ARCHIVES FOR MAY 17 2008
Welcome to our ARCHIVES
CONTACT
Editor-in-Chief
News Editor
Sports Editor
Webmaster
TOP STORY

Several CANU Officers fail lie detector tests
President Jagdeo says they will be dismissed
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed yesterday that several officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) have failed polygraph tests conducted on them recently and reiterated that they will be dismissed.

Asked whether the Government is prepared for legal challenges, by those who are relieved of their duties on the basis of the lie detector tests, Mr. Jagdeo responded in the affirmative.

He explained that the ranks are employed on a contractual basis and, as such, the Government could terminate their contracts.

The Head of State said polygraph testing has become a standard procedure among law enforcement agencies across the world and it would be a deterrent to those who are inclined towards engaging in unlawful activities.

President Jagdeo also informed the media that Guyana has acquired its own equipment to carry out the tests but has hired an overseas specialist for the purpose.

He said the long term plan is to train local personnel in the process which will, initially, be carried out within the law enforcement agencies but, eventually, extended to other critical ones.

President Jagdeo, on Wednesday last, announced that all members of the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit will undergo a polygraph (lie detector) test as the government moves to ensure it has a unit it can depend on to fight drug traffickers.

Mr. Jagdeo told a news conference that the results of the polygraph test will decide the future of ranks of the Unit.

“We have to ensure that the people who we have are people of integrity; the best known method to test for integrity is to polygraph,” Mr. Jagdeo said.

The government contracted a U.S. firm to conduct the polygraph tests.

The International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) of the U.S. cited Guyana as a transit point for cocaine destined for North America, Europe, and the Caribbean, but not in quantities sufficient to impact the U.S. market.

In 2007, domestic seizures of cocaine were three times higher than the previous year due to improved counter-narcotics measures at the working level, although all but one of these seizures was minor in scale.

The Government of Guyana (GOG) laid the groundwork for an enhanced security sector by agreeing to a reform programme sponsored by the British government.

Guyana is a transit country for cocaine, and to a lesser degree marijuana.

The report said that Guyana’s vast expanse of unpopulated forest and savannahs offers ample cover for drug traffickers and smugglers.

In 2007, the GOG signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Great Britain to implement a US$5 million, multi-year programme for reform of the security sector, which includes enhancing the investigative capacity of law enforcement agencies.

CGX resumes oil exploration in another two months
By Chamanlall Naipaul
THE Canadian-based oil exploration company, CGX is to resume operations here in another two months, President Bharrat Jagdeo disclosed yesterday during an interactive session with the media at Office of the President, New Garden Street, Georgetown.

CGX was evicted by the Surinamese military following a claim by Guyana’s eastern neighbour to the area in which the company was operating.

After all options at the regional level were exhausted to have the border dispute settled, Guyana took the matter to the United Nations Tribunal on the Law of the Sea and after almost three years of deliberations, a favourable decision to Guyana was handed down last year.

The Tribunal’s decision on the Guyana/Suriname award preserves 93 per cent of its Corentyne Licence.

“Looking forward, if an offshore discovery is made in either Guyana or Suriname, it could lead to many more throughout the basin. Significant employment, infrastructure and service sector opportunities will evolve to support the dynamic exploration and development that will follow.

“The combined resources of both countries will be required to support the evolution of a new petroleum in the Guyana/Suriname basin,” CGX noted.

CGX holds an interest in four Production Sharing Licences from the Government of Guyana, covering 8.7 million acres onshore.

Other companies holding licences in the area of overlapping border claims are Maxus Guyana Ltd, a subsidiary of Repsol YPF and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.

This paved the way for the return of CGX to continue its oil explorations.

The President yesterday also disclosed that he is currently in receipt of a detailed report on the state of all the current oil explorations - both onshore and offshore.

He added that this information will be shared with the media at a later date.

More British support for police
-- within Government of Guyana's Security Sector Reform
IN support of the Government of Guyana's programme of Security Sector Reform (SSR), the British High Commission will soon deliver further training and equipment to the Guyana Police Force.

This, according to a statement from the British High Commission, constitutes some of the immediate steps agreed to between the two governments within the policing component of the SSR action plan.

