ARCHIVES FOR MAY 03 2008
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Political consensus needed to further enhance press freedom
-Dr. Luncheon tells media operatives, owners at media conference
Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon has said that press freedom has to be examined from an individual, corporate and international standpoint.

At the Government of Guyana Media and Communication Conference yesterday held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, in observance of World Press Freedom Day, Dr. Luncheon, in his keynote presentation on Evolution of Press Freedom in Guyana, outlined some parameters for enhancing press freedom, including media control, media presence, regulation, content and new technology.

It was noted that ownership of the media is overwhelmingly in the hands of the private media and this can have repercussions for press freedom.

With respect to content, Dr Luncheon stated that freedom of expression can be used in defence of democracy and that people need to understand that there are extremes of expressions locally. He asked whether this is the norm in Caricom countries

The conference received full support from the local media fraternity and covered many areas on finding the way forward for an improved, impartial media sector.

Dr Luncheon noted that there needs to be a broad consensus to further enhance press freedom, noting that interventions waiting to be implemented are due to a lack of political consensus.

“The political process …is the critical area within the momentum to be developed as we look ahead and seek to have press freedom and expression of press freedom catapulted, move in steps and in accordance with what is available and what else is occurring.”

He further noted , “The assessment on the evolution of press freedom must be taken in account of many of the issues that I have mentioned, but it also has to deal with the role of the State... The administration will insist on an approach that embraces the widest cross-section and that would indeed be reflective of consensus.”

In relation to media presence, more specifically the monopoly on radio, Dr Luncheon alluded that by this time next year, that might very well be history.

The other keynote speaker, former President Mrs. Janet Jagan, said that persons must understand where Guyana came from in relation to freedom of expression, pointing to the many struggles endured by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for such rights.

“As we commemorate World Press Freedom Day, we can appreciate that over half a century ago, it was recognized by those who founded the PPP that human rights and fundamental freedoms were all linked to national independence and the welfare of the people….During the late President Cheddi Jagan’s first election to the country’s Parliament in 1947, he had cause to point out to the Legislative Council that the colonial government and its big business community fully controlled the press and this included the radio station,” Mrs. Jagan said.

The former President explained that the People’s National Congress (PNC) government was guilty of attacking press freedom which was most heinous.

“The PNC government was notorious in its assault on press freedom. It did everything to prevent the Mirror Newspaper from continuing its existence, mainly because it was the main source of unadulterated news at that period. Mirror distributors were attacked and beaten off the streets; vicious libel suits were introduced; but worse was the refusal to allow the importation of newsprint, printing materials and necessary printing machinery to replace the antiquated pres.”

Chairman of the proceedings, Head of the Press and Publicity Affairs Unit of the Office of the President, Dr. Prem Misir, said that the media’s right to communicate information is sacred, but has restrictions. He pointed to Guyana’s Constitution under Article 146 which guarantees freedom of expression.

“Exercise of that freedom must be in the interests of defence, public safety, public order, public morality, or public health.”

He said that responsible reporting requires objectivity, accuracy, and fundamental fairness and, to this end, noted the many worrying articles in the local media which are not reflective of the latter.

“Recent commentaries on both electronic and print media are deeply troubling; the commentaries continue to aggressively distort the political history of this country. It is one thing to have an opinion about something; but another to present this opinion as a fact. Opinions are not necessarily facts,” Dr Misir said.

Several panel discussions, which saw the input of government officials and media personalities, covered  areas that dealt with  equality, fairness, objectivity, the role of the state media, strategies for reporting on development issues, new media contributing to press freedom (technologies) and public interest responsibility in broadcasting.

The conference ended with a reception attended by Acting President and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 3 each year as World Press Freedom Day. In some ways, the World Press Freedom day is a day for reflection on the quality of media performance in the context of freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

Contrary to some views that the government has attacked certain news entities’ press freedom, this year’s United States (US) Country Report on Human Rights Practices stated the government did not infringe on freedom of speech and the press, noting that the private media operated without any oppression.

The report stated, “The independent media were active and expressed a wide variety of views without restriction. International media operated freely. The partially government-owned daily newspaper, the Guyana Chronicle, which typically displayed a pro government slant, covered a broad spectrum of political and non governmental groups.”

