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Remembering the Enmore Martyrs
by Moses V. Nagamootoo
TODAY (June 16) marks the 60th anniversary of the sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs. On that date in 1948 five sugar workers were gunned down by colonial police. This two-part series, taken from an address by then Information Minister Moses Nagamootoo, places the Enmore Revolt in historical perspective.

‘The Enmore Martyrs were unlettered people, barefooted workers. But they had ambitions. They wanted to create rights when rights did not exist in our country but had existed in other countries. The Enmore Martyrs were claiming what had been established in the ‘Mother’ country – the right to join a Trade Union.

They were asking for that right to be unionised and the right to vary their condition of labour from what was an onerous system of ‘cut and load’. They wanted a system of ‘cut and drop’, which was perhaps easier work, as loading entailed another procedure of labour. They were demanding that over one hundred years after the British themselves had secured those rights.

The Enmore Martyrs – Pooran, Surujballi, Rambarran, Harry and Lallabagee -- those five young sugar workers, had no desire to enter history. They did so as a matter of historical accident when they rebelled against the condition of their lives.

Today they have become, at the top of the mountain, a fire that has led the way for an entire generation of freedom fighters. It was their act of rebellion, their act of revolt, their act of defiance, that has made them enter history and the heart and action of successive generations of men and women.

What they did was not different from what had happened before. It is part of the tragedy, if I may say so, that men (and when I say men I mean also women) would have to die, as men were born to die. But very few men in history died and their lives became models to emulate and spur others to even do better.

Our entire history in Guyana has been one of struggle. If perchance you see today that red occupies the most significant part of our national flag, it is because red symbolises struggle and labour. It is not an accident. It is not by chance that when the Enmore Martyrs were shot down one of them (Pooran, I believe) had been waving a red flag. It is symbolic that he should have been waving a red flag.

Some of us read Karl Marx who, in 1848, published the Communist Manifesto. However we may feel about ideology today, since the world has changed, the Communist Manifesto is the first comprehensive document that has called for workers to unite. Simply put, they can get rid of any oppressor if they were united; they can build a new world of equality and fraternity, of sharing and justice.

So, one hundred years after 1848, workers of Guyana raised the red flag, the red flag that has been spoken about by Karl Marx. There is nothing undignified about the ideology of struggle. Dr. Cheddi Jagan always said, “keep the red flag flying”. Those are the words, a refrain, from the PPP battle song.

But what the Enmore Martyrs did, cannot be isolated from what has happened before. In 1763, the Berbice slaves revolted against slavery. They took up arms against their slave masters. At that time the immediate concern was not about unionisation, or even freedom. It was for food, for better ration. (People are always concerned about their livelihood, about the condition of existence and survival. It was, and it remains an important question -- survival).

Everywhere in the Caribbean there were revolts after 1763. In Barbados in 1816, in Guyana again 1824, in Jamaica in 1831. In Guyana, we had the sacrifice of Accabre after Cuffy’s death; then we had Damon and others in 1824. They had paid the price in ways that were more brutal and agonizing than those that were applied to the Enmore Martyrs.

The Enmore Martyrs were shot in cold blood. Almost all were shot in the back, which tells you that oppressors are always cowardly people, irrespective of their colour. They are always cowardly. Most of the great leaders of history -- Spartacus, for example -- were hanged or they were nailed to a cross. That was why, perhaps, the leader of the Jamaican revolt in 1823, one Samuel Sharp said, "I would rather die on yonder gallows than to live under slavery".

Rebel leaders knew where they had to go. There would be a price. There were people in history who had accepted the fact that the price of revolt was death, and death in perhaps more brutal ways.

But we had mentioned all of that to show that while rebellion took place against bad conditions in Guyana's history, it had not always been a struggle that was linked for final liberation. The slaves fought in Berbice against the plantation. They did not have an ideology that went beyond the immediate improvement of their condition.

