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Former President Arthur Chung dies at 90
Arthur Raymond Chung, the first President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, died at his home in Bel Air Springs, Greater Georgetown, yesterday.
He was 90.
Arthur Chung was sworn in as President on March 17, 1970, at Parliament Buildings in Georgetown. He was a ceremonial President, with executive powers in the hands of then Prime Minister Forbes Burnham.

Arthur Chung held this position until October 6, 1980, when a new constitution made way for Mr. Burnham to become Executive President.

President Arthur Chung delivered his inaugural address from the balcony of Parliament Buildings soon after his swearing-in, as hundreds of Guyanese crowding the street outside cheered wildly.

In his address, he called on Guyanese to stop quarrelling among themselves, and to get on with the task of developing the resources of the country to the advantage of everyone.

“Our survival as a nation will depend on how well we work together,” he told the cheering crowd.

Earlier, as an Austin Princess with him and his wife swept into the Parliament Buildings forecourt, the crowd broke into loud applause as they got out of the car, and he raised both hands and clasped them, acknowledging the greeting from those on the street.

At his first public engagement, just four days into his presidency, he delivered a speech at the Annual General Meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce.

“It is my view that the private sector should aim at greater all-round productivity in those areas in which there is present involvement,” he told the businessmen.

“It must extend production to include such commodities as would further promote the national programe of import substitution.”

Throughout his presidency, Arthur Chung continued to keep his finger on the pulse of the national drive, promoting the forging of a state in which everyone benefited from a comfortable standard of living.

He often referred to his humble beginnings, in a home where there was not always enough on the dining table.

Arthur Chung was born on January 10, 1918, at Windsor Forest on the West Coast of Demerara.

He was the last of eight children born to his parents.

He attended Windsor Forest and Blankenburg Primary Schools, then he went to Mr. J. I. Ramphal’s Modern High School.

He graduated from Modern High in 1938, and joined the staff of the Lands and Mines Department as an apprentice surveyor.

In 1940, he qualified as a Sworn Land Surveyor, and then joined the staff of the Public Works Department where he stayed for six months. He was then recalled by the Lands and Mines Department to work as an Assistant Hydrographic Surveyor with the Demerara River Navigation Development Project which was at the time involved in dredging the Demerara River.

In May, 1945, after the Second World War, he left British Guiana to enter the Middle Temple of London.

In 1947 he qualified as a barrister. He then worked as Assistant Legal Examiner with the British Civil Service, later joining the chambers of British lawyer Maurice Shear. In October, 1948, Arthur Chung returned to British Guiana when he joined the local bar and practiced as a lawyer.

In 1953, Arthur Chung was appointed acting magistrate to serve in the West Demerara and Essequibo Judicial Districts. In 1954 his appointment was confirmed, and he now had to serve in the Georgetown and Berbice Judicial Districts.

In 1954, Arthur Chung married Doreen Pamela Aun, also from Windsor Forest.

Two children came from the union, Diane Pamela and Raymond Arthur.

In 1961, Mr. Chung left the Magistrate’s Court and went to work as Registrar at the Supreme Court. The following year, he was called to act as a judge in the Supreme Court.

In 1963, his position as a judge was confirmed.

He once created history when he broke a 78-year-old practice by ruling that the Director of Public Prosecutions had no jurisdiction to compel a magistrate to convict a person.

His last case was the Rupununi murder trial which arose from the attempted secession in January, 1969.

In this case, three of the accused persons were ordered to stand trial for murder, while seven others were set free.

Arthur Chung’s humility and concern for others constituted the hallmark of his presidency.

On the final day of his presidency, October 6, 1980, a tribute in the Guyana Chronicle read:

“His stewardship as President of the Republic has been quietly and efficiently performed, much as the nature of the man himself.

As president, he impressed all with his simple humility and dedication to duty.

His unique qualities - patience, common sense and unpretentiousness - have invested the presidency with a stature that is peculiarly his own.
Well done, Arthur!”

Alleged Rawlins accomplices charged
with harbouring him, others
TWO alleged accomplices of Guyana’s most wanted man, Rondell Rawlins alias ‘Fine Man’, appeared before two different magistrates yesterday.

One is charged jointly with him in connection with the hijacking of a mini-bus and robbery of its occupants while the other is accused of harbouring him and other fugitives from justice.