Political experts believe that Guyana has come a long way from the dark periods which saw those opposed to the Government enduring state sponsored attacks.

Since the early 1990s, Guyanese have been exercising their right to free speech while the media have openly been criticising the government.(GINA)

Procedural arrangement delays Kalamadeen funeral
THE funeral of beheaded businessman Mohamed Farouk Kalamadeen was postponed from yesterday until further notice.

One of his relatives told the Guyana Chronicle that the assigned pathologist was unable to perform the post mortem examination on the body of the deceased, as scheduled, without proper identification.

Since the headless corpse was found on Wednesday, the identity of the missing 54-year-old man could not have been properly established without fingerprints, Police said.

Arrangements have since been made for the correct procedure to be observed to facilitate the autopsy which must precede the handing over of the corpse for burial.

Kalamadeen disappeared without a trace after leaving his Barrington Apartments, Houston, East Bank Demerara home, on April 2, for his daily jog.

He was presumed abducted and the discovery of the torso without a head was made 28 days later, on the parapet along Cowan Street, Kingston, Georgetown, on Wednesday.

Kalamadeen’s son, Irfan had claimed it as his father’s, from the general appearance with which he is familiar and the family had proceeded to prepare for the funeral, including placing the death announcement in the daily newspapers. (Shirley Thomas)

African bees bite GEA officers hunting contraband fuel
TWO Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) officers hunting contraband fuel smugglers were rushed to Suddie Hospital and admitted patients on Thursday after being bitten by African bees.

The men were at Hackney Canal in Lower Pomeroon when they disturbed a swarm in thick bushes.

On being attacked, the GEA agents abandoned their mission and ran for cover with hundreds of the winged insects in hot pursuit.

The bees were, however, destroyed by an expert, Mr. Govind Samaroo, who was hurriedly conveyed to the location.

Reports said GEA personnel have been subjected to several attacks by bees in Pomeroon, as smugglers are storing their loot near the bee hives along the river banks to avoid it being confiscated. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

Bassoo succumbs to injuries
-- following accident at Vryheid’s Lust
WELL-known businessman, Ronald Bassoo succumbed to injuries early yesterday morning following an accident at Vryheid’s Lust Access Road, East Coast Demerara.

A relative of the Bassoos, Mr. Lakeram Seepersaud, 56, of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, owner and driver of the vehicle GEE 9319, involved in the accident is a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

According to reports Seepersaud was on his way to drop off Bassoo, 53, at his Lot 43 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara residence when he lost control of the red pickup which ended up in a trench.

Mr. Bassoo was the lone passenger in the ill-fated vehicle and died at the GPHC about 03:15 h yesterday morning.

His son, Ray Bassoo, 20, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that they received the dreaded news via a telephone call from Mr. Lakeram’s wife and they rushed to the scene about 11:15h on Thursday night.

“When I got there my dad was unconscious and we conveyed him to the hospital when I spoke to him, he only responded by clutching my hands on the way,” the son related yesterday.

The young man said that his younger brother, Ryan Bassoo, 17, was also with him and tried to talk to their father who remained unresponsive to their pleas to stay with them.

“At the hospital my dad stayed with us for a while, he fought to stay alive but he was unable to make it. I watched him breathe his last breath,” he explained.

Ray Bassoo described his father as a jovial, down to earth man who was a friend to many.

At his home yesterday a pall of gloom blanketed the atmosphere as his wife, Silla Bassoo tried to contain the tears that flowed as she was surrounded by relatives and scores of friends who tried to comfort her. (Michel Outridge)

Ahead of rainy season…
Persaud assures systems in place to avert flooding
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud yesterday assured farmers and residents alike that all systems are in place to avert flooding during the mid-year rainy season.

He told reporters, at a media briefing in his Ministry, that 44 pumps are in operation round-the-clock along East Coast Demerara which, in the past, has been vulnerable to floods.

In addition, Mr. Persaud said defective sluices are being repaired and those in a state of ruin will be recommissioned.

According to him, the many interventions being made are intended to avoid if not prevent inundation and he appealed to the public to cease disposal of refuse in the drainage and irrigation (D&I) systems.