The link I am trying to create was that everything that had happened before 1948 was one other blow against oppression, one other blow against domination, one other blow against exploitation. But in 1948 it was the first time that a proletarian revolt, a working class revolt among barefooted workers for union right, had been linked to a political objective of freeing Guyana from colonial rule. And that is the significance of the Enmore Martyrdom.

In Barbados they had what was called a policy of amelioration. The slave owners fed their slaves well. They gave them suits, they took them to church. Oppressors had used Barbados as an example to show that slaves could be docile and they could be happy if they were docile, and the masters could teach them the White man's culture.

The policy of amelioration in that sense was what the Enmore Martyrs did not want. They didn't struggle just for improvement in their condition. They wanted to link their condition to an association, to the right to join an organisation that would continually advance their economic rights. And therefore Enmore is closer to what was the ideal in struggle because workers in very few countries in the world, up until that time, were linking their economic struggle with the struggle for political rights.

In Guyana, we saw, two years after the Enmore Martyrdom, that the People's Progressive Party was formed -- the mass based political party that was linking the struggle for economic rights with the struggle for political freedom. That is why today we cannot remember the Enmore Martyrs simply as people who were shot and killed by colonial police for staging an act of bravado, that they probably died bravely. They were killed, they were murdered. Their martyrdom was not what they willed. They did not go there to die.

For the 'Whites', for the Colonial plantocracy, their death was important to suppress an advance of the struggle. But they didn't prevent the struggle from advancing into the political sphere and 1950 became the beginning of the end of the colonialism in Guyana.

I know therefore that today we are celebrating the life of the Martyrs; we are not mourning their death. Walter Rodney had used a very prophetic epithet: Don't mourn, organise. And more recently Dr. Jagan, on his death bed, optimistically said: Don't worry, everything will be all right. Because in struggle, it is continuity that will make such prophecy come true.

(Abridged from text of Address by then Minister Moses Nagamootoo in New York on June 16, 1997 at a Commemoration by the Guyana Festivals Committee of New York)
[Continues tomorrow]

Beefing up the pig industry
Following the launch of the national pig-breeding programme two months ago, more farmers yesterday benefitted from the distribution of new breeds of swine at the Guyana Defence Force Livestock Farm, Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara.

At the distribution exercise, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, said there has been an increase in the interest shown by livestock farmers in the area of agricultural diversification, and positive development and enhancement of agricultural practices.

He said the pig breeding programmes are substantial investments made by the government towards the support of farmers to allow them to grow and expand their agricultural activities.

Minister Persaud pointed out that as part of Guyana’s diversification programme, work has started on the creation of a livestock development Board to support the country’s livestock sector.

He said another area which has been looked at by his Ministry is the availability of technology for livestock farmers through the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI), where farmers were urged to use the facilities as a means of showcasing and demonstrating the transfer of technology.

Noting the progress being made in the livestock sector, Minister Persaud said that an outbreak of any animal disease can hinder the livestock sector.

He told farmers that there is need for their continued engagement, especially in the areas of protecting the country’s livestock sector, and they must be vigilant against that which could materialise and decimate the livestock industry.

Much emphasis is being placed in the area of protecting and maintaining the sanctity of the country’s animal health system. Emphasis has also been placed in providing training and collaborating with international agencies, he added.

The Agriculture Minister further noted that other initiatives to be undertaken is the construction of a state-of-the art animal health laboratory which will be certified to meet the country’s export requirement.

Minister Persaud told farmers that Guyana’s livestock production needs to be increased, noting the keen interest shown in the rearing of livestock by some CARICOM States.

Interest is also being shown by some CARICOM States in rearing pigs which are produced in Guyana, and many have been enquiring about mutton and pork.

The distribution of the new breeds of pigs is part of the Ministry’s ‘Grow More Food’ campaign to provide higher quality breeding animals to farmers. (GINA)

Victim shoots bandit dead
One of two bandits who robbed a Linden farmer around 21:30h Saturday at his home, was shot and killed by the farmer who is a licensed firearm holder.

