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BERBICE BRIDGE NEARS COMPLETION
By Tajeram Mohabir
THE dream of a bridge across the Berbice River is fast becoming a reality with 17 of the 39 spans on the US$36M super structure already installed, and the project on track for an August completion date.

Chairperson of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI), Mrs. Geeta Singh-Knight, yesterday told reporters work is moving apace rapidly and on schedule to be completed in August.

When completed, the Berbice Bridge, just under a mile long, is expected to be the world’s sixth longest floating bridge.

Speaking with reporters during an open day for the press hosted by the BBCI at the bridge site, Mrs. Singh-Knight pointed out that to date, 17 of the 39 spans on the structure have been installed.

According to the BBCI Chairperson, the bridge is expected to be opened for traffic in early September and will be utilised for vehicular traffic only.

Contrary to reports in some sections of the media, Mrs. Geeta-Knights disclosed that the structure will not include a pedestrian walk way because it is ‘virtually impractical’ and was not included in the feasibility study.

She said, too, that all lighting systems will be installed on the bridge and the approach roads before its commissioning and revealed that the structure has a one year liquidation period in which claims could be made for damages or faulty work.

Mrs. Singh-Knight also pointed out that charges for vehicles crossing the bridge will vary between $1,200 and $1,600 depending on their size, and that no vending will be permitted on the bridge.

She also indicated that in July, advertisements will be posted in the media for eligible individuals to man the operations of the ‘masterpiece’ when it is completed.

Among those in the BBCI contingent at the site yesterday to brief the media were Mr. Omadat Samaroo, CEO of BBCI; Mr. Winston Brassington, Company Secretary; Mr. Cecil Kennard, Director; Mr. Bert Carter, Technical Committee Site Chairman; Mr. Henny Muskens, Site Supervisor/Installation Manager; Mr. Rawlston Adams, Engineer supervising the construction of the approach roads; and Mr. Rickford Lowe, Coordinator of the Works Services Group, Ministry of Public Works and Communications.

Mr. Muskens told the mostly Georgetown-based reporters that travelled up to the bridge site, that work on the western side of the facility was halted for the construction of the high span and when this is completed, work will commence on the retractor span.

The retractor span, he said, will be similar to the Harbour Bridge across the Demerara River which allows for the open and closure of sea going vessels.

The Site Supervisor also acknowledged that more work has to be done to ensure all anchors are properly installed on the structure that is about 55 per cent completed.

Mr. Carter, meanwhile, told reporters that work cannot progress – at this point in time - further than the 18th span because it will interfere with marine traffic from the Blairmont Estate and the Canje Creek.

As a result of this, he said construction had to start on the eastern side going back west.

He noted that when the high span is completed, it will be some 40 feet in height and 120 feet in width which is big enough to allow marine traffic that ply the river to pass under unimpeded.

Mr. Carter also stressed that vehicles carrying loads in excess of 40 tonnes will not be permitted to transit the bridge.

The Site Chairman noted that there has been some difficulty with the soil in planting the anchors at the eastern end of the river but that has since been addressed after the area was jet blasted.

In the meantime, he said soil analyses are being done to overcome the hindrance.

The Berbice Bridge is located downstream of the existing ferry route, starting from the D’Edward Village on the western bank to Crab Island on the eastern bank.

The length of the bridge will be approximately 1570.7 metres while the width of the crossing is in excess of 1.5 kilometres (Km).

The approach roads constructed on both sides of the river to connect the bridge with the main high network cost some US$8.7M.

Mr. Adams told the Guyana Chronicle that the roads on the western and eastern sides of the river are 70 and 40 per cent complete respectively.

He said asphalting of the roads will be completed in the first week in September and they will be officially commissioned in April 2009.

The road on the western side of the river is some 0.8 Km in length while the one on the opposite side is about 3.5 Km.

The Technology Development and System Phases were completed and to date 270 forty-foot containers of equipment and components have arrived from the United Kingdom, Holland, USA, Vietnam and China.

This represents approximately 95 per cent of the total materials to be shipped for the project.

Also, the construction of the generator building at D’ Edward and installation of primary power by the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) are to be executed shortly.

The final designs for the other ancillary work such as the toll plazas on both ends of the bridge, operations and maintenance buildings, security buildings, stores and public facilities and generator building on either of the structure were finalised.

BBCI has four shareholders, CLICO, Hand-in-Hand, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and Secure International, a subsidiary of the Beharry Group of Companies.

They hired, as the main contractor, a European consortium comprising the Dutch firm, Bosch-Rexroth and the British, Mabey Johnson.