He also asked that any flood, negligence of koker attendants or default in the D&I network be reported to the Ministry of Agriculture on telephone numbers 227-5049, 225-8310 or 225-5005.

Acting Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Ms. Bhaleka Seulall reported that the La Nina conditions have weakened considerably over the past two months.

She said recent equatorial pacific trends and model forecasts suggest that the current mild La Nina may persist through May to July, with no troubling effects.

Seulall said there are reasonably high possibilities of near normal rainfall this month while the June-July rains are likely to be mainly between normal and above.

“It is expected that the seasonal rainfall should commence shortly, as the cloud band shifts gradually northwards. Extreme southern locations are likely to experience the anticipated wet conditions earlier, while coastal, near inland and central locations are expected to be affected later,” she forecast.

However, Seulall said the rainfall outlook is relevant only for seasonal time scales and over relatively large areas.

“Local and day to day variations will occur. It should be noted that heavy and short duration episodic events are common during this period,” she stated.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Mr. Lionel Wordsworth explained that the situation is being tackled at the administrative level through a collaborative approach and involves several different agencies.

He said that the Regional Chairmen and NDIA Board Directors have compiled a comprehensive programme of drainage works to be undertaken and those have commenced.

Wordsworth said the Mahaica/Mahaicony/Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA/ADA) has been tasked with operating and managing the D&I infrastructure within the Mahaica/Mahaicony areas.

He said the NDIA, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and BOSAI have agreed to dredge creeks in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

Wordsworth said his agency has deployed engineers to bolster capacity in Regions 10, Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).

The NDIA has also dispatched its fleet of 28 excavators to the various regions and the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) to do critical work, he offered.

Wordsworth said NDIA has created a communication network to enhance monitoring of drainage structures in the mentioned regions and the EDWC.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in preparation for the rainy weather, is providing maintenance for drainage pumps and canals in affected regions and Wordsworth said the construction and repair of earthen embankments, desilting of outfall channels, rehabilitation of intake structures and clearing of waterways are also being done.

To date, he said $85M have been spent in Region Two; $87M in Region Three; $90M in Region Four; $48.3M in Region Five; $82M in Region Six and $26M in Region 10.

Wordsworth said monitoring of the EDWC has intensified to prevent overtopping as well as to minimise the impact of flooding in the upper reaches of the Mahaica/Mahaicony areas.(Tajeram Mohabir)
NEWS

High level G77 panel prepares for UN meeting
THE two-day meeting of the G77 High Level Panel of Eminent Personalities on a Development Platform for the South which took place in Antigua and Barbuda, ended on Wednesday last, with a comprehensive discussion on South-South Cooperation.

In the closing remarks, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Baldwin Spencer, who is Chairman of the G77, stressed the importance of the work of the Panel to the future development of the G77 which comprises of 130 member countries and China.

These remarks were complemented by those of former Prime Minister of Jamaica and a former chairman of the G77, Mr. Percival Patterson, who, in addition to the many issues discussed over the two days, including the role of the private sector, emphasised that the G77 should be people-oriented and not exclusive and elitist, and must include the concerns of the workers and their representative institutions such as the trade unions if it were to serve satisfactorily the needs of the people.

Prime Minister Spencer, in thanking the members of the Panel, saw the output of their meeting as a vital contribution to the preparations for upcoming G77 Meetings in Cote D’Ivoire and in Argentina.

The G77 is preparing for the United Nations High Level Conference on South-South Cooperation scheduled for Buenos Aires Argentina, in 2009 and a preparatory meeting in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire, on the occasion of the 45th Anniversary of its founding.

The outcome of these preparatory meetings will be the Development Platform for the South which will form the basis of the discussions at the Argentina Conference.

Among the challenges identified by the Panel were: trade; production, including food; energy; the environment, including climate change; information and communication; science and technology; and institutional arrangements.

This last subject was a point emphasised by Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Dr. Edwin Carrington, who stressed the necessity for any central structure to work with and through existing sub-regional and regional institutions in serving its 130-country membership.

There was significant Caribbean participation at the meeting including Patterson, Carrington, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Ambassador Ransford Smith of Jamaica, Professor Dennis Benn of the University of the West Indies, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations Mr. John Ashe, and the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Conrad Hunte, said a statement from CARICOM.

