GNBS re-certifies Sigma Labs
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) said it has re-certified the Sigma Labs located at 332 New Market Street, Georgetown to the Guyana Standards, on June 2 last.

According to Public Relations Officer of GBNS Mr. Lloyd David, Sigma Labs has competently proved that they are capable of developing and maintaining a comprehensive laboratory management system, as outlined in the Laboratory Standard, which will facilitate the delivery of accurate, reliable and consistent test results.

David said the Bureau takes this opportunity to congratulate Sigma Labs for this significant achievement of certification under which testing in the areas of Biochemistry, Haematology, Histology, Parasitology, Serology and Microbiology can be conducted by the laboratory.

According to David, to maintain recognition, all certified laboratories are re-evaluated periodically by the GNBS to ensure that there is continual compliance with the requirements and to check that their standard of operation is being maintained.

He said laboratories may also be required to participate in relevant proficiency testing programmes between reassessments, as a further demonstration of technical performance.

David stated the certification of Sigma Labs brings the total number of laboratories certified by the GNBS to four.

He said the other medical laboratories certified under the GNBS Lab Certification programme are Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Laboratory, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Laboratory and Eureka Laboratory.

According to David, the GNBS is currently working with other Laboratories to have them certified under the programme.

Sugar quota in Berbice being monitored following reports of smuggling
AN investigation is currently ongoing into reports about sugar being smuggled out of Berbice into neighbouring Suriname.

A statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said residents are fearful this situation may lead to a shortage and an inevitable escalation of the price for the commodity in the Ancient County.

During a visit to Region Six on Sunday last, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud assured farmers that at present there is no shortage of sugar and that strict monitoring of the quota is being done.

“There is strict management of the quota system because we have the reports and we have also advertised the price at which people should sell sugar. Any distributor who sells above that price, we will take away the arrangement which they have with GUYSUCO,” Minister Persaud warned.

He added that such a manipulative act stems from the incentive which the perpetrators will receive for smuggling.

“They (the perpetrators) know that the numbers are of vast difference; what the local consumers pay and the price that it can be sold for and so there is an incentive to smuggle it out and we have to stop that,” the Minister said.

He said Government, in the interim, will ensure that the availability of sugar on the local market is sufficient and called on regional authorities to identify areas in Berbice where there is a distribution problem.

Once this information is available, Minister Persaud said the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) can facilitate the sale of sugar similar to the flour price assistance programme.

Trucks from the GMC go around the country selling flour at the price that obtained prior to the increase instituted by the National Milling Company of Guyana last month.

At present, the production figure for sugar is over 103,000 tonnes and according to Minister Persaud, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) is fast-tracking its production to create a surplus.

Drainage works in Berbice essential as rainy season still being experienced
– Minister Persaud
MINISTER of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, has called on Regional authorities in Regions Five and Six to place more emphasis on improving drainage as the May-June rainy season continues to be experienced.

He made this call while on a visit on Sunday last to Regions Five and Six to speak with and solicit suggestions from farmers and other residents on mitigating the effects of heavy rainfall in their communities.

The Minister, accompanied by Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth and Regional officials met residents at Ithaca, Blairmont and De Edward in Region Five, and Number 19 Village and Canefield, Canje in Region Six.

Both regions over the last week were heavily affected by inundation after about four to Six inches of heavy rainfall was experienced resulting in some residents, especially farmers, losing valuable possessions.

The regional authorities have since been on-the-ball to improve the drainage capacity and Minister Persaud urged that stricter monitoring and maintenance of drainage works continue now that the water has receded.

The Region, with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, reopened the Pepper and the double door sluices at Canefield, Canje, which were dormant for about eight years.

A pump from the Number 43 Village was also deployed to the Pepper sluice to expedite the process.

This effort has significantly improved the discharge capacity in the community. However, there is still a lot more work to be done, according to Minister Persaud.

While speaking with farmers and other residents at the Rose Hall Welfare Centre, Canje, in Region Six, Minister Persaud emphasised the need for drainage improvements, noting that co-operation is of utmost importance.

