CARIFESTA, stepping stone to promoting Haitian music locally
- Caricom’s Foreign Community Relations officer
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
Haiti, the most recent member of CARICOM plans to stage another significant performance in the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X by showcasing its most unique and astonishing culture.
The Haitian Government is at present gathering all information relating to the festival and its logistics after signalling its intention to participate in CARIFESTA.
Project Officer of the Foreign Community Relations (FCR) department of the CARICOM Secretariat Peter Noel who is a Haitian national, is in Guyana making representation on his government’s behalf for the island’s participation in the festival.
Noel recently accompanied Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, CARICOM’s Human and Social Development (HSD) Consultant Dr. Carol Bishop and representatives of the CARIFESTA Secretariat on a campaign in Region Three to spread the message of the festival.
He said that Haiti’s willingness to participate this year stems from the unique cultural potentials it possesses that will be new to many.
He said a variety of Haitian craft, music and other performing arts are some which the government intends to highlight during CARIFESTA.
Noel added that in his visit to Guyana he observed that there is no knowledge of Haitian music among Guyanese and he believes CARIFESTA will be a platform and stepping stone for promoting this culture.
He also sees Haiti’s participation as a significant achievement that will add to the island’s involvement in all activities of CARICOM of which it recently became a member.
“I am looking forward to our participation in the festival. I think CARIFESTA is a good opportunity for all Caribbean countries to show our cultures to the world especially this year’s, which promises to have more countries, some outside of CARICOM,” Noel said.
Haiti’s participation in CARIFESTA dates back to the first festival in 1972 in Guyana when a team of Ibo dancers performed.
Their performance was joined by more than 30 other art forms in the Caribbean and Latin America which were showcased in music, dance, drama, folk art, painting, sculpture, photography and literature.
Haiti, which is bordered by the Dominican Republic that occupies two-thirds in geographic size, became a full member of CARICOM in 2002.
This year’s event will see Barbados, Anguilla, Dominica, Turks and Caicaos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua sending delegations to CARIFESTA which will be held in Guyana during August 22 to 31. Participation is also expected from territories outside the Caribbean such as Austria, Morocco and Indonesia.
Each participant will play a part in the performing, culinary, literary and visual arts, community festivals, grand market, fashion focus, single events, super concerts, symposia on youth and indigenous people among others.
More than 100 events will be showcased beginning with an opening ceremony at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, featuring a performance by 1000 Guyanese youths.
Three Temporary Magistrates sworn-in
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
Three Temporary Magistrates were officially sworn-in today and were urged to live up to their pledge to perform their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
The three are Haymant Ramdhani, Faith Aguste and Nigel Hawk who took the oath in the presence of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Carl Singh and Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chang at the Office of the Prime Minister. They were accompanied by family members and well wishers.
Prime Minister Hinds expressed how elated he was to welcome the three to the magistracy which he considers a very important position.
“We live in a society where there is need for persons to take up these posts and as the oath they have just sworn, says that they should perform their functions without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” the Prime Minister said.
He also commended the newly-appointed magistrates for their commitment to serving Guyana, since there is the tendency of some qualified individuals to migrate to other countries after making such an achievement.
Justice Singh also used the occasion to congratulate the three newly appointed Temporary Magistrates.  Ian Chung (left) and Chancellor (ag) Carl Singh (right) with the newly sworn Temporary Magistrates.JPG)
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds Chief Justice (ag) Ian Chung (left) and Chancellor (ag) Carl Singh (right) with the newly sworn Temporary Magistrates.
He joined Prime Minister Hinds in urging the magistrates to bear in mind the oath to discharge their obligations but is confident that they will do so since their appointments were made without any difficulties by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
“There is no doubt in my mind that these three people will discharge their obligations in that manner and that their functioning of the Bench will not be a disappointment to those responsible,” Chancellor Singh said.
He also used the occasion to reflect on the need to make adequate financial provision for the well-being and comfortable work environment of magistrates, which he said government has been making, despite challenges.
