GNBS implores all regions to participate in national programme
THE Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has assured that it is working assiduously to have all the administrative regions in Guyana participate in its National Weights and Measures programme so that all consumers will be adequately covered and protected.

According to a GNBS release results of verification exercises to date reveal that 352 scales, 815 masses and 1099 electricity meters were verified for accuracy, while 63 scales, 49 masses and 10 measures were rejected in this category, while 455 pumps were tested, 119 were calibrated, 12 wagon compartments at fuel terminals were tested and 11 had to be calibrated.

The release noted that with respect to devices already used in commerce, 2,737 scales, 5461 masses, 132 measures and one storage tank were verified while 38 scales, 22 masses and two measures were rejected.

GNBS reiterated that the programme which is governed by the legislation set out in the 1981 Weights and Measures Act is well organised and is currently executed in all of the administrative regions with the exception of Region One (Barima/Waini).

It added that under the programme, inspectors of the Bureau and Weights and Measures Officers resident in the respective regions, conduct verification exercises twice yearly of all scales, weights, measures, fuel pumps, and bulk meters initially and continuously used in commercial trade, to ensure their accuracy and fitness for use in the commercial sector.

Unverified or illegal devices are seized, removed and later confiscated. Violators can also be prosecuted for infringements of the Weights and Measures Act, the release said.

It added that the National Weights and Measures programme also covers devices used in clinics, health stations, hospitals and post offices thus ensuring that consumers in every sector across the economy, is included in this programme.

GNBS coordinates and spearheads the National Weights and Measures programme which was set up to ensure that consumers are protected from vendors, retailers who use unjust and unverified weights and measures to cheat consumers, during the conduct of business activities.

CLICO hosts spousal training
CLICO initiated the first session of their spousal training programme recently at the Embassy Courtyard to encourage the spouses and families of agents to support their occupation, and to offer them the necessary understanding and motivation needed to be a successful sales representative.

“Inspirational,” “awesome” and “terrific” were the words expressed by CLICO (Guyana) sales representatives to describe the session of “Spousal Training” conducted by Mrs. Shama Deonarine, Director – CLICO Board and Agency Manager on Saturday last.

Mrs. Deonarine was accompanied by Ms. Sushilla McFarlane, winner of the “Most Lives Insured” Award, 2007.

Mrs. Deonarine emphasised the need for families to plan goals as a unit and to establish a path to achieving these goals through dedicated work.

Spouses spoke of the ways in which they offered support and encouragement to their partners. The shared family goals identified included purchasing new homes, motor vehicles and furthering the education of their children.

A highlight of the session was an address by Ms. Sushilla McFarlane who chronicled her rise from humble beginnings to a CLICO awardee for “Most Lives Insured” and a Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) qualifier. The response of the audience was one of astonishment with constant applause as Ms. McFarlane spoke of her dedication which led to tremendous success.

The exercise was of particular benefit to new recruits.
“Mrs. Deonarine has truly stirred my enthusiasm for working in the industry; any doubts about achieving success were erased by her words of inspiration,” said Colin Gill of Hazlewood’s Agency, adding that “we are all grateful for this new found motivation she has brought us!”

IDB provides grant for ACDA’s youth enhancement programme
THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has become the beneficiary of financial assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) aimed at enhancing the capacity of youths.

IDB representative in Guyana, Mr. Marco Nicola, on behalf of the Social Inclusion Trust Fund (SITF) signed the agreement with ACDA’s Executive Member of the Steering Committee, Eric Phillips, paving the way for implementation of the project

‘Improving access to opportunities for vulnerable youths’.

A release said that this builds on lessons learnt from similar operations currently by the Bina Hill Institute and other like initiatives throughout the Caribbean and Latin America region.

It added that the programme in its final format is supported by the SITF and valued at US$80,000 non-reimbursable grant to be executed over a 24-month period.

The fundamental objective of the project seeks to enhance the capacity of the youths to identify, access, utilise and generate opportunities to productively contribute to Guyana development across sectors.