The dead bandit, identified only as ‘Eon’, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mackenzie Hospital, while his accomplice, a 16-year-old, is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

He gave himself up after his colleague was shot.

According to a police release, the farmer had just returned to his home in Linden and was about to enter his house when he was confronted by the two bandits armed with a knife and a cutlass.

They took him into the house and took away a quantity of jewellery, a watch and a DVD player.

As the two robbers were leaving, the victim armed himself with his firearm and confronted them.

They however attacked the farmer who discharged a round which hit ‘Eon’ in his chest.

Getting more out of Berbice agri co-op societies
Amidst numerous complaints about the functioning of Agriculture Co-op Societies in Berbice, the Ministry of Agriculture, in conjunction with the Ministry of Labour, has begun a review of their operations.

The co-ops fall under the purview of the Ministry of Labour and the assessment seeks to devise strategies to enhance their services to members and to ensure Guysuco get a reliable, stable and a sure supply of cane from those areas.

Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud, at a recent press, briefing pointed out that these co-ops are governed by certain conditions and if they are not honoured, the defaulter can run into difficulties.

He stressed that his ministry is looking particularly at co-ops that are not putting their lands to beneficial use and are using them for other purposes.

He said too, “The reality is that many of the co-op leaders and people who have lands are not around”.

He recalled that an audit was done on the existing co-ops and he urged members of the newly re-launched National Cane Farmers Committee who are also co-op representatives to support the ministry’s plan to improving the functioning of those societies.

Turning his attention to another issue, Persaud said his ministry is investing some $200 M in developing the Manarabisi pasture in the upper Corentyne area to prevent the perennial problem of cattle damaging and grazing on crop farms.

Government has also amended the pounds act to allow cattle farmers to keep their animals under control and out of farm lands.

He stressed that there is no shortage of animal pastures, but lands controlled by some coops and farmers are not being properly utilised.

“And we have the problem whereby a man acquire a 100 cows and later determines where he is going to put them,” he said.

He advised farmers going into livestock to first secure necessary facilities to avoid conflict with crop farmers.

“We can’t do away with the animals, but what we have to do is to ensure there is co-existence and adequate room in the region and all other parts of the country,” he said.

Persaud implored representatives of the National Cane Farmers Committee to engage cattle farmers on the issue in order to put the old problem to rest.
NEWS

Armed robbers go off with $800,000
THE police are investigating a robbery under arms that occurred about 21:30h Saturday at Penitentiary Walk, New Amsterdam.

The victims, businesswoman Angela Sancho and her husband, were attacked and robbed by two men armed with handguns.

A police statement said the couple had just returned home and were about to exit their motor vehicle when they were held up by the two men who took away $800,000 in cash and a cell phone.
The robbers made good their escape.

Nude body found at Hope
The discovery of the nude body of a woman at Hope Access Road, ECD, around 08:10h yesterday, with suspected gunshot wounds to her head and other marks of violence to her body, is gaining the attention of the Police.

Four .32 spent shells were recovered at the scene.

A Police report said the woman is of East Indian descent, in her mid-20s, about 5 feet in height, of fair complexion and a slight build.

The body is at the Lyken Funeral Parlour.

The Police are asking anyone with information that may lead to the identification of the woman is asked to call telephone numbers 225-6411, 226-4585, 225-3650, 225-7625, 226-6978, 229-2701, 229-2702, 911 or the nearest police station.

Government comments on the Sanata privatisation and tax concessions
The Ministry of Finance has noted recent discussion in the media on the subject of the privatisation of the Sanata complex and the fiscal concessions granted to the investor (Queens Atlantic Investment Inc., QAII), and now wishes to offer the following clarifications.

1. Commitment to openness and transparency
The Ministry of Finance wishes to reiterate that this Government is firmly committed to the principles of openness and transparency in all of its privatisation and tax practices. In this spirit, the Government made the following announcements:

* April 2008 - the Privatisation Unit issued a comprehensive press release jointly with QAII on the privatisation transaction. This release was the subject of extensive coverage in the media.

