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TWO MORE CHARGED WITH LUSIGNAN MASSACRE
-- one also for ‘Mango Man’ murder
By Telesha Persaud
TWO more persons were yesterday charged with the murders of the Lusignan massacre victims.

Mark Royden Williams also known as Royden Durant or ‘Smallie’ appeared before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle to face the charge jointly with a 15-year-old juvenile.

However, prior to the charges being read to him, Defence Counsel Roger Yearwood said the correct name of the accused is Roberto Royden Williams and Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, successfully applied to the magistrate for it to be included on the case jacket.

Williams, 20, of Uitvlugt Estate Road, West Coast Demerara, is on the joint charge, with the minor, for the January 26 unlawful killings of Clarence Thomas, 48, Vanessa Thomas, 12, Ron Thomas, 11, Mohandan Goordat, 32, Seegopaul Harilall, 10, Seegobin Harilall, 4, Dhanwajie Ramsingh, 52, Seecharran Rooplall, 56, Raywattie Ramsingh, 11, Shazam Mohammed, 22 and Shaleem Baksh, 52, at Lusignan.

Yearwood said Williams is a father of two and his teenage co-accused in the Lusignan slaughter is a third form student of Buxton Community High School.

Previously, last February 21, 19-year-old mini-bus conductor James Anthony Hyles nicknamed ‘Sally’, of Lot 70 Friendship, appeared in the same court charged also in connection with the Lusignan killings.

The preliminary inquiry (PI) in that case is ongoing at Vigilance Court, where all three accused will next appear on June 26.

The 11 victims, including five children, were shot dead at Track ‘A’, Lusignan on January 26.

The alleged mastermind of that and the Bartica massacre, Rondell Rawlins alias ‘Fine Man’ is still on the run, with a $50M reward on offer for information leading to his arrest.

Williams was accused yesterday, as well, that, on August 30, 2007, at Cove and John, he murdered businessman Kumar Singh called Jabar alias ‘Mango Man’.

He is the fourth man to be charged with that crime, after Sherwin Nero known as Sherwin Moses or ‘Catty’, of Lot 54 Buxton and Lot 74 Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Jermaine Wright, 25, of Vigilance and Andrew Philander or ‘Junior’ nicknamed ‘Gadget’, 18, of Lot 54 Middle Walk, Buxton, also on East Coast Demerara.

The deceased was shot in a robbery attack and his wife, Indroutie and brother-in-law, Brazilian Jose D’Acruz Arauijo, are still recovering from injuries suffered at the same time.

On June 13, an arrest warrant was issued for Williams when Nero made another Court appearance on the charge for murdering Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldier Ivor Williams, who was gunned down in an Army vehicle on January 23.

Williams and Nero were joined on that charge by Cecil Simon Rambarran, called ‘Uncle Magic’ and ‘Limpy’ (now deceased) and Guyana’s most wanted, Rawlins.

President blazes Burke, other critics over racist accusations
- during press conferences in New York


CARIBBEAN HEADS AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE: President Bharrat Jagdeo is fourth from left.
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo has strongly rebuffed claims by some Guyanese-Americans, chief of whom was Rickford Burke, President of the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy, who continuously accuse his administration of being racist and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of ‘ethnocracy’. 

Burke has, over the years, been promoting the notion that serious race problems exist in Guyana and that Afro-Guyanese are being marginalised by the ruling party. 

But speaking at a news conference he hosted in between the New York conference on the Caribbean that ended yesterday, President Jagdeo was quoted in a report by the Carib World News (CWN) as saying this is totally not the case in Guyana where all of the races are integrated.

CWN quoted the Guyanese Head of State as saying that, “If you go through the three branches of government, you’ll see it looks like Guyana”. He also debunked claims that there is serious tension between Afro and Indo Guyanese, noting that it is the ‘extremists’ of the two races who have been promoting this view, noting that investigations by the United Nations (UN) and the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) revealed no evidence of institutionalised racism in the country.

“This is a country that is deeply integrated…I’m just worried that good, decent Guyanese people are getting the wrong impression of Guyana”, he asserted as he blamed the press for their continuous reports of Burke’s opinions.   

