Important CARICOM Heads of Gov’t Conference achieves significant progress
The 30th Heads of Government Conference of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which was expected to be contentious, with migration and intra-regional trade rows threatening to disrupt the discussions, ended Saturday evening with significant progress being made in several areas.
Global Economic and Financial Crisis
Recognizing that several countries in the Caribbean have been adversely affected by the global economic and financial crisis, the Heads of Government have taken the bold step of establishing the first ever regional Task Force of a political nature to find solutions for the region.
The Task Force, which comprises Prime Ministers Patrick Manning of Trinidad & Tobago, Bruce Golding of Jamaica, Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, David Thompson of Barbados and President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana, who will be the Chairman of the Task Force, is expected to be set in motion soon, considering the urgency of the issues it seeks to address.
President Jagdeo and CARICOM Secretary General Dr. Edwin Carrington during the first business session of the Heads of Government Conference on July 3.
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Additional technical members of the Task Force include the CARICOM Secretary-General; President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); Director-General of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS); and the Director of the Caribbean Centre for Money and Finance (CCMF).
The tourism industry in the Caribbean, which is a significant revenue earner for countries such as The Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica and others, has been decimated with fewer persons around the world travelling, and the financial service sector has been faced with difficulties stemming from the financial meltdown in the developed world and from the failures of the CL Financial and Stanford Groups. Additionally, the real sectors have been affected by the contagious effect of the global downturn.
In response, many countries do not have the budgetary space to conduct counter-cyclical spending to ease the effects of the crisis.
At the closing press conference last evening, the Chairman of CARICOM, President Jagdeo, stated, “It was recognized that we have to do a series of things but some of them would have to be very urgently done.”
The tasks before the Community are to mobilize the resources necessary to assist these countries and develop medium-to-long-term development strategies to set them on the right path.
Earlier yesterday, the President had highlighted two options to obtain the resources needed.
The President had stressed that the mobilization of CARICOM internal resources could be pivotal.
“We have significant reserves that are all held outside of the region. I think we have to make sure that we have a policy to invest those reserves. I think we can use our own resources to try to push forward development in our region,” he stated.
However, the Head of State pointed out that such reserves belong to individual member states in the Community, and the investment of those reserves is therefore a sovereign decision. He noted that any investment of these reserves must meet two criteria – safety and liquidity.
The other option available to the Caribbean proposed by the President was making the region much more attractive to investments from non-traditional sources, such as the Arab sovereign funds and from countries such as India, China and Brazil.
The CARICOM Chairman also explained that a forum will be held shortly that will examine comprehensively the difficulties faced by these countries.
“We’ll provide an opportunity in the very near future for countries to fully explain their difficulties and hopefully, tell us more about their own efforts so that this regional Task Force can work with these countries using their own plans to mobilize more resources,” he said.
Tourism
The Regional Marketing Plan, which will assist in bringing more visitors to the Caribbean region, has been identified as a priority for implementation.
The Plan was established at the previous Heads of Government Conference but its implementation was delayed because of the lack of funding.
“That marketing plan has been developed for a while now. The plan is developed and approved but with countries having fiscal difficulties (with) so many requests for finances, which will have to come from the Treasury, there is that difficulty of funding all of these new initiatives that are coming on board,” President Jagdeo had stated earlier yesterday.
Heads of Government reiterated their deep concern with regard to the proposed Air Passenger Duty (APD) as it applies to travel from the UK to the Caribbean as it would not only greatly increase the cost of travel from the UK to the Region but would also put the Caribbean at a disadvantage in relation to other more distant destinations. The Heads of Government agreed to continue pursuing vigorously the matter with UK policymakers to ensure that a more equitable band of the APD is applied to Caribbean travel.
Agriculture and food security
Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to providing financial and other support measures for agriculture. They underscored the importance of agriculture for food and nutrition security and for the development of Caribbean economies.
In the declaration issued on agriculture and food security, the Community recognized agriculture as an important contributor to rural development, GDP, employment, export earnings and to the overall sustainable development of the Member States of the Caribbean Community. However, it was pointed out that this sector is inhibited by key binding constraints, including a reduction in development support and investment.
Further, it was recognized that financing for agriculture development is proving to be the major limitation which is affecting the speed and effectiveness of dealing with the other constraints.
As a result, the Heads of Governments renewed their commitment to pursue a strategic approach to transforming the agriculture sector into an internationally-competitive sector with increased capacity to contribute to the sustained economic development of the Region, the economic livelihood of entrepreneurs, the rural sector and to food and nutrition security.
Services
A Regional Symposium on Services will be held in Antigua and Barbuda from 15-17 July and it was agreed that delegations to the Symposium from Member States should include ministerial and senior public sector officials.
A Draft Strategic Plan for Services and the Plan of Action for the next five years which is to be considered by Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) will also be presented at the next Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference scheduled for Dominica in 2010.
Information and communication technology for development (ICT4D)
Heads of Government agreed to mandate the Ministers with responsibility for information and communication technologies to lead the process in developing the long-term strategy and plan of action for the ICT sector into 2020 which should be presented to the Conference at the next Inter-sessional Meeting.
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME)
Heads of Government received the information on the audit of the CSME implementation and agreed to hold a convocation on the CSME involving all stakeholders, which would give full consideration to that report.
It was also agreed that Member States would immediately implement the entry procedures for right of establishment and temporary movement of service providers, particularly in light of the potential for increased extra-regional competition resulting from the implementation of the EPA and other agreements.
Free movement of people
Heads of Government re-affirmed the goal of free movement of persons as expressed in Article 45 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and that free movement is an essential element of the CSME, but given the current global economic and financial crisis, its full implementation at this point in time will be challenging for some Member States.
They agreed that the schedule of free movement of persons within the Single Market would be reviewed at the CSME Convocation to be convened in October with a view to advising on the timetable for full free movement.
They also agreed that household domestic workers who have obtained a Caribbean Vocational Qualification or equivalent qualification will be allowed to move with effect from January 1, 2010.
Heads of Government further agreed on the importance of training and sensitizing Immigration Officers on the implementation of the Region’s approach to free movement and hassle-free travel.
Crime and security
Heads of Government agreed to re-activate the security facilities put in place for Cricket World Cup 2007 and the Fifth Summit of the Americas for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November 2009 and ICC World 20/20 Tournament to be held in the Caribbean in 2010.
They also agreed to proposals for implementing the CARICOM Travel Pass (CARIPASS); the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) and the programmes for the control of small arms and light weapons associated with violent crimes and gang violence.