Intelligence Gathering
Within the context of the Crime Intelligence Section of the SSR Action Plan:

* Binoculars and cameras are now available for the use of the Criminal Intelligence Unit;

* A data processing and management computer system has been installed at the Force Control Unit, which will allow the Force to access Guyana Revenue Authority's vehicles data-base;

* Following a visit by UK police intelligence officers in March, a range of recommendations are under discussion with the GPF, and training is expected to take place over the next few months.

Rapid response
In the context of the rapid response sections of the SSR Action Plan:

* GPS navigation and night vision equipment is now available for the use of the Tactical Service Unit;

* In addition, body armour for the protection of ranks against high-calibre weapons has been procured and will arrive shortly;

* A range of recommendations from a unit of the Metropolitan Police from their visit in March are also now being discussed with the GPF, and training is expected to take place over the next few months.

Police/Community relations
In terms of building better police/community relations:
* A Memorandum of Understanding to help guide the strengthening of police-media relations has now been drafted, following a Police-Media workshop that was held earlier this year, and is being considered by the parties involved;

* Four public service announcements to begin to help strengthen the relationship between the police and the public are being developed, and should be broadcast on television before the end of the month;

* The GPF and the High Commission are discussing a range of recommendations from a visit by a UK police expert on media relations, and a visit by an officer with oversight experience on building capacity in the Office of Professional Responsibility;

* The High Commission will support the "crime stoppers" initiative through the funding of a public information campaign.

Earlier assistance
Other British support for the police component of the action plan included a new and expanded Criminal Intelligence Unit which has been set up and equipped with computers and other office equipment.

Computers, printers and office furniture were also given to the Operations Room at the Brickdam Police Station, along with telephones that indicate incoming calls, complete with headsets.

These were also given to stations in all divisions.
On traffic policing, fifty radar guns were given to the Police Force.
There was a training workshop for ranks on the 911 emergency switchboard and those who man the emergency telephone lines at other stations. In addition, guidance was given on the creation of a new criminal intelligence model.

Background
The four-year SSR Action Plan follows agreement between the two governments for the British Government to provide support to the Government of Guyana's comprehensive security sector reform in Guyana.

In October 2007 a team of security reform experts from Ghana, Sierra Leone South Africa and India visited Guyana to build on the work done to date, and to advise on a way forward.

It was following these engagements that the SSR Action Plan was crafted and an interim MoU for its implementation signed in August 2007. The SSR Action Plan is closely aligned to the Citizen Security and Justice Reform programmes and is designed to:

* Build the operational capacity of the Guyana Police Force, from the provision of a uniformed response to serious crime, to forensics, crime intelligence and traffic policing;

* Strengthen policy-making across the security sector to make it more transparent, effective, and better co-ordinated;

* Create substantial parliamentary and other oversight of the security sector;

* Mainstream financial management in the security sector into public sector financial management reform;

* Build greater public participation and inclusiveness on security sector issues.

Following a National Stakeholder Forum by the Government in February, agreement was reached to set up a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Crime and Security.

Special COTED on Agriculture to discuss rising cost of food
GUYANA is once again leading the way for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to adopt a comprehensive response approach to deal with the current global food price increase.

This is being emphasized with the hosting of the 27th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture that has been organised, based on a request made by Guyana.

The meeting to be held from May 19 to 21 in Guyana includes a special forum for Ministers of Agriculture to discuss the rising cost of food situation and its impact on the region. The Ministerial forum is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 21 at Le Meridien Pegasus, Georgetown .

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud had written to CARICOM Secretary-General Edwin Carrington requesting such a forum where the region’s policy makers can review the types of interventions made in each state, share experiences, learn from each other and initiate further responses.

“It is an important meeting because it will allow Ministers of Agriculture to review what is taking place across the region, to share experiences and also possibly to come up with some specific activities which would allow us as individual governments and the region as a whole to respond to the ongoing food price escalation and its impact on cost of living,” Minister Persaud said.

It was pointed out that the food price increase is a global phenomenon and the states are obligated to work together and share resources to ensure an effective response to mitigate the impact of the situation on the respective populations.