A GUYANESE REALITY
When the Berbice River Bridge project was launched at Cara Lodge, Georgetown, in August 2006, President Bharrat Jagdeo said he was “particularly pleased because this is the biggest partnership ever in the history of our country between the private sector and the Government of Guyana.”

“I recall that decades ago this project was mentioned as a dream and today it is becoming a reality - a Guyanese reality,” he said as he outlined some of the work that had started in previous years and the negotiations as well as feasibility studies that the project underwent prior to its launching.

“…this bridge will form part of the network of (the) vision that we’re trying to accomplish - a vision where Guyana will realise its continental destiny,” he added.

“Already, we’re in discussions with a particular group to have a deep water harbour there, to upgrade the road to Brazil, possibly to develop a refinery in that area and Berbice will see a major new development…Guyana will become much more competitive internationally because the cost of our exports will go down through lower freight”, the President had projected.

“Today, we should all be proud. I’m not treating this as a political project. This is a national project. This is realising the dreams of all Guyanese.”

HIGH POINTS
Berbice Cabinet Outreach
President Jagdeo reiterates PPP/C commitment to bridge the Berbice River during the Cabinet outreach

July 1999
Government of Guyana (GOG) issues Request for Proposals (RFP) for BOOT project for the proposed Berbice Bridge.

Feb 2000
5 Bids received; bids evaluated by a multi agency review team including members of the private sector; Ballast Needam International (BNI) subsequently selected as the #1 ranked investor.

Sept 2000
MOU signed between GOG and BNI for the Finance, Design, Construction, Operation Maintenance and Transfer of Ownership of the Berbice Bridge Project.

May 2001
IDB completes a traffic study based on a Willingness to Pay (WTP) survey of existing users of the ferry; report entitled “Guyana: Approach Roads and the Berbice Bridge — A Traffic Study”; WTP at 2001 traffic shows economic benefits of US$5.1 M/annum.

Mar 2002
BNI withdraws from project advising that as a result of losses sustained in 2001, the firm was in the process of restructuring its international operations and withdrawing from a number of projects internationally, including the Berbice Bridge project.

June 2002
IDB via GOG advertised for firms to be pre-qualified to conduct a Feasibility Study of the Berbice Bridge.

June 2003
Contract signed with the Louis Berger Group to undertake the Feasibility Study.

October 2004
Final IDB Report on the Feasibility Study is issued. Feasibility study shows project to be feasible.

October 2004
A draft Preliminary Term Sheet for financing the Berbice Bridge invites local financial institutions to express interest in investing in Bonds, Preferred Shares, and Common Shares proposed to be issued by a private sector owned Berbice Bridge company.

January 2005
Responses to the draft Term Sheet are positive; by July 2005 the following firms have expressed interest in investing in the project with total interest exceeding US$40 M. Based on expressions of interest, there is enough financing to cover the ceiling of projected bridge costs of US$37.2M.

April 2005
Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) incorporated.

May 2005
ND LEA hired to prepare tender documents for the design/construction of the Berbice Bridge.

June 2005
Legal and financial experts are hired for the project.

August 2005
The tender documents inviting bids for the Bridge design/construction issues.

Workplace Anti-drug programme launched
- Ramsammy says Guyanese drink too much alcohol
By Priya Nauth
THE Ministry of Health’s Drug Demand Reduction and Health Promotion Programme, in collaboration with Phoenix Recovery Project, on Wednesday launched its Workplace Anti-Drug Sensitisation Programme aimed at educating employees of the public and private sectors on the dangers of drug use.

It also initiated its television programme ‘Changing Course’ scheduled to commence on May 22 on the National Communications Network (NCN) and the Radio programme ‘Tales from the Crack’ on the Voice of Guyana from May 28.

The programmes will be hosted by Ms. Andrea Bryan and Mr. Malcolm Ferreira respectively.
The launching was held at the Zoom Inn Hotel, Georgetown.
The workplace programme will focus on three categories of drug use and abuse: legal drugs (alcohol and tobacco); illegal drugs (cocaine, marijuana and heroine); and misuse of prescription drugs.

Focal Point of the Drug Demand Reduction Programme, Ms. Sheranne Isaacs, said that there is substantial evidence that substance abuse has penetrated all strata of the Guyanese society, hence the Ministry’s Drug Demand Reduction Programme has heightened efforts in the fight against substance abuse here.

She outlined that the Ministry is seeking to address the issue of substance use and dependency by targeting various groups through national awareness, education and behaviour change communication programmes, including the Schools Anti-Drug Edutainment Programme, the Workplace Sensitisation Programme and other public education programmes via the media.

“The ultimate goal of these interventions is to ensure a drug free society,” Isaacs emphasised.