* May 19th 2008 - the Head of the Privatisation Unit and the Head of Go-Invest jointly held a press conference and respectively dealt in detail with the privatisation transaction and tax concessions granted to QAII.

* June 5th 2008 - At the launching of the Guyana Times, President Jagdeo called on the Privatisation Unit to organise a seminar on privatisation policy and the law on tax concessions.
In addition:
* The Government has consistently published in national newspapers lists of beneficiaries of tax exemptions granted and the value of these exemptions.

* The Government has also regularly tabled in Parliament annual reports of the Guyana Revenue Authority which include substantial information on tax exemptions.

2. Fiscal concessions are rule-based and not discretionary
The overall principle that guides the Government in matters of this nature is that tax concessions are not discretionary but are based on the rules and principles set out in law.

The Privatisation Board’s recommendation and Cabinet’s May 2007 decision on the tax concessions to be granted to QAII clearly reflect this principle. The specific recommendation made and approval granted contained the following language:

“tax incentives being allowed by the Guyana Revenue Authority and Go-Invest provided they are allowed in law and subject to an Investment Development Agreement and in accordance with applicable practice”

The Head of Go-Invest subsequently announced the tax concessions granted to QAII at the May 19th 2008 press conference. These tax concessions were stated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) executed between Go-Invest and QAII in March 2008. The MOU provided for two of the five firms to be operated at Sanata to be granted tax holidays—namely the textile and antibiotics operations. However, these tax holidays have not yet been granted to QAII by the GRA and the Minister of Finance.

3. Issues related to the current laws governing tax holidays
Government re-introduced tax holidays in 1998 with special emphasis on pioneer industries. Specifically, the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) (Amendment) Act 1998 states the following:

“2(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Income Tax Act or the Corporation Tax Act, it is hereby provided that –

(a) Where, in the opinion of the Minister, the trade or business carried on by a company, save a gold or diamond mining company or a company carrying on petroleum operations, is wholly of a developmental and risk-bearing nature and is likely to be instrumental to the development of the resources of, and beneficial to Guyana, the Minister may issue a direction to that effect and thereupon the income of such company shall be exempt from taxation for a period not exceeding ten years of assessment as the Minister may determine (hereinafter called the tax holiday period) commencing with the year of assessment in which such direction is issued.”

In 2003, the Government via the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 2003 amended the above provision by stating the following:

“21. Section 2 of the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act is hereby amended by the substitution for subsection (1) of the following as subsections (1), (1A) and (1B) -

“(1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Income Tax Act or the Corporation Tax Act, it is hereby provided that the Minister may grant an exemption from Corporation Tax with respect to income from economic activity qualifying under one of the following circumstances—

(a) the activity demonstrably creates new employment in one of the following regions —

(i) Region 1: Barima-Waini

(ii) Region 8: Cuyuni-Mazaruni

(iii) Region 9: Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo

(vii) Region 10: Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice;

(b) the activity is new economic activity in one of the following fields—

(i) Non-traditional agro processing (excluding sugar refining, rice milling and chicken farming);

(ii) information and communications technology (excluding retail and distribution);

(iii) petroleum exploration, extraction, or refining;

(iv) mineral exploration, extraction, or refining;

(viii) tourist hotels or eco-tourist hotels;.

The Explanatory Memorandum that accompanied this 2003 Amendment stated the following:
“Clause 21 amends the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act Cap. 81:01, to modify the tax holiday provisions of that Act. The amendments limit the exemption from corporate tax to new firms that create new employment in the specified depressed regions, and to firms that conduct new economic activity in the specified fields. The revisions to existing law are intended to aim that the benefits of a tax holiday more specifically at areas of economic activity the government has determined as a matter of policy should be encouraged.”

It has always been, and continues to be, Government’s intention to treat with pioneer industries that create employment regardless of location, and large investments in identified regions regardless of the sector of investment. The current articulation in the law is not exhaustive with respect to the policy areas that the Government is seeking to encourage investment and employment via tax holidays.

