Translation of National Anthem/Pledge into Amerindian languages project launched
Minister of Culture,Youth and Sport Gail Teixeira, meeting with students from the hinterland region who preformed both the National Anthem and Pledge in the AKAWAIO language for the first time in Guyana (A GINA/Ameer Khan photo)
Georgetown, GINA, August 30, 2005
The Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sport and Amerindian Affairs last evening launched the project "Translation of the National Anthem and Pledge into the Nine Amerindian languages of Guyana" at the Umana Yana. The project forms part of the pre-Amerindian Heritage Month activities to be launched on Thursday, September 1.
The project was the idea of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Gail Teixeira and was implemented through coordination with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry. It entails translation of the National Anthem into the nine Amerindian languages: Akawaio, Arawak, Arecuna, Carib, Macusi, Patamona, Wai Wai, Wapishana and Warrau.
Linguistics Lecturer of the University of Guyana, Dr. Desrey Fox heads the team of persons involved in the project, which also consists the translation of a number of Guyana's national songs as well into the Amerindian languages.
At the launching, Dr. Fox explained that the team of translators comprises herself along with Mr. Alvin Doris and Jonell Callender, two technical assistants and third-year Linguistics students of the University of Guyana, Mr. Ovid Williams, Community Development Officer attached to the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, as well as native speakers of the languages in various Amerindian communities throughout the country.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Teixeira said that she felt that the project could heighten awareness that there were nine languages and to allow for persons who spoke the languages to recognise that they were parts of the fabric of Guyanese society.
The Minister is also hopeful that subsequent to the expected publication of the booklet on the languages' translation and musical scores that it could be included in the educational system of the country.
"I believe it will call for a tremendous amount of work and a tremendous amount of dedication, and we hope that the agencies such as the universities and the communities themselves, the Amerindian villages, the Toshaos, their Elders and the young people will be part of this project and many others to come," Minister Teixeira said.
During the launching ceremony, the National Pledge was recited and the National Anthem sung in Kako/Akawaio by a group of Hinterland Students with musical accompaniment by Douglas Joseph, Colgrain White, Ovid Williams and Zackariah Williams.
After the renditions, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues noted that the project is a good way to help Guyanese to become more patriotic.
"Many times, we get a sense of people not being patriotic, we don't seem sometimes to love our country, our fellow-citizens, we say it, but sometimes it appears as though it's just an action of the mouth. I thought that this project can help to instill, promote and develop the patriotism that we need in our country."
The Hinterland Students are expected to recite the National Pledge and sing the National Anthem in the Amerindian languages on September 1, when Amerindian Heritage Month is launched at the same venue.
The translation project began July 1 and is to conclude by the end of October.
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$32M in community projects undertaken by LEAP
Georgetown, GINA, August 29, 2005
The Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), as part of its mandate which caters for public infrastructural rehabilitation support to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and the Mayor and Town Council, has undertaken several community enhancement projects totalling in excess of $32M.
The Burnham Drive/Winifred Gaskin Highway outfall will be repaired at a cost $7.2M. This entails the stabilisation of the collapsed concrete headwall of the main outfall of the Canvas City Half Mile and One Mile area, with timber revetment. The existing culvert is being extended while repairs will be carried out on the partially collapsed road curb.
The Burnham Drive Koker will be replaced with wooden doors and supporting structures.
The Mackenzie Bus Park will be upgraded at a value of $15M. Resurfacing of the park area with two inches of bitumen, construction of drains, entrance and new vending booths will be facilitated. A temporary bus park will be created at the Linden Constabulary drill square while the project is being implemented.
LEAP has undertaken several initiatives geared towards the growth and development of the community, as part of Government’s thrust to revitalize the economy of Region 10, following the collapse of the bauxite industry.
At the opening of the Region 10 Business Centre, and the launching of the Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF) and Business Incubator on April 29, President Bharrat Jagdeo highlighted the need for communities such as Linden, which are heavily dependent on mining, to diversify their resources to ensure continued economic development.
The Head of State reiterated Government’s commitment to support development projects such as LEAP, and encouraged residents to take advantage of the facilities LEAP has to offer.
The activities under LEAP are designed to assist the private sector in creating or expanding businesses, and generate an investment friendly environment to compensate for the reduction in the mining sector. The programme is also designed to assist public authorities, through certain infrastructure investments in new economic sectors.
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Consultations on VAT to continue tomorrow
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2005
The Ministry of Finance will be hosting a seminar and consultation session tomorrow in keeping with Government’s commitment to secure inputs from stakeholders on the Value Added Tax (VAT) legislation.
There will be presentations from experts in the field and the Ministry will hold consultations with the Private Sector and other Non-Governmental Organisations.
 Minister of Finance, Saisnarine Kowlessar will deliver the feature address at the Seminar to be held at Le Meriden, Pegasus Hotel.