Police report...
Bartica, Lusignan guns used at East La Penitence
POLICE have reported that ballistics tests verified the identification of two weapons from which twenty-three 7.62 x 39 spent shells recovered at East La Penitence Police Station in Georgetown, after the drive-by shooting Tuesday night, were fired.

The report said the shells match those retrieved after the Lusignan, East Coast Demerara and Bartica, Essequibo River massacres, in which a total of 23 persons were killed.

The discards also matched others found at the scene of a robbery/murder in Canal Number Two Polder, West Bank Demerara, in 2006, according to the press release, which said investigations into the La Penitence incident are continuing.

Shortly after midnight Tuesday, gunmen in a vehicle discharged a volley of shots that hit the outer walls of the La Penitence station, located at the junction of Mandela Avenue and Arapaima Street.

Fortunately, the gunfire injured no one but damaged three glass windows on the lower flat and the walls on the western and southern side of the upper flat of the building, the release said.

It was the second attack on a Police precinct this year, following that on January 26, when a guard hut on Young Street, at the Eve Leary Headquarters, also in the city, was fired on by a group of unidentified men in a passing motor car.

That happened hours before 12 persons, including five children, were slaughtered at Lusignan, in the first of two terrorist incidents.

The second occurred when a marauding gang killed three cops at the Police Station and nine other people at Bartica one February night.

Search on for missing 10-year-old girl
RELATIVES of a 10-year-old girl who disappeared while on her way home after an errand on Monday are appealing to members of the public to report any sighting of her to the nearest police station or contact them.

Guardian of the child, Consolata Joaquim, 53, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that her niece, Shansia Singh, left her home at 183 Garnett Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, about 07:00h Monday to take school fees to the Ketley Primary School in Charlestown in the city.

Ms. Joaquim said that they later visited the Ketley Primary School where her nephew is a pupil and learnt that the girl had dropped off the money to the teacher and left.

The woman added that the school security guard saw her leave the school compound alone.

“I am very worried about Shansia’s whereabouts”, she said.

According to Joaquim, Singh has been living with her since the child’s mother died almost nine months ago. And she never stayed away before.

Singh was last seen wearing long brown pants, a multi-coloured shirt, with blue hat and a pair of black slippers.

“We have searched for her, but to no avail, and we are asking people to contact us if they know of her whereabouts, because she belongs at home with her loved ones,” Joaquim pointed out.

Anyone with information regarding Singh’s whereabouts are asked to call telephone numbers 231-9950 or 663-9217, or contact the nearest police station.

A missing person report was lodged at the East La Penitence Police Station on Monday night.

GRA committed to intensify efforts to fight illicit trade
COMMISSIONER-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Mr. Khurshid Sattaur says the GRA is committed to the fight against illicit trade.

The Commissioner-General made this commitment on Wednesday last at a seminar organized by the Demerara Tobacco Company to discuss the impact of illicit trade on government and business.

A statement from the GRA said Mr. Sattaur commended the DTC for the bold initiative of bringing stakeholders together to discuss at a national level, the scourge which could have dire consequences, not only on the economic welfare of the country, but also on the social structure especially with the high levels of crime and illicit activities that are generally associated with it.

“The GRA is always very willing to learn and share our experiences with other stakeholders; we therefore have no resistance or no reluctance to engage various stakeholders in understanding more about this activity that affects society at various levels,” Mr. Sattaur said.

He pointed out that the DTC is a valuable partner since its tax contributions are a significant portion of the revenue coffers, noting that for 2007 alone the company paid a substantial $1.8B in corporate taxes, income tax and import duties and taxes.

He said the GRA is sympathetic to the challenges faced by legitimate businesses such as the tobacco company by illegal trading activities.

He said from his own assessment of illegal trading of alcoholic beverages, food items, motor vehicle and electronic equipment to name a few categories of goods, it appears to have a serious impact on the economy.

Sattaur also noted that to assist the GRA get on top of the situation, the government has sought international assistance and through the Millennium Challenge Account

Threshold Programme, Customs procedures and enforcement activities are expected to benefit tremendously.