“The climatic conditions, we don’t believe will improve so we have to adapt by doing things properly and much more efficiently in the management of our drainage system and the general management of irrigation too… We must ensure that we give the different agencies support and hold them accountable. It is not the responsibility of the agencies alone. It must also be residents supporting these agencies,” Minister Persaud said.

Some residents complained about the ineffective functioning of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs). At Number 19 village, they vented their frustration about the NDC Chairman by holding placards calling for his resignation. Others lamented the improper garbage disposal measures which result in siltation of drainage channels. They stated that garbage is being indiscriminately dumped into waterways.

Other residents noted that the problem stems from the overflow of water from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) into residential areas.

The Minister, in response, disclosed that instructions were given for Guysuco to work closely with the NDIA and the Regional authorities to support both cultivation and residential areas.

He said Guysuco over the years has invested significantly in pumps and this has resulted in the neglect of sluices.

This, he noted, needs to be corrected.

Constant monitoring, deployment of engineers, equipment and pumps at various locations and enhanced communication systems are among the main measures in place to deal with the current mid-year rainy season.

Despite the recent downpours, there have not been any reports of countrywide flooding although water levels have increased at several locations. (GINA)

Minister Sukhai impressed with work of North Rupununi District Development Board
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, is impressed with the work of the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) and is happy that its members have taken-up the challenge to develop themselves.

“Communities can only move forward if leaders debate and make agreeable decisions on behalf of residents on the affecting issues,” Minister Sukhai said.

Last Friday, Minister Sukhai was invited by the NRDDB to its quarterly meeting at the Bina Hill Institute, Annai, Region Nine.

The Minister was given a first-hand look at developmental works in the community, as well as a briefing on the challenges faced.

The North Rupununi District of Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) comprises 16 communities.

The NRDDB is a statutory body formed by the Toshaos and Senior Councillors to represent community welfare and initiate developments in their respective communities.

At this meeting, Toshaos are given the opportunity to highlight their community issues so that interventions can be made to help the leaders resolve them within their respective communities.

Minister Sukhai intervened in several of the matters and sought to address them immediately, providing advice and other assistant where necessary along with members of the NRDDB.

She also urged members at the meeting - which was chaired by Toka’s Toshao, William Andries, to continue their hard work toward the development of their community.

Several other Agencies including Iwokrama, Conservation International (CI) and World Wildlife Fund were among the invitees to the meeting.

These bodies use the resources of the communities of the North Rupununi to provide an income for residents and to further enhance their tourism drive.

The agencies reiterated their commitment to continue working with the communities to build capacity through small businesses and to facilitate a larger tourism growth in the district.

They also told the NRDDB of their future plans to use the communities’ resources to enhance development and highlighted some of the constraints affecting them.

The Board was also updated by Iwokrama and CI officials on the butterfly, caiman, and wetland projects and fish sporting to enhance the tourism drive in the surrounding communities.

Minister, regional chairs discuss community festivals
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, met with Regional Chairs and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 6 and 10 on Monday last at the CARIFESTA Secretariat in Georgetown, to finalise activities for the community festivals to be held in those regions during CARIFESTA X, August 22-31, 2008.

Among the events being planned for August 22-30 in the various communities are concerts, fashion shows, art and craft exhibitions and musical performances. According to Artistic Director of CARIFESTA X, Dr Paloma Mohamed, programmes being planned for the community festivals “must be representative and inclusive of not only Guyana’s culture but of what is unique to that particular region.”

The community festivals are expected to include components of children and youth involvement, and also serve as an outlet for expressions of local talent and wholesome family entertainment. Participation is also being drawn from international artists.

Crowd control mechanisms formed part of the discussion and will be implemented at the community concerts and signal events. Technical and human resources are being provided by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for the regional shows.

Domestic Violence National Policy to be launched today
By Nathalene de Freitas
MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand, on Monday, announced that for the first time under the Domestic Violence Act, Social Workers have been gazetted.

She said that under the Domestic Violence Act of 1996, social workers have now been gazetted and will appear before the court on behalf of victims.

“Under the Domestic Violence Act, we now have social workers gazetted to appear in court on behalf of victims, either children or complainants. This has never been done since the act was formulated, but with the gazetting of qualified social workers this will now be possible,” she said.

