CANU vehicle crashes at Timehri
A CANU vehicle used for operations at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport crashed along the Timehri Public Road Sunday when the driver apparently lost control of the car.

The four occupants were injured and transported to the city for medical attention.

The Chronicle understands that all the weapons carried by the CANU officers were recovered.

Photos show the smashed vehicle and two of the occupants being transported to the city.

Negotiators urged to speed up climate pact talks
By Thin Lei Win and David Fogarty
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Delegates at the start of marathon climate talks in Thailand yesterday were told to speed up "painfully slow" negotiations as they struggle to settle on the outline of a tougher pact to fight global warming.

The Bangkok talks, which run until October 9, is the last major negotiating round before a gathering in Copenhagen in December that the United Nations has set as a deadline to seal a broad agreement on a pact to expand and replace the Kyoto Protocol.

Mr. Andrew Bishop, adviser in the Office of the President, is representing Guyana at the talks.

"Time is not just pressing. It has almost run out," Yvo de Boer, the head of the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat, told delegates from about 180 countries.

"But in two weeks real progress can be made toward the goals that world leaders have set for the negotiations to break deadlocks and to cooperate toward concrete progress," he said.

Delegates at the talks are tasked with trying to streamline a draft legal text of a pact that would replace Kyoto. The main text, running to about 180 pages, is filled with blanks, options and alternative wording options.

The U.N.-led negotiations have become bogged down over arguments about rich nations' targets to cut emissions by 2020, financing for poorer nations to adapt to climate change and to curb their own greenhouse gas emissions and the best way to deliver and manage those funds.

"We've talked for long enough, the world expects actions," Connie Hedegaard, Denmark's minister of climate change and energy and host of the December 7-18 Copenhagen gathering, told delegates.

De Boer later told reporters the negotiating process so far had been painfully slow. "We must have a higher level of ambition in terms of emissions cuts by industrialized countries.

"In addition, we need to see more clarity here on how the process is going to make it possible for developing countries to engage," he said.

‘DROWNING IN TEXT’
The United Nations, many developing nations and green groups have expressed frustration about the lack of progress during several negotiating rounds in the run-up to Copenhagen.

"The problem we have at the moment in these negotiations is that we are drowning in text," Tove Ryding of Greenpeace told reporters.

"What we need to see is late nights and fights. We need to see them sit there -- that's what these people do for a living -- they need to smell like sweat and coffee. If they don't do that, they're not actually at work."

De Boer spoke of progress at last week's U.N. climate change summit in New York but said a Copenhagen agreement must have five essential elements.

These included enhanced steps to help the most vulnerable nations adapt to climate change impacts, tougher emissions targets for rich nations, which are currently well below the 25-40 percent reductions from 1990 levels by 2020 recommended by the U.N. climate panel, and cash to help poorer countries cut their emissions.

Hedegaard said a picture was beginning to emerge from the puzzle of the climate text, but rapid progress was needed to refine it into a document with clear political choices.

Artur Runge-Metzger, head of the European Commission delegation, said final figures on finance would most likely be decided on the last night of the Copenhagen talks.

"Because you can only commit to figures if you know what kind of deal you are going to have and which direction are you going to go," he said.

De Boer said long-term financing to help poorer nations adapt to climate change and to slow the pace of their emissions growth should be in the hundreds of billions of dollars per year.

"I think the main worry for us here in Bangkok is that there's only 70 days left," said Runge-Metzger, referring to the start of the Copenhagen meeting. "There's so much work to be done."

Consensus among members of Local Board of Guardians critical
PERMANENT Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Mr. Trevor Thomas has stressed that “consensus” among members of the Local Board of Guardians is a critical element in determining and examining old age and public assistance applications.

He made this statement, yesterday, at the Region Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands) regional office’s boardroom during an inaugural meeting of the members of the Local Board of Guardians of the region.

At the meeting five boards were inaugurated, namely, Wakenaam; Leguan; Upper West Coast Demerara-Vreed-en-Hoop/ Stewartville; Lower West Coast Demerara-Uitvlugt/ Parika; and Pouderoyen/ West Bank Demerara.