However, the Commissioner-General said it is important for the GRA to receive the support and cooperation of other stakeholders and the general public especially with the provision of intelligence information.

He said if there is a constant flow of intelligence information to the GRA, then the GRA’s activities would be more targeted thereby yielding greater results.

Sattaur said the GRA has also introduced risk profiling to identify commodities that have high risk of being smuggled into the country and also identifying importers who may be engaged in such activities.

“I do not subscribe to the fact that illicit activities are those that come into the wharf or cross our borders undetected but I am also referring to those far more sinister and complex situations that give rise to what some may want to refer to as ‘legal smuggling’ where goods are entered as a particular item, when in fact it is another, giving rise to the evasion of taxes.”

He noted that while the high rate of tax on some commodities lend itself to high risk smuggling, there are other factors that are taken into account for the high rate of tax to be applied.

Mr. Sattaur is, however, confident that the new computerized risk profiling module of the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System has already began to yield success and indicates that that is the way for the GRA to follow.

A global scenario of illicit trading activities in tobacco was presented by a representative of the British American Tobacco, while other presentations were made by Customs Head, Mr. Chabilall Ramsarup and Legal Officers from the GRA.

Police nab suspects in East Ruimveldt robberies
POLICE have arrested two men who were, reportedly, positively identified as the duo who staged several armed robberies, recently, in the East Ruimveldt ward of Georgetown.

Reports said a total of 11 witnesses fingered the suspects at an identification parade.

During one of the heists, the victim was shot and injured, also while walking along the streets where the robbers rode bicycles when staging the attacks.

New Jersey Arya Samaj hosts humanitarian mission fund-raiser 
THE Mary McLeod Bethune Life Centre, 140 Martin Luther King Drive, Jersey City, New Jersey will come alive tomorrow with a powerful Pre-Mother’s Day Family Entertainment Concert in aid of the Humanitarian Mission of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., to raise funds to assist the less fortunate children and seniors in Guyana. The programme comprises of top artistes from New York, Trinidad and Guyana. Indian classical dances consist of Bharat Natyam and other types of dances that will be performed by the Natraj Center for the Performing Arts, Sahara Dance Troupe, Ashley Rai and Ann. Songs including Chutney, Film Songs, Soca, and Calypso, will be performed by the five times winner 2008 Chutney Soca Monarch of Trinidad & Tobago, Mr. Rooplall Ghirdhari, Chutney Queen of the World Rasika Dindial, and  Calypso Rose the Calypso Queen of the World. The Angel Caribbean Entertainment Group of Companies accompanied by the distinguished singers Tricia, Geeta Bisram, and Dexter.

Doors open at 14:00h while show time begins at 15:00h. Given this high-powered cultural presentation, organizers believe that a modest donation of $20 per adult and $10 per child, below 10 years as appropriate. They are, therefore, counting on support of the public to help them raise a decent sum which goes towards a specific Humanitarian initiative in Rose Hall, Corentyne, and other parts of Guyana.    

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. Humanitarian Mission, through the Guyana Central Arya Samaj with the help of the Guyanese-American, will shortly begin the construction of a house to accommodate Iris Latchman’s  family, who has become homeless when their shack crumbled to the ground last month on a windy day. They have secured temporary make-shift shelter at the residence of Latchman's eldest daughter, Camille Latchman. “We put two zinc sheets and we try to mek it a home for now, because we have nowhere else to live.”

Through our fund-raising activities such as this one will help us to provide shelter, food, clothing, and school supplies and other amenities for this hopeless family, and many others, and help to insulate them from ongoing physical and psychological hazards. Thus, our community support for this fund-raising project is vital in helping the less fortunate brothers and sisters in Guyana. Your presence is also an appreciation for the great work that our organization is doing in Guyana and elsewhere. 

Social work students help Mahaica Hospital inmates
JULIET Cort (left), a resident of the Mahaica Hospital, receives a hamper from Ms Wanda Williams, a social work student of the University of Guyana. Williams and fellow students Toya Cox, Ovinda Franklin, Stacy France and Sandra La Rose made it their project to help meet the immediate needs of the residents of the hospital.

