Concerns raised by air-travellers to be addressed by Minister Prashad
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
In an effort to curb unpleasant experiences for Guyanese and tourists travelling to and from Guyana, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad will be convening a meeting shortly with local airline providers to address these concerns.
Minister Prashad said that he is not pleased with the recent reports that the Ministry has received from members of the travelling public about the bad service that they experienced with some airline carriers.
He noted too that the Commerce Department has taken note and will be addressing the misleading advertisements of some airlines which state the fares without the taxes. This, he said is dishonest practice and the airlines should refrain from doing so. He advised that when advertisements are done the correct fares with taxes should always be stated.
Additionally, he raised concerns about the high cost of airline tickets even as the price of jet fuel has gone down and it is non peak season.
The Minister will be addressing these concerns among others to ensure that travellers are not deterred when travelling to and from Guyana.
Over the years the Ministry has been constantly meeting with members of the airline industry to ensure that both travellers and airlines are the beneficiaries of this industry.
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ACB stance is pro-public health, not anti-religious – Dr. Luncheon
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Asked today at the post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President about his opinion on the Advisory Committee on Broadcasting (ACB) issuing a letter to a local television station, CNS Channel 6, which aired a religious programme which proclaimed the ability to cure HIV/AIDS, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon said, “The ACB supports my perspective and this is not necessarily anti-religious…but it is pro-public health.”
He explained that it is a reality that the population are easily swayed by the loquaciousness of some of these media personalities, professing to offer cures and miracles, but when it comes to the health of the nation, the state has a responsibility of minimizing the exposure of using public broadcasting to get this (claims of these media personalities) into the homes of the unsuspecting.
“I think the administration properly would be supporting initiatives taken in the realm of public health to ensure that the information that is disseminated subscribe to what is known and what has been proven and what is adopted by modern medical practices,” Dr. Luncheon said.
To this end, the Allied Health Professionals Bill has been tabled in the National Assembly. “Part of its intention has to do with the way in which, foisted on the unassuming, unsuspecting Guyanese population, has been claims, not rigorously supported by medical fact or science, of a whole host of cures and treatments. What the Bill could do, if vigorously implemented, would be to recognise allied health professionals and I hope deny those who are not recognized in law from their utterances on the local TV, particularly utterances that seek to beguile the unsuspecting population that perhaps, at their most defenceless time facing grave ills; fatal problems and to get them to subscribe to unscientific, unsubstantiated approaches to resolve health problems,” Dr. Luncheon explained.
“Those claims if they are not rigorously supported by the science; by the medical profession, it should not be allowed to enter into your homes and be used to even challenge the scientific dogma, challenge the position of modern science,” he stated.
In the complaint dated April 20, the ACB noted that the channel aired a religious programme whose host declared that “they can cure any incurable disease including HIV/AIDS”. The Committee stated that “this is highly erroneous and destructive to the population of Guyana, since some individuals will eschew from proper medical treatment hoping for a religious miracle (cure)”.
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Public consultations, dedicated awareness programme to be launched
…on Low Carbon Development Strategy
Georgetown, GINA, May 12, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, noted that Cabinet, at its meeting on May 11, deliberated on President Bharrat Jagdeo’s proposal on a low carbon development strategy for Guyana and established a plan that will see public consultations and a dedicated awareness programme launched before the end of May.
“The plan considered by Cabinet would see both public consultations and a dedicated awareness programme being launched before the end of May 2009. Both national and sub-national consultations would receive the attention of the administration and among the stakeholders, the hinterland Amerindian communities would, on a regional basis, be consulted,” he said.
Dr. Luncheon also noted that there will be a role for the media to play in the process. “The awareness programme, once it is started, would remain in operation and the media would be encouraged to make necessary inputs to its delivery.”
Asked whether the consultations would be concluded and a national position established before the Climate Change Talks of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in June in Bonn, Germany, Dr. Luncheon said, “We don’t see it as an imperative to have a conclusive national position taken to the meeting.”
However, Guyana will be involved in the talks with Andrew Bishop and Gitanjeli Chandarpal from the Climate Change Unit attending the meeting.
Earlier this week, President Jagdeo had indicated that over a two-month period, extensive debate and consultations will be held seeking to involve the widest cross-section of the Guyanese population.