The meeting also has great significance for Guyana because of the country’s tremendous opportunities in food production for the region and taking into account CARICOM’s import bill, which was previously US$3.5B annually.

It is more than likely that this has since increased significantly as a result of the current food price increases.

“This offers a number of opportunities and possibilities for our farmers and having the meeting here, it will allow us to further some of our proposals that we have made to the region and further afield in terms of investment and possibilities in agriculture for food production for the region and beyond,” the Minister pointed out.

He added that the meeting “will allow us to look at what is taking place in our various agriculture sectors, to see how we can work together, how we can invite further support and review the types of interventions that we have been making individually and see where we can learn from each other.”

Additionally, the Agriculture Ministers will seek to address some of the constraints facing exporters in terms of accessing some CARICOM markets. In this regard, issues such as the sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements in place will be discussed.

The responses made by the Government of Guyana to cushion the impact of the rising cost of food on Guyanese have engaged the attention of various regional and international stakeholders who have lauded the approach.

Among the interventions made by the administration are salary increase, cost of living adjustment, increase in the income tax threshold and old age pension, flour distribution to vulnerable groups and zero-rating of excise tax on diesel.

The excise tax on gas has been reduced while there is no tax or duty on kerosene and cooking gas and no restriction on flour import. In addition, there has been the launch of the ‘Grow-More’ campaign which entails distribution of seeds, planting materials, ant baits and chemicals. (GINA)

Instead of protesting…
Ramotar exhorts PNCR to help establish greater unity
GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr. Donald Ramotar has refuted the recent claim, by the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), that his party leadership had instructed the Police to shoot at protesters.

“It is absolutely untrue,” Ramotar declared at a press conference yesterday.

“It was clearly designed to instigate the less informed and gullible to attack the Police and the PPP,” he said, referring to the accusation.

Ramotar said the PNCR has taken to the streets to protest the rise in prices of foodstuff but it should be noted that the escalation in costs has nothing to do with any action or inaction of the government.

“The problem is directly connected to the increase in fuel prices, which moved drastically in a short period of time,” he pointed out.

“A responsible opposition party would be trying to assist in establishing greater unity, in the light of the threats from outside. Efforts to support the many measures taken by the government to cushion the shocks, particularly to the most vulnerable in the society, could be a good place to start,” Ramotar suggested.

“Instead the PNCR, opportunistically, has decided to protest.”

“In the process, they have been encouraging lawlessness. Their protesters have broken down barriers and illegally went into areas where they did not have permission to march,” Ramotar observed.

He said, at the same time, the PNCR has resorted to the use of lies to instigate its supporters.

“The leader of the PNCR should stop making false accusations and behave in a responsible manner,” Ramotar stated.

“The Leader of the Opposition’s time would be better spent if he uses it to educate his supporters as to the real nature of the increase in the price of food,” he advised. (Priya Nauth)
NEWS

PPP lauds Government measures dealing with food prices
By Priya Nauth
THE Central Committee of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has lauded the measures adopted by the Government to deal with the rising food prices locally.

General Secretary, Mr. Donald Ramotar made the announcement yesterday, at a press conference in the Freedom House, Robb Street, Georgetown party headquarters.

He said that the committee met on May 10 and addressed many issues affecting the country, including the crisis resulting from rising food costs.

The committee expressed concerns at the hikes globally and noted that the increases have roots in factors outside of Guyana, the main one identified as the phenomenal rise in the price of fuel internationally, Ramotar reported.

“It was noted that the situation with fuel was the first issue that drove the prices up. Moreover, the response by developed countries to the escalation in fuel cost has actually made the situation worse,” he said.

Ramotar posited that the conversion of grains, particularly corn into bio-fuel, has compounded the problem and drove up the prices for meat, dairy products, wheat flour and other grains etc.

He said: “The removal of taxes from diesel fuel and the drastic reduction in taxes on gasolene have certainly made a major contribution on restraining the rise in prices.”

Ramotar said the administration has moved to partially subsidise flour to bakers and in some working class areas.

“…the government’s measure to provide a temporary cost of living allowance of $4,000 for government employees earning $50,000 and less is commendable,” he also acknowledged.

“The party also noted that almost all essential food items have been zero-rated from duties and taxes…this is another measure that has helped to ameliorate the situation in Guyana,” the General Secretary attested.