Among those gathered for the meeting were Regional Chairman, Mr. Julius Faerber; Vice Chairman, Mr. Manpersaud; Director of Social Services at the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Geetangeli Geer; Chief Probation Officer, Pat Gray; Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Mr. Dindial Singh; and members of the local boards.

Addressing the gathering, Thomas stated that consensus must be a watchword so that at the end of the day all members would be satisfied that the process was above the board.

The Permanent Secretary said, “Local Board of Guardians have a very important function to discharge, because they must ensure that taxpayers money is justifiably spent to help the aged, infirm, sick, destitute and other vulnerable persons in society.”

He added that all members of the local boards must perform their duties free of fear and favour and cautioned against prejudice of race, creed or class.

Thomas emphasised that affiliation must never become a consideration and urged that each case be dealt with according to its merits.

He also congratulated the members and pointed out that their tasks were difficult.

The Regional Chairman reiterated this and added that every case must be dealt with on merits and adequate amount of transparency must be the hallmark.

With primary objective realised…
Child Care, Protection Agency pushing to maintain momentum
By Vanessa Narine
THE Child Care and Protection Agency realised its primary objective, of increased awareness, during the activities of the just concluded Child Protection Week.

But it will be pressing ahead to maintain the momentum as it looks to cater for the best interest of Guyana’s children, the Director, Mrs. Ann Green said.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, she said the agency has been able to make the Guyanese public aware of child abuse and other issues affecting children while encouraging acceptance of responsibility as child protectors.

She said ‘Caring communities, raise caring children – Protect Them Now’ were not meant to be just a slogan for the observance programme but a steady reminder of the need to protect Guyana’s future.

“Citizens must see their responsibility towards children and do what they can to protect them,” Green maintained.

She said society should be able to see that protected children equal productive citizens, possible only if they are given opportunity to fulfill their potential in life.

In addition, to maintain the advantage, the agency’s mandate secured during the last week, other programmes will be propelled and intensified in some areas, Green said.

Citing the ongoing street exercise as one that will be heightened, she said it will be more vigorous in Regions Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

Green said the most recent incidents, of children with poems printed on sheets going to vehicles and soliciting money, constitute exploitation and those victims will be taken off the streets.

Prior to the establishment of the agency in July, the Child Protection Unit had started ‘Mission Child Protection’ to remove children from streets and put them into Government care.
Poverty
Green said another of the agency’s pursuits is the Parent Training Programme, to empower parents and families to help alleviate poverty.

She said that is continuing in all the Administrative Regions of Guyana and more staff is being recruited to bolster the drive.

Green said the foster care programme will be given special attention as the agency strives to place children in homes where they can and will be cared.

“We are not trying to take children away from their families but, where there is a problem, we have to find out what that is and work in the best interest of the child,” she explained.

That programme was introduced in February after approximately 18 months of planning and foster parents are expected to provide for the daily needs and care of a child, create a family environment that offers supervision, guidance, nurturing and discipline.

In that context, decisions in the child’s best interest for growth and development, are made by the foster parents.

However, the responsibility for the young person is assumed by the agency.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Guyana has 23 children centres that house approximately 600. Of that number, at least 460 can be placed into foster care.

The agency is also to ensure that the minimum standards for orphanages and children’s homes are upheld and it has the mandate to implement policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children; monitor child care facilities; intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and protect vulnerable children.

Keen rivalry at prison locations
KEEN rivalry is anticipated among prison officers and inmates under their charge this week as the Guyana Prison Service observes its 26th Prison Service Week, with a week of activities which began Sunday.

The activities are being held at all of the prisons locations, Camp Street in the City, New Amsterdam, Mazaruni, Lusignan and Timehri.

On Sunday, Prison Officers attached to Georgetown Prisons challenged an invited team in a dominoes competition, while yesterday inter-division football and cricket for inmates; discussion on HIV/AIDS; and painting of pedestrian crossing were staged.