Before Magistrate Hazel Octave-Hamilton, Royston Waldron, 36, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara, alone faced joint indictable charges, which said he and Rawlins, being armed with guns on June 16, at Enachu, Upper Berbice River, robbed:

* Tyrone Haley, of the bus, BGG 501, valued
$2.5M and a cellular phone worth $12,000;
* Anita Hunte, of a $5,000 cellular phone;
* Donna Forde, of her $5,000 cellular phone and $60 and
* Indra Bissoon, of two ‘Motorola’ cellular phones valued $10,800.
Police Corporal Dineshwar Nauth, prosecuting, successfully opposed bail, on the ground that further investigations involving the accused are ongoing.

The father of six was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Glen Hanoman, who said Waldron is a ‘rigger’ who assembles cellular phone towers for Digicel and Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T).

He said Waldron was arrested one week ago at Linden, many miles away from where the robberies took place and kept in custody for more than seven days because Police wanted the marks resulting from their brutalising of the men to disappear.

Those cases will be called again on July 18, the accused was told before being taken in front of Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle, where he pleaded not guilty to harbouring wanted men.

Particulars of that offence, said between June 15 and 16, at Goat Farm, Waldron knowingly harboured Rawlins, dead Cecil Simon Ramcharran called ‘Uncle’ and ‘Magic’, Robin Chung called ‘Chung Boy’ and Otis Fiffee alias ‘Mud Up’, as well as Mark Royden Williams also known as Royden Durant or ‘Smallie’, whose names and photographs have been publicly displayed as persons wanted in connection with the commission of murders.

That case was also postponed to July 18 and Waldron is to remain on remand in prison.

The second accused, Omali Rogers, 30, of Lot 83 Woodpecker Lane, Amelia’s Ward, Linden, made an appearance in the same Court, charged separately, on two counts, with harbouring the very men.

Rogers, on one count, denied that, between April 22 and June 2, at Christmas Falls, Upper Berbice River, he knowingly harboured the individuals wanted for the crime of murder.

The second charge, to which he was not required to plead, said, between April 22 and June 2, well knowing that Rawlins, Clebert Reece called ‘Chi Chi’, Ramcharran, Fiffee, Chung and Durant had murdered Bartica massacre victims Errol Thomas, Renald Gomes, Ron Osborne, Shane Fredericks, Zahier Zakeer, Ashraf Ali Khan, Abdool Yasseain, Irving Ferreira, Dexter Adrian, Deonarine Singh, Baldeo Singh and Edwin Gilkes, on February 17, he received, relieved, assisted and maintained them.

Hanoman, who also represented Rogers, questioned the first charge, submitting that no section of the law was quoted in the particulars.

In answer to the magistrate, Police Corporal Sherwin Matthews, prosecuting, requested an adjournment to seek further advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Hanoman, however, observed that the matter engaged the attention of the DPP before the charges were laid and contended there must have been duplicity, with one of the charges not being properly before the Court.

The lawyer said Police arrested Rogers, a father of two and former teacher, since June 1 and released him on $40,000 bail on June 4 but re-arrested him 15 minutes after he lodged the surety.

Hanoman said Rogers was granted self bail and kept reporting to Police but was held once more and slapped with the present charges.

Hanoman also said the charges were laid to avoid the today hearing of a habeas corpus motion in the High Court.

In opposing pre-trial freedom for Rogers, the Prosecutor said he is the man who transported the criminals to Christmas Falls and has been supplying them foodstuff, with full knowledge of where they are.

Rogers was remanded overnight and the Police are to report today whether or not one of the charges should not be before the Court.

Relatives mourn death of burnt Berbice River victims
SOME relatives of the eight men, whose burnt remains were discovered at a Lindo Creek mining camp, along Berbice River, yesterday described their death as ‘brutal’ and ‘horrid’.

One of the dead, Clifton Wong called ‘Berry’, 46, of Lot 27 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, was expected home to celebrate the birthday of a daughter and, when he failed to show, his wife, Collette Wong, 42, telephoned his employer, Leonard Arokium, on Saturday.

During the conversation, her worse fears were confirmed after first hearing the dreadful news from a relative earlier that day.

The woman’s husband, a mechanic who worked mainly in the interior, is one of the eight killed.

She told the Guyana Chronicle he left home for the location on May 27 and would usually telephone to tell her that he reached safely and where is his destination but, this time, he did not and it worried her.

At their home yesterday, where she and her children were grieving, she declared: “It is very hard to believe that those men left home for work to provide an honest living for their families and they had to die in such a manner because they do not deserve that.”