She said that the use and misuse of drugs and alcohol may affect an individual’s ability to do his job effectively and result in increased short term sickness and absenteeism; a deterioration of relationship with colleagues, customers or management; and low productivity and poor quality of work.

“It is important that all businesses are aware of the potential impact of alcohol and drugs…and have in place an effective and robust workplace policy that clearly outlines the company’s role and procedures in dealing with substance misuse,” Isaacs noted.Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, in his feature address, noted that, every two minutes in the Americas someone dies because of alcohol.

“That cannot be a trivial problem…we know what we are dealing with when we talk about substance abuse,” he noted.

“We drink (alcohol) too much,” he insisted.

He observed that in the world the average consumption of alcohol is 4.7 litres per capita, while it is over eight litres in the Americas.

“In Guyana our per capita consumption is just over six litres,” he pointed out.

The minister said that there is no region in the world where there is more alcohol related deaths than in the Americas.

“More than 350,000 people will die this year because of alcohol related accidents, violence and diseases to which alcohol is a risk factor,” he noted.

“Alcohol is the leading cause of road accidents…also one of the leading causes of domestic violence,” Ramsammy emphasised.

“I appeal to all employers to work with us diligently…and that is one way we will get into people’s spaces,” he noted.

The minister encouraged the public to tune into ‘Changing the Course’ programme and ‘Tales from the Crack’, and he also appealed to parents and teachers to persuade children to watch the programme.

“We will use every communication means to get to people…we want to guarantee everybody that these efforts are not transient, short-lived efforts,” he assured.

He noted that changing the course for drug users is possible and support programmes are necessary.

Hence, the ministry is starting its own support programme next month by conducting a training programme for a mentoring group to deal with substance dependency and expand the capacity, he revealed.

Ramsammy said, too, that the religious leaders need to play a role in this initiative.

He noted that the laws need to be made more rigid since too many persons drink and drive.

Additionally, he noted that people smoke too much and do not exercise enough.

He pointed out that the Ministry is committed to the million miles walk and he is encouraging Guyanese to eat more vegetables and fruits.

Police express disappointment with Corbin, PNCR supporters
- for yesterday’s unlawful procession
THE Guyana Police Force has, yet again, expressed its continued disappointment with the actions of the Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Robert Corbin, and a number of his party members and supporters who took part in an unlawful procession around the streets of Georgetown yesterday.

This was despite “no approval” being given for the march by the police and repeated warnings by police officers that any such procession would be illegal.

The Police Force, in a statement, pointed out that the PNCR had applied for a march (yesterday) to commence at 12:30 hrs from the junction of Mandela Avenue and Joseph Pollydore Street, “but no permission was given by the police owing to the fact that during the PNCR’s march last Thursday - for which permission was given, the protesters had pushed down barriers and processed unlawfully along a route not approved by the Chief Officer of Police.

“This action of the members and supporters of the PNCR in staging an unlawful march (yesterday) appears to be an attempt to draw the ranks of the Guyana Police Force into a confrontation.”

“However, the police remained professional in their approach and continued to show great restraint in dealing with the protesters,” the Police Force said.

The Guyana Police Force said it will be seeking legal advice with a view to taking action against those persons who have committed breaches of the law in this instance.

PNCR protests - a deliberate effort to intimidate police leadership - Dr. Luncheon
“The PNCR, recognising that security is a burning issue in Guyana, has obviously decided that street protests is a sure way of focusing Guyanese attention on security - security during the protests and security against the destruction of life, limb, property, the destruction of business, arson and all of these factors that are generally associated with PNCR protests.”

PULL QUOTE:
Mr. Corbin, unlike other leaders in CARICOM, opportunistically sees security, not from the perspective of the victims and society; his few commiserations are lost in the mountains of complaints about Army and Police practices, complaints to the media, the public, the overseas Guyanese and now to CARICOM’ - Luncheon

This was part of the statement made by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon during his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President yesterday.

Dr. Luncheon was commenting on the move by the main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) to conduct street protests and the manner in which they have been carrying out these, as well as their constant criticisms of any actions taken by the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force during crime fighting operations.

“The street protests can be seen as a deliberate attempt by the PNCR to intimidate the police leadership, to provoke the police during their discharge of law enforcement duties and so, provide additional issues for more contention in the public domain and in the lives of Guyanese,” the HPS added.

He noted that since the 2001 jailbreak, voices criticising the Joint Services were raised including that of the PNCR Leadership and contended that it is not a secret that the party provides support to criminals in many ways.

The HPS recalled that the late former Leader of the PNCR, Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, was captured on tape giving advice to criminal gangs. He asserted too that evidence exists of physical engagement between leading members of the party and the Buxton criminal gang.