Currently, copies of the Draft Regulations of the VAT are available at all Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) offices countrywide to solicit the public’s views on its implementation. Comments on the regulations are to be submitted by Tuesday, September 6.
Recently, Kurshid Sattaur, Commissioner General of the GRA said, "VAT is not a new tax. It only replaces some taxes currently in operation."
He noted that the VAT Regulations would be presented to Parliament after the consultations are through on the Draft Regulations. Sattaur emphasised that Government is keen on having these sessions.
Sattaur said the regulations will not only give guidance to GRA staff but also to the public in areas such as the procedure to off-set input tax credits against tax collected, how to adjust tax on taxable and exempted items and how to access refunds.
Certain items are already zero-rated including electricity, water and school uniforms. Transportation and medical services are also exempted and exporters will not be required to pay VAT.
On July 18 the National Assembly passed the VAT Bill and the Excise Tax Bill 2005 after a Parliamentary Select Committee reviewed them.
In the submissions to the Select Committee, it was pointed out that the time-frame for implementation was too short. The original VAT Bill had stipulated July 1, 2006 as the date of putting it into practice.
As a result, Parliament has provided for the Minister of Finance to determine the time frame for its implementation.
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Amerindian Heritage Month to be launched September 1 at Umana Yana
Georgetown , GINA, August 30, 2005
On September 1, a number of Amerindians throughout the country along with Government Officials and members of the Diplomatic Corps are expected to gather at the Umana Yana, Kingston, for the launching of Amerindian Heritage Month.
The launching ceremony, which has become a major annual event at the Umana Yana is expected to include an exhibition and sale of Amerindian craft, food and drinks.
The indigenous Calibro Band will be in attendance and craft groups from all ten regions of the country are expected to be a part of the ceremony.
Amerindian Heritage activities will continue throughout the month with Village Day celebrations to take place on September 10 in Moraikobai, Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and a Day of Sports at the Carifesta Ground On September 18.
The Amerindian Heritage Pageant is to be held on September 24 at the National Cultural Centre. Delegates from all ten regions are expected to vie for the Miss Amerindian Heritage position.
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Joint business commission established to increase Guyana/India trade
GINA, Georgetown, August 30, 2005
India and Guyana enjoy a very cordial and friendly relationship based on historical and cultural ties but the level of commercial and economic interaction between the two states is far below their potential. This is the opinion of Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Avinash Gupta.
“I feel the trade between India and Guyana is not as much as it should be,” the High Commissioner said.
To remedy this situation, the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has signed an agreement with India establishing a joint business commission. Gupta said the first meeting of the joint business council should take place by year-end.
“With the establishment of the joint business council and regular meetings, there would be heightened awareness in the future of each country’s capabilities.”
He explained that a business delegation from Guyana would visit India to identify specific areas, not only to increase trade between the two countries but investments as a whole in Guyana.
Gupta highlighted a number of possible investment areas, which could be explored in Guyana, namely in diamond processing, information technology and hydropower.
 Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Clement Rohee said India and the Caribbean community (CARICOM) have been actively collaborating on cooperation programmes.
On his recent trip to Trinidad and Tobago, Minister Rohee and his CARICOM counterparts met the Minister of Foreign Trade from India and a number of ideas were exchanged.
Minister Rohee said the meeting was very successful and a course of action to increase cooperation in areas such as information technology, trade and tourism will be explored.
The main items of Indian exports to Guyana are: spices, sports goods, leather footwear and leather products, drugs and pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, metal products, cotton yarn, fabric, plastic and linoleum products, paper and wood products, transport equipment, handicrafts, man-made yarn, fabric, readymade garments, accessories, cosmetics, toiletries and rubber products.
Guyana and India established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago.
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Commander-in-Chief meets Commander of US Southern Command
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Bharrat Jagdeo meets the Commander of the United States Southern Command General Bantz Craddock and his team during a courtesy call on the Commander in Chief at the Office of the President. Also at the meeting were Secretary to the Defence Board Dr. Roger Luncheon and United States Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Roland Bullen.
Office of the President photo by Sandra Prince
Georgetown, GINA, August 30, 2005
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Bharrat Jagdeo this afternoon met the Commander of the United States Southern Command General Bantz Craddock.
General Craddock and a team, including five Officers of the US Southern Command paid a courtesy call on the Commander-in-Chief at the Office of the President. The visiting delegation was accompanied by Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana Mr. Roland Bullen. Secretary to the Defence Board Dr. Roger Luncheon was also at the meeting.
According to Colonel Wilbert Lee of the GDF, earlier in the day, the team paid a courtesy call on the Chief-of-Staff. He also had an interactive session with Officers of the GDF where discussions were held on the drug trade, threats to national security and the illegal movement of arms and ammunition. The two teams also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation between the GDF and the US Southern Command.