“There have been fair budgetary allocations and I will be the first to say that we understand some of the financial constraints that perhaps affect us here in Guyana,” Chancellor Singh said.
Court Three of the Magistrate’s Court, Georgetown, Reliance in Essequibo and Number 51 village, Corentyne, Berbice, are some of the areas which the Acting Chancellor said need attention. He added that some of the administrative difficulties which faced the new court at Fort Wellington have been resolved and it will become functional in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, budgetary provisions have been made for the establishment of a New Magistrate’s Court at Charity, in Region Two.
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Work on Camp St. Prison annexe progressing
–Director of Prisons
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
Construction on the two-storey, $40M building to ease overcrowding at the Camp Street prison is moving ahead despite some minor delays, according to the Director of Prisons Dale Erskine.
“Basically the block continues to be in progress. The contractors are working right now in the prison yard. We are a little off schedule because of the inclement weather …Apart from mobilization, the foundation and these things are now being done. They are in line,” Erskine explained.
The administration has recognized the problem of overcrowding of the prison and in October government allocated $40M for the construction of the annexe.
Erskine reiterated the concern over congestion at the prison, pointing to the number of remand prisoners in the penitentiary.
“Our population now is actually 80 percent above its population. The remand population is the higher of the two categories. It is two-thirds of the population in the Georgetown prisons,” he lamented.
In relation to alternative sentencing which the administration has been looking at, Erskine said discussions are ongoing in this area.
“There are a number of agencies that are mandated to look at that. There is ongoing discussion and I guess over a time period the right agencies will come up with the right solutions to deal with persons with minor offences and look at alternatives for imprisonment so as to reduce the population. It’s a topical issue that is being discussed.”
The Administration emphasized that there is no immediate plan to build another prison in Georgetown, but in the interim, has dedicated its efforts to addressing overcrowding.
Meanwhile, speaking on the issue of security breaches at the prison, specifically in relation to cell phones, the Director said measures have been put in place to prevent recurrences.
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Toolsie Persaud invests $US2M in quarrying equipment
- PM, GGMC Commissioner laud company
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
Toolsie Persaud Limited (TPL) one of Guyana’s pioneers in developing and producing construction materials has invested in US$2M worth of Caterpillar equipment to support its operations.
The equipment include two front-end loaders, one 365C hydraulic excavator and an off-highway hauling truck, which were on display at the company’s Providence location East Bank Demerara.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Commissioner (ag) of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) William Woolford were among those who got a first-hand look at the new equipment which will come in handy as the company works to restructure its St Mary’s operations to enhance its capacity to provide quarry materials to aid in sea defence and road construction among others.
A display of the new equipment invested by Toolsie Persaud Limited
The St. Mary’s operation, located on the left bank of the Essequibo River, 20 miles upstream of Bartica, is the largest producer and supplier of crushed stone and boulders, among other quarry products.
The Prime Minister said he was pleased to witness the efforts being made by the company to recapitalise the St Mary’s area since there is a greater need for stone in Guyana and the Caribbean.
“We know that our markets are relatively thin and may be a bit unsteady with the construction programme with roads and buildings. So in the past at times, we had periods when there was a shortage of stone. I am glad to see this step to recapitalise St. Mary’s, contain cost with larger and more modern equipment,” he said. William Woolford and representatives of Toolsie Persaud inspecting the company's new investment.JPG)
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, GGMC Commissioner (ag) William Woolford and representatives of Toolsie Persaud inspecting the company's new investment.
Woolford also joined the Prime Minister in commending the company for its achievements.
“Too many people want to stay small but it’s important to grow and grow technically as well. I wish to commend the company on that and also on their knowledge about the quality of stone… I want others to recognise that companies can grow from strength to strength and have to be able to put technical people in the right places,” Woolford said.
The company is exploring ways of transporting greater quantities of materials through the Essequibo route for shipment to the Caribbean. It has also been involved in logging and sawmilling since 1959.