Banks DIH secures Heineken distribution franchise
BEVERAGE giant Banks DIH Limited has been appointed by Caribbean International Distributors Inc., as the local distributor of Heineken Beer.

CIDI a subsidiary of Rudisa International Agencies in Suriname, is also the distributor of Thrill Soft Drinks, RC Cola, Blue Life Mineral Water and ‘More’ juices to the Guyana market.

The launching ceremony took place last Tuesday night at the Le Meridien Pegasus, Kingston, Georgetown, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manniram Prashad lauded the development.

He also commended Rudisa International Agencies for coming into Guyana, not only as the sole distributor of Heineken but for the many other areas the company is involved in.

“… the company is involved in almost everything-telecommunication, furniture and has penetrated the market as far as Holland,” Prashad noted.

The minister pointed out that the distributing company operates in Barbados, Trinidad and Haiti and it produces and exports water and called upon local enterprises to get involved in similar business deals.

Prashad pointed out that the company is well positioned in Guyana which is regarded as one of the most conducive places in the region to invest.

He recalled that at the last Carifesta CIDI had an entire area on display with their products.

The minister welcomed the company’s link and expansion in Guyana and commended its timely investment here.

Heineken has been one of the world’s leading consumer and corporate brands for more than 130 years.

The corporate relationships cultivated continue to impact heavily on the preservation of the brand’s integrity, image and success.

After stringent evaluation of some of Guyana’s largest beverage companies, Banks DIH it was decided as one of the most competent to distribute and promote Heineken based on standard expectations.

Heineken is therefore pleased to appoint them as the new sole distributors of Heineken beer in Guyana.

CIDI is a fresh, vibrant company known only to a few.

They began operations in July 2007 with the distribution of Parbo Beer in August 2007.

Their distribution network has been quickly expanding, serving Georgetown, Linden, Bartica, West Berbice and of recent, the East Berbice and Essequibo regions as well.

Also present at the event was Heineken – Guyana, Brand Manager, Mr. Jailall Ragnauth; CIDI-Guyana, Managing Director, Mr. Maurice Gajadhar; Area Export Manager, Heineken International, Mr. Alfredo Del Valle; Opposition Leader, Mr. Robert Corbin; and Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Clement Rohee among others.
(Michel Outridge)

At May Day celebration…
GAWU call for subsidies reiterated at Essequibo rally
By Rajendra Prabhulall
ASSISTANT General Secretary of Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Derrick Thakur, has reiterated a call made by Union President, Mr. Komal Chand, for Government to subsidise some basic food items to lower the cost of living.

Noting the global food shortages, the featured speaker at the May Day rally at Anna Regina, on Essequibo Coast, also urged workers to heed the grow more food call.

Thakur acknowledged Government efforts to cushion the high cost of foodstuff but said subsidies are necessary, as well as free distribution of seeds to boost agriculture development.

His remarks echoed the sentiments expressed by Chand, who spoke in Georgetown at the rally sponsored by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), to which GAWU belongs.

Speaking about the local rice industry, Thakur said the increasing price for the grain on the world market is helping to revitalise the enterprise.

He said farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) must take advantage of and utilise the drainage and irrigation systems, among them the new double door sluices under construction at Westbury and Golden Fleece and the rehabilitated pump station at Dawa.

Thakur also repeated the need for workers to unite and let their watch word be unity.

On the international scene, he wished the Cuban people well and paid tribute to Fidel Castro as an outstanding leader.

Another speaker at the forum, Economic and Projects Officer of Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Mr. Ivor McLennon, pointed out that May Day is so important that all workers should participate in rallies.

He told the gathering that trade unions must not be an opposition to government but an institution to represent workers’ rights.

Former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Parliamentarian, Mr. Isahack Basir, also dwelling on the importance of May Day, declared that workers can decide the fate of the country because they are the producers.

He admonished the organisers of May Day rallies to get the message across to all working people and said they must be sensitised and educated about the occasion.

Greetings were received from GAWU, National Union of Public Service Employees (NUPSE) and Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and those who marched in the parade were from the Postal and Telecommunications Workers Union (PTWU), too.

Regional Chairman, Mr. Alli Baksh was in attendance, as well, under the theme ‘Uniting the workers for economic and social advancement.’