She was particularly upset with the horrific way in which the man, to whom she has been married for 21 years, met his death.

“At least they could have left his body for me to give him a decent funeral and say goodbye to him,” the widow cried, disclosing that the children are so overwhelmed that they are not eating.

Police reported that, on Sunday morning, Joint Services ranks, accompanied by a pathologist went to the scene in company with a relative of the mining camp owner, George Arokium.

Apart from the bodies, a number of 7.62 spent shells and documents were found, a Sunday night Police press release stated.

Relatives of miner Compton Spires called ‘Tona’, 58, of Lot 149 West Met-en-Meerzorg, West Coast Demerara, said he was a quiet, hard-working man who spent most of his life working in the hinterland.

Lamenting that they would never see him again, his niece, Tomica Thomas, 23, said her uncle was unmarried and has an eight-year-old son.

She described the murdered man as a pleasant individual who, often, except this time, called to let them know he was doing alright.

He departed a few weeks ago, saying he was going to spend his birthday “in the bush” and that was the last time she saw him.

“We feel very sad at the way he was killed because we even cannot see his face for one last time,” she moaned.

Family members are also grieving for Dax Arokium, 29, of Lot 1131 Crane Place, South Ruimveldt, also in the city; his uncle, Cedric Arokium known as ‘Brother’, 51; Lancelot Lee alias ‘Piggy’, 42, of Lot 463 Kiskadee Drive, another South Ruimveldt address; Bonney Harry, 48, of Zorg, Essequibo Coast; Horace (Pona) Drakes, 40, of De Kinderen, at West Coast Demerara, as well and Nigel Torres – a 17-year-old teenager of Kwakwani, located along the Berbice River.

High winds caused power outages -- GPL
THE Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL) has said that over the weekend several areas in and around Georgetown were affected by some power outages. Last Friday evening high winds broke a pole carrying some high voltage mains located at the corner of the Eastern Highway and Kamoa Street Lamaha Gardens. This caused some sections of Kitty/Campbellville and Lamaha Gardens to be out of electricity.

A GPL release stated that because of the magnitude of the maintenance work to be carried out on the broken pole, Lamaha Gardens remained without power for over a 12-hour period. GPL employees worked feverishly to plant a new pole and transferred the high voltage mains so that the residents of Lamaha Gardens could have power.

It was further added in the release that on last Sunday evening the 69KV Transmission Line linking Garden of Eden to Sophia tripped causing most of the city to be without power. GPL technicians quickly worked to correct the line problem and power was restored.

GPL would like to apologize to the persons living the areas that were affected by the outages and for any inconvenience caused.

JFK terror plot case…
Kadir, Nur lose U.S. extradition appeal in T&T court
GUYANESE Abdul Kadir, a former parliamentarian under the PNC Government and Abdel Nur, a former handyman with Swiss House Cambio, and Trinidadian Kareem Ibrahim, who were fighting their extradition from Trinidad to the United States for allegedly plotting to blow up John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, have lost their appeal.

They have been in jail in Trinidad since June last year.

Justice Roger Hamel-Smith presiding in the Trinidad Court of Appeal yesterday, upheld an application by the State to strike out the appeal because the three men had not adhered to the rules governing the hearing of the appeal.

The matter was heard in chambers, according to a source in the twin-island republic.

On April 5, attorneys for Kareem Ibrahim, Abdul Kadir, and Abdel Nur, and the State appeared before Justice Stanley John for a case management hearing.

The court gave strict guidelines for the filing of submissions by May 29. By that date, the wanted men had not filed their submissions.

On June 9, attorneys for the State, filed an application to strike out the appeal of the wanted men for non-compliance.

The three men were represented by Attorney Farid Scoon while English Queen’s Counsel James Lewis and David West appeared for the State.

On August 6, 2007, Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls ordered that the three men be extradited to face the charges.

But the men challenged the extradition, by filing an application for a writ of habeas corpus. Justice Nolan Bereaux, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, dismissed the application and the men appealed.

Ibrahim, Kadir and Nur are wanted in New York along with Guyanese Russell De Freitas, who has been detained without bail at a Brooklyn prison awaiting trial.

The four are wanted on an indictment alleging that they plotted to blow up a system of jet fuel supply tanks and pipelines that feed fuel to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in Queens, New York.

These pipelines travel throughout the undergrounds of New York City in densely populated areas.