It further stated that the project has three components:

* Three-day focus on youth workshops-- the first such workshop is a planning exercise involving youth in both its delivery and function and participants will prioritize programme objectives, initiatives and outputs effectively tailoring how they wish the programme to work for them based on their collective needs, vision and goals.

* Youth leadership and development training-- will produce a structured and comprehensive skills development programme facilitated by local experts hired by the project. Complementing the skills programme is an innovative youth and community development model designed to further enrich the productivity of youths by providing opportunities to gain practical experience by implementing community-driven initiatives that tap into existing development opportunities. At the end of this tenure, each youth will be provided with certificates demonstrating their area of competence.

* Monitoring and evaluating-- a number of assessment strategies are integrated in the project’s design to increase its responsiveness to arising demands and needs of youths and also to track youth performance during and post the project execution period.

At the conclusion of the execution period, the final three days of the workshop will explore the experiences of the youths and report on the immediate results of the programme, the release said.

The capping exercise of this component will be a comprehensive final evaluation that reports on all aspects of the project delivery, results and sustainability.

The release also said that annually, the SITF issues its ‘call for proposal’ which signals a competitive process of evaluating received proposals from NGOs seeking to provide services to strengthen the capacities of vulnerable populations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

UK-based Guyanese nurse offers help to local counterparts
By Priya Nauth
A UK-based Guyanese nurse has offered her expertise to help strengthen the local nursing system, and in this regard she held exploratory talks with Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran yesterday.

Ms. Lynette Philips who is a recent recipient the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) in honour of her services to health care is a registered nurse and midwife and holds a Diploma in Health Care and Management Services in addition to a Masters Degree in Business Administration.

She grew up in Georgetown before migrating to the United Kingdom (U.K) in 1968 at the age of 16. “Nursing was never an expectation of mine…I always wanted to be a teacher because most of my family were in that profession… but I enjoyed every moment of it,” she recalled.

“I always come back to Guyana since I have family living here and I want to give back to Guyana what I took out,” she said.

Phillips explained that this initiative to carry out this venture came about last year when she met with three nurses from Guyana at the High Commission Office in London, who had completed a programme there.

She pointed out that one of the nurses suggested that there is need for assisting the nurses in Guyana and felt that links with the Royal College of Nursing in England will be a good start.

She posited that offering her support can help to make a difference and provide the opportunity to learn new ways of working.

Ms. Phillips said she met representatives of the Guyana Nursing Association to find out what their objectives and needs were with the aim of creating links with the Royal College of Nursing, being a member herself.

She noted that one of the key areas that needs further development is the training of nurses, but noted that nurses in Guyana are very skilled and the procedures they undergo are more complex.

“I want to try and get other persons who have the skills and time to volunteer to help improve the services here,” Phillips underscored.

This will benefit the country by having an injection of different expertise in order to support and enable nurses to remain here as well as having more access to skilled nurses who will be provided the opportunity to have health related issues being dealt with more speedily, she offered.

According to Phillips, she works closely with the staff of the Royal College of Nursing and this collaboration will enable the creation of links between the Guyana Nursing Association and that body.

She plans to recruit persons who are equipped with skills and may want to volunteer to help the nursing services here.

The independent management consultant hopes to have a clearer understanding of the nursing system and identify areas that need assistance.

Another area to explore, she also noted is how we can have an exchange of nurses.

Dr Ramsaran presented her with a copy of the curriculum for the training of professional nurses in Guyana with the hope that the diaspora will respond and try to help further strengthen the nursing system in the country.

He expressed his hope that this gesture opens up the possibilities to further strengthen what already exists here, noting that local nursing trainers are doing a very good job, but need additional assistance.

He noted with new hospitals to be opened in Lethem and Mabaruma and four new diagnostic centres, we need more staff.

The minister disclosed that 250 nurses were enlisted last year to train and “we need to help the trainers with any form of support and hope she can be able to seek persons who can help us.”

We already have other connections with other organizations in the UK and we look forward to strengthen these relationships, he emphasised.