He said the meeting supported, too, the steps that are being contemplated to assist single parents’ householders.

“These measures have, once again, demonstrated the working class nature of the PPP and it is clear that the party and government always do their best for the working and less fortunate people,” Ramotar asserted.

Kissoon resigns as Region Two REO
REGIONAL Executive Officer (REO) of Region Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Mr. Desmond Kissoon has resigned his post.

A release from the Regional Administration said the REO, who has been there for only one month, tendered his resignation for personal reasons and in keeping with a family commitment.

Before being posted to Region Two, Kissoon had been assigned to Regions Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), in the same position.

Mr. Sunil Singh, Senior Personnel Officer in Region Two, is now the Acting REO there.

Region Eight gets equipment to support road improvement programme
SEVERAL pieces of equipment valued more than $23M were presented, on Tuesday last, to the Region Eight administration to accelerate its road upgrading programme.

A statement from the Government Information Agency (GINA) said the presentation is a further display of Government’s commitment to improved infrastructure in the hinterland areas of Guyana.

The equipment including a tractor, trailer and excavator, were handed over by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn, to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Kellawan Lall, who subsequently presented the resources to Region Eight Chairman Mr. Senor Bell.

The handing-over exercise took place in the compound of the Public Works Ministry in Kingston, Georgetown, in the presence of various senior officials of the Public Works, Local Government and Amerindian Affairs Ministries and Region Eight administration.

Minister Benn explained that the equipment is to boost the road building and upgrading efforts in Region Eight, particularly in the high Pakaraimas plateau at areas such as Paramakatoi which was started by former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Mr. Harripersaud Nokta.

Improvement of roads in the region is expected to enhance transportation access, thereby reducing the cost of living since it will enable easy transport for goods, services and other materials into the communities and aid the export of food to other areas.

Minister Lall also highlighted the importance of the equipment to developing the region’s capacity for aggressive road improvement since it is often difficult to transport coastal resources to carry out such development in the far-flung areas.

The Regional Chairman expressed gratitude to Government and the two Ministries for the equipment which will be used to upgrade approximately 187 miles of roadway in the

region. The upgrading will be carried out by the region’s local workforce within a scheduled work programme.

The initiative forms part of Government’s wider programme for the development of hinterland infrastructural through which approximately $800M is being expended to construct and repair roads and bridges in various communities.

Already, approximately $159M has been spent this year to procure capital equipment to carry out the road works in the hinterland.

At present, the Linden/Ituni/Kwakwani roadway is being upgraded while efforts are underway to carry out similar works at other areas such as Mahdia and Bartica. The projects include a $27M investment to construct a road from Mango Landing to Mahdia while the thoroughfare in the Mahdia community will be upgraded. The route from Mahdia to Denham Bridge will also be improved.

Recently, a $24M contract was finalised for upgrading of bridges along the Linden/Lethem roadway and these works are expected to commence shortly while negotiations on the scope and cost to undertake repairs to the actual roadway is ongoing with a contractor.

GINA noted that over the years, the administration has invested significantly in this area through which a road was built from Kamana to Waipa in Region Eight and later extended to Kaibarupai, the last community located along the Ireng River.

GNBS on outreach across the country
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has embarked on an outreach and fact finding programme geared to reach outlying areas.

GNBS said that in an effort to decentralize its programme, to share information with residents of the outlying regions, and to garner feedback from stakeholders, staff members of the Communication Division of the Information Services Department of the GNBS visited several areas across the country.

To date, Officers have conducted two-day visits to Linden, Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice) and Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), and a similar visit is planned for Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) later this month.

During the visits, GNBS employees conducted activities such as lectures for secondary school students and teachers on programmes of the GNBS, the importance and relationship between standards and quality, career opportunities in standardisation, and the implementation of the metric system.

Another major activity was visits to markets, supermarkets and shops to ensure that devices used were verified, and that vendors understand how to use the metric system and are packaging goods offered for sale in metric quantities.

Several live call-in programmes on television were also conducted by staffers of GNBS.

Presidential Candidate will be chosen at appropriate time
-- General Secretary assures
By Priya Nauth
THE 29th Congress of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) will be held on August 2 and 3 at Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara.

