Hijacking and Piracy Bill, food price increases before Parliament today
By Wendella Davidson
PRIME Minister Sam Hinds, at today’s sitting of the National Assembly, will present for its first reading the Hijacking and Piracy Bill 2008.

The bill seeks to make special provisions for punishment for the offences of armed robbery, hijacking and piracy and related matters, and will today be presented for its first reading.

The Prime Minister will also move one of two motions on the Order Paper under Public Business (Government Business).

The motion, dealing with the Parliament of Guyana Manual of Rules Procedure, Practices and Conventions of the business of the National Assembly, is for the manual to be sent to the Special Select Committee to make recommendations to the National Assembly on the adoption of its contents.

A second motion on the impact of Global Food Price Increases, to be moved by Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud, will call on the National Assembly to note the impact of global rising food prices on the cost of living of Guyana, and support interventions made by the Government to cushion the impact on the Guyanese population, especially the vulnerable groups.

The Minister by way of the motion, calls on the National Assembly to undertake to follow the implementation of government interventions that include increasing the disposable income of ordinary Guyanese; subsidizing the cost of accessing utility services, implementing the Ministry’s ‘Grow More’ campaign, and its concomitant budgetary interventions.

It includes too, the zero-rating of all essential food items, diesel and agricultural inputs, monitoring exports of some essential agricultural commodities to ensure adequate local supply, and monitoring prices and supply of various food commodities, and assistance to single-headed household.

Others are for the National Assembly to have access to the deliberation of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on food prices on a quarterly basis, set up by Cabinet to review the impact of rising food prices on Guyanese and make recommendations intended to cushion the impact; and recognize that the situation requires national action and sustained efforts and engagements with critical sectors and groups so as to confront the challenge locally and regionally.

Today, too, under Private Members’ Business, PNCR Member of Parliament Aubrey Norton will move a motion in relation to Allegations of Torture made against the Joint Services of Guyana.

Norton will call on the National Assembly to press Government to establish an impartial independent commission to examine and investigate the allegations against the Joint Services; to ensure that steps “be taken to ensure that the complainant and witnesses are protected against all ill-treatment or intimidation as a consequence of his complaint or any evidence given”; to have the Government enact the necessary legislation to make torture an offence, as well as ensure that persons found to have been tortured are compensated; and that public officials are made aware that all forms of torture are prohibited.

Another motion by Leader of the Opposition Robert Corbin is on the ‘Brutal and horrific killing of 11 Guyanese citizens,’ all from the village of Lusignan in the wee hours of January 26, 2008, and calls for the National Assembly to condemn the horrific act; and extend deepest and sincerest sympathy to the families of the 11 victims, as well as the murdered member of the GDF.

A call on the Government of Guyana to implement a definite plan of action to arrest the downward spiraling of the country’s security is also included.

Government looks to hiring overseas team to investigate fraud…
… as investigations continue at GRA
By Neil Marks
PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo yesterday said the government was looking to hire an overseas firm to dig deeper into fraud at the Guyana Revenue Authority, GRA.

The Police, Ministry of Finance and the Auditor General’s Office are currently leading an investigation into fraud at the GRA, which started with a discovery that import duties for Polar Beer by Fidelity Investments were not properly paid.

Mr. Jagdeo said the government has inquired of the U.S. about companies which conduct forensic audits and investigations into serious financial fraud. The President said it is government’s intention to expand the investigation beyond Fidelity and to zoom in on the financial and non-financial assets of members of GRA.

Mr. Jagdeo said that that dismissal would not be the only end game for those found guilty, saying the government would be seeking prosecution against them.

The existence of a fraud ring at the GRA surfaced when Fidelity claimed that it paid money to its broker and the broker split the money with Customs officers in clearing for soft drinks instead of beer, Mr. Jagdeo said at a press conference yesterday.

The President said, “Fidelity broke the law and have to face the (penalties),” but the fraud case the government is building is largely because of Fidelity.