“We are training social workers specifically as it relates to domestic violence, on how to counsel victims and how to make application to assist in the courtroom. They could not have done that if social workers were not gazetted under the legislation,” the minister told this newspaper in an invited comment.

Minister Manickchand pointed out that the ministry intends to have all social workers gazetted. She noted that in March of this year, 43 social workers were gazetted and expressed the intention to gazette and train all social workers on her staff.

In 1996, the Domestic Violence Act was enacted, and it legislates against all forms of domestic violence, providing civil remedies such as protection, occupancy and tenancy orders.

The act provides for the removal of an abuser from the home when deemed necessary. The police could make application for a protection order or a registered social worker could do so on behalf of the victim.

The act stipulates that intervention by a social worker is primarily focused on stopping the abuse and protecting the victim by educating, counselling, and if possible, finding alternative accommodation for the victim. A professional social worker whose name was gazetted for such purpose can take the matter to court on behalf of the victim under the domestic violence act.

Meanwhile, the minister pointed out that today, the Domestic Violence National Policy will be launched, focusing on wider domestic violence and not on sexual violence alone, as was the case during the ‘Stamp it Out’ campaign.

According to Manickchand, the Domestic Violence National Policy is a comprehensive five-year policy and it contains systematic areas for action. Manickchand asserts that “this will not be just policy on paper, but rather will see the realisation of words into action”.

“We have spent a long time talking about these issues, not that talk is not good, because awareness is crucial in this area, but we now have to really ensure that service providers provide service and that we look at domestic violence holistically, hence the document,” noted Manickchand.

Apart from the Domestic Violence National Policy, the minister announced that consultations around the document of the ‘Stamp it out’ campaign have been concluded. A number of e-mails and inputs, either in writing or verbally, have been received, and in excess of 60 consultations were successfully conducted across the country.

Proposals in the document as well as proposals generated from in and around the document will be used in the report, and within the next two weeks the report on the consultations will be made available. She said the process of drafting the legislation against sexual violence is being completed with bits of legislation already in place.

Skyservice comes to Guyana
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, has met with the Director of Titantours, Guyanese-born Mr. Thomas Luck, to look at Skyservice flying to Guyana.

Mr. Luck disclosed that the plan is for Skyservice to fly non-stop from Toronto to Georgetown and back during the peak season beginning July 1st.

The intention is to have a non-stop flight every Tuesday, according to a statement yesterday from the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

Minister Prashad commended the Director of Titantours for the initiative of making travel for Guyanese to Toronto and easier with the non-stop flight. He believes that the coming of Skyservice to Guyana is quite timely as the peak season is almost here.

“During the summer vacation, lots of Guyanese want to return home and the non-stop flight to Guyana will allow those with children to visit families, friends and loved ones,” says Minister Prashad.

At the meeting, Mr. Luck explained that Travelspan, acting on behalf of Titantours, will be the general sales agent for Skyservice which will allow passengers a baggage allowance of two pieces of 30 lbs each and a carry-on of 10 lbs.

Founded in 1986, Skyservice is a Canadian aviation enterprise servicing the needs of Canadian travellers and the business aviation community. Skyservice operates Canada's premier Commercial Charter Airline, top Fixed Base Operations and a leading worldwide Air Ambulance service.

Over the past few months, Minister Prashad met with several airline operators to discuss various prospects for boosting tourism here.

The coming of Skyservice to Guyana is a result of the successful efforts of the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

CARIFESTA X update
WITH 71 days to go before the hosting of CARIFESTA X, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony has assured that Guyana is moving ahead with preparations for the mega event.

He made this remark at his weekly press briefing at the CARIFESTA X Secretariat, Middle Street, Georgetown.

CARIFESTA X is slated for August 22 to 31, under the theme ‘One Caribbean, One Purpose; Our Culture, Our Life’.

The Minister said the visits to lift awareness and form regional committees have been completed.

“They (the committees) have started their planning for the activities that are going to be happening in their respective regions,” he informed the media.

Dr. Anthony said that to date, 25 countries have confirmed their participation. Some of them have submitted the size of the delegations and the composition of who would be coming to do what, and the deadline for all this is 15.

