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| Tuesday, May 24, 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This is the first time in the 18-year history of the Guyana Literature Prize that there were co-winners for any category. There were no awards in the category of First Book of Fiction. Additionally, for the first time the short-listed writers were presented with certificates. They were Denise Harris for “In Remembrance of Her,” Jan Low for “The God Mother,” Shinebourne for “Other Stories,” and Elly Niland for “In Retrospect,” and Cecil Roopnarine for “Upriver”. The judging took place in February last, by a panel comprising of adjudicators: Dr. Victor Ramraj, Dr. Vibert Cambridge, Mrs. Ameena Gafoor, Professor Lolara Ogundipe and Dr. Gemma Robinson. The Guyana Prize for Literature was started in 1987, with a view to promote the development of local literature. It is managed by a Committee consisting of a number of University personnel; Al Creighton Jnr. Deputy Vice Chancellor, Alim Hosein, Deputy Dean, School of Education, Yvonne Lancaster University Librarian, Professor Joycelynne Loncke CCH, Professor of French and Music, and Dr. James Rose, Vice Chancellor. Gillian Thompson, Acting Chief Librarian, Guyana National Library is also on the Committee. The Guyana Prize for Literature, through its awards ceremony, aims to further provide focus for the recognition of the creative writing of Guyanese at home and abroad. It also seeks to stimulate interest in and provide encouragement for the development of creative writing among Guyanese in particular, and Caribbean writers in general. Last evening, Dr. Ramraj, who read the judges’ report, noted the awards ceremony was the greatest achievement of the Guyanese Literature and Arts community. He also expressed appreciation to the Government of Guyana for its efforts to keep the programme going. Initially, the project had the support of former President, the late Desmond Hoyte and was later endorsed by former President, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan and former President Mrs. Janet Jagan. Awardee, Professor Dabydeen noted that Guyanese literature has ‘crissed-crossed’ the globe, and has served as an effective connection for overseas-based Guyanese writers and their homeland. The winners were given a chance to entertain the audience with excerpts of their manuscripts, as well as an excerpt from the prize-winning drama “Nancy Story”. According to Al Crieghton, the Management Committee is looking at expanding the Awards to include a Region Literature Prize for the Committee’s 20 th anniversary in 2007. President Jagdeo for Moruca Day in Region One
Georgetown, GINA, May 24, 2005 The Amerindian community of Moruca, Region One will come alive this weekend, as Moruca Day will be celebrated. President Bharrat Jagdeo and a high-level team of officials will join residents in celebrating the occasion. The President and his team, including Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford will be at Moruca on Friday, 27, May 2005 at 10:30 hrs. There, they will be joined by Minister of Amerindian Affairs Carolyn Rodigues, who leaves for Moruca tomorrow. The following is the President’s schedule during the three-day visit. Friday, 27, May 200511:00 hrs Meeting with Public Servants, Teachers, Government workers and Toshaos from surrounding communities: Manawarin, Assakata, Waramuri, Kwabanna, Warapoka and Santa Cruz 14:00 hrs Public meeting Saturday, 28, May 2005Moruca Day activities Sunday, 29, May 2005 Church service 10:00 hrs Community meeting at Waramuri The President and his delegation return on Sunday, May 30, 2005. Guyoil fuel boat to arrive tomorrow
Georgetown, GINA, May 24, 2005 A Guyoil vessel is expected to arrive tomorrow with 17,000 barrels of fuel to replenish the stores of several Guyoil gas stations affected by shortages, after the vessel was delayed in Trinidad and Tobago. Chief Energy Co-ordinator of Guyana Energy Authority, Joseph O’Lall, indicated that the fuel will be discharged at around 6:00pm and fuel should be available at Guyoil gas stations shortly after. Several Guyoil gas stations in Georgetown and on the West Bank and West Coast Demerara, suffered shortages due to the delay of the Guyoil boat. This resulted in some commuters being stranded. Minibus operators plying the West Bank/West Coast Demerara routes were not greatly affected by the situation, although many of them were concerned about the possible prolonged shortage of fuel at Guyoil stations, which meant that they would have to pay more per gallon, at other gas stations. Checks at Esso and Shell gas stations in Georgetown today revealed that gasoline was available at $666 and $664 respectively. Earlier last year, the Government of Guyana took measures to help reduce the impact of rising fuel prices. It introduced a 30 percent Consumption Tax on gasoline and 20 percent reduction on dieseline. Currently, gasoline and dieseline are being sold at $660 and $591 respectively per gallon at Guyoil gas stations countrywide. Last month, in the face of rising fuel prices, Guyoil had also run out of supplies as more customers flocked there to obtain gasoline at a cheaper rate. Alternative mathematics paper to be used for CSEC examination- Education Minister confirms leakage of authentic paper Georgetown , GINA, May 24, 2005 Minister of Education Dr. Henry Jeffrey disclosed today that there has been a leakage of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), formerly the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) mathematics paper, and as such, an alternative paper, not yet in circulation, would have to be used. The Ministry of Education had yesterday warned students writing the examination not to purchase any examination papers on sale and found to be in circulation, which the Ministry had described as ‘fake’. The Ministry had stated that officials were able to obtain some of the fake papers and had noted that the information contained