The pledge of US$30M made by the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama during the Summit of the Americas to support the joint development of a strategy of co-operation, mutually beneficial partnership and information-sharing with the Caribbean was discussed, and the way forward to engage the United States was determined.
They further agreed to the re-activation of the Resource Mobilization Sub-Committee (RMC) to manage the US Assistance in the area of security and other offers of assistance.
Climate change
Heads of Government noted the progress of negotiations of a new global Climate Change Agreement leading to the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December, and agreed on the Region’s priorities, which include the reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions; mitigation and adaptation; the transfer of technology; renewable energy; forest conservation and avoided deforestation (and carbon capture and sequestration).
They endorsed the Caribbean Challenge in its efforts to protect the Region’s marine resources and in its work towards fulfilling the UNFCCC ecosystem-based management and adaptation recommendations, and implementing the Millennium Development Goals related to reducing biodiversity loss.
According to President Jagdeo, over 40 items on the agenda were discussed over the three days.
The Conference began with a pre-summit caucus to deal with items that take a long time to discuss but are not contentious or very important. It was followed by the opening ceremony later the same day. The Heads of Government spent the next two days in all-day sessions, working towards a consensus on several areas. (GINA)
OAS suspends Membership of Honduras
The Special General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) decided yesterday to suspend immediately the right to participate in the institution of Honduras following the coup d’Etat that expelled President José Manuel Zelaya from power.
In a resolution adopted by acclamation by all Member States at the headquarters of the organization in Washington, DC, the Special General Assembly instructed the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, “to reinforce all diplomatic initiatives and to promote other initiatives for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Honduras and the reinstatement of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales.”
“No such initiative will imply recognition of the regime that emerged from this interruption of the constitutional order,” specifies the resolution, that invoked for the first time Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter
The document also encourages “the Member States and international organizations to review their relations with the Republic of Honduras during the period of the diplomatic initiatives.” It also reaffirms that Honduras “must continue to fulfill its obligations as a member of the Organization, in particular with regard to human rights”, and urges “the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend human rights and fundamental freedoms in Honduras.”
The Special General Assembly was attended by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the President of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, y President Zelaya, who announced his intention to travel tomorrow back to Honduras.
In his speech to the plenary session, President Zelaya highlighted that “this is a very peculiar moment in the history of the Americas.” After explaining the circumstances surrounding of the coup d’Etat, President Zelaya stressed that “the Honduran people have lived already six days of repression. The people are suffering.” The Honduran leader praised the attitude of the OAS and its Member States: “You, by raising your voice, are giving hope to the Americas, and you are giving hope to the people of Honduras.”
The President of Argentina said that the detention and expulsion of President Zelaya from his country were the equivalent of “kidnapping the democratic restoration in Latin America”. After remembering the negative effects of several past coups in the continent, President Fernández de Kirchner expressed her support for President Zelaya and her wish that he be restored to power as an “act of justice to the people of Honduras and of unconditional respect of Human Rights.”
President Lugo mentioned that all countries in the Americas feel for the current suffering of Honduras and particularly of President Zelaya. “Forced exile is one of the greatest punishments”, he said. The Paraguayan leader said the coup was a “blow to the democratic conscience of the Continent”, and also expressed his support for President Zelaya addressing him directly: “President Zelaya, we have known and we have started to love your people, and also the manner, the style of your government.”
The General Assembly reached an agreement after listening to the report of Secretary General Insulza regarding the initiatives undertaken in the 72 previous hours trying to restore democracy, the Rule of Law and President Zelaya in power, as mandated by the resolution adopted by the same Special General Assembly on Wednesday.
Insulza described his conversations with members of the judicial and legislative Powers in Honduras, as well as political, business and social sectors. His initiatives included a visit to Honduras, where the Secretary General saw “an atmosphere of extreme tension.“
The head of the OAS explained that the attitude of the de facto regime was “extremely firm” and “inflexible,” and therefore he said that “there seems to be no alternative” but to suspend Honduras membership to the organization.
The Secretary General specified that it “should be clear that this is not an action against Honduras or against its people, but rather a means of pressure against the de facto government.”
After the resolution was adopted, the Secretary General expressed his satisfaction for “the success achieved today, because a historic resolution such as this one that we have adopted unanimously has important repercussions not only for the Honduran people and its legitimate government, but also for the life of this organization.”
Also took the floor during the Assembly the representatives of Jamaica (on behalf of CARICOM), Costa Rica, United States, Venezuela, El Salvador, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, Panamá, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil and Canada.
The following is the full text of the resolution adopted by the XXXVII OAS Special General Assembly:
RESOLUTION ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE RIGHT OF HONDURAS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OAS
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
DEEPLY CONCERNED about the worsening of the current political crisis in the Republic of Honduras resulting from the coup d’état against the constitutional government of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, as well as his arbitrary detention and expulsion from the country, which produced an unconstitutional alteration of the democratic order;
REAFFIRMING the importance of strict respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the principle of nonintervention in the internal affairs of other states;
HAVING RECEIVED the report of the Secretary General on the diplomatic initiatives taken in accordance with Article 20 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, aimed at restoring democracy and the rule of law as well as reinstating President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales; and noting that these initiatives have been unsuccessful;
NOTING that the regime that emerged from the coup d’état has refused to comply with the provisions of resolution AG/RES. 1 (XXXVII-E/09), adopted by the OAS General Assembly at its thirty-seventh special session, on July 1, 2009; and
HAVING TAKEN a vote among the member states pursuant to the provisions of Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter,
RESOLVES:
1. To suspend the Honduran state from the exercise of its right to participate in the Organization of American States, in accordance with Article 21 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter. The suspension shall take effect immediately.
2. To reaffirm that the Republic of Honduras must continue to fulfill its obligations as a member of the Organization, in particular with regard to human rights; and to urge the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to continue to take all necessary measures to protect and defend human rights and fundamental freedoms in Honduras.
3. To instruct the Secretary General, together with duly designated representatives of various countries, to reinforce all diplomatic initiatives and to promote other initiatives for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Honduras and the reinstatement of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales so that he may fulfill the mandate for which he was democratically elected, and to report immediately to the Permanent Council. No such initiative will imply recognition of the regime that emerged from this interruption of the constitutional order.
4. To encourage the member states and international organizations to review their relations with the Republic of Honduras during the period of the diplomatic initiatives for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law in the Republic of Honduras and the reinstatement of President José Manuel Zelaya Rosales .