British High Commission joins calls to promote road safety
THE British High Commission is collaborating with the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) and Mothers in Black to promote safer use of Guyana's roadways.

With funds supplied by the High Commission, the NRSC and Mothers in Black will provide twenty schools in Georgetown, the West Coast of Demerara and Soesdyke with school-patrol belts, stop signs and road safety posters.

The High Commission, in a statement yesterday, said reflective stickers that can be placed on children's backpacks and bicycles and on vehicle bumpers will also be provided.

There will also be a campaign in the newspapers giving tips on safe road practices and road safety talks will be given to schoolchildren.

The highlight of the promotion will be a road safety mascot who will take to the streets to promote road safety and a jingle/song competition on the same topic, the High Commission said.

The exercise is aimed at using innovative ways to get children to use the roads in a more careful manner and providing them with tools to aid their safety.

The project complements assistance given by the British High Commission to enhance the work of security agencies in Guyana.

NBS donates $500,000 to Archer’s Home rebuilding
THE New Building Society (NBS) on Thursday donated $500,000 to the Rotary Club of Demerara (RCD) for the restoration of a kitchen and laundry facility at the Archer Home for senior citizens.

Mohamed Majeed, IT System Manager of NBS, expressed the company’s delight in assisting financially for the refurbishing of the home.

The immediate past President of the RCD, Mr. David Patterson, said NBS has contributed to a worthy cause, which will help benefit the lives of the senior citizens at Archer Home.

He said a request from the home was received for restoring the water system there. However, the past president said when members from the club visited the home, they realised that much more work was needed. As such, the club embarked on a project to refurbish the kitchen and laundry facilities at the home.

David said other non-governmental organisations assisted in the project. Upon completion, the renovated structure will house the heavy-duty kitchen equipment provided by the Rotary Club of Nepean-Kanata from Canada, a sister club of the Rotary Club of Demerara.

PPP condemns Opposition walkout from National Assembly
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has condemned the walkout by Parliamentary opposition parties during last Thursday’s debate on the motion moved by the Prime Minister on the stakeholders meeting on national security.

The PPP said, too, it has been accused of failing to accept the amendments to the motion offered by the opposition parties.

“The motion that was put in the National Assembly was not a PPP or a government document. It was the product of four meetings involving the government, opposition parties in Parliament and civil society. These documents were signed by fifty one (51) organisations,” the PPP said in a press release on Thursday.

The PPP said Parliamentary opposition parties had this document in their possession for almost two weeks before the sitting on March 27.

“They proposed amendments late in the evening of March 26, when it was practically impossible to contact all those who signed the documents to seek their agreement for the proposed amendments,” the PPP stated.

“The PPP/Civic was of the view that we did not have the mandate to change that document. What we did was to faithfully reproduce what was agreed to,” the PPP contended.

The PPP said the walk out by the Parliamentary Opposition was a violation of the agreement reached by broad consensus.

“The general public should know that one part of the agreement states that all the signatories to the agreement should “…initiate and support confidence building measures in the society at large and amongst communities and organisations, in order to continue to move the country forward…,” the PPP stated.

The party said the walk out could not be interpreted as building confidence, but was clearly an act designed to undermine confidence.

“It has certainly sent wrong signals to the murderous band that cold bloodedly killed twenty five persons in Lusignan and Bartica. The walk out is a betrayal of the victims of crimes in our society,” the PPP stated.

The PPP said it is amused at the charges of the opposition about the lack of Parliamentary democracy.

The statement made by the Alliance For Change (AFC) recently and also by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) reflects an ingrained bias and a total lack of objectivity, the party stated.

According to the PPP, the motion that the opposition walked out on, called for all to work “…with the Government and all Parliamentary political parties to jointly review the national security plan for its urgent and comprehensive implementation with the ultimate goal of cementing inclusive democracy, peace and justice in our country…”

In other parts the motion called to “…ensure the meaningful and effective participation of civil society in these parliamentary processes”.

The agreement reached envisaged that a Parliamentary committee on National Security would be established. It also made clear that civil society would have the right to make presentations, recommendations - etcetera - to this body.