General Secretary Donald Ramotar confirmed it yesterday, when he announced that a recent meeting of the Central Committee reviewed preparations for the holding -- under the theme ‘Strengthen the Party; Secure the Future; Accelerate Development.’

That meeting expressed satisfaction with the work of the Congress Committee and the forum is expected to be very exciting, occurring at a time of heightened political activities and many challenges that are facing the nation, he said.

Ramotar disclosed that the two-day caucus will analyse the international, the socio-economic and political situations and other issues impacting on the life of the nation.

Additionally, a new committee, to guide the party’s activities in the immediate future will be elected, he informed.

Ramotar said the present committee has taken note that some speculation has begun, particularly in those media houses hostile to the PPP, over its Presidential Candidate for the 2001 General Elections.

“The Central Committee wishes to assure its members and supporters that the party has an established mechanism to determine this matter. At the appropriate time, this will be triggered and the decision will be made known, firstly to the party members and supporters and then the general public,” the General Secretary stated.

He said the PPP has advised its members and supporters not to be distracted by any kind of speculation, especially by forces opposed to the PPP, but focus on the work of strengthening the party.

Registration problems
Ramotar also alluded to problems being encountered in the house-to-house registration process and acknowledged that the situation with birth certificates and issues relating to the names of persons are yet to be resolved.

“The Central Committee noted also that the pace of work in editing and encoding information from the field is too slow and would surely delay the process of producing a new list that is necessary for local government elections,” he said.

Ramotar said the Central Committee urged that all efforts be made to remove the various bottlenecks to ensure a successful completion of the registration exercise.

He said the exercise, which is scheduled to be completed in 190 days had only accomplished 66.3 per cent up to May 11.

Ramotar said Guyana Election Commission (GECOM) has only achieved 64.8 per cent of its projected target and is behind its schedule.

According to him, the achievement of several registration centres are even lower than the overall May 11 results.

“While the rate of submission of completed work in the field has increased significantly since I last raised the issue, the following centres still have unacceptable submission rates - East Coast Demerara 63.5 per cent and Lethem 74.1,” Ramotar claimed.

He admitted a slight improvement since he last reported to the media but said the situation remains unsatisfactory.

Ramotar said GECOM has completed 383,053 transactions in the field but the editing team has only finished 163,157 or 37.1 per cent.

“This, once again, raises the question of the preparation for local government elections in time for this year...the situation with the encoding continues to be very unsatisfactory …only 108,377 or 28.3 per cent of the completed registration done in the field was entered into the database,” he said.

“... this position is extremely unsatisfactory and GECOM needs to try to accelerate their internal work.”

Minister Fox assures government’s commitment to the arts
By Priya Nauth
MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, has assured that the government is committed to supporting drama and other types of arts.

She gave this assurance on Thursday at the launching of the Ministry of Education’s Sixth National Secondary School Drama Festival at the National Cultural Centre.

In declaring the festival open, the minister noted the administration’s support towards the restoration of the Theatre Guild and additionally contributions by the private sector and other organisations.

Dr. Fox said this is also evident in the keen interest shown by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

“Our culture is presented positively to the world…we will be hosting the Caribbean Festival of Arts (Carifesta X)…you can see why an event like the National School Drama competition is so important to boosting our cultural heritage in Guyana,” she pointed out.

“…this is because it teaches you leadership, discipline, punctuality, literacy, patience, honesty, fostering of ideas, life skills and creativity,” Fox noted.

“It functions as the medium for the strengthening and well-being of the nation,” she attested.

“This year has two additional incentives for your performances which I am sure would have motivated and pushed you to the limit,” the minister said.

The minister revealed that some of the groups will be selected to join the official Carifesta X contingent representing Guyana and additionally participants will also be selected to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Secondary School Drama Festival which will be hosted here in November.

“I am aware that all of you came here…to do your very best while maintaining the high standards both in content and the level of performance,” she noted.

Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performing, the minister defined.

She noted that drama and dramatic performances are centuries old and have always played a role in the development of society culturally at different levels.