The alleged plot was foiled when an undercover law enforcement official was recruited to the homegrown terrorist cell.

Defreitas, a former employee of JFK, was arrested in Brooklyn on June 1, 2007.

Kadir and Ibrahim were arrested in Trinidad on June 3, 2007. Nur surrendered to police two days later in Diego Martin. On June 29, 2007 the four men were indicted on charges with conspiring to "cause death, serious bodily injury and extensive destruction" at the airport.

THE CASE
According to the US Government, the suspects in the plot had a different profile than suspects in previous Islamist terror plots.

The ages of the suspects range from 51 to 63.

According to the prosecution’s case, the undercover informant is a longtime cocaine dealer who cooperated with investigators after being convicted of possession of about US $2 million worth of cocaine in 2003, according to court documents.

The 36-year-old man was described in the documents as a one time member of a violent drug gang first convicted in 1996 of selling cocaine and crack and being part of a conspiracy to murder a rival drug kingpin.

The rival survived the attempted hit, according to the federal complaint in the drug trafficking and racketeering case. (Wendella Davidson)
NEWS

Such conjecture is unimaginable, unthinkable
- Joint Services response to newspaper article
THE Joint Services has responded to an article published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News under the caption “Who did it?”

The article which dealt with the discovery of eight burnt bodies at a mining camp at Lindo Creek, Berbice River, on Saturday last stated that “Some relatives of the men are adamant it was the work of the security forces”.

It went on to state that “The camp owner Arokium (George) maintained last night that he believed that the army was responsible for the attack and that it could not be Rawlins…I think that the army did it. All the evidence points to the army.”

But the Joint Services, in a statement yesterday, said it “wish to unequivocally deny these assertions and state that such conjecture is unimaginable and unthinkable”.

It noted that ranks are highly and specially trained and experienced in the execution of their duties whether in urban or rural terrain. Additionally, the very conduct of our operations would not allow for the commission of such actions.

While we understand the state of mind of Mr. Arokium, having lost his family members in this manner, it is unproductive to directly accuse the Joint Services without any shred of evidence and based solely on speculation.

“The Joint Services wish to advise all concerned that such actions do not contribute to a wholesome security environment and issue a call to them to desist from speculations and accusations,” the statement said.

“We need to be united in the fight against crime,” the joint services said.

The Joint Services also assured that it is vigorously investigating the killing of the eight men based on information received from reliable sources which indicate that “this heinous and bastardly act was committed by criminal elements we are actively pursuing”.

A team including ranks from the Police Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting the investigations.

The Joint Services also said it wish to extend sincere condolences to the relatives, friends and employees of Mr. Arokium and the relatives and friends of the victims at this time of their bereavement.

CONGRATULATIONS
100 not out!
By Shirley Thomas
GUYANA takes great pride and joy in adding to the ranks of its prized and celebrated centenarians – Mrs. Gwendoline Cyrus Allicock Croft, of C 54 First Avenue Bartica, Region Seven, who today celebrates her 100th birthday.

Born on 24 June, 1908, at Bartica Grove. Gwendoline was the eldest of seven children for her parents Peter Cyrus and Catherine Gill-Cyrus, and her grandparents – Eugene Gill and Kitura Rhodius-Gill. Her grandfather Eugene Gill, a pharmacist, hailed from Dominica and her father Peter Cyrus was from Hopetown, Berbice.

At Bartica she lived a full and exciting life and has pleasant memories of growing up with her parents and six siblings, the youngest of whom was Ms. Vera Odwin who, unfortunately, passed on last December. Of the six, her lone surviving sibling is, Mrs. Elaine Sankar who resides in Brooklyn New York.

Possessed of admirable motherly attributes, Auntie Gwennie as she is fondly called, did a creditable job of caring for her younger siblings after the death of her mother on Armistice Day in 1934. However, even though twice married she never had any children of her own.

Her first marriage was to Leslie “Bulla” Allicock who died in 1962, and after his death she married Sigmond Croft, whom she has also outlived. After his demise, Gwendoline resided with her sister, Doris Vera Odwin for the next 35 years, at 54 First Avenue Bartica, being around to see her pass to the great beyond six months ago.

While she did not have any biological children, Auntie Gwennie who had a fervent love for children, mothered and care for many, including Leslie Allicock and Donna Goring on whose lives, she has stamped an indelible mark.

Notably, she has also been a loving and caring aunt to her many nieces and nephews, many of whom now relive fond memories of the good times they shared with her, in a home where love abounds.