“Mr. Corbin, unlike other leaders in CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) opportunistically sees security, not from the perspective of the victims and society, his few commiserations are lost in the mountains of complaints about Army and Police practices, complaints to the media, the public, the overseas Guyanese and now to CARICOM,” the HPS said.

Dr. Luncheon pointed out that the main Opposition party’s posture, its multitude of acts and statements merely embolden criminals and serve to defend criminal practices and attempts to confuse the Joint Services.

He added further that the actions by the Corbin-led party have resulted in alienation and have caused the public to be deeply suspicious of the party’s motives.

“The result is an attempt to use street protests to generate issues and to further criticise the operations and practices of the Joint Services.

“The Corbin-led gang has been handed a most lukewarm response by the PNCR supporters and much less by the general public. Unfortunately, the PNCR is adrift, the ‘Corbinites’ offer no real alternative and they alienate the public by their pandering to anti-social and criminal tendencies,” Dr. Luncheon said.

The HPS stated that Mr. Corbin and his followers can hardly conceal their glee on seizing the opportunities to exploit any weaknesses in the security system and in heightening emotional extremism in response to killings and other outrages.

“Their aim is to promote conflict, extremism and recklessness in confronting the PPP/C Government. It is indeed noteworthy that despite compelling evidence that this approach from the ‘Corbinites’ is rejected by the majority of Guyanese, he (Corbin) still leads his desperate and increasingly irrelevant gang into the unknown,” Dr. Luncheon concluded.

China says quake toll could rise above 50,000
YINGXIU, China (Reuters) - The death toll from China's earthquake could soar to more than 50,000, state media reported yesterday, as rescuers struggled to help survivors and hope faded for thousands buried under rubble.

Some 20,000 are confirmed dead after Monday's 7.9 magnitude quake and 25,000 were buried in areas rescuers have struggled to reach, battling landslides, buckled roads and collapsed bridges.

Half the epicenter town of Yingxiu, where corpses are lined along the river, has been flattened and 90 percent of the buildings remaining look unsafe.

Zhang Yuejiao, 18, ran out of her school as it collapsed. Some of the biggest casualties appear to have come from school buildings across Sichuan, a province as big as France.

Helicopters arrived every 15 minutes to take the injured away and soldiers had walked in 40 km (24 miles) to help.

Premier Wen Jiabao, a geologist himself, said the rescue operation and disaster relief for victims of the quake were the country's top priority, Xinhua news agency reported.

Wen, who has toured the disaster zone urging on workers and comforting orphaned children, said the government would stick to its "people-first policy," the agency said.

The Communist Party told officials to "ensure social stability" as the quake spawned rumours of chemical spills, fears of dam bursts and scenes of collective desperation.

Xinhua said 17 "malicious rumour mongers" had been punished for spreading "false information, sensational statements and sapping public confidence."

State media warned of rising risk of disease from unburied bodies and primitive sewage facilities, while calling for faster distribution of food, water, clothing and tents.

Rescuers in the city of Dujiangyan wrapped corpses dragged from the rubble in tarpaulins and sped them to mortuaries.

They were so busy that a notice outside one collapsed school asked parents to search for children at the mortuary in shifts.

About 130,000 army and paramilitary troops assisted the search and rescue effort in Sichuan, sifting through dozens of towns turned to rubble. Xinhua reported that a team of Japanese rescuers had arrived in Chengdu, part of an outpouring of international aid.

But three days after the quake, hopes of pulling survivors from the ruins dimmed and the waves of rescuers appear to be hampered by lack of specialized equipment.
NEWS

After close contest…
Georgetown names team for National Spelling B finals
THE team to represent Georgetown at the semi-finals of the National Spelling B Competition, at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) on May 20, was selected Wednesday after a close contest in the final preliminary round.

The selection, of Colin Hyles of Stella Maris and Michael DeCosta of St. Margaret’s primary schools as well as Ryan Amir of School of the Nations, took place at Marian Academy, on Carifesta Avenue, also in the city.

Angelina Mootoo, of St. Agnes Primary School, was chosen as the alternate delegate in the event one of the preferred trio withdraws.

Hyles, DeCosta and Amir were presented with text books, compliments of the sponsors, Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Topco.

On the same Wednesday occasion, the two companies distributed jerseys and juices, too, to the schoolchildren who participated in the rivalry that was organised by the Rotary Club of Georgetown, in collaboration with the Education Ministry.

The corporate entities said they are pleased to be involved in the venture which aims at promoting reading amongst primary school pupils.

The winners of the Spelling B finals will receive a computer, a printer, $50,000 and a trophy.

Deferral of CAPE only in T&T - Education Ministry
THE Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) said Wednesday that deferral of the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) applies only to Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Education confirmed here.