“These are all profoundly democratic proposals and actions on the part of the PPP/C which the Opposition parties walked out on!” the PPP declared.

“Indeed, the Guyanese people should ponder the real intentions of the opposition. It appears that they are intent on undermining democracy instead of promoting it,” the PPP stated.

Private cane farmers to become significant suppliers to Skeldon factory
By Tajeram Mohabir
PRIVATE farmers are to become significant suppliers of sugar cane to the new state-of-the-art sugar factory at Skeldon when it begins operating later this year.

Agriculture Minister, Robert Persaud, during a visit to Berbice on Wednesday, declared government’s commitment to ensuring that private cane farmers’ operations at the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) are a success.

He gave the assurance to the farmers at a meeting convened at the Skeldon Estate which was also attended by senior officials of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO).

According to Persaud, their contribution – along with the contributions by others - are vital to the success of the factory which is expected to produce about 16 to 17 per cent of GUYSUCO’s total sugar production.

The minister told the farmers that efforts are being made to expedite land preparation and several of GUYSUCO’s excavators will be used for the process.

In the meantime, he said his Ministry is keeping an eye on their financial arrangements with the banking sector and will also address concerns on the high interest rate.

Some farmers told the minister that their loans have been approved while others are still outstanding perhaps due to the slow processing of their applications.

The minister said this is an issue with the banks and advised that government does not have the authority to instruct any financial institution to lend money but could only influence the process.

Persaud also highlighted the importance of farmers supplying the required quota of sugar cane to the factory this year because it would allow for the “breaking-in” by some 60 per cent and to be fully functional by 2010.

He disclosed that the areas under cultivation are expected to be doubled when the project is completed and the goal is to produce in excess of 420 tonnes of sugar in another eight years.

The minister also noted that government is negotiating with the Chinese to finance the construction of a refinery at the SSMP and work on the Enmore packaging plant is also moving apace.

Apart from this, the minister stressed that government is investing some $200M to develop the Number 52 to 66 cattle pastures for that as well as the Number 67 to 74 Cattle Farmers Association.

He also called on the co-operative societies in the region to be more transparent and organised because there are pivotal factors in reducing and settling disputes of those under their responsibility.

Meanwhile, Skeldon Sugar Estate General Manager, Vishnu Panday, said a tripartite agreement which deals with the processing of loans for farmers who intent to go into cane farming has been completed.

According to the General Manager, the Cane Farmers Liaison Committee have been meeting regularly and several meaningful agreements were made including the provision of agrochemicals, machines to excavate drains as well as plans to offer assistance to the private cane farmers.
Panday noted that 11 of a fleet of 15 newly purchased excavators are available for this purpose.

GRA grants 32 tax exemption approval letters to head teachers
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has so far granted 32 tax exemption approval letters to eligible head teachers to purchase motor vehicles.

Cabinet had approved 68 head teachers in 2007 to be granted tax exemptions to purchase motor vehicles. Of this number, 29 were granted tax exemption approval letters.

Meanwhile, Mr. Roopnarine Ramkishun, Director Remission Unit has clarified that the remaining 39 head teachers from the 2007 batch were not granted tax exemption approval letters because the head teachers who were approved have not provided the relevant information to GRA’s Remission Unit.

According to Ramkishun, there were some initial hiccups with one of the set criteria agreed to by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) and the government in which those qualifying were required to have at least five years service remaining at the time the concession is granted.

According to him, those in the 2007 batch will still be eligible since their five year period of service remaining will be considered from January 1, 2007.

In response to recent media reports in which it was alleged that only one head teacher received a motor vehicle so far, Mr. Ramkishun opined that this may have resulted because the agent was unable to deliver the vehicle to the concessionaire.

The Guyana Revenue Authority has no control over this situation and this has to be resolved between the concessionaire and the agent, he said.

To accelerate the processing of tax exemption approvals, the GRA last month removed the requirement of a driver’s licence for head teachers qualifying for tax exemption to purchase a motor vehicle. This resulted from negotiations between the government and the GTU.