Sharing some nostalgic experiences with the Guyana Chronicle, her nieces passionately recalled: “When we were children, Auntie Gwen and Uncle Bulla lived in the cottage at the back of our home on First Avenue, Bartica.”

“Twelve children is a handful to get dressed for school, so our mother would send us to Auntie Gwen to have our hair plaited. It was a task that Auntie Gwen took great pride in, as she brushed, and brushed, and brushed your hair as the clock ticked closer to school time, and you tried to wriggle out of the grasp of her knees in an attempt to get her to hurry up.”

Basking in sweet reminiscence of their childhood days with Auntie Gwen, the nieces and nephews fondly coined the term “Auntiegwenisms” to describe these.

Cherishing and savouring every moment of the good times they shared and continue to share with her, Auntie Gwennie’s family members and friends today join in extending to her, a very Happy Birthday, and God’s continued blessings upon her life today and always.

Aunt Gwennie’s 100th birthday will be commemorated with a Mass to be celebrated by Fr. Hildebrand, followed by a banquet at her Bartica home later today.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT STATEMENT
ON THE PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT,
ARTHUR RAYMOND CHUNG
THE Government and people of Guyana express heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to the widow, family and friends on the death of Guyana’s first President Arthur Raymond Chung, O.E.

Former President Chung had a long and distinguished legal career before his appointment as the President and served with dignity and distinction.

He was a selfless individual who demonstrated his willingness and commitment to serve the state and people of Guyana from March 17, 1970 to October 6, 1980.

During his tenure, Former President Chung served with distinction during the period of the most post-independence transformation of Guyana, its society and economy. His Presidency also enriched the history of Guyana as the first ethnic Chinese President.

While it was known that he was ailing for some weeks now, the suddenness of the news of his passing is of great sadness for the people of Guyana who have definitely lost an outstanding son of the soil.

While for many years, he was not in the limelight, he remained to his dying day someone deeply devoted to his country, who chose to live out his remaining years here in the land of his birth.

As we mourn his passing let us take comfort in the Former President’s exemplary lifestyle, as a person of great wisdom, warmth and integrity particularly committed to Guyana. His leadership, conviction and courage earned him the love and admiration of the Guyanese people.

The State of Guyana joins in mourning the passing of an outstanding Guyanese whose name and contributions are immortalized in our history.
June 23, 2008

Somwaru Travel Agency robbed
Shirley Thomas
ARMED bandits yesterday made a daring daylight swoop on Somwaru’s Travel Agency on North Road, Cummingsburg, carting off millions in cash (local and foreign currency) and robbing staff and customers of a quantity of jewellery.

Reservation Agent, Trisha Resali told the Guyana Chronicle that around 10:25 hrs staff at the Agency were attending to customers when two armed and unmasked men walked into the building and ordered everyone to lie face-down on the ground.

She said, fearful for their lives, everyone obeyed the men’s orders and went down on the floor.
“The ordeal lasted about five minutes. Everything happened real fast,” Resali said, as she recounted the harrowing ordeal.

She said even prospective customers who were about to enter the building were forced inside by the bandits who brandished hand-guns and ordered them to join the others lying on the ground.

In the midst of the frenzy, she recalled, a cambio dealer entered the building to transact business with the General Manager, and he too was robbed of all the cash he had brought with him.

Then walking past the people in the outer office, the men proceeded to the office occupied by General Manager – Mr. Edward Singh who was at that time preparing to leave for the bank.

The bandits relieved him of all the cash he had with him (said to be a large sum).

No one resisted the men, the Guyana Chronicle was told, hence, even though they were armed, no rounds were discharged.

At the end of the ordeal, the bandits exited the building, then jumped onto a motor cycle parked outside the building and sped away.

The police were summoned and responded promptly Resali said, but by then the men had disappeared. After police had done their initial investigations, business at the Travel Agency continued for the remainder of the day.

Persaud outlines plan for Hope Estate transformation
By Tajeram Mohabir
MINISTER of Agriculture, Mr. Minister Robert Persaud has assured residents of Hope (coconut) Estate, on East Coast Demerara, that Government will not repossess land allocated to them for livestock farming.

Speaking to a group of farmers, during a recent visit to the location, he said all rental agreements between the Estate Board and tenants inside and outside the estate will be revisited.

Persaud said the review is being done to streamline operations, because a fair amount of land rented to farmers is outside the estate.