The President disclosed that while in New York, he had an unproductive meeting with Burke and that discussions as such would not get anywhere as Burke was too prejudiced.

The CWN reported that one reporter asked the President if he would consider a truce with Burke but he said, “Truce? There is no war.”

In the meantime, the President used the forum to reassure those interested in travelling to Guyana for the tenth Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) that they need not worry about security as this was being addressed. He alluded to other major events which have been successfully hosted in the country already, including the Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting, the Rio Group Summit and matches for Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2007.

“Security standards had to be at an international level for these events…we passed with flying colours. We have a security plan to make sure everything goes smoothly,” CWN quoted the Guyanese Leader as saying.

President Jagdeo also reportedly addressed the problem of reduced flights and increased costs of these to Guyana, attributing these to the rising cost of fuel.

However, he suggested too that some airlines may be charging high fares to customers travelling to Guyana and his Government is looking into this.                

Luncheon calls for support to Joint Services
CABINET Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon has called on other Guyanese to rally around the Joint Services as they continue to rid society of criminal elements.

Speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday, he said, when congratulations are due, they should be given, just as when reprimands are needed they should be administered.

“I believe, when criticisms are due, they should be made and, equally, I believe, when congratulations should be offered, it should also be done,” he maintained.

Luncheon said successes by the Joint Services must be recognised and they must be given public recognition and accolades that would allow them to be even more motivated to continue their task.

He observed that Joint Services members have been subjected to unusual levels of hostility but he joined his counterparts to offer them support for their positive results in the field.

Luncheon said he remains confident that Rondell Rawlins alias ‘Fine Man’ and the remaining men in his gang are still in the Berbice area and would be caught.

To date, the operation launched at Christmas Falls and the surroundings have claimed the lives of three bandits, all associated to the notorious gunmen and the arrest of a 14-year-old boy, who confessed to Police that he belonged to the infamous outfit in which were deceased Cecil Ramcharran called ‘Uncle Willy’ and ‘Limpy’ and 15-year-old Robin Chung nicknamed ‘Chung Boy’.

The 14-year-old made a Court appearance yesterday and was remanded in custody.

PPP condemns racist cartoon
The PPP has also joined with other forces in expressing the view that the cartoon in the Sunday Stabroek of June 15, 2008 is a racist attack on Indo-Guyanese.

“The cartoon seeks to perpetuate a stereo type of Indo-Guyanese community and feeds the racist line that they are anti-black,” it noted.

“The PPP while upholding freedom of press has always taken the view that with that freedom comes responsibility. This is even more so in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural society,” the party added.

Any use of media to build hate and resentment of any section of the society by another cannot and must not be tolerated and it is the duty of any editor to ensure that they do nothing to foster racial tensions in society, the statement said.

“The PPP calls on the Stabroek News editors and managers to cease from inflaming racial sentiments in our society,” it urged.

Meanwhile, the party also expressed its deep concern over the situation in Zimbabwe.

“The government of Robert Mugabe has been involved in violating the fundamental human rights of the people of Zimbabwe. The massive rigging of the elections could not hide the fact that the opposition Movement for Democratic Change had obtained more votes than the ruling ZAMU-PF party. However the rigging was enough to force a run off elections for the Presidency,” it pointed out.

The PPP said that now the ruling party has unleashed a reign of violence against the opposition members and supporters which is clearly going to create conditions for the ZAMU-PF to once again seize power by force and fraud.

“In the meantime, the masses of Zimbabwe have been enduring great hardships. The inflation rates have risen to the stratosphere, unemployment affects most of the population and shortages of almost all items are all pervasive,” it noted.

“The PPP supports the call by many African leaders for free and fair elections in Zimbabwe. This is the only path to recovery in that country,” the PPP attested.
NEWS

PPP calls on PNCR to state its position on CARIFESTA
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) strongly condemns the recent attempted arson at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

“This incident had occurred weeks after the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was shot-up by what was reported to be drive-by shooting,” the Party observed in a statement yesterday.

“These actions have taken place after the main opposition party the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) threatened CARIFESTA, the grand Caribbean Cultural extravaganza scheduled to be held in Guyana in August this year,” the party noted.

