$77.7M Sand Creek Secondary School to benefit over 700 students
-foundation work commences
Georgetown, GINA, November 04, 2009
The foundation is being laid for a $77.7M Sand Creek Secondary School located, South Central, Rupununi, Region Nine that would benefit over 700 students when completed.
The construction of several secondary schools across the country is part of the administration’s drive to ensure universal access to quality secondary education.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai and a team during a recent visit to the Deep South and Central Rupununi toured the construction site where the new institution is being established.
Minister Sukhai said the completion of the school in South Central Rupununi will ensure greater accessibility to secondary education.
She also expressed satisfaction at the pace of the project adding that it will make much progress in the coming months.
“We are aiming to complete the construction on target, which is within eight months,” She said.
The administration over the years has increased budgetary allocation for education from $1B in 1992 to $20.4B this year. Local scholarships and training programmes have also been provided, particularly to hinterland communities.
Through the Hinterland Scholarship Programme under the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs hinterland students are granted the opportunity to study at various prestigious institutions including President’s College, University of Guyana and further afield.
The project is undertaken by private contractor, Ivor Alleyne and is being monitored by the Education Ministry.
Consultant Noel James while giving an update about the project said that the school will comprise two storeys with 15 classrooms, 2 laboratories, administrative office, a teachers’ quarters, Home Economics and Industrial Arts Divisions and a computer room, James said.
The building will be furnished by the Education Ministry.
In recent years, several secondary schools were built in hinterland communities including in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.
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GMR&SC, Tourism Ministry partner to promote sports tourism
- weekend race being touted as biggest CMRC
Georgetown, GINA, November 4, 2009
The Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce continues to foster partnerships with local organisations and individuals to promote alternative avenues and diversify the sector including sporting events.
Tourism Minister Manniram Prashad announced that the Ministry in recognising the importance of sporting events to the sector, has partnered with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) to promote this weekend’s racing events at the South Dakota Race Circuit which is being touted to be the biggest Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC). This announcement was made during a meeting with President of the GMR&SC Aaron Bethune, Vice President Peter Peroune and Secretary Debbie Phillipe at the Minister’s office earlier today.
“Most people like to go to the races and over the years GMR&SC has been doing a great job of promoting motor racing which promotes tourism because people come to Guyana and when they see for the first time the friendly and hospitable people they come back again. That is why the Ministry of Tourism is taking a special interest and effort to promote events such as this to help to bring more visitors to Guyana,” Minister Prashad said.
The Minister pointed out that fam-tours will be organized by the Ministry for the international drivers and their teams to showcase what Guyana has to offer.
“Some people are already in the country and we want to organize a fam-tour for some of the overseas drivers, I know they have to practice but if we can get them a day before we want to do that, we want to showcase what we have in Guyana. Either to take them to the Kaieteur Falls, Orinduik Falls a trip to the rainforest or a trip down the Essequibo river because this is something new to them, you know people in the Caribbean they don’t have big rivers like us, they haven’t gotten rainforests like us,” Minister Prashad said.
The event, he said, is timely and well placed since it is being held during Tourism Awareness Month which is being celebrated under the theme: ‘Promoting Quality and Sustainable Tourism in Guyana’ and Minister Prashad noted his appreciation for the event while expressing his Ministry’s support.
President of the GMR&SC Aaron Bethune stated that there will be participants from across the Caribbean including Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname and others from the United States of America and Canada. Some of the teams are already in the country while others are expected throughout the week.
“This is a big week for motor racing, all week we have people coming to the track fine tuning their cars. The participants from Barbados came in this morning and another flight is coming in with the participants from Jamaica. This is a packed week for the club and a big weekend,” he said.
Over 500 foreign visitors are expected including drivers, team members and fans along with a crowd of 20,000 is expected at this weekend’s meet. Admittance to the event for adults is $2,000 while children are $1,000 and cars are free, the GMR&SC President said.
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Guyana records top rank in CTO report
- Tourist arrivals highest in Caribbean
Georgetown, GINA, November 4, 2009
The world economic down-turn has significantly affected the tourism sector in the Caribbean with many countries recording a drop in tourist arrivals. However, Guyana’s tourist arrivals for January – October, 2009 have placed the country in the top position above Caribbean countries in a recent report done for the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO).
The figures were quoted in the ‘Outlook for the Global Economy and Caribbean Tourism’ which was done by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company in England. The report places Guyana above other countries with over six percent increase for the period. Jamaica and Cuba recorded under four percent increase while other countries including the Dominican Republic, Aruba, Dominica, Curacao, Martinique, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, Belize and St. Lucia recorded significant decreases.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manniram Prashad noted that Guyana is now number one in the Caribbean in terms of increases in tourist arrivals over 2008.
“We have been vindicated in what we have been saying all along that Guyana has seen an increase in arrivals for 2009. At the end of October we had figures close to nine percent and at the recent meeting held in St. Lucia, (the CTO meeting), Guyana came in for high praise in terms of having increased its arrivals over 2008. Most of the countries have suffered a decline in tourist arrivals up to October,” the Minister said.