The minister said the exercise is in keeping with a long term plan to transform the area into an economically viable commercial scheme.

He said Hope Estate has been in a state of decline for a number of years but he expressed optimism that, with new investments and other activities, under the guidance of its management resources will be generated to springboard development.

According to Persaud, rates collected annually from the area are inadequate to finance its activities and Government has to inject close to $20M for executing basic works.

He said concerted efforts have been made to solicit both private and public sector initiatives to aid the development drive and that was only with the intention of resuscitating the coconut potential.

But the venture into crops, livestock and aquaculture farming has met with some success and the Ministry of Agriculture, in a renewed bid to encourage economic activities among farmers and residents, granted them five acres each to cultivate.

Apart from that, Persaud said his ministry has been wooing investors and several have indicated 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, of interest in a state-of-the-art or commercial type farm in this area, working with the farmers who live here,” he reported.

Persaud said the ministry, over the years, has also been investing in drainage and irrigation and provided close to 100 acres of land for cattle farmers to promote dairy development there.

With these developments at hand, he declared his confidence in the estate’s future.

“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 posited.

Part of the development plan has led to Government installing a new pump at the estate sluice and a machine for dredging was purchased to improve drainage at the Hope outfall, Persaud revealed.

In addition, recently, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has laid pipelines to facilitate the newly relocated farmers from Joe Hook and Grass Hook, Mahaicony, also on East Coast Demerara.

Persaud informed those farmers that a section has already been identified for them to resume planting but some developmental work needs to be done.

Meantime, he encouraged the transferred residents to form themselves into a grouping and discuss, with the estate management, the commencement of land clearing for cultivation.

He implored them to work with farmers already on the estate and advised that, in order for the vision to be realised, they must see themselves as and work towards being entrepreneurs.

Some at the meeting were concerned about the state of the ‘Star Apple’ sideline dam but the minister promised that it will be cleared.

Persaud appealed to residents to keep a vigilant eye out for persons engaging in tampering with the infrastructure and cautioned that such illegal activity is a criminal act that carries jail term punishment.

‘Grow more’ campaign…
Commission reviewing MMA/ADA land leases from this week
By Clifford Stanley
THE current occupation and use of almost 40,000 acres of State land at West Berbice are to be reviewed over the next six months by a special commission appointed by Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud.

The body will be headed by the Chairman of the Lands and Surveys Commission and will comprise representatives of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA), Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP), Rice Producers Association (RPA) and Regional Democratic

Council (RDC) of Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

Among its tasks will be to determine whether the occupants are legitimate or are tenants and how the entire land usage situation could be improved, even if it involves changing aspects of the MMA/ADA Act, the minister said when he made the announcement Sunday.

He said the commission will begin work this week and would also include other stakeholders, including the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and, before making final recommendations, hold public consultations with a view to getting a wide cross-section of perspectives.

Persaud said the main aim of the review will be to identify ways in which the acreage, which falls under the ambit of the MMA/ADA, can be better utilised and managed.

Announcing the decision, during a public meeting with farmers at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, he was accompanied by representatives of several entities, among them New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC), the Region Five RDC and MMA/ADA while on the ‘grow more’ campaign.

Persaud expressed concern over the rampant renting and sub-letting of the land to others by many who were given legal access.

Sub-letting system
“Sixty per cent of the MMA/ADA Scheme has turned out to be a big landlord sub-letting system,” he disclosed.

Persaud said the reviewing body would also help his ministry, too, to develop a long term strategy on how the MMA/ADA Scheme could impact on the agricultural diversification programme, particularly through non-traditional areas such as aquaculture.

The commission is also to give consideration to harmonisation of livestock rearing and crops farming, especially between cattle herders and rice farmers, he said.

Declaring that State land permits were being abused, Persaud said many people who got the leases are now living abroad or in Georgetown, or at West Berbice and not beneficially utilising the plots but are taking exorbitant sums of money from those who are renting because of their genuine interest in agriculture.

He said the practice is in violation of the conditions under which the beneficiaries secured the grants.

Persaud said many of the landlords pocket the monies and not even bother to pay the rates charged by MMA/ADA.

He said the major objective of the MMA/ADA Scheme, to give land to the tiller, is being thwarted by the legitimate occupants of the land who are involved in renting and sub-letting to others.

“Those who were allowed access to these lands had been given this right so that they could produce food to take care of their families, their economic needs and contribute to national development, not to become landlords,” Persaud maintained.