Government considers that the two Sanata projects earmarked for tax holidays deserve to be granted tax holidays as these activities are currently not performed in Guyana and represent new pioneer projects of a developmental and risk taking nature with employment and investment benefits to Guyana. These projects will see the establishment of significant value-added manufacturing operations in Guyana, specifically in the areas of denim textile production and antibiotic manufacturing, and include a joint venture with international partners.

Furthermore, Government has noted that the 2003 Amendment to Section 2 of the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act contains a number of obvious deficiencies including:

* With respect to regions, specifically in section 21, paragraph (1)(a), subparagraphs (iv) (v), and (vi) are omitted [see above extract];

* With respect to economic sectors, specifically in section 21, paragraph (1)(b), subparagraphs (v) (vi) and (vii) are omitted [see above extract].

* Incorrect description and omission of regions, in section 21, paragraph (1)(a)(ii), Region 8 is described as Cuyuni-Mazaruni, which geographical description actually corresponds with Region 7, while Region 7 is omitted from the list [see above extract].

The current Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 2003, therefore, contains various inaccuracies and omissions in relation to both the sectors and regions identified. It was Government’s intent when the Act was amended in 2003 to maintain the element of pioneer industries. While the law sought to make this specific in terms of geography and sector, on both scores the law contains omissions and inaccuracies, and the lists articulated in the Act should have been illustrative and not exhaustive.

Additionally, the current wording in the law does not provide for tax holidays for infrastructure projects (eg. the Berbice Bridge tax concessions which had to be provided for via special legislation, and the upcoming Amaila Falls Hydro project which would also very likely require concessions similar to the Berbice Bridge).

On closer examination, the current Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Act 2003 does not reflect Government’s intent when the said Bill was laid in Parliament. In this respect, Government will be moving to amend the law to clearly provide for all pioneering projects, infrastructure projects, and correct the list of regions eligible for tax holidays.

The rules in respect of taxes have been amended over the last five years to minimise discretion and to move towards a tax system based on defined principles and rules that are stated in law. When concessions are granted they must be in accordance with the law and are not discretionary. Indeed, it is because of this openness that persons can point out when matters appear to be inconsistent with policy and law.

Government has been open on its policies in respect of privatisation and taxation and has nothing to hide. Consistent with this commitment to be open and transparent, President Jagdeo has called on the Privatisation Unit to host a privatisation and tax workshop on all privatisations. This workshop will be held in association with the GRA and Go-Invest where the overall position on tax concessions and the law will be dealt with. This workshop is slated for July 9th.
Issued by: Ministry of Finance June 15th, 2008

Prime Minister lauds mutual relations with Russia
- Russian Federation observes “Day of Russia”
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Guyana Pavel Sergiev toasted the mutual relations existing between the two countries during the Federation’s “Day of Russia” celebration Thursday.

The celebration at the Russian Embassy was attended by Cabinet ministers and members of the Russian Federation, the Diplomatic Corps and Members of Parliament.

The Prime Minister, acting in the capacity of President, congratulated the Russian Federation on the occasion, noting that it is a day of reflection on the many achievements along the path to national development.

Mr. Hinds alluded to sustained economic growth, productivity and poverty reduction and unemployment which are the aspirations of both developed and developing countries.

“It is in this regard that I express the hope that as Russia continues to ascend in the ranks of the developed world, Guyana can count on its support in enhancing the North-South co-operation,” Mr. Hinds said.

He also acknowledged the assistance which Guyana has received and continues to receive through the benevolence of the Russian Government in support of Guyana’s development objectives.

The rising food prices phenomenon was highlighted by Mr. Hinds as one of the challenges to development. He said government has sought to implement measures to cushion these effects and it welcomes local and foreign investment in this endeavour.

“We are keen to attract investments in other traditional and non-traditional sectors, even as RUSAL has been the pioneer here of large investors from the Russian Federation, I hope, Excellency, that this would encourage more Russian businesses to invest in our country, given your country’s advancement in energy, fisheries, forestry, information technology, mining and tourism – sectors which we ourselves would wish to further develop,” Hr Hinds said.