The exercise will start off with a national stakeholders’ meeting in Region Four (Demerara) that would bring together all the stakeholders – politicians, labour movement, private sector, indigenous people, forestry users and miners.
“Then we hope to have separate consultations in Regions Two and Six. These are the two (other) counties so we will have (consultations) in Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice, and then we’ll have a series of consultations in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and Ten with our indigenous people. We plan to then bring all the Toshaos out to have a conference. The consultations we will hold throughout the period will stimulate…active debates on TV and radio about climate change and its impact on countries like ours and our model,” the Head of State said.
The discussion will then be taken to the National Assembly so that the Members of Parliament can get involved too, the President said.
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27th COTED to table progress report on CFP
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
The Caribbean Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which Guyana is very supportive of could be finalized and ready to be signed into effect by February next year.
A status report on what progress had been achieved since January in the development of the CFP would be tabled at the 27th Meeting of the Council on Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to be held in Guyana tomorrow.
According to a CARICOM Secretariat release, this was revealed by the Chairman of the Ministerial Council, Montgomery Daniel, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in St. Vincent and the Grenadines at a press briefing after the First Special Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM).
The CRFM is an agency of CARICOM established in 2003 with responsibility for the sustainable development and conservation of fisheries resources across the region. All CARICOM countries, and Anguilla and the Turks and Caicos Islands are participating members of the CRFM.
The release stated that a “way forward” was outlined by the CARICOM Ministers responsible for fisheries and this would be circulated to all CRFM member states and the CARICOM Secretariat to gain feedback on or before June 12, 2009.
Minister Daniel said once the policy was finalized and agreed upon, a “Road Map” to pave the way for the development of a Common Fisheries Regime will be initiated. The regime would contain detailed rules and arrangements for implementing the common policy.
The road map, as set out in the meeting on June 12, 2009, would provide for research activities on shared fisheries stock; cooperation on monitoring control and surveillance (MCS); harmonization of legislation related to fisheries among member states; and the drafting of protocols for the eventual establishment of a common fisheries resources; access to common fisheries resources; and the establishment of a regional fisheries management authority.
According to the release, between May 15 and June 19, member states are expected to ensure that national fisheries stakeholders had the opportunity to discuss the revised draft and road map, formulate national positions which would inform Cabinet papers and also serve as briefing papers for Prime Ministers and other Heads of State and Government attending the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government Meeting in early July.
The annual meeting of the CRFM Caribbean Fisheries Forum is scheduled for the end of July in St. Lucia and in October, proposals coming out of the forum would be discussed and a final Caribbean Common Fisheries Policy Agreement will be further refined.
It will then be tabled for approval at the Inter-sessional Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government which is normally held in February / March each year.
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All constitutional rights commissions expected
…before current session of 9th Parliament ends
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
At the post-Cabinet press briefing today at the Office of the President, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon explained that it is expected that the five constitutional rights commissions will be in place and functional before the end of the current session of the 9th Parliament. The five constitutional rights commissions are:
- The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) – already constituted and functional;
- The Rights of the Child (RoC) Commission – already constituted and functional;
- The Women and Gender Equality Commission;
- The Indigenous People Commission; and
- The Human Rights Commission
“Cabinet…noted the functioning of the Ethnic Relations Commission and felt that was quite commendable,” Dr. Luncheon stated. However, he explained that Cabinet was not satisfied with the delay in establishing the other commissions.
“The delay in constituting the other four commissions was not seen as being commendable. The 9th Parliament, however, has apparently seen the light of the day and the Rights of the Child Commission has been constituted and its members recently sworn in,” he said. It was also noted that there is guarded optimism that the Women and Gender Equality Commission will be constituted at the next sitting of Parliament on May 21.
Dr. Luncheon also indicated that the constitution of the Indigenous People Commission can be expected soon after, and thereafter the President and the Leader of the Opposition will meet to select the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, with the other members being the chairpersons of the other four constitutional rights commissions.
“I am even advised that there are…expectations that the Indigenous People Commission would be constituted soon. With the constitution of these three rights commissions, the…Human Rights Commission would be automatically available for the President and the Leader of the Opposition to conclude its constitution, their inputs being the application of the Carter Center formula for the identification and appointment of the Chairman…the other members being the chairpersons of the other already constituted rights commissions,” Dr. Luncheon stated.