Remaining activities include a stint of caring for the elderly at Uncle Eddie’s Home, video show for inmates, a billiard competition, enhancement works at the Palms and an anniversary dance which will bring the curtains down.

At the New Amsterdam prison, where the prison population consists of both male and female inmates, activities following the service Sunday consisted of dominoes between female and male inmates as well as prison officers and an invitational team.

Yesterday the location hosted a discussion on topical issues and a billiards competition between officers and civilians, while today community work involving officers and inmates and a feeding programme for needy children within the environs were slated.

Tomorrow, a prisoners in concert event will be held on the tarmac while the following day, there will be a 10-over cricket match during which convicted prisoners will challenge those on remand.

This will be played in the male prison yard and a circle tennis match between female prisoners and an invitational team will be played at Scotts School Ground.

A family fun day and a dance will bring an end to celebrations there.

Activities planned for the Lusignan Prison included a dominoes competition between officers and an outside team which was played after the church service on Sunday, followed by the staging of a cricket competition involving inmates of Lewis Block and Friday Block, yesterday.

During the week, too, inmates will be engaged in weeding and cleaning of the Lusignan Primary School, and a visit to the St John Bosco Orphanage, and officers will challenge inmates in a six aside small goal football match.

There will be more dominoes rivalry between inmates representing Dinning Hall, Friday Block and Lewis, a lecture on HIV, the staging of Market Day on October 2, and on October 3 a fitness walk for officers and a tour to the New Amsterdam Prisons.

A dominoes competition involving officers from the Mazaruni Prisons, Sibley Hall Prison Officers and females was at the Mazaruni Prison Officers Sports Club after the church service, Sunday and yesterday, inmates were served a special diet breakfast in the Dinning Hall beginning at 07:00 hrs, and later there was an Intra Prison Domino Competition pitting Mazaruni Prison inmates against inmates of Sibley Hall.

Scheduled for yesterday, too, was the opening of a sponsored domino competition at Mikey’s Liquor Parlour, Bartica.

Other activities include a soft ball cricket competition between officers and inmates from Mazaruni Prisons and Sibley Hall; community work to be executed by officers and inmates at the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) Stelling, Bartica; a panel discussion at which topics include parental care of children, building self esteem and HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; family , games night and camp fire for officers and residents; educational sessions at Mazaruni and Sibley Hall Prisons by Hope Foundation; and an exhibition and sale of work of inmates and prison officers at T&HD Stelling, Bartica on October 3, followed by a football competition involving inmates.

On Sunday, a domino competition followed the church service at the Timehri Prison, while yesterday’s morning session was used to clean the prison environment and in the afternoon, inmates discussed topical issues.

The Timehri Prison will also stage a community project at Timehri Primary School, a Prisoners Games Day, a medical outreach programme, a dominoes competition between officers and inmates, an Inter-service Sports day involving the Prisons, Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Guyana Fire Service (GFS) and the Civil Aviation Department (CAD).

A community project at the New Testament of God Church on October 3 and an Oldies Dance to be held at Timehri Prison Officers Sports Club will culminate the activities at that location.

Guyana, Japan agree water sector projects strengthen relations
MINISTER of Housing and Water, Mr. Irfaan Ali disclosed, last Friday, that Government has invested some $3 billion in the development of the water sector in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) over the last five years.

He was speaking at the turning of the sod for the state-of-the-art $1.6 billion water treatment plant in Queenstown, Corriverton, the second phase of a project to improve water supply in that region.

The ceremony, organised by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), took place

at the Upper Corentyne Industrial Training Centre, Number 79, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice.

Funded through a Government of Japan grant aid scheme, the plan is designed to improve the quality of service provided to residents between Number 51Village and Moleson Creek and is divided into two phases.

The first phase was the Number 56 Water Treatment Plant, successfully completed in March 2008 at a cost of $1.1 billion and benefitting 23 villages from Number 51 through Number 73. It is part of the Guyana Government’s dedication towards modernising the sector and providing safe potable water.

The Government, in 2004, recognising the need to upgrade the quality of potable water supply, indicated its plans to the Japanese Government and it was decided that two water treatment plants would be between Number 51 and Moleson Creek.

