UN to scale up security, renewable energy projects
- First meeting of UN regional heads ends in Georgetown
‘It is wrong to continue with a system that gives incentives for reforestation but doesn’t give incentives to maintain forests’ – Top UN official
By Neil Marks
THE United Nations (UN) system is developing a security project here focused on employment for youth and peace building and is also looking to expand projects in renewable energy and make sure Guyana’s voice is heard in the global climate change debate.
The commitments came following an unprecedented meeting in Georgetown between a twenty-member high level UN team and the government.
According to UN Assistant Secretary General Rebeca Grynspan, it was the first time that the regional heads of the various UN programmes for the Caribbean and Latin America were meeting together. The team comprised fifteen regional directors and five deputy directors.
Head of the UN system here, Mr. Aboubacry Tall, said the UN’s security project would be complementary to the Citizens Security Programme and the Security Sector Reform Project in efforts to maintain and preserve “peace and civility.”
He said the project, which is being developed with the government and civil society, is geared towards three areas: skills training, entrepreneurship development, employment opportunities for youths -- both at the community and national level; enhancing the level of dialogue and trust within communities; and supporting greater responsiveness of national institutions in a way that makes the citizens feel more included.
Grynspan added that “in the exchange of views with the President, he highlighted very strongly the importance of youth and youth employment and youth training as very important centre for social policy and also in the fight against crime.”
In the area of renewable energy, she said that the UN system is committed to expand on its small projects here.
“We think the UN system can do a lot to mobilize resources towards that goal (finding renewable energy sources) in Guyana,” she said at a press conference held at the office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Brickdam, Georgetown.
She said, in particular, the UN is looking at alternative energy projects for isolated communities and also to avoid carbon emissions through the use of fossil fuels.
Guyana is 100 per cent dependent on imported fossil fuels for transportation. In 2005, the government spent US$220M on fuel imports, with gasoline imports alone adding up to nine per cent of Gross Domestic Product.
In addition, she said the UN has made a commitment to ensure that Guyana’s voice is heard in the international climate change debate.
She supported Guyana’s position that the post-Kyoto environmental compact to offer support to countries that have preserved their forests.
“It is wrong to continue with a system that gives incentives for reforestation but doesn’t give incentives to maintain forests,” Grynspan declared.
She said the UN has offered to support Guyana’s participation in the international process, “for the voice of Guyana to be heard and to liaise with the rest of the countries that take this view.”
President Jagdeo has pledged to preserve the nation’s pristine rainforest – the size of England – if he gets partners willing to pay in the interest of fighting further changes in the world’s climate.
“We stand ready to work with any bilateral or commercial partner who shares our vision of sustainable development where our long established and world leading commitment to sustaining our forest can be matched by economic rewards which support our national development efforts…,” Mr. Jagdeo said last October at a meeting of Commonwealth finance ministers.
Minibus drivers, conductors protest against new route
By Michel Outridge
ROUTE 44 minibus drivers and conductors yesterday staged a loud and noisy protest at Mon Repos Market Tarmac, East Coast Demerara to press their demands for the reinstating of the old minibus route.
More than 100 minibus drivers and conductors parked their buses at to voice their concerns.
Some angrily said that they cannot work with the new route because it follows as:
Route to Georgetown: East Coast Public Road, Kitty Public Road, Vlissengen Road, Lamaha Street, Camp Street or East Coast Public Road, Kitty Public Road, Carifesta Avenue, Camp Street, North Road, Avenue of the Republic/Water Street into Park.
Route from Georgetown: From Park, Avenue of the Republic/Water Street, Church Street, Main Street, High Street, Young Street, Carifesta Avenue, East Coast Public Road or Avenue of Republic/Water Street, Church Street, Camp Street, Carifesta Avenue, East Coast Public Road.
The group told the Guyana Chronicle that with the present route when they leave the park they have to drive through Water Street and follow the new route and failing to so they are charged.
Some displayed receipts that they received for the traffic breach and complained of the hefty fines imposed on them.
Even at the bus park the drivers said that sometimes there is not any place to park.
“We want the old minibus route to remain because the original route issued worked rather well and we usually pick up passengers from the hospital on Thomas Street, Alexander Street and Vlissengen Road now we can’t drive there,” they explained.
The men added too that they cannot ply the hospitals route and in the event a relative of family members gets sick and need to go to the hospital it will be impossible for them to transport them there because of the new route issued by the Guyana Police Force Traffic Department recently.