5. To instruct the Secretary General to transmit this resolution to the other entities of the inter-American system and to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
GGMC on compliance campaign among medium, small scale miners
By Clifford Stanley
Miners mulling their options during the GGMC workshop on the Low Carbon Development Strategy at Mahdia last week.
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The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has begun a campaign in mining areas countrywide to ensure that small and medium scale operators are working in compliance with the regulations, particularly as they relate to the environment.
The campaign targets operations in 14 locations in the six mining districts in Guyana. Targeted are operations at Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Matthews Ridge , Tamakay, Aranka/Arangoy, Marudi Mountain , Frenchman Creek, Arakaka, Kurupung, Puruni Landing, Upper Mazaruni and Bartica.
It began on July 2 last, and will continue until August 15, officials disclosed. But even as the campaign begins gaining momemtum, many miners have started complaining that adhering to the regulations will lead to a significant increase in costs, which many of them could not afford.
“A tailings dam is an expensive structure. We don’t have the money to hire an excavator or bulldozer at $40,000 per hour for 20 to 30 hours to build a dam. Most of us will have to go out of operation now,” one spokesman said.
But Manager of the Mines Division of the GGMC, Mr Derek Babb, disclosed that notwithstanding these complaints, field staff will carry out planned inspections in each operation in each Mining District.
They will be looking for compliance with key environmental regulations such as tailings waste management, low turbidity in nearby rivers and creeks, and proper use of mercury and retorts.
They will inspect compliance with rules against mining in buffer areas such as rivers and creek banks, road sides, and around communities and approved nature reserves and parks.
They will also inspect compliance with regulations on sanitation- garbage and toilets, mine safety, dredge licensing, tributaries, registered laborers and production books.
Miners found defaulting will be given citations and directed to comply, or will be given cease work orders until they comply.
There will be zero tolerance for miners found discharging turbid or muddy water into rivers and creeks; they will be closed down, Mr Babb said.
He made the disclosures during a meeting/ workshop with miners in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) at the Mahdia Primary School , last week.
The purpose was to discuss the topic : “Implications of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) proposed for Guyana in response to climate change for the small and medium scale gold and diamond mining sector.”
Mr Babb briefed miners on the topic and then miners organised themselves into three groups in which they spoke about the topic and recorded their views.
Babb disclosed that the LCDS was a very important consideration for miners, since Guyana could get between US$4.3 billion and US $23.4 billion for keeping the forest standing.
“Here we are talking about the Economic Value to the Nation (EVN) of our forest,” he said, adding that this value could be attained through avoided deforestation and /or degradation and protection of the water quality in rivers and creeks.
He added, “Miners will have to respond to the requirements for avoided deforestation and avoided forest degradation.”
He stressed too that the LCDS means that miners will have to develop the capability for exploration before they are allowed to mine.
“The “hit or miss” approach to mining has to go,” he said, adding that the GGMC will not allow them to cut down trees when they aren’t sure that there was gold underneath it.”
He said” The alternative to proper exploration prior to mining is no mining.”
He added too that the use of mercury will have to go.
Responding to disclosures of the imminent stringent application of the Mining Regulations, miners at Mahdia complained that they could not afford the additional costs involved.
They asked that the GGMC help them build tailings dams and they would repay for these over a period of time.
They also asked that GGMC provide training for them with respect to exploration for minerals and improved mineral recovery in their operations.
Mr Babb told them that he would forward their comments and recommendations to the Commissioner of GGMC on his return to the City.
He however stressed that LCDS or no, small and medium scale miners have to gear for higher level operations which would mitigate the effects of their activities on the environment.
GGMC will also increase the Environmental Bond to ensure the rehabilitation and reforestation of mined out areas is started and established before a mining permit or claim license expires.
Prime Minister congratulates U.S. on 233rd independence anniversary
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Charge d' Affaires of the U.S. Embassy Karen Williams toast to the 233rd independence anniversary of the United States.
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Prime Minister Samuel Hinds Friday evening extended congratulations to the United States of America on its 233rd Independence Anniversary, while acknowledging that Guyana and the U.S. have shared fruitful bilateral relations since 1966.
Prime Minister Hinds, speaking at a reception at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence, said that the U.S. has achieved remarkable social and economic development during the course of its independence.
“I am pleased to join this evening in this celebration. On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, I wish to take this opportunity to convey congratulations to the Government and people of the U.S. on the achievement of another important milestone in the nation’s history. The occasion of celebration of a mile stone in a nation history presents opportunities to reflect on achievements, the future goals and challenges ahead,” the Prime Minister said.
Attending the reception were U.S. officials, including Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy, Karen Williams; members of the Diplomatic Corps; Government of Guyana Officials; and delegates attending the 30th Heads of Government Conference.
The Prime Minister noted that the two countries’ relations are characterized by close collaboration in the international arena and high level bilateral cooperation.
With this in mind, he thanked the U.S. for its assistance to develop some critical sectors through various programmes which include cooperation related to crime and security, health sector assistance and other programmes that have contributed and continue to contribute to Guyana’s social development.
He noted that both Governments face tremendous challenges in dealing with trafficking in narcotics and criminal networks that threaten the society.
“Guyana is heartened by the commitment of President Obama in tackling these problems, during his recent announcement at the Summit of the Americas, and his intention to form a joint initiative to advance common security in the hemisphere,” he noted
He said the Caribbean community is confident about the dialogue that is expected to take place this year with President Obama, which will provide the political instruments to move the bilateral relations forward.
Government, he said, is committed to building on the friendly and productive relations the two countries share, and looks forward to continued support for Guyana’s initiative on addressing the adverse effects of climate change which will be advanced at Copenhagen later this year.
Charge d’ Affaires Karen Williams said that the U.S. partnership with Guyana is not just about security, but focuses on humanitarian issues which include PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Programme for AIDS Relief) and the New Horizons project.
The U.S. gained its Independence on July 4, 1776 and is one of the most powerful countries in the world. (GINA)
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$119M Stanleytown pump commissioned
Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud at the Stanleytown, West Bank Demerara pump station.
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Part of the Ministry of Agriculture’s policy is to rehabilitate, expand and maintain the drainage and irrigation systems, and yearly huge amounts are allocated to rehabilitate and resuscitate old structures.
Last Friday, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud commissioned the new pump at Stanleytown, Region Three, that will increase the drainage capacity of the Canal Number Two Polder area and assist in reducing flooding.