“The attack on the Ministry and the threat of the PNCR must be taken seriously. We must consider whether the PNCR is carrying out its threats or whether their position is giving a signal to criminals to make the Ministry a target,” the PPP stated.

“In light of these attacks, the PNCR must state explicitly without any equivocation, its position on CARIFESTA,” the Party exhorted.

The PPP is calling on all peace loving and democratic forces in Guyana to denounce these violent attacks on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and call on the PNCR to make its position towards CARFIESTA very clear.

Two houses, shop destroyed in New Amsterdam fire
By Jeune Bailey Van-Keric


The fire at Pitt Street on Thursday night
POLICE were yesterday continuing investigations into the fire which completely destroyed two houses and a nintendo game shop in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on Thursday night.

Reports said the blaze started in a two-storey house next to the one in which the owner, Ethylene Bristol lived, at Lots 14-36 and 38 Pitt Street, at its junction with Republic Road.

The flames quickly spread to the other building occupied by the elderly woman who lived alone, after burning the game shop which she managed.

Unable to estimate her losses yesterday, Bristol said, before retiring to bed about 19:30 h, she had secured her home and activated the alarm system.

However, about 20:25 h, she was awakened by its sound and, on looking through a window, saw smoke emanating from the unoccupied adjacent house.

She alerted neighbours who went to her assistance but a strong breeze and weed filled canal, which runs parallel to Republic Road, prevented firemen from readily accessing water.

But other residents commended the firefighters for a job well done under the circumstances, preventing the destruction of more homes in the close proximity.

Teenager Keon Tinnie told the Guyana Chronicle, after seeing smoke billowing from one of the buildings, he mobilised others and helped remove household articles for neighbours whose premises were threatened.

Some women were seen praying for divine intervention in a Coopers Lane yard as people nearby emptied homes in attempt to salvage their possessions in the event the conflagration became more disastrous.

One dog perished and another was rescued, eyewitnesses reported.

Man shot during drinking session
TWO men are in police custody following a shooting incident at Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, on Thursday night.

Police reported that about 20:00h, farmer Naresh Mahabal, 25, was shot in the chest.

Mahabal, along with his father and brother, were drinking when an argument flared up and then gunshots were heard.

Police arrived on the scene and found Mahabal with a gunshot wound to his chest and his wife, Bhagmattie Persaud, with an injury to her right foot.

Naresh Mahabal was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Police recovered a live .38 round at the scene.

Rather than become involved in crime…
Youths must be encouraged to go into agriculture
By Tajeram Mohabir
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud has urged parents and community leaders to encourage youths to engage in agriculture, and this will keep them too busy to become involved in crime.

Speaking to a group of farmers at Aliki, Region Three (Essequibo Islands), Persaud was at the time referring to the three teenaged members of the ‘Fine Man’ gang who were killed in the exchange of fire with the police.

He observed that farming is gradually becoming a pursuit for adults, as young people are reluctant to enter the field even though there are abundant opportunities to develop both themselves and the country.

Instead, the minister pointed, because of lack of guidance, they gravitate to anti-social activities, doing themselves and the nation a great disservice.

Persaud underscored the need for parents and community leaders to guide and guard adolescents from certain known distractions, especially the criminal minds that occupy the dark corners of society, bent on misleading vulnerable youths.

He implored such criminal elements that instead of arming youths with guns, give them forks to engage in agriculture which is a more meaningful career at this and any time.

The minister stressed that agriculture spans several inter-related disciplines and is the baseline for national development. He noted if the country is to move forward, young people will have to play their rightful role.

During the visit to promote the ‘Grow More’ food campaign, several concerns were raised by farmers, including the problem with acoushi ants, a request for a ram from the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) and the need for a plough to accelerate the campaign.

Persaud handed over a quantity of chemicals to control the ants, and his officers will be visiting the community in another three weeks to train farmers to control the pest.

A ram will be made available at NARI at a reduced cost, and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) will be contacted to lend one of its ploughs to farmers perhaps for a period of three weeks.

Government last year invested some $26M to improve drainage and irrigation and to boost agricultural production in the community.

Government is currently building a $14M drainage and irrigation structure and water control structure at Beribisiballi, another community along the Essequibo River.