in them were false. However, the Minister pointed out today that the situation has changed radically since then. “Apparently, someone faxed a paper from Guyana…the math paper, and that is a real paper. We will have, in those circumstances, to withdraw the exam for the maths to be held on Thursday,” Minister Jeffrey announced, emphasizing that there is an alternative paper, not yet in circulation, that would be used and that the Ministry will fix another date for the mathematics examination. The Education Minister observed that what the Ministry will be doing is to try to ascertain where the paper originated. As part of this process, all packages of papers sent out to the various Regions will be recalled and returned to Georgetown. The Ministry will then examine them to see which ones are breached. “Then we’ll have an idea whether or not the paper is from Guyana or whether it was faxed to Guyana and now being faxed elsewhere,” the Minister further said. Asked about security measures in place to avoid the situation occurring in other subject areas, the Minister said that this was already done, yet the leakage occurred. “We have put all the security measures in place that we can. We have sat over the last months with the CXC and we tried to put in place arrangements that this would not happen. We have even put cameras in the examinations department etcetera,” Minister Jeffrey explained. The Education Minister observed that it is still not certain whether the leaked paper is from Guyana, but that the Ministry will do all it can to make the situation more secure. We must not be Guyanese by default – Prime Minister Georgetown, GINA, May 24, 2005 Prime Minister Samuel Hinds indicated that those who have chosen to remain in Guyana to contribute towards the development of the economy must work to promote a harmonious society. This, the Prime Minister said, can be achieved through steadily resolving and reconciling differences, and building healthy, cordial relationships. These remarks were made at Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry’s (GBTI) Relationship Award Ceremony this afternoon, held at the bank’s head office, Water Street, to mark the 168 th Anniversary of the organisation. The Prime Minister noted that “we should be Guyanese, not by default, but by the voluntary and conscious decision to remain and help shape the future of our nation. We must be working towards building relationships and finding areas of common interest so that we can work together for a common prosperity.” The predecessors of GBTI have been in business since 1837, which was then the Colonial Bank, and subsequently Barclays Bank, from 1929. Noting GBTI’s decision to trace its origins to the Colonial Bank, the Prime Minister noted, “...I sense in that choice, an acceptance and a reconciliation with a number of factual elements in the Bank’s history...accepting too, the task of Banker in Guyana, challenged by the record of your predecessors, and the desire to emulate them.” Chief Executive Officer of GBTI, R.K Sharma, noted that “GBTI has been operating as a distinct entity for 18 years, but we can boast of an institutional history of over 165 years, a fact that we are happy, indeed extremely proud, to celebrate this evening.” In addition to offering a wide range of products and services to personal and corporate clients, GBTI has also developed a strong community focus. “We are a profit-oriented, quality conscious and customer-focused institution, and in addition to this, we aim to always be good corporate citizens,” Sharma said. The total assets of GBTI are $30B and the bank holds deposits of $25B, with capital reserves of $3B, which is 43.5% of their portfolio. Government officials plead with people to stop hoaxing families of missing sugar workers- President to meet families tomorrow
Georgetown, GINA, 24 May 2005. As the search for the two sugar workers of East Coast Demerara, who went missing on Saturday 21 May intensifies, Government officials are urging people to desist from spreading false rumours about the whereabouts of the individuals. Ever since the two men, Sampersaud Taranauth of Enterprise and Maikhram Sawh of Non Pariel disappeared, the Police, members of the media and the families of the missing individuals have been receiving “prank calls and messages.” Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Bibi Shadick, along with Information Liaison to the President, Robert Persaud, during their visit to both families today, described the pranks as wicked deeds, which does not help the situation nor the families. They noted that it only complicates the searching operation, since every time these false reports are made, the Police have to do investigations. The officials told the anxious families, relatives and friends, that Government is very concerned about the situation and while the matter has also been discussed at Cabinet, Police is constantly searching for the missing men. So far, the search for the individuals has been conducted in areas stretching from Enmore to lower East Coast Demerara including Buxton backlands. The two armoured vehicles, which the Government recently bought from India is also being used in the search for the missing sugar workers. To date, the search has proven futile but the operation by several search parties including public-spirited citizens and law enforcement officers is continuing. Both Taranuath and Sawh, who are employees of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO), left their homes last Saturday for work and have not yet returned. The families have also refuted reports made in the Kaieteur News that the kidnappers are waiting on ransom. The family confirmed that there have been no demands for any ransom. Minister Shadick and Persaud urged the families not to give up but to keep hoping for the men’s safe return. President Bharrat Jagdeo will be meeting the families of Taranauth and Sawh tomorrow. |
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