The Customs officers claimed they cleared some three million bottles of soft drinks, but not a single one was recorded in the reporting system at GRA.

Early this year, the GRA Enforcement Section went to Fidelity’s 20 Broad and Charles Streets location, demanding to see all registers, Customs declarations, tax and sale invoices, tax credit and debit notes for all beverages imported and sold by the company.

The GRA also moved to collect similar documents from the company’s 212 Regent Road and Oronoque Street office and ordered that a stock inventory be made at the Charlestown and Ruimzeigt, West Coast Demerara Fidelity bonds.

GRA said checks revealed that the business had 72,556 cases of Polar Beer while an audit showed that 119,353 cases had been delivered to suppliers, although information received from the GRA Total Revenue Integrated and Processing System (TRIPS) disclosed that Fidelity made an entry of 33,220 cases.

GPSU calls for 25% interim pay hike
IN light of the rising cost of living, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) recognizes the need for urgent relief and is requesting that an interim payment of 25% across the board increase in salary, be made to the workers in the public service pending finalisation of a salary increase award in keeping with the Agreement for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes.

According to a press release from the union, the impact of the escalating prices affects everyone to which their survey revealed that persons are skipping meals and more so, many meals prepared for consumption by households lack basic nutritional value.

As such, GPSU is advocating that their representation be recognised as a humanitarian issue and be treated with the urgency it deserves in the prevailing circumstances.

Grow More’ campaign being promoted among sugar workers
GOVERNMENT continues to encourage increased agricultural production as part of the measures to combat the rising cost of food and in this regard sugar workers are being urged to get involved to support the ongoing ‘Grow More’ campaign.

At a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud last Tuesday, at the Albion Community Centre, Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne), sugar workers were updated on the current food price situation and efforts being made to help Guyanese deal with the issue.

The workers were told that the ‘Grow-More’ campaign is intended to increase overall food production in the country, export and household income and help individual communities to become self-sufficient. It was pointed out that one of the campaign’s main aspects is marketing to cater for the increase in food production.

Reference was made to a similar effort by the previous administration which failed because citizens were encouraged to produce more and there were no markets for the items. Against this background, the ‘Grow More’ campaign is being coordinated by the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), whereby farmers will be provided with necessary marketing information and guidance to form linkages with buyers.

Additionally, the campaign involves the provision of technical advice and assistance with items such as planting materials and livestock to initiate increased production.

The sugar workers were also informed that activities such as crop cultivation and/or livestock-rearing could provide them with additional income and help their families to become self-sufficient. They were advised of contributory factors such as the global increase in fuel prices that has impacted on industrial/production activities, climate change that is affecting agriculture around the world, depreciation of the United States dollar and use of grains to produce bio-fuels.

Reference was made to Government’s actions to deal with the situation such as the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from all basic food items, removal of tax/duty from dieseline and increasing the purchasing power of citizens through higher wages.

It was noted that there are some business persons charging excessive mark-ups on items some of which do not attract VAT. They were urged, like other consumers to report such cases for investigations to be conducted by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

At present, Government is investing in several major initiatives to boost agricultural production in Guyana including implementation of the US$20M Agricultural Export Diversification Programme that seeks to increase the country’s export growth rate and reduce its volatility.

Another initiative being pursued is the Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development Programme that focuses on increasing market opportunities available to small-scale producers. It targets increased capacity of rural producers to efficiently and effectively produce and market non-traditional products and develop small scale enterprises.

Additionally, investments are continuing in improved drainage and irrigation and modern technology and practices to support farming and livestock activities. These are intended to support farmers and other citizens as they pursue increased production. (GINA)

Ruling in Sharma television case May 23
JUSTICE William Ramlal will, on Friday, May 23, rule on the preliminary point raised by Attorney General Doodnauth Singh, S.C. in the C.N. Sharma challenge to CNS Channel Six suspension by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The AG is contending that the Head of State is immune from such litigation and the case should be dismissed.