At Fort Island, residents complained about damaged roads, sea defence and kokers, and the desire to cultivate rice on the island.

Region Three Chairman Julius Faeber said the issue with the roads, sea defence and kokers will be examined to determine the type of interventions needed.

Guyana Rice Development Board General Manager, Jagnarine Singh, pointed out that the cultivation of rice requires substantial investments; and given the small size the island, the venture would not be profitable.

According to Singh, an area of about 1000 acres is ideal to begin cultivation, but the island has just over 300 acres used primarily for cash crops.

Persaud promised that his ministry will work closely with farmers on the island to increase beef production.

At a meeting with Region Seven councillors, they raised the question of asking the Transport and Harbours Department to bring goods from Georgetown into the region once a month, as this would reduce the cost of food items.

They also complained about Brazilians illegally slaughtering cattle in the interior, when this should be done in Bartica.

Persaud advised that they raise the transportation request with Minister of Transport Robeson Benn and the issue with the cattle with the police.

Ministry concerned about problems with Guyana, U.S. cell phone connections
THE Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has expressed concern over numerous complaints that persons wishing to call Guyana from the United States are experiencing difficulties in connecting to cell phones on both Digicel and Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Company.

In a press release Thursday, the ministry said that failure to connect to Guyana from the U.S. is bad for business here.

&The ministry would like the management of GT&T and Digicel to look into the matter and have it rectified with a sense of urgency,” it insisted.

In response, GT&T said that it would have helped if the Ministry had communicated with them prior to going public.

The company stated that it would also assist their troubleshooting if the complaints are supported by details such as the number of complaints received, the state that the persons are calling from, time of the day, facility being used to call in (GT&T/Digicel roaming handset, normal wire line phone abroad, calling card etc) and location of the calling party if available.

&We did put out a notice yesterday Wednesday indicating that our mobile network in East Berbice was experiencing problems due to interference. That problem has been partially solved,” GT&T noted.

&A piece of GuySuCo equipment had damaged our cable and while that problem has been fixed, it might be that the disruption/restoration activity and switching radio/fibre offered a window when a few calls to the mobile network might have failed,” it explained.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Digicel emphasized that it would like to make it clear that it does not hold a license to route international calls over its network.

>&T holds the sole license for international calls, and as a result, Digicel is forced to route all of its international traffic into and out of Guyana through GT&T’s network,” Digicel pointed out.

Digicel expressed concern that once again its customers are experiencing difficulties receiving international calls, following several disruptions last year when the Americas II cable, which GT&T uses to route international calls over its network, was damaged.

&Due to the severity of the outage in May 2007, the Government of Guyana granted Digicel a temporary license to route calls over its own network, which proved a viable alternative to the current agreement,” it noted. 

In light of what appears to be further disruption to international calls, Digicel today reiterates its call for the need for full liberalization of the mobile communications market in Guyana,” it urged.

&Digicel has already made a considerable investment in developing its own international link, to route international calls into and out of Guyana. By fully liberalizing the mobile communications market, it will ensure that the people of Guyana can conduct their business affairs and keep in touch with their family and friends living abroad, on a reliable network,” the company assured.

Laparkan Caribbean sales conference concludes


Mr. G. Khan – Chairman/CEO with members of the team.
THE Laparkan Freight Group of Companies recently concluded its 4th Annual Caribbean Sales Conference which was held this year in Guyana.

The Conference brought together the Senior Managers and Sales personnel from various Laparkan Offices across the Caribbean as well as top executives from its North American operations. A key part of this event was the Award Ceremony which was held at the Georgetown Club to recognise the Top Sales Performing Individuals and Offices across the Laparkan Network. Fittingly, the Chairman’s Award for the overall top Laparkan Station was won by the Guyana Freight Division.

According to a release from Laparkan, Guyana was chosen for this year’s Sales Conference in recognition and as part of the celebration of Laparkan’s 25th Anniversary of serving the Guyanese and Caribbean Diaspora.

The Chairman of the Laparkan Group Mr. Glen Khan and 30 overseas delegates were hosted by their Laparkan Guyana Freight division counterparts headed by Mr. Oscar Phillips, the General Manager and joined by Mr. Avinaish Bhagwandin the Group Managing Director of Laparkan Holdings Limited and Mr. Clinton Williams the CEO of GNIC as well as a number of key Executives and Senior Managers.