Canal Number Two Polder is known for its agricultural potential and during the rainy periods, it is affected by accumulation of water in some areas; but with the installation of the pump, this will considerably increase the drainage capacity.
The estimated cost for the pump is $119M, and this installation is in keeping with a promise made by the Agriculture Minister earlier this year to bring relief to farmers who were being affected by heavy rainfall.
This new pump will be able to work during periods of high tide when the sluice cannot be opened.
The Stanleytown Pump Station was established in the 1980s, and had become dysfunctional; at the behest of farmers, Government, with support from the Inter American Development Bank (IDB), undertook the complete rehabilitation of the major drainage system.
Minister Persaud disclosed that almost $1.5B is invested in drainage and irrigation in La Jalousie, the Canals Polder, and Vreed-en-Hoop.
The Minister explained that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) has been framed to garner resources and reduce deforestation and global warming, and invest in resources to rebuild drainage and irrigation in Guyana. He urged the people of Region Three, especially farmers, to care for the facility, noting that they are the ones who will suffer if it is not managed properly.
Region Three Chairman, Julius Faeber, said that the facility will benefit thousands of farmers.
Installation of drainage pumps at the Canal Polder form part of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s Capital Works Programme for improving drainage and irrigation services across the country in declared Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) areas.
Chief Executive Officer NDIA, Lionel Wordsworth, said that Region 3 has a large production area, where 30 percent of the population is employed in the agriculture sector. He noted that this venture will indeed benefit the residents.
Tiana Blair, Oswald Haynes joint Region 10 top National Grade Six performers
By Joe Chapman
AMELIA’s Ward Primary School’s Tiana Blair and Regma Primary’s Oswald Haynes were the joint best performers in Region 10 (Upper Dememerara/ Berbice at the annual National Grade Six Assessment Examination.
Blair and Haynes gained 544 marks each to earn a 105th overall position from a field of approximately 18,000 children who wrote the examinations.
Akeesha John of the Christianburg Primary School and Arlene Andries who is also from Amelia’s Ward Primary, were the next best from the region after obtaining 541 and 540 marks respectively.
Tianna Blair
Tiana Blair
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A easy going Tianna Blair said she worked very hard for the examinations by being up late at she thanked “God for the wisdom and strength.”
She is the daughter of Godfrey and Tracy Blair and credits her class teacher Ms Carol Braithwate, Hyacinth Thompson and her grand mother Ms Veronica Blair for the time spent with her leading up to the examination.
She says her career choice is to become a medical doctor and even quoted a famous speech spoken to her which is always in her thoughts as she faced the many challenges while studying which inspired her to success “the heights of great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight but he while his companions slept were toiling onwards through the night.”.
Tiana wasn't bit surprised to have been the best Lindener and now that she has been given a place at the prestigious Queen’s College School.
Oswald Haynes
Oswald Haynes |
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Oswald Haynes is the son of Dr. Joseph Haynes and Esther Ann Haynes. Oswald exudes confidence as well and is one who seemingly knows what to expect in life, as he was not surprised at all with the results he gained.
He remembers how he was religiously studying each day as he awaited the National Grade Six Assessement Examinations. He said he was fortunate to have extra lessons, but did acknowledge he worked hard into the nights for the results he got.
According to him “my parents helped me a lot by keeping me focused, which meant no television and games”
He acknowledges that his class teacher Lynette Babb for his success which he shared with former Green Acres School head teacher and class teacher for their input.
Dr. Haynes did not leave things to run its course as he was praying and fasting and supporting in every way possible to ensure his son gets the results he worked for which has landed him a place at Queen’s College.
He likes reading a lot and has chosen to become a pilot as he focuses on his future academic pursuits.
Asheeka John
Aseeka John has come across as one who believes in the wisdom of thanking the Almighty God for success in life.
However, that favour only comes to those who put in to get out and she outlined that the hard work was put in for the desired results achieved. She thanked her parents Joseph and Nichola John for their genuine support and not forgetting the support of her grand parents and God brother Nola Clarke. The Queen’s College bound John thanked her class teacher Tamicka Lees who was there throughout for the hard work and advice given.
Her father Joseph was even more proud of her performance and he is confident that she will live up to the high expectations the members of the Christianburg community have in the youngster.
Asheeka is eyeing a teaching career as she loves to give back to children, especially at the school level to mould their young minds for the future ahead.
Arlene Andries
Arlene, who gained 540 marks to finish fourth in the top performers from Linden, was very satisfied with her performance saying “I did well I did excellen, I studied. I didn’t get to sleep good at nights and I had to stay up with my mother and, she too was tired at times but she stayed up with me and I am glad with my performance.”
The 12-year old says that her mother was her biggest inspiration while her teachers, especially Ms Carol Braithwate, were there for her throughout, as well as her friend Tiana Blair who topped the region.
Arlene said “usually before examinations I used to go on the computer and do lessons on my language and that helped me improve my English. I would also go to the library and borrow books.
I like reading.” She added “I feel great about the change, that I have completed my primary school life.”
Obviouly proud indeed she said “I will be going to the second highest school and I feel great about it and I will strive to gain even higher percentages and continue bringing first at my school.
I was always at the top.”
Boasting about her excellent primary career Arlene informed “if I didn’t bring first I would bring second, and at one time I brought third: that was because I didn’t understand long division too properly but I still climbed up the ladder.”
She said for a period she attended Maths lessons at one Mr. Featherstone in Amelia’s Ward when she was in Primary Two and it helped her with long division which allowed her to return a second place showing, after placing third at one stage.”
Looking ahead she said she wanted to become a surgeon. Her teachers told her that she should set your goals from now because one might change career paths at Form Three in Secondary School, as one starts studying different subjects at the school. But she was adamant saying “I would put my goals to whatever, but I really want to be a surgeon.”
She attends the Amelia’s Ward Church of Christ and this has helped her along the way as she wrote the SSEE Grade Six Assessment examinations saying “I went up to the pastor to pray for me and because of that I know I did good. Even before I wrote on the examinations, I prayed. And God has inspired me.”
The most difficult subject at the SSEE Grade Six Assessment for Arlene was science but she found the maths easy and this was because as she puts it “I get through easy with calculations even without using a calculator.”
Arlene will be attending Bishops High School and her mother Diana is also proud of her daughter as she recalled “many times she would come home and has work to do she would sit down to do it and I would sometimes say Arlene I really want to sleep, leave some for next day but she would say no, she want to do it out. Yes very pleased.”