“Presently the Ministry of Education continues to believe that performance, expression and corroboration are important life skills…it has always recognised the crucial role in drama in the school’s curriculum as a tool for education responsible to create awareness or understanding of an idea or issue,” he said.

The ministry of education needs to observe more carefully what is happening at schools with the drama curriculum, she said.

She also encouraged the commissioning and performances of plays from Guyanese writers.

She implored schools to engage the local dramatists who are well known in Guyana to perform at schools and assist in drama workshops.

“And develop the skills for students to create their own play and more importantly to share the body of knowledge that they have in drama and to share experiences with students,” she said.

Administrator of the Unit of Allied Arts, Ms. Desiree Wyles-Ogle, said this biennial activity was initiated in 1998 and attracted a number of participants from various schools across the country.

She said that drama is one area where literacy and memory skills are enhanced and encourage cooperation as a team.

The activity is a three-day exercise and concludes tomorrow. Aurora Secondary, Sophia Special School, Berbice Educational Institute, St. Joseph High, Anna Regina Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary and Mabaruma Secondary performed their respective plays yesterday.
The programme is co-coordinated by the Unit of Allied Arts.

Evidence readily available, compelling
-- Dr. Luncheon says of PNC/R’s misuse of scrutineers’ $100M claim
HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon said while he prefers to wait on the results of the audit currently being carried out with regards to the main Opposition PNCR’s alleged misuse of some $100M in public funds, the evidence is both ‘readily available’ and ‘compelling’.

The HPS was at the time responding to a question about whether the administration has any evidence to support its claim last week that the main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) misused the $100M provided for its party’s scrutineers involved in the current ongoing National Registration exercise, and what has the administration been doing about it.

“We are of course assailed with denial by the PNCR about the misuse of these public funds,” Luncheon said, adding that the party’s obstruction and refusal to cooperate with the auditors have been noted.

“I am not a member of the audit team so I am not giving a time-frame but our understanding is the evidence is so compelling, it is so readily available that I doubt whether we would be waiting until Christmas to get definitive answers from an authoritative source to support the Government’s contention about the PNCR’s misuse of public funds,” he stated.

Last week, the Cabinet Secretary announced Government’s concerns that the main Opposition Party had misused the $100M provided for scrutineers of the party, claiming that the money has been used for other purposes, including protests.
The PNC/R has since denied the allegation.

Village grants propelling Amerindian development
-- distribution ongoing
EMPHASIS continues to be placed on the distribution of village grants to Amerindian communities by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which, to date, has disbursed $22.2M in the fulfillment of another promise made by President Bharrat Jagdeo to ensure the living standards of Amerindians are raised and they are integrated into society like all other Guyanese.

During the National Toshaos’ Conference in October, $150M was allocated for further enhancement of Amerindian communities through either socio-economic activities or capacity building.

One hundred and thirty nine communities were identified for the grants of which 95 have already submitted their proposals. Thirty-eight communities are in the process of executing their projects. Due to the size and population of each community they will receive varying amounts.

Senior Project Officer of the Ministry, Haroon Khan said that the executed ventures are successful and fruitful for the respective communities. He said Kabakaburi in Region Two has established a village shop and is in the process of building a guest house. Khan said when he visited the community earlier this year; he was amazed of how well the shop was progressing.

He said the guest house will attract more visitors to the community since they will have access to better facilities and amenities.

In the area of building capacity for residents, Wiruni along the Berbice River in Region Ten has developed a skills training programme in furniture and craft-making. Wiruni has purchased a generator at a cost of $500,000 to power the Wiruni multi-purpose building.

Toshao of Wiruni Rohan Fredrick said wood-working will be one of the activities to receive focus because the community produces its own lumber and many of the residents are skilled in craft-making.

Many electrical tools have already been bought and the craft products will be sold to provide a livelihood for the residents.

Difficult terrain and demand for community development officers in the Regions have been attributed as factors affecting some communities handing in their projects.

Amerindian development remains a priority to the administration and each year several interventions are undertaken to forward community development and improve their living standard. (GINA)

Police report on fatal Wednesday night shooting
POLICE yesterday reported that they have recovered twenty-one .556 and eleven 7.62 x 39 spent shells at the scene of the Drury Lane and Middleton Street, Campbellville fatal shooting on Wednesday night.