The event was held at the Grand Coastal Hotel and the two days of meetings that deliberated on Laparkan business development models in context of the dynamic and evolving trade patterns in the Region. Especially of interest were the new opportunities that have emerged from Panama and the Far East (China and India) trade lanes. Laparkan is uniquely positioned as a Gold Medallion member of the 2,000 strong World Cargo Associates Family of Logistics Networks to bring Guyana and Caribbean customers trade coverage from some 200 countries across the World.

Regionally, the emergence of the Brazil/Guyana corridor for trans-shipment via Laparkan Trinidad Hub is expected to become a strategic business opportunity for the Laparkan Caribbean and North American Network.

Mr. Glen Khan, in reflecting on the growth of the Laparkan group over the first 25 years, indicated significant pride to have grown from a 4 person start-up into a 1200 strong diverse Group of Companies serving Guyana 28 markets across the Caribbean basin with strong brand recognition and customer loyalty.

Laparkan has successfully crossed over into the Hispanic markets with Offices in Dominican Republic and Panama and dedicated Spanish speaking staffed Offices in New York. Laparkan is the number one shipper of Personal Effects into the Caribbean and is moving towards a similar dominance with Commercial cargo. This growth strategy is expected to get a significant boost later this year as new Web-based industry software (Cargo Manager) is rolled out across the Network.

A recent Money Transfer agreement with the worldwide OMNEX group will allow Laparkan to compete with the major brands and offer a strong intra-Caribbean money transmission opportunity (that will be second to none).

The Laparkan group has clearly demonstrated its top tier positioning in attracting relationships with global brand name companies such as DHL Aviation, Tropical Shipping and Delta Air Lines as part of its service offerings.

Mr. Khan in singling out the key to the success of the Group indicated that it was “people” i.e. customers and employees of Laparkan that have been attracted to, work for and remain committed to the Group. That has truly ‘made the difference’ and is the reason for the Company’s ongoing accomplishments.

Dharmic Sabha condemns NCC arson attempt
THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha has strongly condemned the attempted arson on the National Cultural Centre.

According to a press release, the Sabha is sincerely appealing to those who may be involved to desist and discourage actions of such nature.

“The National Cultural Centre is a venue where various cultures of the land are presented from time to time and a place to be cared and protected, it noted.

“There can be no justification for destroying it. Cultures must unite and bring our people together,” the organization urged.

“The Sabha cannot countenance this wicked action and repeats its unreserved condemnation of this arson attempt,” it reiterated.

First of three U.S. Army missions in Linden
THE first of three United States (U.S.) Army 2008 medical missions to Guyana is underway at Linden and Ituni in Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

The Americans are rendering free services with a team from the 4215th U.S. Army Hospital (USAH).

The 44-member group, of doctors, dentists, nurses, veterinarians and medics, arrived on June 8, under the command of Colonel Martin Ridge and will remain in the Upper Demerara River area until June 25.

While here, they will be working at the Wismar and Linden Hospital complexes out-patients clinic every day in the week.

One clinic was concluded at Ituni Medical Centre on Wednesday and another was scheduled there for yesterday.

Patients are attended to between 08:00 h and 16:00 h but should be at the location no later than 14:00 h to be seen the same day.

Care is being offered in areas including general medicine, basic dentistry and optometry.

Briefing the media at Linden Hospital Complex on Thursday, Ridge remarked that the Guyanese hospitality has been unbelievable.

He said they had performed surgeries, as well and the veterinarians among them have examined a lot of animals, including dogs and cats.

Ridge reported that the team, apart from treating adults, has seen paediatric cases as well as some with gastroenteritis and several with conjunctivitis (red eyes) and cataracts.

They have done ultra sound tests on pregnant women, too.

First Lieutenant Vadankumar Pathak, a pharmacist, noting the need for medication at the Linden health facility, said, after the month supply dispensed to patients, what is left would be donated to the institution.