Another sore issue identified by the minibus operators is the need to apply for a pass to go out of town 24 hours in advance at a cost of $500. This arrangement is they charged is quite unfair as it does not cater for emergencies.
“How can we work when we spending back the money in gasoline, spare parts, oil, we should also strike for raise of pay also…we cannot pick up people who we used to pick up at Bourda Market anymore and one lady got robbed while walking to Camp Street recently to get a bus,” they claimed.
The minibus operators said that the police on mobile patrol are doing the job of the traffic ranks and harass them unnecessarily while they should be hunting bandits.
They noted too that school children and their parents are also suffering because they now have to pick them up at the bus park whereas before the new route system was implemented the children were picked up at their respective schools.
The men also asked for a meeting with the Minister responsible and the Guyana Minibus Association to iron out the issue.
Hinckson withdraws motion, bail quest again before magistrate
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Mr. Nigel Hughes yesterday, before Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, withdrew the motion he had filed in connection with a bail application for embattled ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lieutenant Oliver Hinckson.
The lawyer told the judge the move was prompted by the action of Magistrate Gordon Gilhuys, who declined to consider the grant or continue hearing the sedition and conspiracy to commit a terrorist act cases until the High Court ruled whether the prosecution was a breach of the applicant’s fundamental rights.
Hughes said he will now renew the quest for Hinckson to get pre-trial freedom in front of Magistrate Gilhuys on April 11, the date when the 64-year-old veteran is to make his next appearance.
The charges said Hinckson, on January 31, advocated terrorism in a seditious speech to the public and news media, the purpose of which was to solicit hatred and contempt and promote public disorder.
The High Court case was first assigned to Justice Jainarayan Singh but he recused himself and the matter was sent to Justice William Ramlal, before the Acting Chief Justice decided that he, himself, will hear it. (George Barclay)
ERC to host religious broadcasters consultation
THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) will be hosting a religious broadcasters’ consultation to encourage respect for Guyana’s religious plurality among the producers of religious television programmes on the state and private media.
According to a press release the announcement was made by the ERC’s Chairman, Bishop Juan Edghill, during the Commisssion’s Annual Constituency Meeting with the Christian community held March 26. Representatives from Christian denominations listed on the Parliamentary list of entities which are to be consulted to elect members to serve on the Commission and other Christian bodies the Commission had developed partnerships with over the last five years, met at the ERC’s Secretariat to review its work over the past year and to offer suggestions on how the Commission can enhance its role to promote good relations among the citizenry, the release added.
As it relates to the conceptualisation of the religious broadcasters’ consultation, the ERC Chairman told the Christian representatives that a survey of the electronic media would determine that there is a proliferation of religious programmes, and sometimes the content is not always conducive to maintaining religious tolerance in the society. He stated that in some cases religious broadcasters go beyond propagating their faith to demonizing other religious beliefs. The ERC said it would be taking a proactive step to forge a commitment among religious broadcasters to propagate their faith without offending others in the interest of harmony and good relations in the society.
Apart from that disclosure, the ERC outlined the other programmes the Commission has prioritised for this year a series of Inter/Intra Community Meetings with a focus of providing the opportunity for racially exclusive communities and those which are mixed to interface with each other, Local Government Election Monitoring to ensure that race is not factored into Political Parties campaigns, the continuation of its Regional visits and Public Education and Awareness programmes.
One Christian religious leader observed that the work the ERC has done over the past four years should be celebrated. The Commission, he said, has been carrying out its mandate, specifically the challenges it may have encountered, as it traversed the country. In addition, the representative asked about the other areas the Commission needed to cover.
Responding the Chairman stated that from the time the ERC started its work, the initial focus was investigation of complaints, conflict resolution, education and awareness and research. He noted that very soon, the Commission will begin to focus on review of legislation that has implications for ethnic relations. One of those has to do with the treating of public holidays, he noted, adding that it is felt that other religious holidays are not given the same respect as Good Friday and other Christian holidays, so it was one area the ERC needs to explore.
Regarding the question on challenges the ERC may have encountered, the Chairman stated that the Commission has recommended in its Annual Report that the omission from Article 212 (D) of the Constitution be included so that the Commission can perform this aspect of its mandate more effectively.
The Christian constituency indicated to the Commission that it was interested in finding solutions to bridge the ethnic divide that exists in Guyana, knowing that they have tremendous influence over a large percentage of Guyanese.
Haiti to make first time appearance in Carifesta
HAITI, the most recent member of CARICOM, plans to make a first time appearance 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.