Phase one of the undertaking consisted of the construction of the treatment plant, transmission and conductor mains, procurement of 8,400 water meters and rehabilitation of the Number 57 well.

Similarly, works will be conducted under phase two to complete the erection of the plant at Queenstown and the contract was awarded to Tokura Corporation, a firm duly registered in Japan.

That work is scheduled for completion in August 2010 and includes a treatment plant, elevated storage, rehabilitation of two existing pump stations and installation transmission pipelines.

The plant will utilise the slow sand filtration technology which was successfully introduced in 2008 at Number 56 water treatment plant, making it the second of its kind in this country.

This methodology harnesses the microbial content of the groundwater to achieve iron removal, eliminating the need for electromechanical equipment and reducing the carbon footprint of the plant.

Ali said the ceremony marks the beginning of a process that will impact the lives of at least 18,000 people directly and indirectly thousands of others, through the provision of service at various schools, markets and other public and private facilities.

Benefitted

Acknowledging and thanking the Government and people of Japan for its assistance, he noted that the region has already benefitted significantly from the intervention of the Japanese Government with the modern New Amsterdam Hospital, as well.

“These are all critical investments that will ensure Guyana not only provide an essential service to its people but would ensure we meet the goals and targets set out in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” Ali stated.

“These are critical if we, as a global community, are to accomplish the great task of eradicating poverty, removing hunger and ensuring that all of our people have access to basic and essential services of life, of which water is, perhaps, the most critical,” he offered.

Noting the importance of the proposed facilities, Ali said: “If we allow this investment by the people of Japan, in the improvement of our lives, to suffer the historical fate of a number of our facilities throughout this country, then we will not be doing justice to this investment.”

He encouraged the residents to utilise this quality product in a manner that is responsible.

However, Ali said, while GWI is far from being satisfied with the level of service delivered to its customers, it is a process that requires collaboration and understanding.

“This is just another milestone in the implementation of our turnaround plan for Region Six,” he added.

He revealed that, in 2010, two new boreholes will be sunk in the region and upgrading and extending of its distribution network done to better serve the people.

“So, investment is not limited to this project and our investment is far from meeting its optimal point but we want the customers of Region Six to understand that this is a collaborative effort that requires support and understanding from each other,” Ali reiterated.

He said the project builds on slow sand filtration technology that will help in reducing operational cost and a generator is built into the facility.

Ali said the Government of Japan has supported the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and “we look forward to this continued support even as you, yourself, seek to advance the ‘Cool Earth 50’ Plan.”

“We wish to reiterate our support for the Cool Earth 50 Plan and we wish to seek your continued support in our LDCS, as we move forward to find a holistic solution to the global issue of environment and global warming,” he said.

Ali thanked the Government and people of Japan for the gesture of goodwill which shows the strong relationship shared and the Japanese contribution to the development of Guyana.

Japanese Counsellor, Mr. Kiyoshi Takeuchi agreed that the project marks another milestone and, when it is completed, residents of Corriverton would be able to enjoy an improved supply and quality of water.

“This will, undoubtedly, result in an improvement in the quality of life of the residents of Corriverton, as access to a reliable and potable water supply is a critical element to this type of progress,” he stated.

Commitment

The diplomat commended the Government of Guyana for not only strengthening the relations which it shares with Japan through these types of cooperative efforts but, more importantly, for maintaining its commitment to the development and well-being of its people, by seeking such projects from which they can directly benefit.

“The Government of Japan is, therefore, honoured to have partnered with the Government of Guyana as it seeks to take its country and people forward,” Takeuchi said.

He acknowledged that countries around the world are going through a most difficult time which requires significant effort not only at the national but, collectively, at the international level.

“The cooperative and friendly relations, long shared by Japan and the Republic of Guyana have provided us both with a solid foundation on which we can continue to build on and provide mutual support especially in the context of the current global economic crisis”.

Regional Chairman, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha said: “I think that our region is moving forward economically and infrastructurally and, today, Region Six is taking up its rightful place in the development of the country.”