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CARICOM team holds discussion with President
-as plans for agriculture, food security forum forge ahead
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
With the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) moving ahead with its plans to address food security in the Region as a result of rising food prices and other issues affecting CARICOM states, a regional team led by CARICOM’s Secretary-General Edwin Carrington today met with President Bharrat Jagdeo to finalise schedules for various fora on the critical issues.
Following up on a meeting held in December, 2007 when CARICOM Heads met to discuss the problem of rising food prices and its effects on the region, the Secretary General pointed out that since President Jagdeo is the Head of Government responsible for agriculture and thus, the initiative in the region, today’s discussion was mainly to outline specific dates for a number of meetings which will be convenient to the Guyanese Leader. These will lead up to the major agriculture investment forum involving CARICOM Heads in June. 
President Jagdeo greets CARICOM Secretary-General, Edwin Carrington and another official at the OP today-April 2, 2008.
By mid-month, it is expected that the Heads will host a press conference on the issue while a forum to be held in Guyana is being planned for next week.
“One of the ways in dealing with the issue of food prices is enhancing the supply, increasing the supply. In fact, there are two aspects, not only food prices, but even food availability. We have to produce it, and Guyana is not only fortunate to have the President leading but you (Guyanese) have a country with one of the inputs necessary for food production-land-something which is not much in abundance in a number of the CARICOM countries”, the Secretary-General posited.
He noted that Surinam and Belize also have an advantage in this area. 
President Jagdeo greets the CARICOM team today at the OP-April 2, 2008.
“These are countries in CARICOM that have a large capacity in terms of land and I expect that a significant amount of any increase of the Region’s agriculture will take place right here in Guyana,” he said.
As food prices continue to soar in CARICOM and other countries as a result of the rising cost of fuel due to increased demand and a switch in crops among other occurrences, Governments have been putting interim measures in place to cushion the effects. Guyana recently announced a zero-percent excise tax on diesel, in response to the March increase in fuel prices. Oil is now priced at US $110 per barrel. Government also, earlier this year, zero-rated additional food items which once attracted Value Added Tax (VAT).
Meanwhile, a number of commodities on the international market have been continuing to increase including milk, cheese and wheat-flour.
Last week, The Ministry of Agriculture, in its efforts to promote food security in Guyana, launched a ‘grow more’ campaign to encourage citizens to produce more food locally.
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President meets with Circle Tennis teams
-CTA to get assistance
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
A number of circle tennis teams in the country will shortly receive assistance following a commitment by President Bharrat Jagdeo today at the Office of the President.
The teams led by Circle Tennis Association (CTA) President Mark Walkes met the President to discuss what is needed to ensure that Circle Tennis is promoted more in the country and some of the difficulties facing team members involved in the sport.
The meeting stemmed from a previous encounter the President had with the teams at Le Meridien Pegasus last week during a lecture by former Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Sir James Mitchell. The lecture was in commemoration of former President and Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Desmond Hoyte. 
President Jagdeo meeting with circle tennis teams today at the OP-April 2, 2008.
Today’s meeting saw the President committing to assist the teams with sports gear while it was proposed that they also be assisted with their Leadership Retreat for which they are currently planning. It will see the involvement of teams from Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven and Ten.
The CTA plans to ensure that teams from schools across the country involved in the sport are trained while it was noted by the CTA’s President that the Ministry of Education has been giving full support to promoting the sport with the involvement of a number of teachers.
He pointed out that the sport, founded in Berbice in 1943, should be promoted since it is the only national game in the country.
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Sanitation critical to good health - Minister Ramsammy
-Draft strategic plan being crafted
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
A workshop to develop a draft strategic plan for the sanitation sector in Guyana was today held at the Cara Lodge, Georgetown where the importance of good sanitation was underscored and focus areas highlighted.
Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in his opening remarks said that of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) sanitation is the most neglected one, pointing out that the workshop was an opportunity to correct this anomaly since this year has been declared by the United Nations as ‘International Year of Sanitation’.