According to the report, “The Caribbean has borne the brunt of the economic downturn with double-digit declines in visits across the majority of destinations. Only Guyana, Jamaica, Cuba and Saba have registered increases for the year.”
He expressed his gratitude for the work of stakeholders in the industry including tour operators and hotel and resort owners, in facilitating the improvements in the sector. He pointed out that what remains to be done is to concentrate on the quality of the service provided since Guyana has been ranked highly in the report.
The Minister pointed out that there has been much work in ensuring that Guyana’s tourism sector is diversified to offer alternative avenues including birding, sport fishing, town days, and regattas.
“We are happy with the growth in tourism, we are happy with the quality and the improvement that we have seen in tourism,” the Minister said.
Expanding tourism
New areas have been developed in recent times to include birding which has opened a new horizon for Guyana facilitating a steady flow of visitors. The Ministry in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Guyana Trade and Investment Support (GTIS) programme a birding programme was developed.
“Birding has taken off, there are a lot of birders came this year and last year and we expect more and more to come next year,” Minister Prashad said.
Birding is now one of the main attractions in the sector with visitors from Europe and other parts of the world coming to enjoy the 800 species of birds in Guyana.
Guyana has been featured in birding magazines which have touted the country as one of the best birding tourism destinations in the world.
“We would need to have more resorts in the birding areas especially in that corridor where we have the Iwokrama field station, Surama, Rock View and Karanambo. Most of those resorts are booked until 2010,” the Minister said.
Staycation
Minister Prashad pointed out that to encourage more local tourism; private sector has been getting involved in promoting the idea of ‘Staycation’.
“Recently we saw the Aracari Resort launching their Staycation concept which we have been talking about. President Jagdeo at the tourism summit some time ago made the call for affordable domestic tourism, that is what staycation is all about, we are encouraging Guyanese instead of going abroad to travel within Guyana, see all the beautiful locations that we have,” Minister Prashad said.
Increased air travel
The increase in visitors and returning Guyanese has prompted several changes in the airline industry with several airlines putting on additional flights.
“There will be additional flights by Delta throughout the Christmas season, they would have a flight per day, and Caribbean Airlines would be increasing sometimes two to three flights per day,” the Minister said.
He also pointed out that Titan Tours would be continuing on December 7 with their one-hop non-stop flight from Toronto every week until the end of the holiday season. Sky Service will also be offering once weekly flights from Toronto to Guyana, the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Minister said that the Ministry is looking forward to welcoming visitors during the upcoming Christmas season.
“We expect this to be one of the biggest and brightest Christmas ever. We are assured that the electricity supply will be good, that’s an area of concern, we are assured that we will have a bright Christmas,” Minister Prashad said.
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Guyana, Poland share common interest on climate change – New Polish Ambassador
The new Polish Ambassador to Guyana, Krzysztof Jacek Hinz, who presented his letter of credence to Head of State, Bharrat Jagdeo, today in the Credentials Room of the Office of the President, says that it is the common interest of Guyana and Poland to work together on combating climate change.
“We must find a common position for all the parts of the world on the topic of the global changes of the climate. It is of the same importance for Guyanese people as it is for Polish people. Although the conditions of our countries are different, it is still of our common interest,” the Ambassador stated.
He, was at the time, speaking to the media after presenting his credentials.
Asked about areas where the two countries could work together, he identified trade, cultural cooperation, tourism, academic cooperation and multilateral issues such as climate change.
Ambassador Hinz also highlighted Guyana’s potential for eco-tourism as a draw for Polish tourists.
President Bharrat Jagdeo and new Polish Ambassador Krzysztof Jacek Hinz shake hands after the Ambassador presented his letter of credence on November 4
“More and more Polish people are coming here. That’s why I mentioned that tourism is a possibility for more tourists from Poland to come here, because Guyana has some unique conditions for ecological tourism,” he said.
The Ambassador, who has a graduate degree from the University of Warsaw in Neophilology (the humanistic study of modern language and literature), began his career in journalism, before moving to the diplomatic arena.
He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, along with his native Polish, and had previously served in Havana, Cuba, and Brasilia, Brazil, as well as in the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Born in Warsaw in 1955, he is married and has one child.
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Indian Film Festival launched at Umana Yana
Georgetown, GINA, November 2, 2009
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) this evening launched its first Indian Film Festival at the Umana Yana.
The eight films which are from different parts of India will be screened from November 4 to 27 at the said venue on Wednesdays and Fridays, reflecting the rich diversity of Indian Culture.
(from left to right) Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Subit Kumar Mandal and Guyanese Cricketer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul the film festival.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, at the launching stated that Guyana has been exposed to many Indian movies for commercial and entertainment purposes; however, these films which will be showcased at the festival are based on and portray pertinent issues to society, which are deemed taboo such as HIV/AIDS and disabilities.
Minister Anthony said that Guyana has been able to create opportunities for persons with disabilities but there needs to be a lot more work done and these films will help the audience to accept and assist differently abled persons.