The report said, about 21:30 h travel consultant Arjune Narine, 22, was shot and killed when gunmen discharged a fusillade of bullets.

Several persons suffered injuries in the attack and those rushed to Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) for treatment were Larry Goorsahai, 49, of Station Street, Kitty, 24-year-old Mark Semple and his mother Jean Singh, 62, of Seaforth Street, in Campbellville, too.

Police said its ranks had stopped the driver of a motor car along Middleton Street after it was observed that the headlights of the vehicle were defective.

Motor car PGG 3465, being driven by Semple, with Singh inside, was proceeding in the opposite direction and Police stopped it, too.

This resulted in Narine, who was driving PGG 8089 and Larry Goorsahai, at the wheel of PFF 7586, having to stop as they were travelling behind Semple.

While the Police were carrying out their investigations, armed men along Drury Lane opened fire, killing Narine and injuring Semple, his mother Singh and Goorsahai, Police said.

The statement said mobile police patrols responded quickly but the shooters managed to escape while the injured persons were treated at GPH and sent away.

The Police also said, that, contrary to what was stated in the Stabroek News yesterday, the policemen who were stopping the vehicles wore uniform and not plain clothes.

Amerindian aspects of CARIFESTA progressing well
– Minister Sukhai
NEW Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Sukhai yesterday announced plans to create an Amerindian village at the Sophia Exhibition Complex in time for the grand opening of the 10th Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA 10) on August 22.

She said the place will have buildings in which there will be various cultural pieces, artifacts, foods and traditional items of the local indigenous tribes as well as those from the Caribbean region.

Speaking at a media briefing in the CARIFESTA Secretariat, Middle Street, Georgetown, Sukhai told reporters the huts will be outfitted with the respective arts and craft, medicinal herbs and other exotic Amerindian products.

She said the Amerindian communities in Regions Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Two

(Pomeroon/Supenaam) will host their own cultural activities.

Minister Sukhai also revealed that a number of organisations, such as North West Organics, Iwokrama International Conservation Centre, Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel and University of Guyana (UG), have indicated interest in promoting indigenous culture during the festival billed to open at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

“Guyana has one of the largest indigenous populations and we need to showcase the development of our indigenous people, where they are today, where they came from and highlight their development and what they have to offer locally and to the region,” she stated.

At the briefing, too, were Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CARIFESTA Secretariat, Mr. Nigel Dharamlall.

Anthony said officials and cultural performers in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice) have agreed to establish a CARIFESTA Committee to coordinate and execute a programme leading up to and during the event.

He said the agreement was reached Thursday at a meeting to discuss that region’s role in the mega event.

Anthony said he took the opportunity to inspect potential sites for the hosting of the cultural extravaganza and launched a CARIFESTA caravan. It will spontaneously visit various places in the mining community and stage 15 minutes shows, of dance, steelband music and other forms of entertainment, with the aim of stimulating interest.

Last week, a similar discussion was held with Region Five officials and they too will establish a similar committee next week, he said.

Minister Anthony expressed satisfaction with the rate of preparation, so far, pointing out that, on Wednesday, he will meet Region Six officials as efforts intensify to get more people involved.

Apart from the regional meetings, he said work is continuing with different countries which have been invited and indicated intention to participate.

Anthony said Curacao is the most recent to confirm participation and, up to now, confirmation of their presence has been received from 1,376 persons.

The minister appealed for regional volunteers but acknowledged that, at the centre, 925 persons are on the ministry database as having volunteered and he is optimistic more will register as the event nears.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Secretariat initiated a child art competition at Patentia Secondary School, West Bank Demerara, where 30 entries have been received, to date, from students countrywide.

The contest closes May 31 and the prizes include desktop/lap top computers and Ipods.

The ministry, next week, will unveil the first public art project at the Walter Roth Museum, Anthony said.

He added that the ministry has awarded contracts worth $21M for the rehabilitation of the western and eastern stands of the National Park in Georgetown.

An additional exit will be made at the Dennis Street entrance to the Sophia Exhibition Complex and $2.5M has been allocated for that project while awards will follow, next week, to upgrade the auditorium and sanitary facilities there.