Colonel Lee recalled that members of the Florida National Guard were in Guyana recently and conducted training on anti-narcotics and counter terrorism. The US Southern Command team today explored with the GDF Officers other areas for enhanced cooperation.
After meeting President Jagdeo, the team, accompanied by Dr. Luncheon, travelled to Camp Stephenson Timehri, where General Craddock turned the sod for the construction of a disaster preparedness warehouse that will stockpile emergency supplies for the Army.
The construction of the warehouse is being funded by the US Government and will be built by a local contractor to a standard design that is used regionally, Colonel Lee added.
General Craddock arrived in Guyana this morning and left this afternoon.
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CSEC results announced: Minister Jeffrey says results phenomenal
Georgetown, GINA, August 30, 2005
Minister of Education Dr. Henry Jeffrey today announced the results of the 2005 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination during a media briefing at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).
 The Minister noted that this year’s results are phenomenal with 58.3 percent of students who wrote the examination obtaining at least a Grade Three and 79.1 percent obtaining Grades One to Four.
This was noted to be a 4.5 and 2.6 percent increase over the figures for 2004 respectively.
Following the Minister’s announcement, a list of the top performers who gained five or more Grade Ones was released to the media. The candidate listed with the most Grade Ones was noted to be Linbert Lewis of President’s College with 12 Grade Ones, followed by Kumarie Kooseram and Valline Ramotar also of President’s College with 10 Grade Ones and 10 Grade Ones and a Grade Two respectively.
Candidates who obtained nine Grade One passes were Vijay Persaud and Fizal Hussain of President’s College with 9 Grade Ones along with a Grade Two and 9 Grade Ones respectively.
Others were Malinie Narine of Anna Regina Secondary, 9 Grade Ones; Farnaz Habeeb of Abram’s Zuil Secondary School, 9 Grade Ones, a Grade Two and a Grade Three; Orin Stanley of Patentia Secondary School, 9 Grade Ones and 2 Grade Twos; Tahir Casey of Mackenzie High, 9 Grade Ones and 1 Grade Two; Girish Ramnaran and Rajendra Ramgobin of Queen’s College, 9 Grade Ones and a Grade Three and 9 Grade Ones and a Grade Two respectively and Lois Hannibal of New Guyana School with Nine Grade Ones.
Other top performers whose results included eight Grade One passes consisted of five candidates from President’s College, one from the Berbice High School, another from Central Corentyne Secondary School, one from Bartica Secondary School, three from the Bishop’s High School, four from Queen’s College, one from St. Joseph’s High School and one from Mae’s Secondary School.
The candidates were Priya Brijlall, Shonette Denny, Alana James, Rayal Jhagru, Ramane Kum, Rovindra Singh, Maria Ramnarayan, Dacia Mittelolzer, Saud Aziz, Sharmini Balcharan, Sulan Fung, Christina Gonsalves, Kievina Haynes, Nikita La Cruz, Talia Mohamed, Rajendra Persaud and Rishiram Singh respectively.
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GGMC warns defaulters of new legal framework
- compliance or penalty
Georgetown , GINA August 30, 2005
The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) wishes to inform all miners and other concerned persons that policies which previously governed mining activities have now been tabled in Parliament and are now legally enforceable.
The new legislation have been made in light of the growing number of environmental defaulters who contribute to contamination of rivers, creeks and other waterways affecting various life-forms.
These laws encompass mercury use, mine reclamation, mine effluents, contingency planning, mine waste and tailings management. The statutes set out by the legislation include compliance with a number of practices, failure of which may result in penalties.
These can include denial of license renewal and in other cases the complete ceasure of operations.
The law strictly prohibits:
- The use of mercury during primary stages of mining operations such as in sluice boxes, hammer mills or ball mills.
- The discharge of amalgamation tailings (black sand or fluids which contain mercury) into water bodies.
- The discharge of fluids in excess of 30 nephelometric turbidity units NTU or 100 total suspended solids (TSS)
- The burning of amalgam in open air.
- Settling ponds less than 20 metres away from rivers or other waterways.
The law also enforces compliance with the following:
- All miners must submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) outlining undertaken measures to ensure environmental compliance.
- Waste dumps must be away from surface waters.
- Sites must be restored following the completion of mining activities. This includes (i) ensuring that mine sites are chemically hazard-free (ii) reclamation plan must be completed prior to commencement of mining (iii) site must be restored to visually reproductive state (iv) mine titles must be relinquished once all requirements are met.
- Establish emergency-accident response in the event of tailing dam failures, chemical spills and other possible eventualities.
- Environmental monitoring must be done to ensure compliance with legislations. In the event that chemical limits are exceeded, all operations must cease until restoration has been completed.
The GGMC is urging persons to uplift copies of new regulations to ensure compliance. Copies could be uplifted from the GGMC office, upper Brickdam. The commission is also advocating consultation with mines engineers and technicians, as well as with other miners who are already in compliance.
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