He praised the Russian Government’s appreciation of Guyana’s role in responding to climate change, noting that it is an issue of national interest on which the two countries have collaborated. In this regard, he expressed hope that future collaboration can lead to a post-Kyoto framework.

Russia’s existing relationship with Guyana is a foreign relations policy which Ambassador Sergiev said the Russian Federation intends to establish with all countries to overcome the many world challenges.

“It is only with joint effort that we can cope with the threats of the twenty-first century, namely international terrorism, proliferation and weapons of mass destruction, regional conflict, narco-traffic, dissemination of HIV/AIDS,” Ambassador Sergiev said.

He added that Russia’s relations with Guyana have a rich history underscored by joint Russia-Guyana operations in the bauxite industry with the participation of RUSAL.

“Today we can surely say it’s the first but not the last example of mutually beneficial cooperation, which both parties are eager to strengthen and expand on,” the Russian Ambassador said,

Compliments Food for the Poor Guyana Inc.
25 households relocated to Hope Estate
Some 25 households from Joe Hook and Grass Hook recently received new homes in the Hope Coconut Estate, East Coast Demerara compliments of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc.

The homes constructed by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. cost some $ 16.5 M and are part of the organisation’s wider plan to build 40 houses for the relocated residents from the upper reaches of the Mahaica River, where flooding is experienced.

The Ministry of Housing provided the lands for the residents.
Executive Director of the charity organisation, Mr. Leon Davis, speaking at the commissioning ceremony at the new housing scheme in the estate said the sanitary blocks for some of the houses are yet to be completed but this will be done soon.

He lauded the contractors of the project for completing the buildings within the agreed timeframe and urged grateful residents to make good use of the structures.

Mr. Davis also promised the residents that very soon they will be supplied with farming implements and seeds to assist in their return to normalcy.

Also present at the occasion were Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud; National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) Director Dr. Oudu Homenauth; Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager Mr. Jagnarine Singh; New Guyana Marketing Corporation General Manager Mr. Nizam Hassan and acting National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Lionel Wordsworth.

Persaud recalled that on a visit to the communities last year, residents were urged to accelerate the relocation exercise and his ministry later provided transportation to facilitate the process.

He expressed gratitude to Mr. Davis who responded positively to his call for assistance to the villagers who were promised house lots at the estate in 2005 by President Bharrat Jagdeo, following persistent flooding in their communities.

Persaud lauded too his colleague Minister with Housing responsibilities, Mr. Harry Narine Nawbatt, for his role in developing the housing scheme.

Speaking of the estate, the minister pointed out that over the past decade its fortunes were at a stand still but over the years concerted efforts have been made to solicit both private and public sectors initiatives to aid its revitalisation.

He explained that this was done not only to resuscitate its coconut potential, but to venture into crops, livestock and aqua-culture farming. This transformation, he acknowledged, was met with some success.

However, he disclosed that his ministry in a renewed effort to encourage economic activities among farmers and residents of the estate, has granted them five acres of lands each to cultivate.

Apart from that, Persaud said, his ministry has been wooing investors and several have indicated their interest.

“ In fact, during the recently concluded Regional Agriculture Investment Forum, several investors visited this location and we have had confirmation from at lease one interest in having a state of the art or commercial type farm in this area, working with the farmers who live here,” he told the newly relocated residents.

The ministry, over the years, has also been investing in drainage and irrigation and has provided close to 100 acres of lands for cattle farmers to promote dairy development in the area.

With these developments at hand, Persaud expressed optimism that through the influx of the new residents, agriculture in the community will be rapidly transformed.

He said too that while the new residents will continue to retain their farming plots at Joe Hook and Grass Hook, and have the option of farming there, his ministry is looking to providing lands within the scheme for them to farm.

Dr Homenauth, who also a member of the estate’s management, pledged his commitment to working with various agencies to assist the relocated farmers in continuing their livelihoods and said he is looking at avenues to create job opportunities at their new location.