Anthony also said the foundations of the six light towers at the National Stadium are about 90 per cent complete and all the fixtures are already in the country.

He said the lights will be installed on May 27 by a team from the contracting company, Musco Lighting.

Another disclosure Anthony made is that Government has allocated $305M to the Secretariat to enhance its facilities but the various regions hosting events will offset some of their expenses.

In relation to accommodation, he informed that there has been positive feedback from a number of hotels in and around the capital and 52 of them have been booked for the occasion.

Still, Anthony is encouraging persons desirous of accommodating tourists at their homes and providing them with transportation to register with the Secretariat.

He said the Secretariat will be purchasing an international stage for the super concerts and it will be bought from an American company for US$600,000.

The platform, Anthony said, will facilitate quality entertainment even after CARIFESTA.

He said a shipment of tenor and guitar pans, that arrived from Trinidad and Tobago last week, is currently being used by a 56-member Guyanese band practising at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue, Thomas Lands, in the city.

One more revelation from Anthony is that Government recently extended duty free concessions to the entertainment industry to import stage gear such as lights and sound equipment for CARIFESTA. (Tajeram Mohabir)

SINGLE PARENT FAMILY
- A GROWING PHENOMENON
By Hydar Ally
THE Ministry of Human Services must be given credit for the pro-active stance they have been taking in rendering assistance to vulnerable groups in our society.

There is a saying that a society is judged by the way it treated with its poor and vulnerable.

Included in the category of vulnerable are the aged, the handicapped and the now growing phenomenon of single parent families.

In the case of the elderly, the pensions paid, though still modest, have increased substantially since the coming to office of the PPP/C administration.

The current administration has also abolished the means test which hitherto disqualified a significant number of pensioners from accessing state assistance, paltry as the sum was in those days. Pensioners now enjoy exemptions from payment of water rates among other benefits.

In the case of single parent women, the Government through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is in the process of reaching out to single parents who are in need of assistance.

Not all single parents fall into the category of vulnerable groups.

There are today many women who opted to live single parent lives for a variety of reasons. Among the reasons is the pursuit of career opportunities, greater economic independence and failed marriages. Many of these are working women who feel comfortable to remain in a state of single parent status even as they pursue their working and professional lives.

The fact is that norms and values which hitherto were considered sacred are changing rapidly due to the impact of industrialisation and modernisation. The institution of marriage and family is not considered as sacrosanct as was the case formerly. The nuclear family, consisting of a husband, wife and children is becoming increasingly weaker especially in the more industrialised countries such as the USA, Canada and other European countries. In some countries, nearly one in every three marriages ended up in divorce. A Canadian friend of mine told me once of the problem he was having with his children who were somewhat ‘disappointed’ that they have no where other than home to spend their week-ends as most of their peers at school were boasting of going to either one of their separated parents for vacation on week-ends. This is perhaps an exaggerated way of making the point but it does underscore the magnitude of the single parent phenomenon which is now becoming something of a norm rather than the exception.

There is a correlation between the divorce rate and economic advancement. Economically advanced societies offer greater opportunities for employment especially with respect to women who are no longer dependent on husbands or male companion for financial assistance. As such, they are less likely to tolerate stress in relations which ultimately resulted in separation or divorce. A fair number of these women opted to remain uncommitted in a single parent arrangement.

Guyana is not similar in this regard. The statistics would reveal that there is an increase in the number of single–parent families for reasons. Many factors are responsible for this including high immigration rates to North America in which many individuals have virtually abandoned spouses and families, some never to return. Many of these leave with the expectation of taking their family with them at some subsequent period when their status would have been regularised which sometimes never materialised. More women in Guyana opted for paid employment outside of the home due in part to better education and employment opportunities.

Be that as it may, there are a significant number of single parents who are crying out for assistance to upkeep themselves and their families due to limited employment opportunities. A significant number of these are uneducated or unskilled which limit their employment opportunities and they are therefore forced into prostitution and other forms of anti-social activities for their own survival and that of their children. Many women are abused and virtually condemned to the streets by abusive and uncaring husbands.

This is why the intervention of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is so timely and laudable. There are not many countries in the world that actively seek out its poor and vulnerable in the way Guyana does and seek to render some form of assistance. C