A press release pointed out that the other CXC participating territories where candidates sit the tests will continue as timetabled.

“The Council and the Ministry of Education in Trinidad and Tobago are working with law enforcement authorities to fully investigate the circumstances which led to the decision to take this action in Trinidad and Tobago," the release stated.

It said the Council has further assured the public that it is doing all within its powers to maintain the integrity of its examinations.

THAG slams newspapers for splashing crime across front pages
By Priya Nauth
PRESIDENT of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Ms. Renata Chuck-A-Sang, re-elected during the 16th Annual General Meeting at Le Meridien Pegasus, Georgetown on Tuesday said that the association should play a more proactive role in the planning and execution of current signature events on the national calendar.

and the national calendar needs to be re-examined so that a more comprehensive list of events be put in place,” she said.

In her report, she noted that 2007 was one of the most challenging years for THAG, and now one of the entity’s most important task is to continue building a strong and fruitful relationship with a relatively new Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

The President reminded that the mission statement tells that the association is a private sector organisation dedicated to the promotion of sustainable tourism development, through fostering professionalism throughout the industry, ensuring quality service for its clients and providing benefits to its members; while collaborating with relevant government institutions and networking with other related local, regional and international agencies, utilising available resources.

She noted that one of the government institution’s the association works closely with is the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

Also, she observed that regretfully, Guyana is plagued internationally with an over-inflated negative perception of crime spiralling out of control.

“We who live here may know and feel differently, but this perception continues to be fuelled by our newspapers that feature incidents of violence on their front pages, with no attempt to balance their reporting. This kind of reporting is seen everyday, especially by the millions in the Diaspora,” she noted.

PULL QUOTE:
regretfully, Guyana is plagued internationally with an over-inflated negative perception of crime spiralling out of control…We who live here may know and feel differently, but this perception continues to be fuelled by our newspapers that feature incidents of violence on their front pages, with no attempt to balance their reporting’ - Renata Chuck-A-Sang

“The good stories that occur in our country often go unnoticed. This negative perception is fast becoming a reality,” she said.

Chuck-A-Sang said the industry was beset by hugely negative British, Canadian and US advisories following the Lusignan and Bartica incident.

She said THAG met with the British High Commission to seek a review of its advisory which directly targeted and was particularly damaging to their members’ resorts in the Essequibo River, and were successful in the intervention.

Also, in November, THAG launched the highly anticipated 2008 edition of the Explore Guyana magazine which was well received.

However, she noted that THAG ran into a slight problem when it learnt that this freely distributed magazine, the main marketing tool for Guyana’s tourism industry, attracted Value Added Tax (VAT).

The issue of VAT continues to be a sore point for the industry, she attested.

The President said the sudden inclusion of the 16% Value Added Tax at the beginning of 2007 in the prices charged for services makes them non-competitive when compared to countries like Brazil, Suriname, Costa Rica, Belize and Mexico that offer a similar product.

“It must be noted that the newly emerging Asian destinations are able to offer packages at much more affordable rates than we can,” she said.

“We are a fledgling industry with the potential to bring benefit to the widest cross-section of our population. We are therefore, insisting that the issue of VAT, as it relates to the Tourism Sector, be given serious re-consideration by the government,” she urged.

“The fact is that our product is now priced out of reach of most of our tourism target market,” she pointed out.

Also, Chuck-A-Sang challenged the entity to be a leader in the creation of events that would generate international interest and hence tourism dollars.

“I also challenge the Association’s members to implement industry standards and practices that would set us apart from those who have not benefitted from being a member of THAG, well ahead of the time such industry standards and practices will become a requirement,” she noted.

The President also urged members to be leaders of the industry and implement a programme that would encourage members to meet and exceed current industry practices and norms.

“Our Government has done well to bring events to Guyana which have raised our international profile…Cricket World Cup, the Rio Summit and now CARIFESTA X,” she observed.

“We have demonstrated that we are capable of handling such high profile events and we will continue to perform creditably for CARIFESTA X and in the future,” Chuck-A-Sang asserted.

“Ultimately, any professional body is as good as its members care to make it. A viable and progressive THAG, more than ever now, actively representing and advancing the interest of the private investors in tourism, is essential for the survival of the industry,” she acknowledged.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, in his address, noted the benefits of hosting major events. He said Guyana has a good response for Caribbean Festival of Arts with confirmation from 23 countries with delegations totalling some 1352 people.

However, the minister said one of the challenges will be accommodation for delegates as well as visitors, as the Ministry has accredited about 52 hotels in and around Georgetown, with 3041 rooms available.

Anthony said, too, that special efforts were made to set up Chapters in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, and the New York Chapter has confirmed a 350 delegation to participate in Carifesta X.