President Jagdeo had earlier explained that the Commissions are very important. “All of these things hopefully will give people more comfort that they are treated equally as Guyanese. These Commissions will significantly enhance the enforcement mechanisms for the bodies of rights that we already have,” the Head of State pointed out.
He explained that the Indigenous Peoples Commission will bring an end to the issues raised by the indigenous people.
He emphasized that the Rights of the Child Commission is very important. “I am very disturbed by many of the problems that I see in our society and around the Caribbean…I am concerned about our children, especially matters relating to incest and the abuse of children. It is a really serious problem among some groups, so we have to ensure that the rights of our children are not only established but that they are enforced,” said the President.
“There is also the Ethnic Relations Commission. This is very, very important for our country. Traditionally, there has been this problem and it has been exacerbated by politics because our people at the grass-root level, I think, want to live and work together to create a better life for their children,” said President Jagdeo.
“The Human Rights Commission is very vital and those who claim that there are extra-judicial killings by the police can go to the Human Rights Commission. If they feel their human rights are violated…they can also go to the Commission,” the President said.
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All stakeholders, especially private businesses must be part of crime fighting – Minister Rohee
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee today in his presentation at the 24th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of the Caribbean Commissioners of Police said that all stakeholders must be involved in one way or the other to support the activities of the police, especially private businesses.
The private sector could assist the police in intelligence sharing as was done with the Crime Stoppers Programme, he said.
Minister Rohee recognised that relationships or partnerships already exist between the private security services and the police which are usually of a crime prevention nature. In some instances, however, the engagement goes beyond that point where private security services may contribute to the development of the police organisation.
In terms of reform, he said both external and internal support are necessary of which the private sector is one of the sources.
Private sector / police collaboration started as early as 1976 with the formal introduction of the community policing groups. In the early 90s, members of the business community offered advice to the force, contributed to the acquisition of vehicles and other equipment at a time when they were in dire need of support.
There are numerous benefits to be derived from such a partnership since businesses operate best under conditions where there is peace and some private businesses could provide training in certain skills that relate to professional customer service.
According to Minister Rohee, there are also other benefits including performance measurement and building a culture of teamwork and improved productivity.
There are several cases around the world of successful and productive partnerships between the police and the business community including South Africa, Kenya, Brazil and the United Kingdom.
In Guyana, Government has established the National Commission for Law and Order which has as its terms of reference to act as an advisory body that will review and make recommendations to the Government of Guyana with respect to crime, to take into consideration the various reports and consultations on crime which emerged over the last few years, to examine the status of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan, review legislation pertaining to law and order, evolve greater awareness in communities to fight crime and make annual reports for government to table in Parliament.
Such relationships, said Minister Rohee, are not without dangers and challenges. He noted that the “human factor” is the most challenging, while others are erosion of professionalism of police organisations not properly structured, lack of clear understanding of the role of private business, conflict between private businesses and the political directorate and private businesses may look at short term benefits at the expense of the needs of the society.
The Home Affairs Minister said the main rationale for the establishment of public / private partnerships is to support the demand for a better quality of police service. He explained that it is important that there be a link between government, private businesses and civil society.
However, he said that while there may be inherent dangers with such partnerships, the positive outcomes outweigh the negative.
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Joint Services confiscate over 50kg of marijuana during patrol
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
The Joint Services today confiscated over 50 kilogrammes of Cannabis Sativa (marijuana) as it continues to battle the use and sale of illicit drugs. This raid was part of an operation code named ‘Operation Consolidation’ intended to remove illicit drugs from the streets.
Joint Services ranks uncovering the consealed marijuana at Loo Lands Demerara River.
The cache was confiscated from the Loo Land area during a reconnaissance patrol conducted by ranks of the Joint services in the Demerara River. During the patrol five areas were searched and it was during the search of one of the areas suspected to have been a camp for persons involved in the planting of the marijuana that a quantity of the drugs was found concealed under cut branches.