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 make an inaugural appearance 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 said 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 greater appreciation of this culture.
Noel sees Haiti’s first participation in Carifesta 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, which is bordered by the Dominican Republic that occupies two-thirds in geographic size, became a full member of CARICOM in 2002.
Barbados, Anguilla, Dominica, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Antigua are among the many territories in the Caribbean that will be 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. (GINA)
Pakaraima Safari now twice yearly as tourism develops
- Minister Prashad
By Priya Nauth
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad has announced that the ‘Pakaraimas Safari’ expedition will now be a twice yearly venture.
He said it is becoming so popular that, already, people are asking when is the next one and they do not want to wait for it annually.
However, Prashad pointed out that the staging will depend on the dry season.
Speaking at the end of the sixth such event, at Orinduik Falls, he said the roads connecting Regions Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo) have improved tremendously and Government has put more money into infrastructural development.
“I think this safari was a huge success and, apart from its pioneer nature, what we did, in this particular one, is to promote tourism to all the villages we visited,” Prashad explained.
He said the tour was one with a difference and not just about coming together and having fun with a few vehicles.
“We want to get these communities to gear themselves to produce craft, so that, when tourists visit, they can purchase souvenirs from the villages,” Prashad stated.
He said most of the communities are involved in agriculture and will benefit economically, as their responses were positive.
Minister Prashad also said all future safaris will include the element of tourism as the whole purpose of the adventures is not just about fun.
He said more and more sponsors are getting on board because they are seeing the benefit and getting value for their money from the development of tourism.
Prashad emphasised the need for tourism promotion in a big way, in terms of nature and adventure tours and eco-tourism.
He said, too, that, aside from being well organised, this year’s safari was incident free and his ministry is looking to explore other areas, among them South Rupununi and Orealla, where he will soon be visiting.
In his opinion, Orinduik Falls, located along the Ireng River which borders Guyana and Brazil, is in an area that has a lot of potential and needs private sector investment capital to develop it to attract more visitors.
Prashad said the airstrip, on which the Government recently did some work, is very big and the terrain conducive to building hotels and lodges.
“We want to develop Orinduik Falls just like the Niagara Falls, which is not half as beautiful as Orinduik Falls,” he declared.
“We don’t have blue water and white sand, like Barbados and St Lucia, but we have over 300 beautiful waterfalls and Orinduik is one of the nicest in the world,” Minister Prashad offered.
He said the future looks bright for adventure tourism in this country but the facilities at Orinduik, however, must be improved.
Prashad disclosed that the Michael Shree Chan Guest House, named for the late former Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, is currently maintained by the Regional Administration but a private investor has just been given the contract to develop it.
He also revealed that exploratory talks are taking place, with overseas investors, to build a small hotel and eco lodges in the area.
Prashad said another plus for Guyana is that it is now rated one of the top birding destinations worldwide and has been booked, by overseas tour operators, for 2009 and 2010.
Housing Ministry takes action against Turkeyen squatter
THE Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has on many occasions informed the public of its campaign to remove squatters from Government reserves, to ensure that housing development is not affected.
Yesterday, the Ministry took action and removed part of the home of an occupant who was illegally occupying an area that was allotted to the Turkeyen Police Station.
Minister of Housing and Water, Harry Narine Nawbatt told reporters that five persons who were residing in that compound were asked to remove several years ago.
The Ministry was able to negotiate with four of the five persons who had built on the Government’s reserve.
Three of the five persons agreed to relocate while the other who resides overseas visited the Ministry and arrangements were also made for his removal.
However, the final person who had received several notices had blatantly refused to remove or visit the Ministry to discuss her relocation, Nawbatt explained.
The Minister said the woman was served notices in February 2007, and in January and March 2008 which informed her to remove by April 1, failing which the Ministry would be forced to demolish her building.
However, the woman refused and subsequently the crew visited her home yesterday.
Minister Nawbatt said these persons were occupying the reserve where the Police Station had to be constructed and this was not acceptable.
The woman was warned for years that she would have to relocate but no attempt was made to do so.
The Ministries of Housing and Home Affairs have indicated their preparedness to negotiate with the woman to compensate her for her structure since the police would probably be able to use it. However, the woman has refused and the Ministry had to proceed with the appropriate action.
Following the dismantling, the woman made allegations to the media that several items were removed from her home and subsequently during her visit to the Ministry yesterday in the company of a male, several threats were made to the Minister by the male companion. (GINA)