Tests for YEST programme Essequibo applicants begin today
THE Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, will conduct a series of tests across Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) for the selection of entrants to the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) Programme.

Senior Culture, Youth and Sport Officer in the Region, Mr. Darshan Persaud, said the examinations will be conducted at Wakapoa Primary School today; Charity Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Office and Kabakaburi Primary School on May 10; Eighth of May Community High School on May 17; Cotton Field Secondary School on May 24 and Tapakuma Primary School on May 31.

Two more are scheduled for Good Hope and New Opportunity Corps (NOC) on June 7, he announced.

Persaud said the residential training courses will last 10 months and each trainee would be given a $4,000 per month stipend along with free meals and accommodation.

The courses being offered are in Business, Electrical Installation, Motor Mechanics, Joinery, Welding and Fabrication.

Minister Sukhai visits Berbice river communities
- addresses moving forward transportation project
SEVERAL interventions by the government have aided the development of the five Amerindian communities located along the Berbice river bank in Region Ten.

Another major intervention that will significantly assist the communities in terms of transportation will be realised shortly.

It is expected to bring further development to the communities of Wiruni, Wikki/Calcuni, Sand Hills, Hururu and Kimbia.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, travelled to the riverine communities on Wednesday to fast track a promise made by President Bharrat Jagdeo to the leaders to fund two community boats.

It was brought to the attention of the Ministry that the cost of constructing the vessels was much higher than what was budgeted, hence the Minister’s visit was to meet with leaders to decide on the way forward. Minister Sukhai was accompanied by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Emil Mc Garrell.

Minister Sukhai explained to the leaders that two boats were envisaged in the initial stage but due to increased prices for the materials, this has to be revisited.

Project consultant Rudolph Calender gave the Toshaos a detailed report of the estimates of the proposed boats, noting that before - boat engines and other materials were cheaper.

It was recognised that when the Toshaos drafted their proposals, they were not aware of some of the prices of the materials.

The Toshaos, however, agreed to have one durable boat built.  It was noted that the total cost of the two boats, $22.2M, will be used to construct the boat.

Minister Sukhai urged the Toshaos to go back to their respective communities and finalise the agreement with the residents. 

The vessel will transport passengers and their produce to New Amsterdam, Berbice. A management team will be set-up to oversee the operations of the boat and its maintenance.

Meanwhile Minister Sukhai also took the opportunity to discuss other community issues that are affecting the residents. (GINA)

Clerk argues for de-linking Parliament office from public service
By Neil Marks
CLERK of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, yesterday argued for the de-linking of the Parliament Office from the public service, saying this would eliminate state bureaucracy that tends to impede the efficiency of the Parliament Office.

In a presentation to the Special Parliamentary Select Committee of Guyana’s Fiduciary Oversight Project, Mr. Isaacs said as long as the Parliament Office remains linked to the public service, the National Assembly would not be able to effectively carry out its oversight role of the executive branch of government, which includes the public service.

“For example, a Member (of Parliament) may be doing something which is not in keeping with the rules, but an officer may be afraid to tell that Member that he/she is wrong, since that Member may be from the Executive,” Isaacs stated.

He said that the objectivity and professionalism of the Parliament staff could be influenced negatively by the fact that their continued service in Parliament, and “on the public service payroll,” may be directly affected by decisions made outside of the Parliament.

Isaacs noted as an example that a member of staff of the Parliament Office was dismissed without the Parliament Office being consulted.

In addition, Mr. Issacs submitted that de-linking the Parliament Office from the public service would serve to curb loss and wastage of manpower resources. He explained that a number of public servants who work in the Parliament Office benefit from training and in-service courses on Parliament, but find themselves soon transferred to other government departments, and therefore the resources put into training are lost.

Mr. Isaacs posited that Parliament work is specialised work, and therefore movement of staff robs the Parliament office of the opportunity to create a solid institutional memory.

He said many of the workers at the Parliament Office are uncertain of their next destination and therefore do not see working there as an assured career path or an area in which they need to advance their knowledge or studies in.

If the Parliament Office is de-linked, clear career paths and remuneration schemes would be established for the Parliament staff, so they could see opportunities for promotion, Isaacs noted.