He lauded the Ministry of Housing and Water and GWI their pro-activeness and the better services being extended across the region while thanking the Japanese Government for its assistance.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Mr. Yuri Chandisingh said the facility will ensure that there is much improved service to the communities and water safety is an integral part of the project.

“This project is a total package,” he told the gathering and underscored the importance of raising awareness and how consumers use the service.

He said it is important that consumers understand the importance and value of water and it is against this backdrop that GWI will soon embark on a youth education programme which will target schools in particular within the project area.

New school building to ease congestion at Wales Community High
By Tajeram Mohabir
Education Minister Shaik Baksh has announced that the new school building which will house the secondary school students currently attending classes at the Wales Community High School is expected to be completed by October month end.

Government had allocated close to $100M for the construction of the block to ease congestion at the Wales Community High which also houses a primary school.

The school is operating a shift system to facilitate classes for both the primary and the secondary students.

Addressing scores of parents at a recent meeting at West Coast Demerara School, the minister disclosed that the new building will be opened in January 2010, by then it would be adequately furnished.

Earlier this term, Baksh has converted 40 Community High Schools into secondary schools with Six Forms, Form One being a remedial class to bring low performers at the National Grade Six Assessments (NGSA) on par with normal secondary school students.

This development, he said, is in keeping with his ministry’s thrust to widen access to universal secondary education and ultimately achieve universal secondary education.

Now the problem of congestion at the Wales Secondary School will soon be resolved, parents complain that the school lacks furniture and is under- staffed.

Baksh in response, reported that his ministry recently obtained $ 15 M from the Ministry of Finance to build 1,000 pieces of furniture and the Wales Community High as well as other schools in the Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands) will also benefit.

He also pointed out that while the Wales Community High and other schools are under- staffed, there are other schools that are over-staffed and his ministry is currently looking to rationalise the distribution of teachers in Region Three schools.

The Ministry of Education officials are reconstructing the data on staffing which was destroyed recently by the fire that gutted the ministry’s office at Vreed-en-Hoop.

The rationalisation will begin as soon as the lost data has been recreated, the minister said.

In Berbice…
Guyanese-born U.S. resident admitted to local Bar
A BORN Lindener, Mr. Eon Ryan Smith, now resident in the United States (U.S.), was yesterday admitted to the Guyana Bar by Justice Winston Patterson, in the Berbice High Court.

Justice Winston Patterson congratulates Mr. Eon Ryan Smith, after admitting him to the Guyana Bar in the Berbice High Court.

He, however, returned to the Caribbean, where, after successfully completing the six months transitional programme at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Hugh Wooding Law School, he secured admission to the Bar in Trinidad and Tobago.

His close association with Mr. Ryan Crawford, the attorney-at-law son of Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford, caused Smith to get the opportunity for induction in the ‘Ancient County’.

Now the trio will combine their expertise, with Smith specialising in the area of international extradition while the Crawfords will be offering services both in Guyana and New York and Federal Courts in the U.S.

Presenting the petition for Smith, attorney-at-law Mr. Mursalene Bacchus mentioned that the former was born in Linden on December 26, 1973, to Virginia Joseph and Vincent Smith.

He migrated to the U.S. in 1985 and graduated from John’s University in 2000 and John’s University School of Law in 2003.

During his second year at law school, Bacchus said Smith was offered a position in the New York County, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and, upon graduation, he accepted the position of Assistant District Attorney.

On leaving that job, he joined the law firm Belluck and Fox, as an associate and trial counsel and, subsequently, started his own law firm, Smith and Company, practising family law, prior to enrolling at Hugh Wooding in Trinidad in 2008.

Smith was licensed to practice in the Commonwealth Caribbean last April, Bacchus said.

Justice Patterson, admitting Smith, noted that he is a seasoned practitioner but warned him against seeking popularity.

Instead he should give advice in order to advance the practices of the profession, the judge told Smith, who expressed profound gratitude to Bacchus for introducing him and to Senior Counsel Crawford for his guidance on the laws of Guyana.