Essequibo accident victims remain in critical condition
Mahendranauth Deonarine |
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EIGHTEEN-year old Roy Mc Coy of Johanna Cecilia along with Parbattie Bisnauth also known as Paro 36 years of age of Lima and formerly of Annandale East Coast Demerara remain in a critical condition at Suddie Public Hospital following the accident on the La Belle Alliance Public Road on Saturday in which there were two fatalities.
The two persons who died were Mahendranauth Deonarine and Rugranauth Narayan.
Reports reaching Guyana Chronicle state that Mc Coy is on life support and his condition is listed as critical, while Bisnauth is said to be bleeding through her nose and is unconscious. Both patients are said to be suffering from multiple head and other internal injuries since none of them had on helmets at the time of the accident. Mahendranauth Deonarine also known as Sally was riding his CF 1957 motorcycle along with pillion rider Parbattie Bisnauth in a northern direction on his way home from Anna Regina after transacting business when he attempted to overtake a hire car but instead collided with another motorcycle ridden by 22-year old Rugranauth Narayan also know as Buffy of Johanna Cecilia with pillion rider Mc Coy.
Rugranauth Narayan
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Reports said that Deonarine who died on the spot was seen earlier in the day at a bar consuming alcohol.
Bisnauth was flung a few feet away from the impact point along with Narayan and Mc Coy. Eyewitness alleged that both motor cyclists were riding beyond the speed limit.
Narayan was employed with his father at the time of his death and that his brother Kaywal Narayan died in November of 2006 following a car accident, he has left to mourn his parents Praim and Gloria Narayan along with two brothers. Deonarine was a rice farmer at the time of his death and has left to mourn his wife Mona and two children Avinash and Anjali.
Braving the sea to fish
By Tajeram Mohabir
Hall braves the turbulent waves and dexterously walks on a cable to fix a seine on the Equator 99. (Adrian Narine photo)
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THE efforts of fishermen to satisfy the demands of the consuming public and earn their daily livelihood often go unnoticed yet they make a vital contribution to the national economy.
The local fishing industry contributes some six per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment to about 15,000 persons in several areas including fish farming, processing, marketing, boat building, repair and supply.
It is also a major foreign exchange earner, tapping into markets in the Caribbean, North America and Europe, in addition to satisfying local needs.
Apart from contributing to national income and employment, the fisheries sector contributes significantly to food security and nutrition.
Fish is the major source of animal protein in Guyana. It is estimated that per capita annual consumption of fish was nearly 46 kg in 2003, about three times the world average of 16.5 kg.
The work of a fisherman is an arduous task but in addition to that, piracy, the angry Atlantic Ocean waves among other challenges pose a constant threat to their lives.
However, it would be wrong to say their life is a sojourn to hell, given that notwithstanding the dangers of the sea , many of them are of the view, that the job like any other profession is a risk, but it is their means of livelihood
This was the view shared by Mr. Godfrey Hall, a resident of Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara, who is a father of four and a fisherman for some 37 years who from time to time serve as a navigator.
In an interview aboard the trawler named Equator 99 in the vast Atlantic Ocean, the veteran seaman who spends at least seven month a year on the high seas said his profession is an adventure and a trade he has grown to like.
According to Hall, one of the best ways to overcome the dangers at sea is by understanding the various situations in which they occur and devising strategies to cope with the problems.
Some people he said would say the work is perilous but for him, it is a daring escapade that challenges an individual survival skill, makes him tougher, smarter and brave.
The father in his early sixties noted the challenges are many and one that he will always remember was being in a trawler collision one night while working for a Surinamese company.
He said the accident which occurred in Surinamese water was the first and last he has ever encountered as a seaman had sent him into panic mode. At that very moment, the fisherman recalled his fears of dying and the implications of his death on his family.
But luckily, Hall related, no one died in the accident but some crew members suffered minor injuries and what was most important was neither of the vessels sank.
What was ironic about the situation, he said, was the impact of the collision made him felt disoriented and at that point he believed the vessel he was in had slit open, only to realise minutes later that it was not severely damaged.
And like the trawler it collided with both navigated safely back to shore.
Another scary instance, he said was seeing a shark which he estimates to be around 20 to 25 feet next to his trawler but fortunately was not in the vessel’s seine.
He noted too that there were other occasions when the turbulent Atlantic Ocean waves battered his trawler but being accustomed to these situations, he never really felt afraid.
Apart these challenges, the veteran fisherman also spoke of many moments at sea that made him proud but singled out his successful passing of a navigation course stood out of the lot.
A cheery Hall who entertains himself by reading the Bible, listening to oldies songs, playing dominoes and chatting with crew members told this newspaper that it was during his studies, he learned the use of routes, lights and signals and other pieces of vital information while at sea.
This education he said gave him a better appreciation and understating of the profession which encouraged him to make the job his career.
In those days, the fisherman who is also a navigator pointed out that navigators had to use charts to map their course, unlike the use of advance technology today which has immensely simplified this task. He said aside from the adventure he chose to remain in the profession because the business is profitable and has enabled him to provide adequately for his family.
The fisherman happily said too, none of the vessels he has traveled with has ever had any encounter with pirates and being for long periods at sea never affected his family life.
Hall stressed he has become accustomed to the latter and so too has his wife and children. But he said that on all his returns to shore he gives abundant thanks to the Almighty and erupts with joy to be reunited with his family.
British Texel sheep available to farmers next month
THE cross-breed from the artificially inseminated (AI) “British Texel” sheep will be available to farmers early next month, National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) Director, Dr. Oudho Homenauth said.
The development which will see an increased number of the sheep on hand for sales follows NARI’s move to expand the AI programme countrywide this years. Homenauth had previously indicated that several farmers in Regions Two (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice), Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Berbice) are part of the programme.
NARI has received technical support from a team of United Kingdom experts and rams from the initial project will be distributed to the herders.
According to Homenauth, in 2008, 201 ewes were inseminated at several locations, including NARI and Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, Silver Hill, in Linden and Hogg Island, in Essequibo.
Government has upgraded and replanted some 50 acres of fresh pasture at NARI in 2008 to aid the sheep development programme.
Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh in this year’s budget reported that the livestock sector enjoyed a 7.4 per cent growth last year. (Tajeram Mohabir)
GO-Invest to establish trade point to facilitate SMEs
By Tajeram Mohabir
Dookhoo addresses the 17th PSC AGM. (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)
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Private Sector Commission (PSC) Vice-Chairman, Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, has reported that GO-Invest, under the auspices of the national competitive strategy, has commenced the process to establish a trade point or e-platform in Georgetown.