They have donated a number of medical books to the Charles Roza School of Nursing, with the donation being handed over to the Principal, Mr. Hillary Christopher, by Colonel Marcus Carr.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed deep appreciation for what was offered

The humanitarian visit of the 4215th USAH to Region Ten, is part of the U.S. Government’s ongoing commitment to improving the health of people in Guyana in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.

Charge d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy here, Mr. Arnold Campbell, who was present, disclosed that two more such missions are planned for August and November.

Others in the entourage were Mr. Rolf Olson, Political/Public Affairs Officer and Lieutenant Colonel Steven Stanley, Military Group Commander, also of the embassy.

Representing the Ministry of Health was Chief Medex, Mr. Maurice Jeffery. (Shirley Thomas)

Ministry not preventing teachers from attending U.G.
EDUCATION Minister Shaik Baksh has condemned allegations from the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) President Mr. Colwin King that the ministry is preventing teachers from attending the University of Guyana (UG).

Baksh explained that his ministry has introduced a quota system to prevent too many teachers leaving school as was the case last year when there were no restrictions.

He pointed out that during last year, there were many reports of teachers leaving school to attend the university and not returning to the classroom for days, much to the detriment of their students.

According to the minister, this was prevalent, particularly at schools in the Georgetown Education District, the lower East Coast and East Bank Demerara.

He said that release of teachers is clearly outlined in a policy document devised by his ministry, and noted that since the quota system was introduced, the problem was greatly reduced.

However, during last term, the release of teachers to attend the university had caused some minor disruptions in schools.

However, the minister is optimistic that this will not happen in the next school year.

The minister explained that his ministry is not preventing teachers from furthering their education, but wants this to be done in a way which will not negatively affect students.

On this note, he pointed out that some 40 teachers are currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education at U.G., and his ministry is working with the university’s administration to have more afternoon classes to facilitate them.

Riverain farmers get assurances on
‘Grow More’ campaign
By Tajeram Mohabir
FARMERS in riverain areas got several assurances on the ‘Grow More’ food campaign when Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud and a team went to Regions Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) on Thursday.

The minister, who led the promotion, said, among other things, that efforts are being made to address the issuance of firearms to stop acoushi ants from ravaging crops in Region Seven.

He gave the undertaking at separate meetings with members of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) at its office and at Modern Conference Centre, both in Bartica.

With the minister were National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) Director, Dr. Oudho Homenauth, New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) General Manager, Mr. Nizam Hassan, Acting Chief Executive Officer of National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Mr. Lionel Wordsworth and Chief Crops and Livestock Officer, Mr. Brian Sears.

In the RDC boardroom at Bartica, Regional Chairman, Mr. Holbert Knights lamented that, for some time now, the Council has applied for a plot of land to be used as pasture but the application was held up by Office of the President.

He said the region produces top quality meat cows, like those at Leguan, in Region Three and other areas and, as such, herders are encouraged to sell their cattle.

However, agriculture in the region is bleak and the Regional Administration has submitted a proposal, to the United States (U.S.) Embassy, for assistance to fund a seedling nursery that would supply farmers, conduct demonstrations and execute upgrading programmes, Knights stated.

He lauded the Education For All/Fast Track Initiative (EFA/FTI) feeding project, noting that it has been a stimulus for encouraging farmers activities.

Knights said Bartica farmers were able to readily sell their produce through that programme but it is being reviewed and might be terminated at the end of this school term.

Improvement
The Chairman appealed to the Ministry of Education to extend it for another three years so it can continue to significantly contribute to the improvement of students’ attendance and academic performance.

Persaud said the pasture lease will be granted in another three weeks and acknowledged his encouragement by the interest shown in the region to expand agriculture production and help tackle the global food crisis.

The minister said, while Bartica is not an agriculture driven region, focus in that is still needed to reduce the high cost of transporting produce to there.

Councillors and planters complained that wild animals have long been destroying their produce and, even though they have applied, to the Ministry of Home Affairs, for firearms, years now, their applications are yet to be granted.

Minister Persaud explained the Government’s policy to issue guns to Amerindians and others doing farming, because of the nature of their work and to protect their economic livelihoods.

He said the Guyana Police Force has to expedite the process, moreso for hinterland applicants but disclosed that his ministry is also trying to influence the Home Affairs Ministry to do similarly.

