Refurbished Theatre Guild Playhouse opened
AFTER years of being neglected to the state of deterioration and near demolition, the Theatre Guild Playhouse on Parade Street, Kingston, Georgetown, has once again come into its own.

Amidst much ceremony Saturday evening, the venue, which is the first cultural arena in Guyana to produce some of the best in local and regional theatre, was officially opened with the symbolic handing over of the keys from Major General Joseph Singh (retd) of the Board of Trustees, to executive member Jermonica Walcott.

Primne Minister Hinds delivers remarks at the playhouse

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was also among those in attendance, unveiled a special plaque in one section of the building.

The Theatre Guild playhouse with a seating capacity of about 116, was packed to capacity as representatives from the Theatre Guild Resuscitation Project, the media, Board of Trustees and the theatre industry in Guyana proudly witnessed the three hour ceremony chaired by Cathy Hughes and Enrico Woolford.

Among those in attendance were former President Janet Jagan, members of the diplomatic community and Members of Parliament.

The evening’s proceedings were filled with memoirs and recollections of some of the proud moments of the Playhouse history, shared by talented local actors and others who were there from the inception of the Theatre Guild.

Among the highlights of the occasion was the appearance of Patricia Gomes who acted in over 40 productions at the Guild, her first being “Tea House of the August Moon.” Excerpts from Frank Pilgrim’s “Miriamy” and from the Youth Theatre Workshop organised by Gem’s Theatre Production were also staged.

A scene from Frank Pilgrim's Miriamy

Dave Martins sang “Living in the Sun” which he said came out of his love for the Caribbean. Actor and playwright Francis Quamina Farrier who was a key player at Theatre Guild playhouse since the 1960s, recalled some of the tiresome but proud moments during his rehearsals. “The Journey to Freedom” was one of the successful plays directed by Farrier at the venue.
Chairman of the Guild, Russell Lancaster, also an actor and director, recalled his first visit to the venue at age seven to witness the play “Ten Little Niggers” , which he said was the stepping stone to his love for theatre.

The restoration of Theatre Guild he considers a dream come true, and he thanked all stakeholders. He sees the occasion as more than just dedicating a new building, but the beginning of a cultural renaissance.

Guyanese in the diaspora in Barbados, North America, and the United Kingdom were also praised for their support over the last six months to fast track the resuscitation effort.

In what was considered a touching moment in the ceremony a special segment called Memories was hosted with pictorial reflections of some of the actors and actresses of the Theatre Guild Playhouse who passed away.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, in his message, congratulated all stakeholders in the effort to revitalize the venue which is selected to host theatrical events for the Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA) X in August.

He extended congratulations from Head of State Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, in their absence, noting that both individuals were enthusiastic about the Playhouse restoration.

Government fulfilled its commitment to supporting the theatre with a $17M donation. President Jagdeo was lauded for identifying with the project from the inception of the rebuilding effort.

The cost of repairs during the one-year period climbed from $28M to $66M. This equipped the theatre with new features such as a balcony, a lighting and sound room, dressing room, sanitary facilities, a new stage which can be converted into a walkway, a bar and reception area.

Civil Engineer Bert Carter was commended for going beyond the call of duty to restore the building after being invited in March 2007 to become a member of the venue’s Board of Trustees.

He was responsible for designing the new building and its many new features.

Minister urges fisherfolks to stand up to challenges
By Tajeram Mohabir
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud yesterday urged fisherfolks not to be daunted by the challenges confronting the fisheries sector, as government has made and is making provisions to address them, while at the same time advancing operations in the area.

He made the appeal as Guyana joined other Caribbean territories in observing Fishermen’s Day 2008, commemorating the Feast of St. Peter, Patron Saint of Fishers,

The occasion, fittingly themed: “Fisheries and the Challenges of Climate Change -- Being Prepared” was held at the Georgetown Fisherman’s Co-operative Complex, Meadow Bank Wharf, East Bank, Demerara.

In attendance were Acting Chief Fisheries Officer Mr.Tajnarine Geer, the Chairman of the National Climate Change Committee (NCC) Mr. Shyam Nokta; President of the Private Trawlers Association Mr. Bruce Vieira; Vice Chairman of the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana (NAAG) Mr. Walter Chin; Acting Chief Co-operative Development Officer Mr. Abdul Jabar; and Chairman of the Georgetown Fishermen’s Co-op Society Mr. Mohamed Khan, as well as fishermen from across the country.

Locally, the Minister pointed out, the sector provides employment to some 15,000 people, contributes some six per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and plays an important role in ensuring food security.

Some of the pressing challenges facing the industry include piracy, climate change, rising cost of inputs, especially for artisanal fishermen, and the need for a vibrant framework to efficiently manage the operations both at the government and organization levels.

The minister acknowledged that while piracy is on the increase, government has not turned a blind eye on the problem. He noted his ministry has adopted an inter-agency approach, and as part of that plan, some $ 15 M has been channeled to the Coast Guard to devise a strategic plan to curb the scourge, if not prevent it.

In this regard, he disclosed that several arrests were made, and there have been collaborations with the Surinamese authorities. And more recently, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee tabled the Anti-Piracy Bill which will comprehensively address the problem.

The minister pointed out that the administration has assisted Berbice Fishermen Co-op Societies with resources to address the setback, and promised that the same will be extended to those on the East Coast Demerara and Georgetown.

On this note, he expressed empathy with the families of the group of local fishermen detained in Suriname for fishing in that country’s waters, but said government is in constant contact with the Surinamese officials to have the matter resolved.

Persaud lamented that the fines of US$ 5,000 for the captain and half of that for the crew is way too harsh, and appealed to the agencies known to the fishermen to come forward to help them out of the plight.