The Health Minister said that without adequate and effective sanitation systems in the country there cannot be a guarantee of health for all.
The Minister noted that as standards are being developed consideration must be taken to ensure that they are applicable in different parts of the country since there are different geographical regions within the country.
“In Guyana, the Ministry of Health has estimated that families will have to spend outside of Government’s expenditure, US$30 to $50 million dollars if they are going to bring the sewerage quality to the standard we desire, and if we are going to meet the MDG goal,” Minister Ramsammy said.
There was also a plea for the standards for septic tanks and pit latrines established by the Bureau of Standards to be converted from mere guidelines to statutory requirements.
The Minister noted that in addition to focusing on sewage more must be done to develop an effective sanitation system.
“The wanton disposal of garbage in our country is something we must come to grips with and recognize that it is a national problem and obligation,” he said.
He alluded to the 2005 floods and subsequent floods in 2006 along with the recent overtopping on the East Coast Demerara which are evidence that people have not yet come to grips with the enormity of the country’s sanitation problems.
“Global warming and climate change make the problem even more enormous and we must keep that at the back of our minds,” he said.
Additionally, there is the environmental issue of disposal of medical hazardous waste. “Guyana can take some pride in that, we have put together a strategy and are implementing various facets of the medical hazardous waste disposal problem,” Minister Ramsammy said.
The Minister added that the sanitation problem is more than getting rid of domestic waste and dealing with sewage. “Guyana is spending huge sums of money on water and sanitation. Regardless of the amount being spent however, citizens have to play a part in terms of behaviour change. More public education needs to be done,” he said.
PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. Kathleen Israel in her remarks said many people still do not have adequate means of disposing of their waste. It affects heavily populated areas, carrying the risk of infectious diseases particularly to vulnerable groups such as the very young, the elderly, and people suffering from diseases that lower their resistance.
“It is alarming and indeed somewhat frightening when we pause to consider that 2.6 billion, 41% of the global population lack access to sanitation,” she said.
She also reiterated that the human condition must be improved. “Eighty eight percent of all deaths from diarrhoea are attributed to unsafe water supply, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene,” she said.
There was a call for a ‘champion’ individual or entity to be identified to be the driving force to successfully address sanitation issues in Guyana.
In Guyana, a situational analysis to inform the development of the strategic plan for the sanitation sector was conducted by Peter Smith using a methodology recommended by PAHO. The analysis revealed that the country is faced with sanitation issues because of its unusual socio-geography among other factors. The flatness of the country and population around sea level also contribute to the problem.
The most common health problems associated with poor sanitation are diarrhoea and dysentery, typhoid, malaria, cholera, worms, and an increased risk from bacteria, infections, and disease for people with reduced immune systems.
It was recommended that to change this situation there needs to be more education about hygiene, norms and standards must be set and enforced, and sanitation must become a national priority.
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Delta Airlines to fly Guyana route
- Zoom, Skyservice will be on board shortly – Minister Prashad
Georgetown, GINA, April, 2008
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad, today announced that three major air carriers Delta Airlines from the United States of America, Zoom Airlines from the United Kingdom and Skyservice Airlines from Canada will be entering the Guyanese market this year.
Delta Airlines will officially fly to Guyana on June 1, operating a Boeing 757 aircraft that can accommodate 183 passengers. Officials from the airline said that there will be three scheduled flights weekly, and if necessary this can be increased to match the demand.
“We are happy that Delta has confirmed that they are starting on June 1. They originally had a date set for May, however, but they have confirmed that they will definitely start June 1,” Minister Prashad said.
The Minister disclosed that officials from the airline are in Guyana and are holding meetings with officials of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Roraima Airways (their handler) and the various agencies that they will be operating through.
According to Minister Prashad, Zoom Airlines which operates a charter service out of London has commenced negotiations to start flights in November 2008.