He said the offenders were also preventing genuine farmers from having access to the lands, as had been originally intended.

Minister Persaud warned that those found guilty of renting or sub-letting State lands are not likely to be considered for retaining possession of their leases or permits.

A participant in the Sunday meeting claimed that most sub-letting was being done by persons who did not have the capital or equipment to cultivate the holdings for which they have leases and permits.

He added that those who pay rent are large scale farmers with the required financial and mechanical resources to plant large acreages.

Youth Association hosts HIV/AIDS camp
THE Youth Association for Solidarity and Friendship held its first annual HIV/AIDS awareness workshop during the weekend June 13-15 at Camp Madewini, Timehri, East Bank Demerara.

According to a press release from the association the participants were drawn from Regions 3, 4 and 10. The sessions of the workshop included topics on STI’s HIV/AIDS, Stigma and Discrimination and understanding and caring for the body.

Sessions were facilitated by Peer Educators Ms. Abigail Brower and Tonna Dazzell from the Guyana Red Cross Society.

The release added that the coordinator of the programmed, Mr. Peter Livingstone urged the participants to be involved in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic in their respective communities. He also reinforced the association’s commitment to a safer and HIV/AIDS free society.

During the weekend of activities a special meeting was held and various issues were discussed such as: the organization will implement a school uniform project, which will initiate in the new school term; the organization will be working with other organizations with the aim of dealing with poverty reduction and assisting the less fortunate.

A special committee was established to co-ordinate the activities for the organisation’s annual Christmas party.

African Liberation Monument closed for maintenance
THE National Trust of Guyana, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, wishes to inform the general public that the African Liberation Monument located within the compound of the Umana Yana, is temporally closed to all visitors and tourists. The closure is to facilitate maintenance and restoration works.

The National Trust and the Ministry looks forward for the support, cooperation and patience from members of the public.

IAC demands retraction of Kaiteurs News article
THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) is demanding a retraction of an articled published in the Kaieteur Newspaper on (Monday, June 23, 2008 by columnist Freddie Kissoon.

In a press release yesterday, the organisation stated it is extremely disturbed that the newspaper would publish a blatant falsehood about the IAC.

Its columnist Freddie Kissoon wrote that: “The IAC is fitted out with public money just like a particular guy who sits in an office in southern Georgetown doing exclusive People’s Progressive Party (PPP) work and is being paid by the Government of Guyana.”

“This statement is obscenely untrue since the IAC from its establishment in 2003 has raised its funds from its melas, stage plays and donations from large and small business as well as individuals. At no time during its existence has the IAC received a dollar in cash from the Government of Guyana,” the IAC stressed.

The release said that the IAC, registered in 2003 is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that promotes Indian culture and deals with the issues and concerns of persons of Indo-Guyanese origin.

“The IAC is calling immediately for the Kaieteur News to publish a retraction of this blatantly false statement,” the organization noted.

The IAC said also in the meantime it has made the article available to its attorneys for their legal advice.

Degree programme in Pharmacy inevitable – Minister Ramsammy
IN an effort to improve the education level of local pharmacists Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said the introduction of a degree programme in Pharmacy at the University of Guyana is inevitable.

“It is not whether we will have it or not. It is when we will have it,” he said. Addressing participants Saturday at the Eight Annual Pharmacists Convention hosted by the Guyana Pharmacists’ Association, the Health Minister said he has continuously fought for the introduction of the degree programme at the University.

He noted, however, that in addition to his efforts, there must be a joint effort from members of the profession.

“Engaging the University of Guyana is as much your right and your mandate as much as it is the Minister’s,” said Minister Ramsammy.

In light of the recent call for pharmacists to hold a Bachelor’s Degree to gain entry into the profession, Minister Ramsammy said he would resist this since locally the highest level of education pharmacists are offered is a Diploma.

The Health Minister said that pharmacists who are qualified at a higher level should provide leadership and be part of the overall pharmacy profession in the country and in the Caribbean.

In response to statements that the profession is stagnant, Minister Ramsammy said it is unfair to say that the profession in Guyana has been at a standstill.

“I believe, through the work of the Guyana Pharmacists Association, and now the work of the Guyana Pharmacy Council, the profession has grown, in quality and in numbers,” he said.

He added that the Ministry is cognisant of the fact that migration continues to affect the health sector, since there are opportunities worldwide. He said the Ministry will deal with situations such as this.