He also added that persons need to show more empathy for victims of HIV/ AIDS instead of stigmatizing them.
Minister Frank Anthony addressing the gathering at the launching ceremony
The Minister further stated that India is making a very significant contribution to the film industry in the world and there are sites in Guyana that can be used for filming, so the Ministry is seeking to establish a partnership for Guyana and India to create inspirational films.
Minister Anthony also said that there are plans to annualize the Indian Film Festival.
Admission to the festival is free and all films are subtitled in English.
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Joint Services heighten presence following spate of overnight crimes
-Police Commissioner
Georgetown, GINA, November 4, 2009
The Joint Services and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) have heightened their vigilance in the city and in its environs following a series of crimes which started overnight involving murder, abduction, arson and armed attacks on the Brickdam police station and the East Ruimveldt outpost.
Commissioner of Police Henry Greene in a statement today said some of the perpetrators have been positively identified and are the same persons associated with the gang implicated in the Ministry of Health arson. Among them are Kurt Thierens and Colin Jones who escaped the Providence police station lockups.
Investigations are continuing as the law enforcement agencies seek to obtain the identity of the criminal mastermind behind today’s terrorist attacks.
The Police said the saga began about 24:15 h (12:15 am) when John Eembleton, a miner in the company of two of his employees, Wodette Roberts called ‘Buckman’, 22 of Kuru Kururu and Roopchand Gopaul, 47 also of Kuru Kururu, were travelling in a gold-coloured Toyota Tacoma car (GLL – 7171).
While in the vicinity of Kairuni, Soesdyke Linden Highway, a white Toyota wagon and a silver grey motor car overtook Embleton’s vehicle following which one of the occupants, signalled for Embleton to stop, using a red triangular reflector similar to those used by the police.
A group of eight men dressed in black clothing similar to those used by the police, armed with AK-47s and shotguns and wearing “bullet proof vests, one of which was marked police, exited and demanded a search on Embleton’s vehicle for arms and ammunition.
The armed men then handcuffed Embleton and his two associates, placed them in the back of the Tacoma, transported them to Dora on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, tied and duct-taped them placing each at separate locations.
Speaking at a press conference later today Commissioner Green disclosed that the men then drove away after discharging rounds at Embleton who managed to evade them. Embleton freed himself and upon checking on his other bound associate, ‘Buckman’ discovered that he was dead.
Commissioner Green explained that his death apparently came as a result of being suffocated from the duct tape which covered his nose and mouth.
Embleton then made his way to a home at Long Creek and subsequently to the Timehri Police Station where he reported the incident.
The armed men proceeded to the High Court in Georgetown where three assailants exited the vehicle, one of whom approached the guard on duty and the other two proceeding. A fire subsequently erupted outside of the building in the area where the air conditioner was situated.
The fire burned the Registry and some documents were damaged. Commissioner Greene said evidence of broken glass and channa was discovered, suggesting that an incendiary device was used to start the fire.
Shortly after, armed men proceeded to the Brickdam police station and hurled a grenade at a police vehicle parked outside. The grenade however failed to explode but the attackers discharged rounds at the Brickdam Police Station while travelling along Brickdam, Manget Place and Hadfield Street. This resulted in bullet damage to the walls of the Impact Base, Barrack Room, Traffic Office, Operations Room and the Divisional Commander’s Office.
Detective Corporal 16450 Indarpaul and Constable 18961 Singh, who were in the Barrack Room at the time, were shot and injured to their left ankle and right side jaw, respectively. Constable Singh was treated and later discharged while Corporal Indarpaul has been admitted for surgery. Singh is to receive further medical treatment.
The air condition unit of the Commander’s Office was also damaged. Forty two 7.62 x 39 spent shells, five warheads and a 12 gauge cartridge were recovered by the police.
In another related incident, three gunmen dressed in dark clothing, armed with firearms and wearing toques claiming to be policemen, visited the home of Clayton Westford who was charged in connection with the Ministry of Health fire and placed on bail, handcuffed him after firing shots and took him to a burial ground where he was severely beaten for allegedly refusing to join with the others on the exercise. He is now a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Commissioner Greene reported that while Westford’s father was in the process of making a report at the East Ruimveldt Outpost gun shots were fired at him and policemen at the gate allegedly by the same vehicle that transported assailants who assaulted Clayton Westford in the burial ground. No one was injured and two 7.63×39 shells were discovered in the area.
At a later time a fire was set at the Richard Ishmael secondary school in several areas of the building. Reports from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) indicated that the perpetrators assembled debris and other substances in different rooms before lighting them ablaze. They were however insufficient to engulf. Damage was however done to several amenities in the building. Three bottles with flammable liquids placed at different points in the school were discovered by the Police.
The Police Commissioner said an investigation will be launched into reports of the security guard who was supposed to be on duty but asked another guard to work in his place.
The police and the Joint Services have since combed locations in Georgetown, the East Bank of Demerara and the Highway and will continue to maintain a high presence in the various locations including Government buildings.
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