“This area is ripe, it is very suitable and accessible and in fact, it is what I consider an agriculture gold mine if we can get the necessary investments and the farmers who are here to capitalise on this opportunity,” he declared.

He said a new board to manage the estate will soon be installed and will be responsible for the revitalisation drive.

Meanwhile, Grass Hook resident Rohani Gopaul expressed appreciation to all the players who made the initiative possible and remarked, “It is the dawn of a new beginning,”

Sherine Looknaught, also a Grass Hook resident, said the project is an escape from the persistent flooding residents of her community and Joe Hook had experienced in the past five years. Other residents expressed similar sentiments.

Commemorative Magazine on Enmore Martyrs
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, as part of the commemoration activities of the 60th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs, will be doing a special magazine on this very significant and historic event in Guyana’s history.

Edited by former President Mrs. Janet Jagan, the magazine contains articles by a number of prominent scholars. These articles depicts the historic perspective of the Enmore Martyrs, analysis of that event and some of the impact that incident made on Guyanese life.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony told the Guyana Chronicle that the magazine will be released at the end of the month.
EDITORIAL

Benefits must filter down to consumers
It is clear that the government’s regular interventions in the price of gasoline to help cushion the effects of rising oil prices on consumers, are not being reflected by some gas station owners and operators.

Since the increase in global oil prices, the Guyana government has been very alert and has been making interventions from time to time with the hope that the measures would have been filtered down to the consuming public. However the people note that because some of these owners and operators honour the government’s initiatives in the breach, the consuming public, especially those in the transport sector have been up in arms against the government and have called on the authorities to take corrective measures against the defaulting owners and operators so that the price of gasoline would not exceed $1000 per gallon.

We note that the run-away prices for oil on the world market have a telling effect on Guyanese consumers, and cognizant of this, the government in the first instance reduced the excise tax on gasoline from some 50 percent at the beginning of 2007 to 17 percent at the end of that year.

But as world prices of the commodity shot up again, and this happens in rapid succession, the Guyana government made another intervention as recent as May this year and further reduced the excise tax from 17 percent to the current standing of 7 percent, a further reduction of ten percent. Diesel oil on the other hand has been zero rated.

However, it would appear as if these reductions are not reflected in the price of the commodity at some gas stations, and instead of the reductions being passed down to consumers, the delinquent gas station owners and operators keep them in their coffers. This is wrong and measures should be taken to protect consumers from being ripped off by these people.

The people note with interest that while the government-owned GUYOIL gas stations are selling gasoline at $930 per gallon, others are selling the product at more than $1000 in some cases. While GUYOIL’s acquisition mark up is $27 per gallon, the Petrol Dealers Association’s mark up is $35 per gallon. This shows clearly that the Petrol Dealers Association is not passing down the reduction in the excise tax on gasoline to the consumers.

We agree with the advisory from GUYOIL which advised consumers that the retail price of gasoline is $930 per gallon and warned that dealers are not authorised to sell above this price. The company also said that those who sell above $930 per gallon will face revocation of their contracts and repossession of pumps and tanks.

The present fuel price fiasco has prompted Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Manniram Prashad, to meet with representatives from the Petrol Dealers Association and GUYOIL to discuss measures aimed at allowing the consuming public to benefit from the government’s interventions.

It is heartening to note that after that meeting which was held last Thursday, Minister Prashad said: “ The petrol dealers are willing to work along with the Ministry and other stakeholders to ensure that the consuming public gets gasoline at a fair price.”

This is a clear indication that the parties involved recognise the plight of the consumers and are willing to examine ways and means to ease consumers from the fuel price burden.

We also note the maturity of the President of the Petrol dealers Association, Frank Amen who said: “We are willing as the Petrol Dealers Association to try and assist the government and the public in whatever way we can with the fuel prices. It’s not a Guyana thing, it’s a global thing.

We believe that the parties concerned are serious and all is not lost for consumers, and after another meeting today among the parties, the government’s several interventions will be felt by the consuming public.