BOX:
THAG’s new Executive Board for 2008/2009 is as follows:
President Renata Chuck-A-Sang
Vice President Lakeram Roopnarain
Treasurer Umadatt Singh
Committee Member Roxanne Reece
Committee Member Petal Ridley
Committee Member Bert Plass
Immediate Past President Cathy Hughes

Wrong man suffers fractured skull
ASHRAM Boodhoo left his Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara home in good health Monday, to attend a ‘Happy Hour’ at Club 17 in the village.

But he found, less than an hour later, that he had gone to the wrong place at the wrong time.

An argument broke out between two other men and one of them, in a fit of anger, picked up a piece of greenheart wood and lashed out at the other.

Unfortunately, the blow missed the target and struck Boodhoo in the head, knocking him unconscious.

The assailant, before fleeing the scene, had claimed that gasolene he had stored in a watch-house at Bloomfield Koker, also on East Coast, was stolen.

Boodhoo suffered a fractured skull and trauma to the brain and is a patient at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), where, despite being given a blood transfusion earlier in the week, he is still in a critical condition though conscious again.

Teacher in Monday accident still in serious condition
THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Roxanne Correga, one of the minibus passengers injured in a road accident Monday, remained in a serious condition at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) Wednesday.

With both hands broken, face swollen and her left arm and shoulder badly bruised, the mother of two children, aged five and seven years, was still writhing in pain when visited.

The Ann’s Grove Primary School teacher, who lives at Lot 1 Belfield, was returning home from work when the mishap occurred on Belfield Public Road, also on East Coast Demerara, about 15:22 h.

It was reported that the vehicle in which Correga and the others were travelling, apparently, attempted to overtake a truck and the driver lost control.

As a result of the collision, the minibus overturned, toppling several times before stopping.

Three more persons, also hurt in the mishap, are also patients at the GPH. They are Chinelle Pilleau, of Lot 15 D’Urban Backlands, Georgetown; Travis Gilbert, 23, of Lot 6 Clonbrook, another East Coast Demerara village and Ivan Walton, 58, of Lot 4 Ann’s Grove.

Guyanese novelist Roy Heath dies in London
THE Arts Forum of Guyana said it is deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Guyanese novelist, Roy A.K. Heath, in London on Wednesday.

Heath was born in 1926 in British Guiana. He migrated to London in 1950 from where he would write a rich body of novels that speak directly to the social and cultural realities of his native land, both in the colonial and postcolonial periods.

His Shadow Bride won the Guyana Prize for Literature in 1989.

His short stories appeared in magazines and anthologies including the B.B.C. anthology and short story series up to the mid-nineties.

One work of drama, Inez Combray, was staged at the Theatre Guild, Georgetown.

Heath delivered the Edgar Mittelholzer Memorial Lectures, entitled “Art and Experience” in 1983.

His Tribute to Aubrey Williams was read at an Exhibition of the Paintings of Aubrey Williams, White Chapel Gallery, London in 1998.

Heath published the first part of his autobiography, Shadows Round the Moon, in 1991, but could not bring himself to write the second part for, in his own words, he “would have to bring England in”.

He would live all his life as an exile, refusing to be adopted by Britain or claim to be British.

As a novelist, Heath represented a liberal imagination in his reinterpretations of the experiences of the diverse strands of humanity he found in the society.

The Arts Forum of Guyana, in a statement yesterday, extended profound condolences to the bereaved family of Mr. Heath - his wife of 53 years, Mimmie, and their two sons, Rohan and Roy (Jnr).

Sugar workers vent irritants during meeting with Agriculture Minister
SUGAR workers on the East Demerara Estates, last Wednesday, identified several irritants which are affecting them during a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and representatives from various agencies at the LBI Community Centre Ground.

During the interactive session of the meeting employees raised several issues of concern to them including employees National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions which are unaccounted for.

NIS representative, Harilyn Selman, in response said this problem was a result of systematic problems when information is being transferred to computer systems which have resulted in a gap with respect to contribution records.

It was suggested that updates on employees’ contributions should be sent to the company. However, Selman responded that statements are being sent to employers for perusal for any deficiency in information which inhibits the processing of claims. The workers highlighted a case of disability benefits where they are deemed unfit to work by the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GUYSUCO) doctor and are told by the NIS’s doctor that they are fit to work.

Selman explained that in order for persons to obtain disability benefits they must be deemed permanently incapable of working. It was noted that though the individual’s disability may cause him/her to be unable to do cane harvesting they may still be fit enough to work in another area.

Regarding the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), workers complained about the unavailability of Tax Identification Number (TIN) certificates.