Speaking at the PSC Annual General Meeting (AGM) recently at Duke Lodge on Duke Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Dookhoo said the development, called the “Trade Point Georgetown”, is designed to support small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs) access to the global market.
He pointed out that trade points come together through the World Trade Point Federation (WTPF), a body created by the United Nations (UN), that serves as an access point to the world’s largest international trade network.
The Global Trade Point Network is made up of more than 80 individual trade points in over 70 countries.
“It is an efficient e-platform and could be an invaluable asset for enterprises in Guyana which want to establish or extend their presence in the international market place, especially SMEs.
“The network facilitates rapid and targeted communication among trade points for the benefit of their customers, and increases the reliability of the information received,” Dookhoo explained.
The PSC Vice-Chairman said GO-Invest and the Ministry of Tourism have engaged the services of a consultant to run Trade Point Georgetown, and the formal launch is set for the first half of December this year.
“Although the name of the trade point is Trade Point Georgetown, GO-Invest intends to ensure that the coverage will be widespread across the country, and is attempting to identify potential partners for the intra-Guyana network.
“In designing Trade Point Georgetown, GO-Invest is taking a collaborative and demand-driven approach,” Dookhoo underlined.
According to him, interviews are being held with all major stakeholders in the trade support system, including the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), the Food and Drug Department, the Plant Health Department, and Customs.
He pointed out that discussions have been held with the private and public sector, sectoral support organisations such as the Guyana Manufacturers and Service Association, the Arts and Craft Producers Association, the Agro Processors Association, the Small Business Association and the Forestry Products Council.
“The uniqueness of the Global TP Network, combining local offices in over 70 countries with an efficient e-platform, is an invaluable asset placed at the disposal of SMEs around the world.
Health workers benefiting from trauma training
Dr. Prashad lectures to medical personnel participating in the trauma training.
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Health workers’ emergency response capabilities are being boosted as 22 persons are currently being briefed in trauma training.
This course was implemented in October 2006, and to date, 76 persons have been trained, including doctors, nurses, medical examiners and attendants.
The Trauma Team Training course, established by the Ministry of Health’s Regional Health Services in partnership with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), is a three-day programme which consists of lectures, skills sessions and team exercises.
The training is being administered by a group of facilitators from various emergency units at the GPHC, spearheaded by Trauma Training Coordinator Dr. Chris Prashad, Minister within the Ministry of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, and Director of Regional Health Services Dr. Madan Rambarran.
Minister Ramsaran said this initiative seeks to regulate approaches to emergency responses and effectively improve the chances of a patient’s survival, since many casualties that should not have occurred have often been reported because of poor emergency administration.
Minister Ramsaran said that he is very confident that the training will continue to enhance the performance of medical workers, as has been experienced in previous years, when it relates to assisting in ambulance services and medical airlift evacuations.
Dr. Prashad explained that the programme is designed to teach a team-approach to the assessment, management and transfer of the trauma victim, since trauma is a major area of demand in every aspect of health care and delivery.
Instructors at Saturday’s workshop were Dr. Madan Rambarran, Dr. Cheetanand Mahadeo, Dr. Ravi Motilall, Dr. Kaleshwar Ramcharran, Dr. Roy Samlall and Dr. Bob Ramnauth. Also present were President of the Canadian Network for International Surgery (CNIS) and researcher, Julia Pemberton.
Barticians urged to conserve water
Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, at right, meets with officials at the Bartica water treatment plant.
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Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, during a recent visit to Bartica, urged residents to conserve as much water as possible since wastage is costing the Ministry much resources.
He noted that persons are often complaining of the enormity of their water bills and the Ministry is currently looking at installing meters to regulate the water charges. This, he noted, will not add any financial burden, but will allow customers to better manage their water use.
According to Minister Ali, a key issue being faced is the fact that the Bartica water treatment plant was built on old technology as such it utilises more energy which in turn increases the operating cost. He explained that despite the operating cost, Government still continues to cover the extra cost, and has not asked the residents to pay for it.
Minister Ali pointed out that his ministry is currently engaging in a data cleansing exercise that will allow realistic readings for the current collection rate.
The water treatment plant currently serves about 75 percent of the residents of Bartica, and it is expected that the Four-Miles and Five-Miles housing schemes will also benefit from this. The ground storage tank has a current capacity of 500,000 litres, though this is not the total amount of water that is produced per day.
Regional Executive Officer of Region Seven, Peter Ramotar, pointed out that at present the water supply in Bartica is efficient.
The 500,000 litre ground storage tank at the Bartica water treatment plant.
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In an effort to ensure that all communities across Guyana are provided with the best water and housing facilities available, Government spent $1.6B for the construction of the Bartica water treatment plant. It has exhausted approximately $20M more in its drive to upgrade this facility, and to meet the increasing demand for water distribution. This included a new bore-hole to serve the expanded community, and the plant runs for a full 24- hour period.
The Four and Five Miles housing schemes which come under the low income housing programme will expand the housing capacity to a further 600 house lots in Bartica. Minister Ali noted that the expansion of the Four-Miles housing scheme will bring with it some multi- dimensional challenges and household development, and more commercial entities will call for changes in water use since the demand for water will also increase.
CARICOM SINGLE MARKET and ECONOMY
CSME is projected to become a more advanced level of economic co-operation among CARICOM members and is being implemented in two parts: (1) CARICOM Single Market (CSM); and (2) CARICOM Single Economy (CSE).
CSME provides for, inter alia…..
* Protection of sensitive products, where small producers can be ‘safeguarded’ against lower-priced and subsidized competing imports;
* Regional Development Fund (RDF) to increase availability and access of development financing and technical assistance, including for growing small business;
* Common laws and institutions to ensure that laws, product standards, trade protocols, and custom procedures are similar across countries to facilitate fair and equal access to free movement and business establishment;
“This edifice is proof of our fortitude. It is symbolic of the oneness of the peoples of the Caribbean. Thus conceived, this headquarters building represents the hope of a true Caribbean community.”
* Special programmes and common support measures, including training, transportation, tourism, environmental protection, investment incentives, etc.
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THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT HEADQUARTERS BUILDING
(Excerpts from President Bharat Jagdeo’s address at the inauguration ceremony of the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters on 19th February 2005.)
“This event was planned some time ago and in spite of the floods we decided to go ahead.