Initially, the GRA had required that head teachers who were eligible for such exemptions should submit their driver’s licence along with a personal application, a recommendation from the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, proof of address, their Taxpayer Identification Number, a copy of passport or National Identification card showing their name and date of birth, a quotation/invoice of the vehicle to be purchased and a Remission Unit Tax Exemption Application Form.

Head teachers who were granted tax exemption approvals by the Guyana Revenue Authority have a grace period of eight months from the date such exemptions were granted to obtain their personal driver’s licence.

Eligible head teachers may download the Remission Exemption Application form from the GRA’s website (www.revenuegy.org) and are encouraged to bring in their documents at the earliest possible time so that the GRA may process their exemption applications

Gov’t sensitivity delayed Rodney’s enquiry
CABINET Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon has indicated that it was Government’s sensitivity that led to the slothfulness in dealing with the Parliamentary resolution to enquire into the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney.

Dr Luncheon said that he, as the representative of the Government, and Dr Rupert Roopnarine who represented the Rodney family, were engaged on steps to implement the Parliamentary resolution.

There were some reservations about the enquiry being held during the pre-election period and being used as an election issue.  On that basis, Government did not pursue the Parliamentary resolution at that time.

Dr Luncheon said that subsequent to the 2006 election, the matter should have been picked up but it was not. In that regard, he said, all parties involved should hold blame for the matter not being put on the front burner after the elections.

Meanwhile with regards to the recent press statement, issued by the Opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), declaring their support for the Joint Services, the Cabinet Secretary, who also serves as Secretary to the Defence Board, said that if the Party ( PNCR), ‘see the need to go out there and announce that it is pro-discipline services it must be that they are trying to counter something’.

He explained that not every one who supports the Disciplined Services, “necessarily have to resort to such occasions and to plead their resolute support.”

Dr Luncheon said he has no doubt in his mind what appearances and utterances suggest but “it is good to know that in line with their (PNCR) spoken and written undertaking at the Stakeholder encounter and other forums that they are solidly behind the Joint Services.” (GINA)

$34M to further boost education in Region 8
EDUCATION in Region Eight (Potato/ Sparta) will be significantly boosted this year with $34.1M allocated to build two primary schools costing $8M and 5M respectively,  and for several other projects in the sector.

Regional Executive Officer of Region Eight, Dishware Dash, said that both schools will house over 140 students each.

The Microbe School has been in existence for over 25 years and is in a deplorable condition. 

The building will also house the nursery and primary top sections.

A $5M teachers’ quarters is to be built in Makita in the North Pakaraimas to accommodate more trained teachers from the Coast.

Another major project to come on stream is the Paramakatoi dormitory at a cost of $10M.  Other projects slated to be completed in the education sector in the region are an education office in Mahdia and fencing of the Mahdia Nusery school.

It was noted that currently a workshop is being held for all the Head Teachers in the region to discuss general improvements of the schools. 

The one-week workshop is hosted by the Regional Education Officers to find new and innovative ways to make learning fun and comfortable for the students.

Recently, the Ministries of Local Government and Regional Development and Education held a meeting with Regional Education Officers (REDOs) and Regional Executive Officers (REOs) from all the regions to highlight the importance of enhancing and monitoring the systems and ensuring they are adhered to by all stakeholders.

Civilian shot in crossfire
A CIVILIAN was shot and injured during crossfire between a group of men and police ranks at Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, Thursday.

Police in a press release said about 09:45h that day, responding to a report of threats, members of a mobile patrol approached a group of four men at Kaneville.

The men opened fire on the police and they returned fire, hitting Stephen Mohamed in his right hip. The four men managed to escape.

An unlicensed .32 pistol with nine matching rounds were recovered by the police.

Stephen Mohamed was admitted a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Other helicopter to arrive before month-end
-will conduct night patrols
THE second Bell 206 helicopter to aid in crime fighting will arrive from Texas, United States before month-end.

This is according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Ca