Police probing death of 19-year-old motorcyclist
NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD Chavez Kellman called ‘Chavie’ was pronounced dead, on arrival at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) Sunday night, after being struck on the head while riding a motorcycle along Middle Road, La Penitence.

Dead: Chavez Kellman

She spoke while his mother, Nichola Hunte was at Ruimveldt Police Station, also in Georgetown.

The older woman said, apart from a cut on the front of his head, there were no marks, such as bruises, about his body to suggest that he was involved in an accident.

She, like other relatives, insisted that someone dealt him a fatal blow and he may have bled internally.

The others said Kellman had been with friends until about 22:00 h when he left them and was returning to his home after taking a child to her parent’s home.

It was around midnight news of the tragedy was received by the family and yesterday the septuagenarian lamented the loss of her grandson whom she loved dearly and described as a wonderful young man who will be sadly missed in the home.

The second of four siblings, Kellman is also survived by his father, Samuel Kellman.

Police continuing investigations into the circumstances of Kellman’s demise is awaiting the findings of a post mortem scheduled for tomorrow.

Mellen Press to publish Misir’s ‘Social Exclusion and Ethnicity’
The Edwin Mellen Press has accepted for publication the manuscript on Social Exclusion and Ethnicity by Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Prem Misir.

Dr Misir has had an extensive scholarly career and is the author of eight books including Cultural Identity and Creolisation In National Unity, Ethnic Cleavage and Closure In the Caribbean Diaspora, Work Commitment In Education, and The East Indian Diaspora.

NJASM Humanitarian Mission donates wheel chair to disabled senior citizen
IN keeping with the vision of serving the less fortunate seniors an eighty-year old woman of Edinburg Village East Bank Berbice recently received a new wheelchair from the members of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission in Collaboration with Food for The Poor Guyana.

Rajkumarie Sukaloo with the wheel chair donated by the NJASM Humanitarian Mission

As a local business woman she used to sell coconut brooms to make her living and would walk some three miles both ways from Edinburg to New Amsterdam to make her daily bread.

He son who takes care of his mother and also works full time to provide income for their home also commented on the venture and gracefully thanked all those involved in making the donation possible.

As week of celebrations begins
GPS hosts 26th Thanksgiving Service
By Wendella Davidson
SONGS of praise reverberated within the walls of the Georgetown Prison, Camp Street, in the city on Sunday, as the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), which has the responsibility for custody and retraining of persons committed to the Prison, and to engage in economic and other social programmes supportive of national objectives, hosted its 26th Thanksgiving Service.

In the front row, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Director of Prisons Dale Erskine, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs Ms Angela Johnson, and Deputy Director of Prisons, Mr. Poshanand Tahal, along with Officer in Charge of the Georgetown Prisons Senior Superintendent Trevor Small, seated behind Tahal, paying rapt attention to Pastor Richard James (inset)

This year’s observance ends on October 3, and is themed ‘Year of Discipline, Commitment and Accountability’.

The service at the Camp Street penitentiary was held in the chapel where Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and his Permanent Secretary Ms Angela Johnson joined, Director of Prisons Dale Erskine, his Deputy Mr. Poshanand Tahal, Senior Superintendent of Prisons and Officer in Charge of the Georgetown Prisons Mr. Trevor Small, Prison Chaplain Reverend Fay Clarke, members of the Ex-Prison Officers Association, representatives of sister Joint Services organisations, invited guests and other senior and junior officers, along with a representative body of the inmate population in worship.

A composite of those in attendance

Minister Rohee, in a message read by Prison school teacher Abeinie DeCunha, fervently implored the GPS to, even in their celebrations, not ever forget the primary role of the institution .

He urged that the GPS use the week to reflect and review with the aim of providing a better quality of service to the country.

Noting that the Ministry is “very conscious and appreciative” of the role the GPS plays in society, the Minister assured that the necessary guidance will continue to be provided so as to bring about a significant improvement in the quality of management of the prison facilities. Alluding to the role of the GPS, Minister Rohee noted that it is tied into the entire law enforcement and justice system; and without the existence of an efficient prison management system, problems can surface in the entire judicial and law enforcement process.