Accommodation
He recalled that a survey of hotels in Georgetown had been done, with the hotels being graded.

“We have that in our data base, and already we have 11 countries that have already booked accommodations in some of these facilities,” the minister added.

Dr. Anthony said participants have booked more than 331 rooms with a capacity to accommodate some 819 persons.

“So we are very pleased that at this early stage rooms have been booked for delegations and we understand that everyday the hotels are getting calls for further bookings,” he noted.

Bed and Breakfast
Minister Anthony said the Bed and Breakfast programme coordinated by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has onboard 25 properties with 78 rooms that can accommodate 156 persons.

“Again, if there are persons who are desirous of participating in this programme, they can register with the GTA and we will publicise them,” he added.

Transportation
“Part of our obligation would be that we have to provide ground transportation for our delegates, and so we would require a number of motorcars and buses,” the minister said.

He said a call from the Secretariat was answered by some service providers who have since registered, but more cars and buses are needed.

He said the vehicles would be inspected to ensure standard and quality, while drivers will have to be trained.

In some cases drivers will act as tour guides.

The deadline for registering with the Secretariat in this area is June 15.

Volunteers
The minister revealed that the response for volunteers has been good, with some 976 persons already registered. Additionally, 22 persons with various language skills have also come onboard.

The deadline for registration of volunteers is June 30.

Carifesta X Caravan
He said the ministry and Secretariat continue to carry out a number of activities to lift awareness for the mega event, and the Carifesta X Caravan has already been taken to Regions 2, 6, 10 and parts of Region 4.

Dr. Anthony noted that a number of other visits by the caravan are scheduled for other regions around the country.

“So far the caravan has attracted a lot of attention and I think it is doing what we intended it to, that is lift awareness and to raise people’s expectations, giving them a taste of what Carifesta X would look like,” he said.

Talent Search
Dr. Anthony indicated that the Talent Search will run from June 13 to July 25, when the Secretariat will be fanning out to various regions across the country to find people who have got various talents.

He said this will cover drama and dramatic poetry; music, especially folk music and national songs; monologue or talk culture; and stand up comedy and dance.

“We will have teams of people that will be going into the regions, they will have auditions, and the best performers will be invited to the National Cultural Centre in July,” he explained.

From here, he said, the best of the lot will be assured a spot to participate in various Carifesta X activities.

Child Art Competition
A number of entries for the child art competition have been submitted and judging will commence shortly. The painting of the seawall mural by school children from Sheriff Street to Conversation Tree will take place at the end of June.

Television owners
The Minister said that President Bharrat Jagdeo met with a number of television owners and producers to help promote Carifesta and meetings are ongoing.

The “Talk Carifesta’ programme is ongoing and the materials developed are being shared with other media stations as well.

‘Carifesta Rhythm’
He said shortly, a musical programme, ‘Carifesta Rhythm’, will be aired on 98.1 Hot FM Radio, and will feature music from the various countries participating in Carifesta X.

Theatre training
Orientation for the $18M Theatrical Training Programme funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) through a grant and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was held June 2.

“This is not just investment for Carifesta X, it is going to go beyond Carifesta because it is going to help us to build capacity in the various areas of theatre production, and I think it is really needed in our country,” he observed.

“We also see that there will be a lot of spin off value and it can create a number of other cultural industries,” he said.

The training kicked off last Saturday.
Children in Carifesta X
He said that there will be a number of avenues where children will be participating, including the opening ceremony, with more than 1000 children performing in a dance, and a choir comprising 500 children, and of course the Youth Village at the Exhibition Site.

Building capacity
Fourteen interns from the University of Guyana started working with the Secretariat on June 2.

Dr. Anthony said that the final year communication students have been placed in various areas within the Secretariat.

“I am sure they will enhance our capacity here at the Secretariat,” he noted.

Also, he announced that a Cuban dance choreographer has arrived in Guyana to work with the team. He has national and international experience in coordinating major shows.

GFC investigates alleged timber export documents tampering
THE Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) said it is currently investigating the tampering of export documents, which may be indicative of forgery, by Guyana Timber Products (GTP) Inc of 283-285 Shantinikatan Street, Prashad Nagar, Georgetown.