GRA representative, Simeon Beckles, said this is a result of glitches in the system. She said the process of distributing TIN certificates was decentralised but because of issues such as duplication of applications as a result of persons applying for TIN more than once, the system is now centralised. Certificates are now available at the GRA Post Office location. Beckles said TIN can be received by calling GRA’s hotline and providing national identification or passport number.

Workers also had issues with the Value Added Tax (VAT) as they are encountering increase in prices by some shop owners. Beckles said individuals need to report such shop owners and field officers will visit those shops. She encouraged workers not to pay VAT on zero-rated items. It was noted that persons are currently being prosecuted for charging VAT on zero-rated items.

Sugar workers also raised several issue relating to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and many complained about leakages in their communities which cause contamination of the potable water supply.

The GWI representative said there are current interventions to repair leaks. As workers along with contractors are dealing with the backlog of leak repairs. The backlog on the East Coast Demerara has cleared and work is ongoing on those on the East Bank Demerara.

As it relates to invoices it was noted that some residents contribute to large bills. Some leave pipes on while others have water tanks that overflow.

A concern was also raised about connection fees. It was noted that in new government housing schemes the cost is $1,000 but, in established developments it is $13,000 because the material used is imported and therefore costly.

Some workers noted that water is not easily accessed through stand pipes but they were told that this is so because some communities are more elevated than others.

Persaud in his address reminded workers that the sugar industry contributes greatly to the country’s macro-economic stability and many people are also dependent on sugar for consumption purposes.

He highlighted a number of challenges facing the industry including production not being at the desired level and reduced opportunity days. This he said has resulted in work being done day and nigh, noting however, that there are security constraints during night work.

Persaud assured that a mechanism to enhance security during the night is currently being formulated with the Joint Services.

He also informed workers that a reform process has started within the NIS. (GINA)

Benn resumes testimony at Army Court Martial today
By Wendella Davidson
RETIRED Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) Gordon Benn will, today, resume his testimony at the continuation of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Court Martial of Lt. Col. Tony Ross.

Testifying for the Defence, the witness will continue to be cross-examined by the Prosecutor, State Counsel Melissa Yearwood-Stewart.

Prior to his cross-examination, Benn, who was Staff Officer I G3 (SOI G3) between 2004 and 2006, gave evidence in relation to his responsibility, as well as his knowledge of some aspects of the Army.

He was, among other things, responsible for following up on instructions from the Chief-of-Staff, by dispatching letters and holding formal briefings to ensure that the directives were communicated to the relevant officers.

Benn recalled that, in September 2004, units at Base Camp Ayanganna (BCA), including the Intelligence and Technology Department (ITD), were engaged in a number of ‘fitness for role’ inspections.

He said the basic tool of a soldier is his rifle and, when shown a document which was subsequently tendered by the Defence, the witness acknowledged it contained “instruction notes”.

Defence Counsel Leslie Sobers referred to ‘Rifles’ and ‘Distribution’ and a letter Benn wrote to then Base Commander Ross, about the allocation of serviceable weapons to every soldier at BCA, in strict compliance with instructions by the COS.

A second document dealt with the preparation of a nominal roll, which, according to the witness, also pertained to the Ordnance Corps.

About the relationship between the notes of instructions and the letter to Ordnance Corps, the witness said the latter was expected to comply with both, meaning that each soldier would have to receive a rifle issued legitimately by the unit.

Benn said those orders were never rescinded and, whether or not there was a change of appointment, the edicts would still have to be carried out.

The witness also outlined the procedure relating to the assigning of regimental and weapon numbers to a soldier when the rank is taken on strength and what follows.

Cross-examined by the Prosecutor, the witness said he never received a proposal which should have been made available to him by October 4.

Pressed by Yearwood-Stewart, Benn said, while the record would show a letter was addressed to the Base Commander, in essence, it was the Officer Commanding, Composite Battalion, as the same person functioned in both capacities.

Ross is charged on three counts of conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, contrary to Section 75 of the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01 and one count of neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, contrary to Section 75 of the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01.

The charges were instituted against him following investigations into the discovery that weapons were missing from the arms store at BCA, which was part of the Ordnance Corps and Ross was Commanding Officer at the time the guns were missed.

The Court Martial is being presided over by Col. Bruce Lovell and includes Judge Advocate Oslen Small. Lt. Cols. B. Bristol, Patrick West and Trevor Blenman and Major Paul Arthur.

Associated with the Defence, as well, is other attorney-at-law Mr. Gregory Gaskin.

Finance Minister joins global debt cancellation fast
MINISTER of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has indicated that he will be joining Archbishop Desmond Tutu and President Mkapa of Tanzania in a fast today to focus on the need for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest nations.