If the Parliament Office is de-linked, it would be able to make critical and important decisions without long and unnecessary delays, he noted.

He said that it is very necessary, given the “cultural, historical and political diversity of the country,” that the National Assembly continue to provide the unique platform in which all “views, visions, interests” of national interest could be brought for debate, consideration and enactment and this bolsters the nation’s unity, and economic and political strength.

For this to happen, Isaacs said, Members of Parliament need to have the backing of a regular, continuously trained, objective and experienced staff, and this could only be realised with a Parliament Office de-linked from the public service.

The Clerk also pointed out that as currently obtains, the Parliament Office has to channel its budgetary requests through the public service system, and this increases the turn-around time, thereby delaying implementation of projects. He said that a de-linked Parliament Office would be able to deal faster and more directly with development partners wishing to help, including international agencies, thus accelerating its institutional development.

Mr. Isaacs said that the establishment of the Parliament Office as an autonomous body is a democratic trend around the world, and Guyana “cannot and should not be an island in the sea of democratic trends.”

He pointed to examples such as the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania and South Africa.

Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Ms Jennifer Webster, chaired the select committee to which Isaacs presented his case. Also present were other members of the committee, which included government and opposition Members of Parliament.

Online communications boost for Human Services Ministry
- compliments of the British High Commission
THE British High Commission yesterday handed over a system designed to improve online communications at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security to help build capacity for its 'Stamp it out' campaign aimed at helping to stop violence against women.

British High Commissioner, Mr. Fraser Wheeler, said the system falls under a three-phase programme. The first was to provide online communication within the Ministry's main office. Phase two which is being installed caters for the inclusion of subsidiary offices in Georgetown, and phase three which the High Commission will also be supporting, is to provide online links to offices in the other administrative regions. He pledged that the assistance would go further if requested by the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms. Priya Manickchand.

When completed the system would enable the minister to communicate via e-mail, use the internet to have voice or video conferences and send documents electronically.

In February this year, the High Commission lent support to the 'Stamp it out' initiative by providing the services of retired British Judge John Sessions whose input contributed to the efforts of the ministry to reform legislation on domestic violence and violence against women. Also coming out of that visit is that two Guyanese judges will attend Serious Sexual Offences training in London in July.

According to the High Commissioner, the issues of violence against women, and vocational training in vulnerable communities, both of which the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is working on, illustrate the cross-cutting nature of crime and security issues across government. "We remain ready to support the government to develop and implement a comprehensive policy framework to tackle crime and security in Guyana once and for all," the High Commissioner said.

The minister was high in her praise for the High Commission, which she described as 'pro-active' in its approach to offer help.

In expressing her appreciation for the donation, Ms. Manickchand offered that the system is incredible, useful, and time saving.

Prior to its installation, a lot of time was taken up by the minister and her staff having to go to each other's offices.

The minister also noted the contribution made by Retired British Judge John Sessions. (Sarada Singh)

GPA salutes media workers
ON the occasion of World Press Freedom Day 2008, the Guyana Press Association (GPA) salutes all media workers in Guyana and pays tribute to those who died while performing their sacred role of presenting the truth.

In a statement the GPA said media managers and media workers need to take advantage of training opportunities to arrest declined standards in both the broadcast and print media.

The GPA said while it recognises that “we are not all working for the same media entities, it is our firm belief that we must all abide by the sacred principles of journalism. Equally, media workers must guard against private interests that seek to similarly engage in media manipulation to avoid the publicity of certain issues about themselves or their opponents or competitors.”

The statement added that this day should also cause us to do some serious self-examination both as a fraternity and as individual journalists. Of particular concern to the GPA is the number of training programmes we have organised during the past months with less than satisfactory responses especially from the younger journalists.

“At the same time, we continue to receive negative reviews for our work, which points to the need for training, the GPA observed.

“Moreover, on this occasion of World Press Freedom Day, it is critical that the media fraternity in Guyana and the Caribbean Community understand the importance of its role in shaping societal values and safeguarding the public's right to know whilst holding fast to the tenets of the profession. It must be understood that the freedoms – though often threatened -- taken for granted in countries such as ours are still non-existent in some jurisdictions,” the GPA declared