.

With more developmental programmes planned, President Ramotar told the gatherings his Government has been faced with an opposition, which was bent on taking the country back into the colonial days, where basic food items were illegal to have.

The gathering was also reminded of how indebted the country was under the days of the rule of the Peo-

not without challenges, President Ramotar said.

Speaking of some of the challenges, the president said the combined opposition in the parliament blocked several key developmental projects, which would have turned Guyana into a more modern state.

Mention was made of the Amaila Falls Hydro Power project, the Specialty Hospital, and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

President Donald Ramotar gets a warm hug from this Essequibo resident developmental, President Ramotar said if they were patriotic, and had the Guyanese people at heart, they would not have cut the budget for three consecutive years.

Touching a bit on the rice industry and given the fact that the Essequibo Coast is a large rice produc-

President Donald Ramotar addressing the gathering at the Cotton Field meeting The president spoke at length about the developments Guyana has seen over the years, as he noted that under the new political dispensation, in the 10th Parliament, the government was hopeful of continuing the developmental work.

This, President Ramotar

ple’s National Congress (PNC), and how the incumbent government worked to build and stabilise the economy, which has seen nine years of consecutive growth.

However all of the achievements, which have been made thus far, were

expansion project.

The Head of State however, noted that despite the efforts by the opposition, a lot was achieved, but more could have been garnered had the opposition been more supportive.

Referring to the combined opposition as anti-

ing area, President Ramotar promised that his administration would never abandon the industry, which was suggested by the opposition.

Speaking of his administration’s commitment to the industry, the president said the sector has contributed significantly to the country’s economic growth,

and it is only fair that help be rendered to the sector, when it is needed.

President Ramotar said that once back into government with a majority, bigger developmental plans in the making will unfold and these would ensure that all citizens enjoy a better quality of life.

A section of the gathering at Cotton Field, Essequibo, during the public meeting at which President Donald Ramotar was in attendance

Nigel Hughes exaggerated facts about forensic lab fire

T

he Ministry of Home Affairs has responded to the statement released on Social Media by Mr. Nigel Hughes, Attorney-at-Law, regarding the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL), which has since been featured on other media outlets.

The ministry, in a press statement, noted that whilst it is true that the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory was subject to a minor electrical fire on the evening of March 17, 2015, the facts, however, have been exaggerated by Mr. Hughes.

And additionally, contrary to Mr. Hughes’ claims that the fire “burnt all the electrical outlets on the rest of the floor,” that in fact “only a small fraction of electri-

cal outlets were actually affected and these are being replaced,” the statement said.

“The fire itself was caused due to the close proximity of a chair to an outlet when the outlet itself burned because of an electrical surge and a problem which developed in a phase in one of the main cables,” the statement said.

It went on to say that, “contrary to Mr. Hughes’ assertions, the ministry was not advised prior to the fire that the electrical installation in the building was faulty and poor. Moreover, upon completion of the electrical installation at the GFSL, the contractor produced a Certificate of Inspection.”

With regard to the issue of air quality at the laboratory, according to the statement, the ministry

is currently proceeding with legal action against the Design Consultant. “Whilst this process is ongoing, consultations are being made with regard to identifying a temporary solution for correcting the air flow issue,” the statement said.

It said further that “These issues, while regrettable, cannot be attributed to negligence on the part of the ministry and by extension the Government of Guyana, thus the ministry rejects the allegations made in the release by Mr. Hughes.”

Meanwhile, it also noted Hughes’ statement that the “construction of the laboratory is poor with loose tiles scattered throughout the building” could not be more untrue. “Evidence of poor construction and loose tiles has

Guyana's Forensic Laboratory not been reported by the minis- his comments on this matter, is try’s representatives on their regu- imparting political motives to the lar visits to the GFSL nor has the staff of the Guyana Forensic Sciministry received complaints on ence Laboratory,” the statement that specific allegation from the said, and adding that the minisstaff of the GFSL,” the ministry’s try gives highest consideration to press statement said. the health and safety of its staff It also noted that it is not unu- and staff of the agencies under its sual for teething problems to be purview and is making efforts to discovered when such a highly ensure that any deficiencies curtechnical and complex structure is rently being experienced at the built and put into operation.

Guyana Forensic Science Labo“The ministry therefore is of ratory be alleviated on a timely the opinion that Mr. Hughes, by basis.

30

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

First all-weather outdoor volleyball court commissioned in Port Mourant

T

he community of Port Mourant, Region 6, is the beneficiary of a new outdoor volleyball court. This project was spearheaded by the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) through a grant from the International Volleyball Federation (IVF) and the South American Volleyball Federation.

moreover, last year a team from the Region represented Guyana at the Inter Guiana Games, where after seven years the Guyana team won the competition.