Both Mr. Singh, for the respondent and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, for Sharma, concluded their submissions yesterday.

Among other things, Sharma is seeking a declaration that President Jagdeo, acting as Minister with responsibility for Communications, enjoys no immunity of suit whenever he acts in contravention of the fundamental right of a citizen to secure protection of the law as guaranteed by Article 144 of the Constitution of Guyana.

Sharma filed the notice of motion on April 14, requesting various orders and declarations in respect of the four months suspension of his television licence.

After a hearing on April 15, arguments were laid over by lawyers on either side for and against the edicts sought. (George Barclay)

Gov’t continues to equip Police Force
--provides 10 more motorcycles
IN its continuing efforts to enhance the operations of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), 10 motorcycles were handed over to the GPF at its Eve Leary Headquarters yesterday.

Minister of Home Affairs Mr. Clement Rohee who handed over the keys for the motorcycles to the Commissioner of Police (ag) Henry Greene, said that this is testimony to government’s continued commitment to improving the capabilities of the Force.

reasons why these resources are being provided to the Guyana Police Force are to ensure greater mobility and effectiveness of those ranks that are tasked with the responsibility to ensure that persons who are bent on violating the laws of Guyana, whether on the road or otherwise are held accountable,” he emphasized.

Commissioner Greene, in thanking the government for its dedication to the Force, said the motorcycles will be utilized particularly in ‘A’ and ‘C’ divisions, Linden, traffic headquarters and also in the anti-crime unit.

&Motor are very useful in moving through the traffic, in dealing with issues that cars cannot deal with, and these motorcycles will be very useful with our anti-crime work.”

&…I want to express sincere thanks on behalf of the Force and to give the assurance that these motorcycles will be properly utilized,” Commissioner Greene asserted.

The Home Affairs Minister said that members of the Force have an obligation to Guyanese and they must live-up to those expectations as the public has no other alternative but to turn to the Guyana Police Force for the kind of service, protection which they expect on a daily basis.

Since the early 1990s, government has been investing significantly in the law enforcement agencies to improve their capacity.

In this year’s budget, the security and defence sectors were allocated $13.7B to improve in this regard.

Among other actions that will be taken in collaboration with the multilateral and bilateral agencies are: improving the capability of rapid response systems to serious crimes; upgrading communication systems and expanding access to police and other databases; improving intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities and intensifying training in special operations for selected Joint Services members among other critical areas as government undertakes reforming the police force.

Unconscious April 28 accident victim evacuated to Trinidad
By Shirley Thomas
TWENTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Rawle Wood, of Hand-en-Veldt, Mahaica, who suffered a cracked skull in the accident at Bee Hive, also on East Coast Demerara, that claimed three lives last April 28, has been evacuated to Trinidad for further treatment at St. Claire Hospital.

He had been on life support in the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) for about four days before his father, Vasil Wood, took him abroad.

Relatives said that, up to the time the patient was flown to Trinidad, he was still unconscious.

Meanwhile, his sister, Jacqueline Wood, who suffered injuries to the head, neck and face, was discharged from the GPH earlier this week, following her brother’s departure, but is not doing better.

It is reported that, over the last few days, her condition deteriorated and she is still in a state of limbo.

Lamenting the fate of the siblings, a relative revealed that Rawle, who has been residing in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands the last seven years, only returned on vacation about three weeks ago.

He was due to depart this week and Jacqueline had planned to accompany him but, after securing a Police clearance, the two were returning home from Eve Leary with it when tragedy struck.

The accident occurred on Bee Hive Public Road around 19:30h when a lorry, reportedly attempting to avoid a cow on the roadway, hit a route 44 minibus and those killed were the bus driver, Desmond Datterdeen called ‘Brother, 40, Mohamed Akbar, 54, an employee of Woodlands Hospital and Marissa Assaye, a school teacher.