“Zoom Airlines is a reputable company…, it is the first time in Guyana that you will have a direct flight from Gatwick, London to Cheddi Jagan International Airport,” Minister Prashad said.
Zoom Airlines is providing services from JFK International and Fort Lauderdale in the United States and Toronto, Canada to Guyana through Constellation Tours in Trinidad. However, other stakeholders are involved in the Zoom Airlines that will be operating out of London.
Additionally, Skyservices Airlines from Toronto is planning a direct flight into Georgetown. It will be providing air services for the summer period commencing July 1 to September 2, 2008. Skyservices will also be operating a Boeing 757 aircraft with one flight per week.
Attention was also placed on TravelSpan Airlines, and Minister Prashad has confirmed that TravelSpan is not pulling out of Guyana as it will be providing charter services from June.
The Minister said that a meeting was held with the airline’s CEO, Nohar Singh, and members from the management team yesterday, and they confirmed that the airline will run the charter services from June until December 2008. A North American aircraft will be chartered to provide the service.
Minister Prashad also said that a meeting was held last month with representatives of American Airlines as they have expressed interest in the Guyana market. They have promised to meet with the Minister in two weeks’ time to explore the option of operating in the Guyana market.
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Minister Nawbatt to look into water issues affecting consumers
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
The Ministry of Housing and Water continues to place much focus on strengthening and improving water supply countrywide and will be addressing issues that may be hindering the process of adequate water delivery to its consumers.
Minister of Housing and Water Harry Narine Nawbatt in responding to residents of Sister’s Village and other communities in Region Three, who claim that the distribution of potable water via trucks is selective, said the Ministry will be investigating the issue thoroughly and the necessary disciplinary action will be taken.
The new La Grange well is operable and is providing water to a substantial percentage of residents in that area. However, there are some communities that are not receiving water and that is because the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is working towards strengthening the distribution networks there before releasing the water, Minister Nawbatt explained.
In the interim, water is delivered via trucks to the communities that are not receiving potable water through the pipelines.
Minister Nawbatt said whenever there is a complaint that persons are not getting water because of any reason they are advised to report the incidents to the Ministry or the GWI’s head office or commercial outlets.
“We are quite clear that anybody who is not receiving water from GWI’s system where there is a system of course, they ought to get water from our truck distribution system. If there is any problem, GWI will investigate the complaints thoroughly and the necessary action will be taken,” Minister Nawbatt said.
The Minister indicated that it is the Ministry’s intention to improve the metering system which is included in GWI’s turn around plan to resolve the concerns of estimated billing cost. This will ensure better accountability of water delivered and used.
“I know that there is a difficulty in the metering system but we are making every effort in this quarter to resolve that matter which has become a problem because of limited human resources to read all the meters,” Minister Nawbatt said.
However, the Ministry had advised persons to read their meters and inform the utility company if there are any discrepancies with their bills, in terms of overcharging. This will enable GWI to send someone to inspect the meter and hopefully that situation will be resolved.
GWI plans to read the meters of large commercial users once per month. Certain other categories will be read every quarter or every five to six months.
During this time if persons receive estimates that are in excess of what they think they had consumed, then they are advised to visit any of the GWI’s offices throughout the country and ask for their meter to be read
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Government’s support to private cane farmers in excess of $450M
- part of efforts to ensure adequate supply of cane to new factory
Georgetown, GINA, April 02, 2008.
Efforts to modernise the sugar industry through expanded cultivation and increased production to adequately supply the new Skeldon factory is heightening as Government has invested $450M in necessary support to private cane farmers involved in the development of additional lands particularly in Region Six.
This was highlighted today during a meeting at the Skeldon Workers Sports Complex, Skeldon Estate, with Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud and cane farmers of the Region. General Manager of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Vishnu Panday and other officials of the Corporation and Ministry of Agriculture were among those present at the meeting.