This patrol followed the Sunday raid on Hararuni Creek in the Demerara River when the Joint Service destroyed seven fields covering a total of about seven acres and destroyed over 10,000 plants that were eight to nine feet in height, and 1500 seedlings.
The confiscated marijuana.
On another raid at Nabaclis and Golden Grove on May 9, five houses, two of which were abandoned, were searched and 10 kg of marijuana was found in one of the abandoned houses.
No one has been arrested in any of these raids however; the Joint Services has expressed its intention to continue to conduct these operations to remove illicit drugs from off the streets.
Government’s continued support for the Joint services has enabled it to conduct these operations aimed at providing a safer society for all Guyanese. The upgrading of the equipment used by the law enforcement agencies in these operations has ensured that they are sustainable.
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Cabinet approves eight contracts - Amelia’s Ward, Parfait Harmonie to get new pure water systems
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon today at his post-Cabinet media briefing at the Office of the President said that Cabinet at its May 11 meeting gave the ‘green light’ for eight contracts in the health, housing and water, public works and agricultural sectors.
The contracts given the ‘no objection’ are as follows:
Sector |
Activity |
Value |
Public Works |
Construction of roads, drains and structures at Block ‘C’ Burma, Region Five |
$22.9M |
Health |
Procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation
Procurement of drugs and medical supplies for the Ministry of Health |
US$2.6M
US$3.4M |
Housing and Water |
Installation of Pure Water Distribution Network at Parfait Harmonie, Region Three
Installation of pure water distribution network at Amelia’s Ward, Linden
Installation of distribution system in a different block in Amelia’s Ward |
$21.8M.
$40.9M
$33.07M |
Agriculture |
Fabrication of punts and pontoons for the East Demerara Water Conservancy |
$34.6M |
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Drunk driving law to be implemented upon President’s return-HPS
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Upon the return of President Bharrat Jagdeo from New York where he has been invited to speak at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, a public event will be held at which the President is expected to give assent to the Evidence and Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill which specifies the legal limit of alcohol a driver is allowed to consume when operating a motor vehicle among other provisions.
This was disclosed by Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon at media briefing at the Office of the President today.
Dr. Luncheon said, at this event the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would be lawfully provided with the approval to enforce the three components with particular attention being paid to driving under influence (DUI).
“I would take the opportunity to advise you and drivers that the requirements for actually implementing the law have been met with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Traffic Department and the Guyana Police Force,” he said.
“The most recent meeting of the Cabinet disclosed the satisfaction for the work
done by Minister Rohee and his colleagues in the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force in achieving the required public awareness,” he said.
However, the HPS noted that the three aspects of the enacted legislation would need greater publicity to get the attention of citizens.
President Jagdeo had indicated that he would assent to the Bill when he was satisfied that citizens were educated on the provisions of the new law. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force had launched an active public education campaign which included television advertisements and programmes and discussions with civil society through non- governmental organisations and religious bodies.
The Evidence and Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill was passed in the National Assembly in July 2008, placing a legal limit of a breath alcohol concentration of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath and blood alcohol concentration of 80 miligrammes in 100 millilitres, the equivalent of two bottles of beer.
The act provides for a certificate signed by a registered medical practitioner to be received in a court as evidence in relation to analysis of breath or blood test.
If a driver is required to take the breathalyzer test and refuses, he/she can be arrested. If the driver is found to be guilty of a second offence his/her licence will be suspended for one year and if caught a third time will be banned from driving legally in Guyana.
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PM attends GPL’s Chief Security Officer funeral
- says perpetrators of the shooting will be brought to justice
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the duties of President today attended the funeral service of the late Chief Security Officer of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Clifford Malvin Peters. The funeral service was held at the St. George’s Cathedral.
Scores of relatives, friends and colleagues gathered to pay their respect and bid their final farewell to Peters whom many described as a veteran.
Mr. Hinds while delivering a tribute on behalf of the Government of Guyana said, “we the (administration) appreciate and thank him for his services to the country”.
He said that Peters will always be remembered for his heartfelt contribution to this country.
“He lived a life of dedication and service to the cause of humanity,” the Prime Minister said.
Peters, 59, and three other employees of the GPL Loss Reduction Field Service team were in the Lamaha Park removing illegal connections when he was shot several times in his head and chest on May 4.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
The gunmen who fled into a bushy area aback of Lamaha Park also took his licenced firearm.