Several more passengers in the minibus were injured and, among them still hospitalised, are Tomica Hermanstein, of Hand-en-Veldt and Abiola Seraphin 32, also a school teacher of Cane Grove Primary School, on East Coast Demerara, too.

Both ladies are responding to treatment but are being carefully monitored by doctors.

UG’s literacy programme receives boost from CCETT
THE Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Teacher Training (CCETT) based in Jamaica, on Tuesday donated a quantity of educational materials to the University of Guyana (UG) to boost its literacy programme for children in surrounding communities.

According to a release, the items handed over by CCETT Director Professor Stafford Griffith included a listening centre, a diagnostic test of essential reading and writing skills kit and a text book titled “ Strategies for the Teaching of Reading and Writing: A practical guide for teachers of Caribbean children” by Joel Warrican and Joan Spencer-Ernandez.

The release said the materials will be housed in the Reading is Fun Resource Room of the Library and will be used by children who attend the annual August Vacation Reading is Fun Programme.

The initiative started five years ago by former UG Librarian, Ms Yvonne Lancaster, arising out of her concern for the low level of literacy among young people.

According to Professor Griffith: “ The Caribbean Centre of Excellence for Teacher Training helps students from grades one to three improve their reading skills at an early age”.

He noted that the centre provides support at other levels, hence their involvement in the Library’s initiative to help students of Grade Six attain acceptable standards in reading.

UG Deputy Vice-Chancellor Tota Mangar expressed gratitude to Professor Griffith for the good gesture and remarked that it will assist the institution’s library in executing its programme.

The press statement stressed that former School of Education and Humanities lecturer Ms. Claudith Thompson, CCETT Regional Programme Coordinator Mr. Delroy Alleyne and a resource person from the reading programme were instrumental in having the items donated.

It pointed out that Ms. Thompson has been associated with the Reading is Fun Programme conducted by the UG library staff from its inception and she implemented a number of suggestions to help library staff improve their skills.

“Some of the children who attended the last programme were identified as struggling readers and were tested using some components of CCETT diagnostic test of essential reading skills. During this academic year the Library staffers were trained on the essential components of reading and the CCETT methodology was incorporated,” the release disclosed.

CCETT is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded project. It is a literacy initiative of United States President George W. Bush which seeks to ensure no child is left behind.

Workshop tasked to improve care of vulnerable children
By Nathalene DeFreitas
A THREE-DAY workshop, aimed at strengthening and improving the capacity of caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in residential institutions, began yesterday in Regency Suites Hotel, on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

It was organised by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, with sponsorship by the Health Sector Development Unit (HSDU) of the Ministry of Health.

Permanent Secretary in the organising Ministry, Mr. Trevor Thomas charged the participants to use different methods with each, recognising that every child is special.

Towards that objective, he said the ministry will be fully supportive, not only with technical assistance and training but other ways, to ensure that capacity is built for the quality upbringing of those vulnerable.

“If we all work together, we can be more effective in providing quality care for vulnerable children,” he posited, adding that standards must be developed to look at the challenges.

Thomas maintained that vulnerable children must be given the necessary support and attention and, therefore, caregivers have to recognise that they cannot effectively carry out their duties unless they know how important it is to be supportive of their charges.

The main aim of the seminar is to better the quality of care for orphans and vulnerable children and the implementation of minimum standards are to be agreed.

Thomas observed that orphanages must have a certain number of caregivers and some of the problems they face would also be addressed, as well as child abuse and protection and the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.

He said homes must be capable of dealing with children who are affected by HIV/AIDS and he exhorted those at the forum to make valuable contributions to a collective effort at delivering quality care, attention and services to vulnerable children who are rightfully deserving.

Topics on the agenda for the three-day duration include:

* physical growth and development of the child;

* stages of child development and the dynamics of children with challenging behaviours;

* coping with child homosexuality;

* understanding HIV/AIDS;

* maintaining safe and healthy environments and children’s nutritional needs;

* common illnesses and health problems and preventing infections and

* indications of stress in children and discipline versus punishment.