Minister Persaud assured farmers of the administration’s continued support to ensure that the sugar industry is sustained and further developed despite its many challenges. Reference was made to the US$200M Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project, construction of the packaging centre at Enmore and ongoing negotiations with the Chinese to fund a distillery project at Skeldon. 
Farmers were encouraged to see their contributions as important in realizing the vision for a modernized sugar industry in Guyana with Skeldon being the ‘jewel’ of the country and Caribbean.
Cooperative societies involved in cane cultivation activities and others were urged to improve their organisation and accountability to ensure that the resources provided to them are utilised.
Among the areas in which cane farmers have been given assistance to accelerate their activities are discussions between GuySuCo and the Banking institutions to ensure timely processing of loans to cane farmers, procurement of equipment being used in land preparation activities and support with the acquisition of agro-chemicals.
In addition, farmers have benefited from enhanced extension services while most of them have signed a five-year agreement for harvesting of cane with GuySuCo. The National Cane Farmers Committee has been reactivated and will be announced shortly.
At present, additional efforts are being made to provide further support to the farmers including the procurement of more machinery through GuySuCo. These initiatives are being made as Government recognises the contributions of the private cane farmers to ensuring that the demand of the new factory is met and that the industry’s modernisation programme is realised.
The new Skeldon sugar factory will be capable of crushing approximately 1.2 million tonnes of cane per year which will produce more than 100, 000 tonnes of sugar annually. Private farmers have been contracted to develop about 4000 hectares of virgin land to facilitate cultivation, which represents approximately 33 percent of the required amount of cane. 
GuySuCo is facilitating expansion of its current estates by more than 4000 hectares to cater for supply to the factory. These expansions when combined with the existing cultivating capacity of the Skeldon estate are likely to ensure an adequate supply for the new factory.
One of the main issues raised by farmers during the meeting was the delay in approval of loans by the Banks to finance their harvesting activities. Minister Persaud explained that neither Government nor GuySuCo has control over the situation and they cannot instruct the financial institutions to provide loans to anyone. However, there has been contact between GuySuCo and the Banks to determine ways in which Government can help the process.
Farmers complained that the process of transferal of the land leases to them is taking too long and it was agreed that a meeting will be held with the farmers and the Commissioner of the Guyana Lands and Survey to discuss the matter.
Prior to the meeting, four contracts totalling approximately $65M for drainage and irrigation upgrading in Moleson Creek were signed between the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) and the two contractors who have been awarded the projects.
NDIA Chief Executive Officer Lionel Wordsworth explained that the projects entail construction of several D&I structures that will benefit agricultural activities in approximately 14, 00 acres of lands. A fifth contract for similar works in the Moleson Creek area is expected to be signed shortly and is estimated to cost an additional $15M.
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One Army helicopter arrives
Georgetown, GINA, April 2, 2008
The Government of Guyana today delivered on its promise to enhance the work of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) with the arrival of one of the two Bell 206 Helicopters that it had committed to purchasing to aid in crime fight.
The helicopter which is outfitted with spotlights arrived today from Costa Rica and is stationed at the GDF Air Corps, Timehri.. 
The helicopter that arrived at Timehri today
Chief of Staff of the GDF Commodore Gary Best said the helicopter will began air surveillance from tomorrow.
Subsequent to the Lusignan massacre President Bharrat Jagdeo had announced that government will be purchasing two helicopters to improve the army’s air patrols which will aid in the fight against transnational crimes and serve as a deterrent to the establishment of illegal airstrips. The other helicopter is expected to arrive from the United States.
In this year’s Budget, $900M of the $13.7B for the security sector was allocated for the purchase of the helicopters and other equipment and gear for the Joint Services.
Following the Lusignan and Bartica massacres which left 23 persons dead, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) loaned Guyana a helicopter to render assistance in the pursuit of criminal gangs which have been carrying out ruthless killings and robberies.
The administration has made several interventions to improve the work of the GDF including in the area of training.
Government has made available in this year’s budget $63M for training of GDF ranks and officers. Last year $46.19M was spent in this area.
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