GFC said the company submitted an application for a Timber Marketing Certificate (TMC) for various species, in the second week of May 2008 and the said application was supported by the applicant’s Grader’s Grade of the species.

The grade was subsequently verified and confirmed by GFC’s Inspector and against this background a TMC was issued to GTP Inc.

According to GFC, the GTP made application for export certificates to complete the process for export of the produce. The GFC said it discovered that the grades on the approved TMC, supporting the application for the export certificates, were tampered with.

The GFC said it views this as a very serious breach and is currently conducting a comprehensive investigation into this matter. The GFC further stated that it is urging all stakeholders to ensure full compliance with its guidelines and procedures, as anyone found to be non-compliant, will be dealt with very seriously.

The GFC said it will continue to monitor all aspects of forestry activities within its mandate, to ensure that Guyana benefits in fu

Hoteliers urged to move towards solar heating
‘Solar Water Heaters are an environmentally sound way to reduce energy bill and remains one of the most efficient and the least expensive of the renewable energy technology’ - Ms. Chenella Bailey
By Priya Nauth
FARFAN and Mendes Limited yesterday hosted a seminar on Solar Dynamics Hot Water Systems for hoteliers at the Cara Lodge in Quamina Street, Georgetown, noting the importance of being environmentally conscious through the conservation of fuel and the increasing need to move towards solar heating.

Ms. Chenella Bailey

Export Officer of Solar Dynamics, Ms. Chenella Bailey said that energy is the major force of the global economy and a critical ingredient to development in terms of providing fuel for electricity, transportation and communication.

She pointed out that energy level affects both the quality of life as a people and the level of production of a country and any change in the cost of energy would have ripple effect in other sectors of the economy.

“The sun is the primary force for most forms of energy found on earth; solar energy is clean, abundant, widespread, renewable and free,” Bailey attested.

“Various companies use different technologies to capture the solar energy…we are one such company,” she noted.

Solar Dynamics based in St. Lucia, has over 30 years experience and are the largest distributor, manufacturer and supplier of Solar Hot Water Systems in the Caribbean, she informed the gathering.

Bailey said the company manufacture, supply and install quality Solar Water Heaters with a three year warranty.

“We help consumers save money and we help contribute to saving the environment,” she posited.

Explaining how the System works, the Export Officer noted that harnessing energy from the sun is nothing new since solar water heaters have been commercially available since the late 1800s.

“What is remarkable is how prevalent solar water heaters have become today,” Bailey added.

Solar Water Heaters are an environmentally sound way to reduce energy bill and remains one of the most efficient and the least expensive of the renewable energy technology, she explained.

The Export Officer said that the Solar Water Heater has two main components: the storage tank which keeps the water hot until it is ready to be utilised and the collector panel which traps the heat energy.

She said the two types of installation are the thermosyphon system or natural circulation and the photovoltaic/pump system.

“The money that you put out for a Solar Hot Water Systems, it is not the price of the water heater, it is an investment…if you put out any amount of money and after 18 months you are getting free hot water from that money for the next 15 to 17 years,” she noted.

She reiterated that a Solar Water Heater is the economical and environmental choice and used by many hotels and resorts in the region.

“The recent increases in the price of fuel with a result in the increase of consumers electric bill has been a catalyst for growth and sales in our industry,” she noted.

In closing, Bailey quoted the words of one of the greatest pioneers of solar energy in the region, the late Professor Oliver Headley of Barbados: “The sun will still shine when the oil runs out”.

In brief remarks, Managing Director, Mr. Andrew Mendes said that Farfan & Mendes Limited which is the sole distributor of Solar Dynamics Hot Water Systems in Guyana began business in Guyana in 1960 as a subsidiary of a well known Trinidadian company, F. T Farfan and Sons Limited and the company was officially incorporated in 1967, as Farfan and Mendes Limited.

“We eventually started the installation of Solar Dynamics in the year 2002 and we have been growing from strength to strength,” Mendes said.

“It has been relatively successfully in the last two years…mostly in private homes as people see the benefits of having solar dynamics compare to electrical,” the Managing Director noted.

He also no