The Joint Services Choir offers a song.

In his address, Director of Prisons Erskine acknowledged that the celebrations are taking place at a time when the relevance of the GPS as a criminal justice institution has attracted “higher public visibility as our major stakeholders increase their expectations that we deliver a better quality of service.”

He reminded that the institution continues to face many challenges, as it seeks to effectively execute its mandate of safe custody and retraining of inmates, but noted that the administration has implemented a number of “innovative and procedural changes” in order to deliver a more professional, accountable and higher quality of service to both the public at large and the inmate population.

Speaking directly to staff members, the Director lauded them for the selfless services they continue to perform unnoticed and under the most challenging of circumstances. He urged that, in spite of criticisms where they falter, they not be daunted.

To the inmates, he advised that they take the week of observance “to understand yourselves and pursue interest that will promote your self-development and by extension your families,” and assured that the administration is opening more structured opportunities for them to develop their skills and artistic competences.

Former Director of Prisons Cecil Kilkenny and another guest test a bed on display

The Thanksgiving Service was interspersed with musical renditions by Joint Services Choir and the Republican Steel Orchestra, the latter continuing to entertain as guests viewed a mini exhibition of craft and other work done by the inmates, as well as a pictorial display of activities of the GPS, mounted in the Prison Officers Sports Club.

Gov’t supports UNICEF’s climate change and children’s campaign
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud yesterday met with a high-level delegation team from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Kingdom National Committee (UK Natcom), to discuss Guyana’s involvement in its climate change and children’s campaign.

Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud meets with the high-level delegation from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Kingdom National Committee.

Acting UNICEF Representative Geoffrey Ijumba said that research was done on the effects of climate change on children at the United Nations Research Institute, Italy, hence the development of its global campaign.

Ijumba said that Natcom was delighted that Guyana is a leader in the global debate on climate change and as a result Natcom intends to make Guyana the center piece of its fund raising campaign in 2010.

Andrew Radford, Deputy Executive Director, UK Natcom, said that the purpose of their visit was to overlook the works of UNICEF’s involvement in climate change and to forecast the effects of climate change that further impact on Guyana and its response to these effects which will be used to reinforce their work.

Radford highlighted that the agency is looking forward to receiving positive messages from UNICEF and the Government of Guyana working together to deal with climate change.

Funds received will be available in 2011 to develop programmes that will help raise awareness on the effects of climate change on children, and most importantly, children being an active part in adapting to and mitigating climate change.

On December 12, 2007, UNICEF announced that children were among those who would be most devastated by climate change.

Every year, three million children under the age of five die from environment-linked diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections and malaria, and the agency predicts that these numbers will rise with climate change.

Hilde Johnson, UNICEF Deputy Executive Director, said that curbing climate change and UNICEF’s top priority, to protect and support the health, development and education of children, are closely interlinked, noting that, “Action to protect the environment will protect the basic rights of children.”

Acknowledging that UNICEF does not have an environmental mandate, the agency nevertheless hopes that emissions reductions become a reality due to the detrimental impact of global warming on children.

The agency has launched a new publication spotlighting the concerns of children and youth about climate change.

Entitled “Climate Change and Children”, the booklet outlines the dangers global warming poses to children in the form of food insecurity, deforestation, lack of energy infrastructure, increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, disease and water scarcity. (GINA)

REOs meet with Minister Lall
- discusses progress of current and capital works
The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development yesterday held a meeting with the Regional Executive Officers (REOs) of the various Regions to discuss matters of concern including the reports on progress of current and capital works, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils’ subventions, road maintenance, miscellaneous roads and other critical issues.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall and Permanent Secretary Sewchan at the Regional Executive Officers meeting at the Ministry of Local Government.