CCWU mounts billboard to intensify HIV/AIDS campaign
CLERICAL and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) mounted a billboard at its Clerico House Headquarters, in Quamina Street, Georgetown, last May 1, to heighten its campaign against the direct impact of HIV/AIDS on the world of work.

The ceremony was themed ‘Fighting HIV/AIDS Together’ and a large group workers, decked out in t-shirts and caps for the May Day parade, were given appropriate placards to carry.

CCWU HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Mr. Sherwood Clarke acknowledged that the pandemic has already devastated many countries and communities and is spreading rapidly elsewhere.

Consequently, he said workers’ and employers’ organisations need to recognise their common interest on this issue and cooperate at both the workplace and the national level to promote effective action for addressing the unprecedented public health crisis.

We cannot afford to do anything less,” Clarke declared.

He said intense efforts to address the situation continue and must strategically target workplaces and communities where they can have the most effect.

Clarke said the work in this area will be built around the comprehensive International Labour Organisation (ILO) Code of Practice that covers areas such as education, prevention, training, assistance, workers’ rights, issues of discrimination, occupational health and safety and many others.

He said the ILO guide was developed through a tripartite consensus and employers and trade unions played important roles in the adoption.

It forms a sound basis for workplace partnership as well as for effective action on HIV/AIDS beyond the workplace,” Clarke noted.

He said the Ministry of Health is convinced that employers and trade unions, working together and building on that experience and expanding cooperation in the Caribbean, as well as across the globe, can accomplish a great deal more and achieve better results than either could produce separately. (Michel Outridge)

Two detained after unlicensed guns, ammo finds
POLICE have taken two men into custody after separate finds of unlicensed guns and ammunition.

One of the duo was found in possession of a .38 revolver, two matching live rounds and two spent shells at Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, Tuesday night.

That arrest took place about 20:00 h during investigations into a report of discharging a loaded firearm, that included a search of the suspect’s person.

The other man was held when Police, acting on information received, searched a house at Imbaimadai, Mazaruni, about 11:00 h Tuesday, when they discovered an illegal 16-gauge shotgun and two cartridges.

IAC thanks thousands for attending Grand International Melas
THE Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) has expressed gratitude to the thousands who attended the organisation’s Grand International Melas at the Anna Regina Community Center Ground, the National Park and the Albion Sports Complex who ensured that attendance records were set at Anna Regina and Albion.

“In fact, the gates at Albion were thrown open after all printed tickets were sold out long before 7 pm. The massive crowd at Albion was the largest ever for any event of this sort in the history of this country,” an IAC release noted. 

The attendance at the National Park, though it was large given the fact that all printed tickets were sold, may have been larger but for a number of clashing events, the IAC observed, adding that as it has done since 2005, the IAC presented awards of excellence to persons of Indian origin for their outstanding and invaluable contributions to the development of Guyana. 

This year, the IAC said it honoured Bhai Ramsarran, an agriculturist, in Essequibo; Shri Harry Saran Ramsaroop MBE MS CCH, of the Dharm Shala, for services to humanity; Haji Shaheed Mohamed, Imam of the Queenstown Jama Masjid, for services to the Islamic community; and the late Chandr Paul Persaud (Paul O’ Hara) veteran journalist, in Demerara; and Ms. Shafiran Bhajan BEd, Regional Education Officer of Region 6, for services to education in Berbice.

Among the highlights of the 2008 IAC melas were the performances of the visiting Bhojpuri Folk and Dance Troupe from India led by Ms. Manjula Diwakar and addresses by H.E President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Minister of Agriculture and patron of the IAC Robert Persaud, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and H.E Subit Kumar Mandal Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, the release said.

April 12 crash…
Still hospitalised mother unable to attend son’s funeral
By Shirley Thomas
TWELVE-YEAR-OLD Nkosi Fleming, who died last Friday from injuries suffered in the April 12 collision between a pick-up and a Guyana Defence Force (GDF) lorry, at Seweyo, along the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, is to be buried today.