In attendance at the ceremony were Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation, John

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony is joined by Regional Chairman David Armogen in unvieling of the plaque of the new Outdoor Volleyball Court at the Port Maurant Community Centre Ground The rubberised outdoor court located at the Port Mourant Community Ground was officially commissioned on April 2. The new sporting facility has been lauded as a fitting gesture as there are many volleyball players in Region 6,

Flores, Regional Chairman David Armogan and other regional officials.

The Sport Minister noted that the government has been paying a lot of interest to the development of sports throughout the country.

He emphasised that sports is important and everyone must work hard towards its development.

“We must move away from the perspective that sports is just recreational,” he said.

The Minister added that there are careers in sports, and that sports fosters social cohesion. “Sports and culture are two common things we can identify with,” he highlighted.

Minister Anthony pointed out that sports is also a multi-billion dollar industry. It is therefore important that Guyana produces sportsmen and women who can represent the country internationally. Berbice has a rich history in producing the best cricketers and that legacy still continues today. However, outstanding sportsmen and women must also be produced in the other disciplines.

The Minister lauded the GVF for their efforts which also includes nursery programmes which attracts many youngsters. The GVF was also instrumental in training teachers on volleyball.

It is hoped that similar courts can be sourced for other locations in Guyana.

This project is a part of the broader package of sports development.

Minister Anthony dis-

The new Outdoor Volleyball Court at the Port Maurant Community Centre Ground closed that there is a master plan in place for the continued upgrade of the Albion Ground. The intent is that international cricket can return to Albion in the near future. While touching on the other sports facilities such as the 50-metre and 25-metre pools and the Guyana National Stadium, Minister Anthony announced that on April 17 the National Athletics Track will be officially commissioned.

Meanwhile Flores explained that in January 2014 the GVF received a correspondence from the IVF that they were willing to provide the outdoor court. That was the start of discussions as to where the court should be housed.

Region 6 was selected because of the number of volleyball activities that are held there, he explained.

With the help of the Minister Anthony, the GVF was able to clear the portable court – with no duty fee paid. Prior to the laying of the rubberised court, a concrete base was constructed.

The efforts of the previous GVF executive had seen the sourcing of the synthetic surface laid at the gymnasium where indoor volleyball is played.

Flores expressed his appreciation for the support given by all the stakeholders in making the venture a success.

Hutton Griffith a rep-

resentative from Guysuco noted that the organisation is pleased with the installation of the court, which like the lights at Albion, provides a constructive alternation for youths in the community.

Imran Ally from the Regional Democratic Council emphasised that it was a very proud moment for the Region 6 Administration since it adds to the sports landscape of the region. He added that the RDC regards sports as an avenue that develops healthy bodies and minds.

Further, the lights installed at Albion are a testament to the investments made in the sports development in Region 6.

This time around, the Minister distributed close to 1000 to the East Coast Demerara children. “It has been done for a number of years. The many other ministers, as well as the First Lady have distributed kites on the East Coast.

We try to spread the joy of Easter, and we target primarily the children whose parents might not be able to buy them kite,” the Minister said, as he explained the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Government’s Easter tradition.

“We ensure that they (the children) receive kites

so that they will enjoy Easter like any other children. Our objective is that on Easter Day, every child in Guyana must be able to have a kite,” he said.

As part of the exercise, Cabinet Ministers, from Holy Thursday to Easter Monday, distribute kites to children across the country.

Meanwhile General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, and Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee spearheaded the distribution of over 5,000 kites to children of Enmore, Mahaica and Berbice.

Cabinet Ministers distribute thousands of kites to children

As customary, Members of the Cabinet, during the different seasons and holidays reach out to the less fortunate, and to lend whatever assistance that will ensure that they obtain the same joy and excitement as other Guyanese.

So it has been done during the Christmas season with the distribution of gifts, and it continues during this Easter season with the distribution of kites.

For the less fortunate children in the communities of Buxton, Annandale, Non Pariel Vigilance, Bladen Hall and Strathspey, it is

Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General with the children of Buxton and Annandale

now an annual feature that the Minister of Legal Af-

fairs and Attorney General Anil Nandlall will visit dur-

ing the Easter season and distribute colourful kites.

The Guyanese - “Keeping the Diaspora informed”

31

Thousands attend PPP/C Kitty Rally

Harper takes stand against violence

A

s thousands of Guyanese turned out at Kitty Market Square, to show their support towards the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper, she used the platform to reaffirm her stance against domestic violence.

“We will review all the laws that will encourage and promote women’s rights and equality. We must exercise zero tolerance on domestic violence,” Harper said. She explained that domestic violence destroys who we are and everything we stand for and we as a community should not encourage it and “I encourage our men to participate in this fight also.”

Harper told the massive crowd at Alexander Street, that the ruling party has intention of establishing a special unit that would seek to address and investigate reports of domestic and other forms of abuse.