The Minister noted that the objective is to complete capital projects in the allotted time; as such all contractors from the various Regions who have been awarded contracts and have been paid mobilisation fees will be penalised if they are unable to start the awarded projects at the end of September.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Sewchan said the Ministry will intensify its monitoring and evaluation of the Regions through the presence of its engineers. He reminded the REOs that they are the sole managers of their agencies and should keep with their responsibilities as administrators since leadership seems to be lacking. He told them there is a need for the rules that govern public servants to be enforced.

He stated that the Ministry will prepare a format that will measure both the physical and financial aspects of the achievements that have been realised.

Hinterland Coordinator Harripersaud Nokta noted that each region has been given an increase in its budgetary allocation for each consecutive year and that there have been remarkable achievements in the development of infrastructure being enjoyed by the residents. He advised that the programmes continue to be implemented till the end of the year.

The capital budget status of the $1.8 B that was allocated for 2009 shows that $1.18B has been expended, which represents 63.75 percent. A further break down of this amount shows that Region One has an expenditure rate of 42.2 percent, Region Two-80.2 percent, Region Three - 30.4 percent, Region Four- 50.8 percent, Region Five- 77.6 percent, Region Six- 78.5 percent, Region Seven- 75.2 percent, Region Eight-78.3 percent, Region Nine- 44.9 percent and Region Ten-70.1 percent.

The current budget status as of September 28 shows that of the $14.3 B that was allocated for 2009, $9.86B has been spent, this is a representation of 68.7 percent. Broken down this figure shows Region One - 64.9 percent, Region Two -71.6 percent, Region Three - 64.4 percent, Region Four - 70.4 percent, Region Five - 71.6 percent, Region Six - 68.8 percent, Region Seven - 67.6 percent, Region Eight 63.4 percent, Region Nine - 73.7 percent and Region Ten - 73.7 percent.

The Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s capital budget status is 41.6 percent and its current budget status is 60.7 percent.

All Regions reported that they are expected to complete all work programmes before December 31.

Wismar trafficker fined jailed, for marijuana
TROY Sertima, 35, of Lot 1575 Victory Valley, Wismar, Linden, was yesterday sentenced to three years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson, before whom he pleaded guilty to being in possession of four kilogrammes 102 grammes of cannabis (marijuana) for the purpose, on September 25, also fined him $10,000.

The prisoner had asked for leniency, claiming he has ten children to maintain.

But Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Prosecutor Oswald Massiah pointed out that the convict had been previously imprisoned for a similar offence.

The Prosecutor said, on receipt of information, CANU officers visited Sertima’s home and he consented to the search which yielded a bag containing leaves, seeds and stems of the prohibited plant.

Massiah said Sertima admitted ownership of the bag and said it was delivered to him to “make a hustle.”

Gymnasium shooting…
Another man charged with attempted murder
ANOTHER man has been charged following further Police investigations into the shooting and other violence in the vicinity of the National Gymnasium last week Tuesday night.

Vibert Weekes, 28, of Lot ‘WW’ 7, North East La Penitence, also in Georgetown, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday, on charges of inflecting grievous bodily harm and attempted murder.

He was not required to plead to the indictable offences, particulars of which alleged that, on September 22, he unlawfully and maliciously inflicted grievous bodily harm on Jason Langevine and, with intent to commit murder, wounded Jermaine Langevine.

Defence Counsel Basil Williams told the Court it was one of the virtual complainants who first opened fire and requested that Weekes be put on reasonable bail.
Weekes was ordered to post $475,000 surety until October 15.

Defendant in false pretence case on $1M bail
RAY Farrier, 51, of Kuru Kuru, along Soesdyke/Linden Highway has been charged with obtaining money by false pretence.

He appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday and pleaded not guilty.

Particulars of the offence said, last September 11, with intent to defraud, Farrier obtained $1M from Francisco Da Silva, by pretending to be Raymond Godfrey, owner of a house and that he was in a position to sell.

The virtual complainant told the Court the defendant showed him the transport and other documents concerning the property but, when he went there, he found a family in occupation of the place owned by a man in Barbados.

But Defence Counsel Vic Puran, claiming that the defendant never received any money, requested reasonable bail and the magistrate fixed the sum of $1M, before transferring the case to another Court for October 19.