“The opening of the permanent headquarters facility represents another step in the arduous enterprise of building our Caribbean nation. As we build, we do so at the confluence of currents that bring both challenges and opportunities. These currents impel us to build an enduring regional institution to the needs and opinions of its people.”
“In significant ways, the process of building a permanent home for the CARICOM Secretariat by the Government of Guyana has mirrored the overall endeavour to create a regional institution.”
“……..The impetus to integrate is merely the injunction of history, and CARICOM’s success will be manifest through the crucible of adversity.”
“It is a happy coincidence that the CARICOM Headquarters should be sited here. Given Guyana’s geo-strategic position on the shoulder of South America, it can serve as an important gateway between the two regions.”
“This edifice is proof of our fortitude. It is symbolic of the oneness of the peoples of the Caribbean. Thus conceived, this headquarters building represents the hope of a true Caribbean community.”
“The people of CARICOM have labored to build a Regional integration structure for more than three decades. This is an eternity in the world of our immediate, but in the grander scheme of things, it is a mere moment. If it is true that the grandest and most enduring human institutions have all taken considerable time to be established then we stand in good company. The impetus to integrate is merely the injunction of history, and CARICOM’s success will be manifest through the crucible of adversity.”
“We must also overcome the disadvantages of history, our small size and weak economies by affirming our common Caribbean identity and making our economies competitive globally.”
“As proud and sovereign nations, we must dare to create institutions of our own that truly satisfy our particular circumstances and needs.”
“This is a propitious moment to revive our hopes, rekindle our dreams, revive our spirits, redouble our enterprise, and resume the march.”
CARICOM Member States
Antigua and Barbuda (Spanish for "Ancient" and "Bearded") is an island nation located on the eastern boundary of the Caribbean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. As its name suggests, it consists of two major islands – Antigua and Barbuda– as well as a number of smaller islets. All are close neighbours within the middle of the Leeward Islands and roughly 17 degrees north of the equator.
Antigua has a population of 82,000, comprising chiefly a mixture of people of West African, British and Portuguese descent. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are part of the Lesser Antilles archipelago. To the south of Antigua and Barbuda lie the islands of Guadeloupe, Dominica, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago. Montserrat lies to the southwest; Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Eustatius are to the west, and Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin and Anguilla are to the northwest.
The Bahamas, officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an independent, English-speaking country consisting of 2,387 rocks, 661 cays and 29 islands. It is located in the Atlantic Ocean southeast of the United States of America; northeast to east of Cuba, Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) and north to east of the Caribbean Sea; and west to northwest of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Its size is almost 14,000 km2 with an estimated population of 330,000. Its capital is Nassau. It remains a Commonwealth realm.
Barbados, situated just east of the Caribbean Sea, is an independent West Indian Continental Island-nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. For over three centuries Barbados was under British rule and maintains Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. Located at roughly 13° North of the equator and 59° West of the prime meridian, it is considered a part of the Lesser Antilles. Its closest island neighbours are Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Saint Lucia to the west. To the south lies Trinidad and Tobago—with which Barbados now shares a fixed official maritime boundary—and also the South American mainland. Barbados's total land area is about 430 square kilometres (166 square miles), and is primarily low-lying, with some higher in the country's interior. The highest point in Barbados is Mount Hillaby in the parish of Saint Andrew. The geological composition of Barbados is of non-volcanic origin and is predominantly composed of limestone-coral formed by subduction of the South American plate colliding with the Caribbean plate. The island's climate is tropical, with constant trade winds off the Atlantic Ocean serving to keep temperatures mild. Some less developed areas of the country contain tropical woodland and mangroves. Other parts of the interior which contribute to the agriculture industry are dotted with large sugarcane estates and wide, gently sloping pastures, with panoramic views down to the coast also.
Barbados's human development index ranking is consistently among the top 75 countries in the world. For example, in 2006, it was ranked 31st in the world, and third in the Americas, behind Canada and the United States.
Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Kriol and Spanish are also widely spoken. With 8,867 square miles (22,960 km²) of territory and 320,000 people (2008 est.), the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world. Belize is the least populous non-island nation outside of Europe. The country's population growth rate, 2.21% (2008 est.), is the highest in the region and one of the highest in the western hemisphere. Culturally, Belize considers itself to be both Caribbean and Central American.
Dominica, (French: Dominique) officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea. To the north-northwest lies Guadeloupe, to the southeast Martinique. Its size is 754 square kilometres (291 sq mi) and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of 1,447 metres (4,750 ft). The Commonwealth of Dominica has an estimated population of 72,500. The capital is Roseau.
Dominica has been nicknamed the "Nature Isle of the Caribbean" for its seemingly unspoiled natural beauty. It is the youngest island in the Lesser Antilles, still being formed by geothermal-volcanic activity, as evidenced by the world's second-largest boiling lake. The island features lush mountainous rainforests, home of many very rare plant, animal, and bird species. There are xeric areas in some of the western coastal regions, but heavy rainfall can be expected inland. The Sisserou parrot, the island's national bird, is featured on the national flag. Dominica's economy is heavily dependent on both tourism and agriculture.
In the next hundred years after Columbus' landing, Dominica remained isolated, and even more Caribs settled there after being driven from surrounding islands as European powers entered the region. France formally ceded possession of Dominica to the United Kingdom in 1763. The United Kingdom then set up a government and made the island a colony in 1805. The emancipation of African slaves occurred throughout the British Empire in 1834, and, in 1838, Dominica became the first British Caribbean colony to have a legislature controlled by blacks. In 1896, the United Kingdom reassumed governmental control of Dominica, turning it into a crown colony. Half a century later, from 1958 to 1962, Dominica became a province of the short-lived West Indies Federation. In 1978, Dominica became an independent nation.
Grenada is an island nation and sovereign state consisting of the island of Grenada and six smaller islands at the southern end of the Grenadines in the southeastern Caribbean Sea. Grenada is located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago, northeast of Venezuela, and southwest of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Its size is 344 km² with an estimated population of 110,000. Its capital is St. George's. The national bird of Grenada is the critically endangered Grenada Dove.
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and previously known as British Guiana, is a state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally associated with the Anglophone Caribbean. It is the only state of the Commonwealth of Nations on mainland South America. Guyana is bordered to the east by Suriname, to the south and southwest by Brazil, to the west by Venezuela, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Historically, the region known as "Guiana" was comprised of the large shield landmass north of the Amazon River and East of the Orinoco River. Five sub-regions were carved out of the landmass by colonial powers in the late 17th and early 18th century; Spanish Guiana (now eastern Venezuela), Portuguese Guiana (now northern Brazil), English Guiana (Guyana), Dutch Guiana (Suriname) and the present French overseas department of French Guiana.