The funeral will take place at Muritaro, Upper Demerara River, where he lived, his relatives said.

His mother, Trudy Fleming, a retired health worker, who was also injured in the accident, remains in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) of Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), suffering a broken neck bone and a fractured arm, as well.

Because of her condition, she is unable to move and cannot witness her son’s burial.

Five other persons were hurt in the mishap while they were all travelling in the pick-up that was going to Linden when it collided with the GDF vehicle.

The others are the pick-up driver, Willet Fleming, husband of Trudy Fleming, their five-year-old son, Nkosi’s brother, Shavier and their 23-year-old cousin, Loriann Fleming, of Amelia’s Ward, Linden.

Nkosi, a student of the School of Excellence, Linden, was admitted to a private hospital, where he spent about one week before his discharge.

However, he, subsequently, developed breathing problems and had been hospitalised again when he succumbed.

Shavier, the younger Fleming brother, is not seriously hurt and is reportedly resting comfortably at home.

Loriann Fleming, who broke ribs and partially crushed her spine, remains warded at GPH, too, but her condition has since improved a little.

RDC Councillor offers ‘grow more food’ suggestions
MEMBER of the Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council (RDC), Mr. Feruese Basir has called for more extension field officers to be based there to boost the ‘grow more food’ campaign.

Among other suggestions, he said the officers must be very vibrant and visit farms and interact with farmers regularly, giving them advice on agricultural development.

Basir said Pomeroon has great potential to become the breadbasket of the Caribbean and the producers there must be encouraged to put more acreage under the plough.

He also recommended that the plant nursery at Charity be expanded to offer more planting materials.

Basir said, too, that technical experts from the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) must visit Pomeroon more often to advise on farming and he challenged other residents in Region Two to plant kitchen gardens and help feed their families. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

Essequibo Police warn proprietors to close on time
THE Police in ‘G’ Division (Essequibo) have warned proprietors of liquor restaurants, beer gardens and other businesses to close their businesses in accordance with the time specified on their licences.

A senior Police officer said their failure to comply will be dealt with according to the law.

The warning followed reports that several such premises are open to the public beyond the stipulated periods and the late opening is contributing to criminal activities on Essequibo Coast.

More rice being planted in Region Two
RICE farmers in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam) are putting more lands under cultivation.

Reports indicate that some plots that were not cultivated for the last crop are currently being prepared for sowing and other farmers are converting cattle pastures into rice fields.

Meanwhile, some planters are ploughing plots in the fertile Cozier area for cultivation of the grain while others are advocating that only cash crops should be planted there.

GT&T appeals for public’s help against vandalism
THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) is again appealing to public spirited citizens to be vigilant and aid in the protection of facilities provided for their convenience and security.

This appeal follows yet another act of vandalism in which a span of fiber cable was cut and taken away at Harlem/Bladensburg, West Coast Demerara, a release from the company said.

It added that the vandalised cable which is primarily responsible for the transmission of customer data and voice circuits, affected telephone, data and cellular service to approximately 9000 customers causing them to be inconvenienced for over four hours last night.

However, the company said that sustained efforts by technical personnel from the company resulted in service restoration, following the location of the damaged section of cable.

“The latest act of vandalism of the company’s cable follows similar occurrences in March where persons unknown damaged a section the fiber cable at Roxanne Burnham Gardens leading to disrupted service to several communities in the southern link including customers at Linden and Kwakwani,” GT&T lamented

It added: “These acts of vandalism, apart from being a nuisance to both customers and the Company’s efforts to provide trouble free service, can also be described as a threat to national security, since such disruptions leaves citizens at the liberty of banditry.”

The company also said that it has been constantly seeking the collaboration of the law enforcement authorities to ensure that facilities provided for the public’s benefit is secured.

“The Company is once again appealing to the general public to be on the look out for any suspicious action which might lead to a disruption of service and the loss of convenience and protection,” the release said.