Minister Singh, who is also Chairman of the Commonwealth Debt Sustainability Forum, took up the commitment one-day after President Bharrat Jagdeo accepted an invitation by Mr. David Golding, Development Coordinator of the UK-based ‘Make Poverty History’, to join the ‘Drop the Debt Fast’ campaign.

The ‘Drop the debt Fast’ movement is running a 36-day rolling fast (Apri12 - May18) to demand debt cancellation for 36 poor countries.

The movement observed that the rich world needs to “pick up the pace” as these countries are still suffering under a huge debt burden, while millions of their people live in extreme poverty.

While fasting, participants are being asked to make a chain to bring to the Journey to Justice Event on 18 May in Birmingham. The 1998 human chain was an image of the chains of debt that need to be broken. A huge chain will be created in Centenary Square to demand that governments pick up the pace to drop all the debts.

Work on city sewerage begins in Albouystown today
GUYANA Water Inc (GWI), which is also responsible for sewerage in Georgetown, has appealed to citizens to be patient as the utility moves to rehabilitate the system.

Sanitation Manager, Mark Mendonca, said a mobile pump will be dispatched to Albouystown today to relieve the situation in that ward from where there have been many complaints.

He said GWI has acquired funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and close to $1 billion would be spent, this year, on rehabilitation in Albouystown and other wards, as residents continue to complain.

Mendonca pleaded with the complainants to desist from dumping refuse in the lines because it would cause further malfunction.

One of those complaining, Derek Goddette, 52, of Lot 134 King Edward Street, Albouystown, called on GWI to remove the back-up from his septic tank.

He said the problem has been ongoing for about a year, causing overflows in his yard and his tenants to move out.

Goddette said neighbours are also angry with him because of the stench and his mother, too, wishing to avoid the obnoxious odour, has refused to visit him.

PPP/C govt response to global price rise effective, less draconian than PNC's when oil price hit in 1970s - Minister Persaud
THE PPP/C Government's response to the soaring fuel price, which has increased by about 400 per cent over the past three years and is driving up food prices in Guyana and across the globe, has been described as "more comprehensive, effective, sustainable and not punitive" when compared to the steps taken by the then PNC Government when the world and Guyana experienced a similar situation in 1974-75 period.

Speaking to Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) field and factory representatives last evening at the La Bone Intention (LBI)Community Centre, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud, compared the steps taken by the PNC government of that day when fuel reached an all time high then and sent food and cost of living 'sky high.'

The Minister referred to the 1975 Budget Speech of the then PNC Finance Minister, Frank Hope which stated: "By the end of January, 1974, the situation as it could be foreseen for the rest of this year revealed that our external reserves were certain to come under devastating pressures as the prices of imports - fuel, fertilizers, machinery - soared to unprecedented levels.

It was also clear that the rate of internal inflation would have been far beyond anything this country has experienced before, and that the government's budget itself would have inevitably required substantial modifications.

In short, the Guyana economy - like those of the rest of the developing world with the exception of the oil exporting countries - was in a crisis."

Minister Persaud recalled that the PNC government then started to institute "punitive and draconian measures which eventually led to a deterioration of people's living conditions and the collapse of the Guyanese economy."

He substantiated this assertion of the PNC's poor action by quoting again from the PNC Budget speech of 1975: "Steps were taken to conserve foreign exchange, restrain consumption of non-essentials, and to tighten expenditure controls

in the public service...Imports of non-essentials were restricted; practically all imports were put under a system of licensing; the availability of foreign exchange for vacation travel overseas and migrants' transfer was temporarily suspended, and foreign companies operating in Guyana were requested to secure their working capital from external sources..."

Minister Persaud, who also chairs the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Food Prices, noted that President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Cabinet have done the opposite and adopted "a comprehensive, sensible, sustainable and non-harsh framework to address a similar situation confronting Guyana and the world, today."

He said no controls or bans of imports of food, machinery and other necessary supplies were introduced.

Instead of shrinking public sector spending, the Government has moved to increase the purchasing power of the ordinary Guyanese; especially those who work in the public sector through wages increase and a temporary cost of living adjustment payment.

Then the PNC Government had imposed a wage freeze.
To cushion the fuel and food price rise, the Minister reminded that the Government has not increased fuel and water rates while the fuel and other bills of these companies have gone up by about 100 per cent during the past year alone.

Government had to inject billions of dollars into these companies to avoid them passing on the increased charges to consumers.

The Minister referred to the wheat price which has gone up by 130 per cent on the international market during the past year.

He said that when wheat prices went up under the PNC government, the response then was to ban the importation and consumption of wheat and flour-based products in Guyana.