The Prime Minister assured relatives and friends of the deceased that the administration through the Guyana Police Force will bring the perpetrators to justice.
Clifford Malvin Peters served in the Guyana Police Force where he rose to the rank of Senior Superintendent. During his career, he attended the Georgetown Technical Institute and the University of Guyana where he graduated with his Diploma in accounting.
He shared his knowledge and offered his services as a lecturer at the Felix Austin Police College until he retired in 2005.He joined GPL in 2006 and served as the Chief Security Officer until his demise.
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Caribbean Police Commissioners conference a tremendous success
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Police Commissioners in the Region will be preparing a template for community intervention to deal with the problem of violence and gangs around the Region. This was formulated out of interaction between Commissioners and experts during the 24th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) held in Guyana. The template will be circulated among all the ACCP member countries
Barbados Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin at a press conference on May 14, at the Pegasus Hotel declared the conference a tremendous success as it provided the opportunity for law enforcement officers to examine critical issues that have common impact on the Region and allowed them to engage in wide exchange of ideas.
The conference, Dottin said examined the current global economic environment and its impact on spending on social services and development, violence and gang activity, domestic violence and the illegal use of firearms in the Region. The Commissioners were also able to examine some of the successful intervention programmes in the Region particularly in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica.
Input from other international agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was also an achievement since according to Dottin, the agenda of the conference was to ensure that there was input from across the spectrum. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Community leaders and practitioners were among the participants.
Global Economic Environment
“We looked at the current global economic environment and its impact because we recognize that the economic conditions that prevail in the world today are impacting on Governments in the form of reduced revenue that could impact on spending on social services and development,” he explained.
He said the current economic conditions have placed responsibility on law enforcement officers who now have to double their efforts to tackle those national economic activities that are sensitive to crime and disorder, particularly to tourism.
Violence and gang activity
According to Dottin a penetrating analysis of the issue of violence and gang activity in the Region was given by an IDB representative whose interest in the issues stems from the fact that crime impacts negatively on the development of the Region’s people.
Through those presentations, he said, officers were able to isolate the risk factors both at the individual and community levels that promote crime, violence and gang activity in the Region while examining some of the successful intervention programmes particularly in Trinidad and Jamaica.
Domestic violence
The issue of domestic violence was addressed as well by Dr. Janice Jackson who delivered a very comprehensive presentation that highlighted the societal dynamics that propel domestic violence. The ACCP he said will be implementing some of the recommendations that were made to deal with the issue.
Illegal weapons
Addressing the issue of the illegal use of firearms in the Region Dottin said that the ACCP received expert advice from the United States and this will be addressed by the respective countries.
Referring to the MoU which the ACCP signed with the US to assist the Region in tracing firearms, Dottin said expert advice was also given as to how this can be dealt with and this will be examined by the police.
Homicide
Dottin said the conference received encouraging reports about the reduction in homicides from various countries where homicide rates were drastically reduced.
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Prime Minister hosts reception for ACCP members at State House
Georgetown, GINA, May 14, 2009
Prime Minister Samuel performing the duties of President this evening hosted a reception for the 21 members of the Association of Caribbean Commissioners of Police (ACCP) at State House.
Prime Minister Hinds told the Commissioners that it was a pleasure to have them in Guyana and invited them to return.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds greets Anguillan Commissioner of Police, Keithly Benjamin as he arrives at State House.
The Bahamas Commissioner of Police, Reginald Ferguson thanked the Prime Minister for hosting them, and Guyana’s Commissioner of Police Henry Greene for his hospitality towards the visiting officials.
He said the Commissioners were particularly impressed with Guyana’s hospitality and beauty.
The Commissioners have been in Guyana since May 11 participating in their 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and ACCP conference.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds chats with some of the invitees.
This gave them the opportunity to examine critical issues that have common impact on the Region and allowed them to formulate action plans to deal with these issues.
The Commissioners will also be taken on a brief tour to several parts of Guyana tomorrow.
A section of the gathering at the State House reception for visiting Police Commissioner
Also attending the event were Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Dr. Desrey Fox, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran.
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