At 215,000 km2, Guyana is the third-smallest independent state on the mainland of South America (after Uruguay, Suriname), and the fourth-smallest political entity (which includes French Guiana). Its population is approximately 770,000. It is one of the five non-Spanish-speaking territories on the continent, along with the countries of Brazil (Portuguese) and Suriname (Dutch), French Guiana (French) and the British Overseas Territory of the Falkland Islands (English).
Haiti is a Creole- and French-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago. Ayiti (Land on high) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the mountainous western side of the island. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince.
Haiti's regional, historical, and ethnolinguistic position is unique for several reasons. It was the first independent nation in Latin America, the first post-colonial independent black-led nation in the world, and the only nation whose independence was gained as part of a successful slave rebellion. Haiti is the only predominantly Francophone independent nation in the Americas, and one of only two (along with Canada) which designate French as an official language; the other French-speaking countries are all overseas départements or collectivités of France.
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, 234 kilometres (145 mi) in length and as much as 80 kilometres (50 mi) in width situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is about 145 kilometres (90 mi) south of Cuba, and 190 kilometres (120 mi) west of the island of Hispaniola, on which Haiti and the Dominican Republic are situated. Its indigenous Arawakan-speaking Taíno inhabitants named the island Xaymaca, meaning the "Land of Wood and Water", or the "Land of Springs".] Formerly a Spanish possession known as Santiago, it later became the British Crown colony of Jamaica. It is the third most populous anglophone country in North America, after the United States and Canada. It remains a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State.
Montserrat is a British overseas territory located in the Leeward Islands, part of the chain of islands called the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It measures approximately 16 km (10 miles) long and 11 km (7 miles) wide, giving 40 kilometres (25 mi) of coastline.[2] Christopher Columbus gave Montserrat its name on his second voyage to the New World in 1493, after its namesake located in Catalonia. Montserrat is often referred to as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, due both to its resemblance to coastal Ireland and to the Irish descent of most of its early European settlers.
Its Georgian era capital city of Plymouth was destroyed and two-thirds of the island's population forced to flee abroad by an eruption of the previously dormant Soufriere Hills volcano that began on July 18, 1995.] The eruption continues today on a much reduced scale, the damage being confined to the areas around Plymouth including its docking facilities and the former W.H. Bramble Airport. An exclusion zone extending from the south coast of the island north to parts of the Belham Valley has been closed because of an increase in the size of the existing volcanic dome. This zone includes St. George's Hill which provided visitors with a spectacular view of the volcano and the destruction it has wrought upon the capital. A new airport at Gerald's in the northern part of the island opened in 2005. The village of Brades currently serves as the de facto centre of government.
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis (also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis),[2] located in the Leeward Islands, is a federal two-island nation in the West Indies. It is the smallest sovereign nation in the Americas, in both area and population.
The capital city and headquarters of government for the federated state is Basseterre on the larger island of Saint Kitts. The smaller state of Nevis lies about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of Saint Kitts, across a shallow channel called "The Narrows".
Historically, the British dependency of Anguilla was also a part of this union, which was then known collectively as Saint Christopher-Nevis-Anguilla. Saint Kitts and Nevis are geographically part of the Leeward Islands. To the north-northwest lie the islands of Saint Eustatius, Saba, Saint Barthélemy, and Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten. To the east and northeast are Antigua and Barbuda, and to the southeast is the small uninhabited island of Redonda, and the island of Montserrat, which currently has an active volcano (see Soufrière Hills.)
Saint Kitts and Nevis were amongst the first islands in the Caribbean to be settled by Europeans. Saint Kitts was home to the first British and French colonies in the Caribbean.
Saint Lucia is an island nation in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located north/northeast of the islands of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. Its size is 620 km² with an estimated population of 160,000. Its capital is Castries. The island nation has been the home of two Nobel laureates, Arthur Lewis and Derek Walcott, and so can claim the distinction of being the nation with the most such honorees per capita in the world.
Saint Lucia is one of the Windward Islands, named for Saint Lucy of Syracuse. It was first visited by Europeans in about the year 1500 and first colonized successfully by France who signed a treaty with the native Carib peoples in 1660. Great Britain took control of the island from 1663 to 1667 then went to war with France over it fourteen times, and finally took complete control in 1814. Because it switched so often between British and French control, Lucia was also known as the "Helen of the West Indies" as it was likened to the mythical Helen of Troy. Representative government came about in 1924 (with universal adult suffrage from 1953) and from 1958 to 1962 the island was a member of the Federation of the West Indies. Finally, on February 22, 1979, Saint Lucia became an independent state of the Commonwealth of Nations. The island nation celebrates this every year with a public holiday. It is also a member of La Francophonie. 20.9 % of the population of Saint Lucia live on less than $1.25 a day.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles chain of the Caribbean Sea. Its 389-square-kilometre (150 sq mi) territory consists of the main island of Saint Vincent and the northern two-thirds of the Grenadines. The country has a French and British colonial history and is now part of the Commonwealth of Nations and CARICOM.
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America.
Suriname is situated between French Guiana to the east and Guyana to the west. The southern border is shared with Brazil and the northern border is the Atlantic coast. The southernmost border with French Guiana is disputed along the Marowijne river; while a part of the disputed maritime boundary with Guyana was arbitrated by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea on September 20, 2007.
Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in terms of area and population in South America. The country is the only Dutch-speaking region in the Western Hemisphere which is not a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Suriname is extremely diverse ethnically, linguistically, and religiously. By percentage, Muslims constitute 20% of Suriname, the highest percentage of Muslims in any country in the Americas. Suriname's geographical size is just under 165,000 km², and it has an estimated population of about 470,000 people. About a quarter of the population live on less than US$ 2 a day.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. It shares maritime boundaries with other nations including: Barbados to the northeast, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west.[4][5] The country covers an area of 5,128 square kilometres (1,980 sq mi) and consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous smaller landforms. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the main islands; Tobago is much smaller, comprising about 6% of the total area and 4% of the population. The nation lies outside the hurricane belt.
Unlike most of the English-speaking Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago's economy is primarily industrial-based, with an emphasis on petroleum and petrochemicals. It is an independent Caribbean country, with a good standard of living and high literacy rates.
Trinidad and Tobago is famous for its pre-Lenten festival known as Carnival and as the birthplace of steelpan, calypso, soca, and limbo.
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