The Health Minister noted that the profession is at risk of being overwhelmed by development in other territories as a result of the level of education. He reiterated that Guyana’s education level will have to change.

Minister Ramsammy said that while there are problems with the profession, the country currently has more registered pharmacists than previous years.

At the convention, pharmacists were encouraged to acknowledge the contributions of their colleagues who continue to work tirelessly to ensure pharmaceutical services are provided to the public.

In his message to mark Commonwealth Pharmacy Day, observed on June 16 under the theme ‘Your Pharmacist Cares About You -Preserving Pharmacy Practice in Guyana’, the Health Minister said pharmacists play an integral role in health care in Guyana.

At the convention, there was also a display of local and imported pharmaceutical products by companies such as Pharmagen Enterprises, Twins, and others. (GINA)

Minister Persaud urges rice millers to be good corporate citizens
MINISTER of Agriculture Robert Persaud Saturday urged rice millers to follow the example of Nand Persaud and Company Limited by being good corporate citizens.

He was at the time addressing the awards ceremony held at the Number 36 Village residence of Nand Persaud, for the rice growing competition sponsored by the company.

The competition, open to all rice farmers in the Region, was judged based on the yield in bags of paddy, per acre.

Minister Persaud said that the challenges in the industry were growing and that Guyana should position itself to capitalize on them. He commended the company for its efforts to improve yields in the Region.

Other speakers at the award ceremony included the Company's CEO Ragindra Persaud, who said that the main aim was to increase productivity in the Region since it was observed that the yield per acre there was the lowest in the country.

Managing Director of Republic Bank Edwin Gooding said that the Bank was happy to partner with the company to realise the improvements in agriculture achieved in recent years.

The winners of the competition who received cash prizes and trophies were Harinarine Hardat Persaud of Mibicuri South - Black Bush Polder, for yields per acre of 36.8 bags; Haimraj Baboolall of Number 45 Village Corentyne, Berbice for yields of 43.95 bags; and Chandradat Persaud for yields of 50.26 bags per acre. (GINA)

President Jagdeo meets the Canadian diaspora
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo arrived in Canada Saturday last and participated in the opening ceremonies on the occasion of the 13th Annual Guyana Festival in Toronto, Canada.

This popular Guyanese festival (the largest in the diaspora) is the final activity of a month long celebration that began on May 24 with the Guyana Awards Gala followed by the Guyana Heritage celebrations covering five Canadian provinces hosting 40 fun-filled activities and attended by thousands of Guyanese and Canadians.

President Jagdeo addressed thousands of Guyanese, thanking them for their loyal and continuous support for their mother country.

He praised them for the valuable contributions to their homeland – Guyana.

He also gave them a lengthy overview of the steady economic growth in the country and of some of the social challenges.

He was well received by the Guyanese crowd. He toured the trade exhibition and enjoyed the cultural performances. He sampled and enjoyed the duck curry, the best in North America.

President Jagdeo met with leaders of the business community with a successful dinner meeting. He met with different Guyanese delegations and listened to their concerns attentively.

The President was accompanied by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who launched CARIFESTA X. Minister Anthony met with a group of Canadian artistes who would be coming to Guyana for the festival.

The Guyana Festival is organised by 44 Guyanese organisations under the chairmanship of Mr. Danny Doobay, the Guyanese Consul General.

Berbice CARIFESTA Committee agrees programme
THE committee to oversee Berbice activities for the tenth Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA X) met recently and agreed on the programme that will kick off June 28, on the tarmac of New Amsterdam Technical Institute.

Among those scheduled to attend that event are President Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony and other dignitaries.

The meeting, chaired by Mr. Faizal Jaffarally in the New Amsterdam office of National Communications Network (NCN), was attended by other members drawn from a cross-section of the society.

Several items representing the societal culture were identified and artistes to perform are to meet the committee for a screening process today.

A site visit was paid yesterday to Albion Sports Complex where the ‘Youth Village’, visual arts exhibition and a super concert are to be held on August 29, when contingents from Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil are to participate.

Training for national literacy programme moves to Linden
By Joe Chapman
THE Ministry of Education, last week, hosted a specialised training workshop, under the theme ‘Learn to Read in Order to Read to Learn,’, in the conference room of the Institute of Distance and Continuing and Education (IDCE), LINMINE Administrative Building, Mackenzie.

Participants were literacy educators who are involved in the fast track literacy initiative for adults, out of school youths and other children.
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