Dwindling stock and catch, the minister said, is also a challenge and he called for more research working with both international agencies and local partners to arrest this situation.

He stressed that a workshop soon will be held in this regard to raise awareness of this concern, and his ministry will be seeking solutions to the problem from stakeholders in the sector.

On the issue of rising cost of inputs, Persaud underlined that government has waived excise duty on diesel, significantly reduced the tax on gasoline, and removed VAT on many inputs in the industry.

He underlined that solutions to this challenge do not reside in one area, because this situation is driven by the trends on the international market.

Persaud implored all stakeholders to work together to overcome these challenges and to discover ways in better managing the sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture recently devised a Fisheries Management Plan which thoroughly outlines the way forward in the various sub-sectors of the ministry and has established a Fisheries Advisory Committee (FAC).

The minister said that the FAC has done much work in streamlining activities in the sub-sector, and pointed out efforts are being made to venture into deep-sea fishing, a new area with vast potential in the sector.

He underscored that government is also placing strong emphasis on aquaculture development, and disclosed that the aquaculture hatchery at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, will soon be completed.

Yesterday’s activities included a Satydeow Sawh domino competition in memory of the late Agriculture Minister.

Mobile sugar units deployed to Berbice
GUYSUCO reiterates no shortage
IN response to reports by consumers in East Berbice, Region Six, that some distributors and retailers of sugar have unjustifiably increased the price for this commodity, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud, has directed the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) to deploy mobile units to the affected areas to ensure that sugar is available at the suggested retail price.

GUYSUCO, Minister Persaud indicated, has not increased the price for sugar nor has it reduced the quantity being supplied to distributors, thereby justifying an increase in retail prices.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) has since reiterated that there is no shortfall in the supply of sugar.

Minister Persaud pointed out that GUYSUCO and the Guyana Revenue Authority are collaborating on this matter, following reports of sugar being smuggled to neighbouring Suriname across the Corentyne River.

Sugar is subsidised locally and is sold in Guyana below the price offered to the export market.

Minister Persaud further indicated that GUYSUCO has been asked to review its distribution arrangement in East Berbice and work has started in this regard.

GUYSUCO will also be working closely with the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union (GAWU) to ensure that the supply of sugar remains adequate.

GUYSUCO and GMC this weekend targeted several East Berbice communities where sugar prices have reportedly increased. These include Manchester, Lancaster, Whim and Tain, among others.

This exercise will continue until the price for sugar in the affected areas returns to normal.

The Guyana Marketing Corporation has been deploying mobile units countrywide over the last several weeks, making available to consumers commodities such as rice and flour at affordable prices, in keeping with government’s ongoing food price assistance programme (A GMC Release).

Satellite forestry monitoring good for operators
By Tajeram Mohabir
INTERNATIONAL Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Communications Manager Dr. Steve Johnson views the implementation of satellite monitoring of the forest as a step in the best interest of the forest operators.

Variety Woods representative Brian Beretto left, receives a certificate from Minister Persaud on the successful completion of the workshop (Adrian Narine photo)

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a four-day criteria indicator for sustainable management of tropical forest workshop at the Regency Suite Hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, on Thursday, Dr. Johnson said the measure is ideal because the incursion of forest lands by non-forest users is a known concern.
That form of surveillance he stressed can bring a halt to that and other activities common among miners.

The workshop, hosted by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and conducted by ITTO, sought to introduce a framework for assessing, monitoring and reporting on forest management consistent with international guidelines.

The ITTO representative urged Guyana to incorporate the framework with its domestic laws on forest management, and noted that during the discussions various aspects of the forestry operations were examined.

Among the agencies that participated in the initiative were the University of Guyana (UG), Iwokrama, Conservation International, the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) and the Lands and Surveys Commission.

Dr. Johnson said that Guyana, unlike other members of ITTO, still has a pristine forest and has massive opportunities to keep it that way.

On that note, he told the participants, including Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud and GFC Commissioner Mr. James Singh, that workshops of this nature are geared to help along that course.

Persaud used the opportunity to inform representatives of the participating agencies that government had made significant strides to improve forestry resources management and its abiding commitment to maintaining and building on those achievements.

The minister pointed out that government, in an effort to promote investment in the forestry sector, has placed increasing emphasis on value added production because of the significant benefits this brings.

Apart from that, he noted focus is concentrated on non-timber resources, and pointed out that the President Jagdeo Initiative on climate change, which aims to mitigate its impact and at the same time provide an environmental service, is evident of this.

Persaud warned that while some stakeholders are given space to develop capacity to comply with the GFC regulations, a time will come when the necessary legislation will have to be enforced, and his ministry has embarked on that road.

He underlined that his ministry is aware of the activities on forest lands outside of forestry, but noted that representations have been made at the level of cabinet to address the problem.

These activities can negatively affect the certification and reputation of the forestry sector and ways are being examined to ensure coexistence between miners and forestry operators.

Arthur Chung to be buried at The Seven Ponds
Former President of Guyana, Mr. Raymond Arthur Chung O.E., after being in repose at the National Cultural Centre yesterday, will be buried today.

CANADIAN High Commissioner Charles Court signs the Book of Condolence

The funeral procession will leave the Merriman’s Funeral Home, Lime and Bent Streets, Georgetown, at 9:00 h for the National Cultural Centre, where representatives of the major religious faiths will offer prayers, and statements will be made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Robert Corbin and the Chung family members.

The programme will feature interludes of music and patriotic songs by the Guyana Police Force Band.

Following the ceremony, the former Head of State will be buried at the Seven Ponds Place of Heroes in the Botanic Gardens.

A Boy is assisted signing the Book of Condolence

The Prime Minister greets Dr.Raymond Chung son of the late President

The cortege leaves the National Cultural Center

THE casket leaves the National Cultural Center

Young Guyanese file past the casket