“The PPP/C will establish a Special Crimes Unit, that would address issues, related not only to domestic violence, but also child/ sexual abuse and rape, and work to ensure that our security and judicial systems give justice to victims,” she declared.

Additionally, Harper in her speech, touted the revision of all laws that concern Guyana’s female population, this with the view of strengthening those laws to

In Arms: the 2015 Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates of the PPP/C. better protect and foster the tic violence. It destroys a development of women. woman’s self- confidence.

“Ensuring that women It destroys the family. It and girls share equally in destroys everything about the benefits of develop- who we are as a society.” ment is vital. In order for She also explained that this to happen, they have teenage pregnancy is also a to be empowered to do so big problem and “our manand their rights fully be ifesto will be addressing respected. We will review these issues also.” “If you all of the laws that concern had to leave school early, women, to strengthen leg- you have another chance islation and policies where to continue your education necessary, that promote and provide for your famwomen’s rights and gender ily, opportunities will be equality,” said Harper. available to support you,” The Prime Ministerial she said.

Candidate for the ruling She also explained that administration also ex- single parents will be able plained that the party has to also further their educaplans to conduct a national tion, training and day care consultation on a possible services will be provided, gender policy for women. child support will be manShe said “we must datory by the court as some also, as a society across the opportunities that will the political divide, have a be available to the single zero tolerance for domes- parents.

The PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper takes a group photo with several cabinet members

from page 2

Former President Jagdeo warns electorate to be aware of dictators in disguise

A

mid a rousing reception from thousands assembled at Kitty, Georgetown, Former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, issued a stirring appeal to the electorate to beware of the ‘dictators in disguise’ in the opposition camp, who come to them as ‘angels of development’, pleading for their votes.

Speaking at the launch of the party’s campaign, and more directly to the youths who were the vast majority of the crowd, Dr. Jagdeo warned that the combined opposition must not be trusted.

He pointed out that even with insurmountable evidence, Granger still vehemently denies that the People’s National Congress (PNC) rigged elections to stay in office, and Nagamootoo, a former People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Executive, has chosen to forget what happened.

The former President told the massive gathering that Granger’s denial is indicative of the PNC, and how it regards freedom of the people and what it will do if entrusted with power.

“If a man who seeks that high office in 2015 can say elections were never rigged in, then three things we can discern about him: he lacks the decency to admit the truth; he is unrepentant about the past or he is delusional,” Dr. Jagdeo said, emphasizing that this is not the kind of material to ensure the continued growth of development of Guyana.

He said when the rights of Guyanese were trampled upon, Granger denied it, and will do so again if elected.

This, he said, is not what the country wants, as it will do no good for the future of young people and of the country. They are people who find comfort in putting the people at discomfort, the former President said.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the PPP/C Rally at Kitty, Market Square He said the government has seen what the opposition can do, recalling that AFC Executive, now Granger’s deputy in the APNU+AFC Alliance, Moses Nagamootoo, and AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes, at one time, gave President Donald Ramotar, an elected

not speak about that because his and Nigel Hughes’ ultimatum had triggered what happened in Agricola and they are counting on us having short memories,” Dr Jagdeo said.

He pointed out that since 1992, all elections violence has been triggered by the opposition, contending that it is the nature of the PNC and it has not changed.

He also warned against Nagamootoo. “Let me tell you what Granger has done with Nagamootoo; he has put a Prime Ministerial comforter in his mouth, and so, while he is sucking on this potential Prime Ministerial comforter, he has forgotten the violence of the PNC elections, he has forgotten that the elections were rigged,” the former President said.

He said Nagamootoo is so far gone that he has even

Another section of the gathering at the rally in Kitty president, an ultimatum to remove Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee or face the consequences.

But Ramotar ignored them, and they wasted no time to show their true colours. “By the next afternoon, thugs were mobilised and we had Agricola, they break the roads, beat up people, women couldn’t pass there who live on the East Bank, people couldn’t go back home… women were pulled out of vehicles and harassed, and guess what?

They have the capacity to do this. Nagamootoo does

denied that he is an Indian, but yet he is promising to give Granger 11 percent of Indian votes for Granger’s PNC to win the elections.

“This is not about being Indian, it’s not about being Afro Guyanese, it’s not about being Amerindian or any other race, it is about the future of Guyana,” he stressed.

Dr. Jagdeo said too that in spite of the opposition’s vicious charges of corruption, the PPP/C stands with its head held high, because it can compete on its history and its record.

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

Issue No: 14

April 10, 2015

Guyana Postcard

The beautiful Number 77 Nursery School, Region Six

The state-of-the-art nursery school, built to Caricom standards at a cost of $82.3 M and equipped with ramps at the entrances and exits caters for disabled children.

See Story on Page 5