To help with the acoushi ants problem, Minister Persaud distributed chemicals and baits for use to avoid the pests causing a decline in agricultural production.

He also promised that officials from his ministry will visit the area in another two or three weeks to conduct training in the use of the things disbursed.

The same issues were raised at Beribisiballi, Aliki and Fort Island, all along Essequibo River, in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), where Persaud also visited and said interventions will be made in those places, too.

The minister also handed out seeds and a number of farming manuals with information on common crop diseases and solutions, that would be handy in light of the limited number of extension officers available.

Persaud said his ministry has a programme to train farmers in the functions of extension agents and they are being encouraged to impart the knowledge acquired to their colleagues.

Stipend
He appealed to farmers at every meeting to identify at least two persons in their communities to be trained for the purpose at Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA).

Persaud said those chosen will be given stipends of $15,000 each during the course.

He indicated his disgust at reports of some agents idling on the job and warned that they would be dealt with appropriately.

Persaud said his ministry has commenced work with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry to do similarly in other far-flung communities to not only lower the cost of living but ensure food security.

He emphasised the importance of the ‘Grow More’ drive that seeks to achieve those objectives as well as produce to increase export markets.

Persaud said his ministry has been working with the Private Sector, trade unions, religious communities and farmers in the various regions to get them involved.

He advocated the cultivation of crops conducive to the different regions and said NARI would provide assistance accordingly.

Persaud suggested that those who are planting register with NGMC so it would know what they are producing and the amount.

He said, based on that information, the producers could be linked to overseas buyers.

Family Enrichment Day staged at Parika
By Nathalene DeFreitas


‘PAYING KEEN ATTENTION’: Students at one of the booths during the family enrichment day at Parika on Thursday. (Photo: Carl Croker).
FAMILY Enrichment Day, aimed at reinforcing the values of families countrywide, was staged on Thursday at Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

It was organised and sponsored by Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Recognising the family as the key element in society, the sponsoring ministry is hoping to host more such community activities, together with agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

They mounted an information exhibition with several booths, each mandated to inform and educate on various topics.

The showcasing was done also by Child Protection, Every Child Guyana, National Commission on the Rights of the Child, Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association, Youth Challenge Guyana, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ministry Health, Alcoholics Anonymous, Ministry of Education Social Welfare Service and the Regional Administration of Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands).

It was expected that, at the end of the day, those in attendance would have been educated on best parenting practices, how to prevent child abuse and HIV/AIDS awareness and informed on available support services, including for health care, family planning and substance abuse.

Some people who attended expressed satisfaction with the knowledge and skills gained for better parenting.

Cabinet approves more contracts
A CONTRACT worth G$15M, for emergency repairs to the earthen embankment at Plaisance/Montrose on East Coast Demerara, is among those approved at the last Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon also announced another G$15M award in the sea defence sector, for the construction of rip-rap structure at Belladrum/Hope, West Coast Berbice.

In the education sector, consultancy services, for supervising the building of the new Mahaica Secondary School at Hope Low Lands, will cost US$94,000, he said.

The Health Sector got approval for the procurement of medical equipment costing G$44.7M.

More infrastructure will be constructed, for $472.35M, at Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara and expenditure of $57.23M is for upgrading roads at Ordnance Fort Lands, Canje, Berbice.


Murdered teenage girl given emotional farewell


SHELIZA KHAN
SHELIZA Khan, the teen whose nude, battered body was found at Hope Estate Road, last Sunday, had an emotional farewell before she was buried yesterday.

Her mother, Chandrawattie (only name stated) was inconsolable with grief at Lyken Funeral Parlour in Georgetown, where she wept over the corpse as relatives tried to offer her solace.

“Look at my baby girl now… look what they did to her,” the woman cried at the side of the coffin.

Shortly after midday, the deceased was transported to her Lot 50 Lancaster home, where hundreds were waiting to get a glimpse of the pretty, young girl they knew prior to her burial, at Mahaica, also on East Coast Demerara.

Many continued to express shock and outrage at the manner in which Khan met her death, the marks of violence still evident on her face.

Neighbours spoke of how mannerly and quiet she was and lamented her demise as horrible and brutal while challenging the Police to conduct a thoro