Post mortem confirms gunshots killed Rawlins’ sister
A POST mortem examination yesterday confirmed that the Monday night execution style murder victim, Marcelyn King, 34, died as a result of haemorrhage and shock, due to perforation of the liver and heart by gunshots.
Police also said two warheads were removed from the corpse of King, who was shot and killed by an armed man on D’Andrade Street, Newtown, Georgetown.
However, two days after the sister of Guyana’s most wanted man, Rondell ‘Fine Man’ Rawlins, was gunned down, Police are yet to make an arrest.
Known also as Mary King, of Lot 125 D’Andrade Street, she was on her way home from work when she was killed soon after disembarking a minibus.
Police said the lone shooter emerged from a white motor car and fired at King from close range before escaping in the same vehicle.
The Rentokil Supervisor was pronounced dead at Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) shortly after the shooting that occurred around 17:40 h.
King is the elder sibling of the fugitive Rawlins, who has been linked to several brutal murders, including the Lusignan and Bartica massacres and a $50M reward is being offered for his capture. (Michel Outridge)
Delta moves up Guyana flights
DELTA Airlines has announced that it will now commence non-stop flights from New York to Guyana on June 1, one month earlier than previously announced.
The flight was originally scheduled to begin on July 2.
“New York is home to more than 130,000 persons of Guyanese descent. This is the latest of more than 25 new destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean that we have started serving in the last two years,” said Christophe Didier, Delta’s vice president of Sales and Government Affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
continue to reach more destinations in the Latin and Caribbean regions from a variety of U.S. gateways, and we are confident this new flight to Georgetown will be a great addition to our international network,” Didier added.
Initially, Delta will operate flights from The John F. Kennedy airport on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 315 destinations in 59 countries.
To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 650 weekly flights to 65 destinations.
Reflections on Dr. Jagan ‘At Home with Cheddi’
THE Bel Air, Georgetown People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) groups hosted a commemorative programme ‘At home with Cheddi,’ on Tuesday evening, for former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
The reflections, at the residence of his widow, Mrs. Janet Jagan, were based on the various aspects of Dr. Jagan’s life and work, in observance of his 11th death anniversary, this month.
Themed ‘Cheddi Jagan’s Vision, Our living guide’, the event featured speeches by PPP Executive Members, General-Secretary Donald Ramotar and Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud.
In brief remarks, Mrs. Jagan, herself a former President, reminisced on the life of her late spouse.
She said he was a man of the people and referred to his ardent Guyanese compatibility.
After completing studies in the United States, he returned to Guyana where he devoted his time to serving the Guyanese population.”
Mrs. Jagan said her late husband’s outstanding contributions to Guyana include the removal of the colonial authority, establishing independence and returning the country to democracy in 1992.
Mr. Persaud alluded to Dr. Jagan’s role in the agriculture sector and sustainable national development.
He also spoke of Dr. Jagan’s advocacy for multilateral and bilateral debt relief.
Mr. Ramotar emphasised his idealism and told the gathering that Dr. Jagan, revered as ‘Father of the Nation’, was a profound thinker who possessed tremendous skills and was liked by many for his trustworthiness. (Sarada Singh)
Child issues to dominate upcoming COHSOD meeting
AGAINST the background of mounting concerns about the plight and prospects of the Region’s children, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) is devoting its Twelfth Special Conference to issues related to children.
Set to take place on 17-19 March, 2008, at the Guyana International Conference Centre, under the theme: Building a Region Fit for Children, the Twelfth Special COHSOD on Children will examine the rights of children and current status of violence against children; discuss interventions to improve the environment in which children live and grow; and identify policies and programmes that help to promote the social and economic wellbeing of children and enhance their capabilities.
Under the chairmanship of Belize, the Special COHSOD will also consider the preparation and programming for children overall but particularly those in shelters, schools and communities and those affected by emergencies occasioned by natural disasters and the increasing effects of climate change, crime and violence, poverty and the resurgence of disease such as malaria, dengue, leptospirosis and emerging threats like bird flu.
The COHSOD, according to a release will specifically review strategies to deal with vulnerable children; prevention of child abuse; sexual exploitation and family separation; and discuss the potential impacts of displacement factors such as enforced migration on children.
It will also make the case for a Comprehensive Child Legislative Framework and efficient implementing mechanisms for greater protection of children.
The key issues include the provision of the legal model tools with guidelines/programmes/practices (including prevention strategies) for harmonisation, endorsement, adoption and implementation by the CARICOM Member States.
The three day meeting will attract a wide cross section of participants including Ministers of Government from CARICOM Countries and representatives from regional and international institutions.
It is organised around keynote addresses, panel discussions, plenary sessions and special presentations by children.
The keynote addresses will focus on Investing in children – a global perspective with a focus on the Caribbean; Children in the Caribbean, the social and educational realities affecting their development and participation, and Progress in the region on commitments to children’s rights.
A major feature of the Meeting will be the opportunity provided for children to present in innovative ways, their views on issues affecting them, using new media and information and communication technologies.
Child journalists under the guidance of young adult reporters, will assist in providing coverage for the first one and a half days of the COHSOD and then report back to the delegates during the afternoon of the second day using the format of a children TV news bulletin which could also be made available to media houses across the CARICOM Member States for broadcasting.
A special feature of the closing ceremony will be the launch of a regional competition for children to develop concept, logo and design for a proposed CARICOM Website for Kids that is to come on stream in October.
M&CC remains defiant as GWI ultimatum expires
THE money dispute between Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) and the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) reached a high point yesterday when an ultimatum given to the municipality by the utility expired.
GWI insisted City Hall must pay $50M in arrears or have its services disconnected but the latter remained defiant.
Responding, equally firmly, M&CC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Royston King, told the Guyana Chronicle he will make a full statement on the issue today.
Mayor Hamilton Green had written GWI Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Karan Singh, seeking to verify the debt before any payment is made, claiming that GWI owes the M&CC more than $200M.
Thousands of citizens are likely to suffer if GWI enforces its threatened cut-off of municipal services in the capital’
|
|
|
|
GWI refuted accusations made by Mr. Green in the Wednesday, March 5 Kaieteur News, that the company inflated the municipality’s bill.
GWI, in a press statement, said Green is obviously not aware of the Council’s indebtedness to it and the agreement reached between the parties.
The statement said the Town Clerk, Ms. Beulah Williams, and GWI held several meetings and agreed to settle their individual accounts on a timely basis.
It said the M&CC has never paid GWI for the service since the separation of the water sector from the municipality in 1994 and it is a large consumer, with operations at several entities, including Bourda, Stabroek, La Penitence, Kitty and East Ruimveldt markets; the Municipal Abattoir and the Promenade Gardens.
Asking: “Who does the Mayor expect to pay for those entities’ water services?” GWI pointed out that the M&CC receives monthly rentals from market vendors and is responsible for providing and maintaining the required service.
As a result of non-payments, the Council has accumulated a whopping $141M in arrears, which does not reflect interest. GWI and the Council agreed to waive the interest rates” and GWI noted that the bill issued is for arrears owed to the company prior to 2004.
Thousands of citizens are likely to suffer if GWI enforces its threatened cut-off of municipal services in the capital.
BK International makes second donation to playhouse restoration
By Sarada Singh
BK International yesterday donated $500,000 towards the restoration of the Theatre Guild Playhouse in Kingston, Georgetown.
Ms. Briony Tiwarie, who presented the cheque to member of the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Cathy Hughes, said it was in keeping with the company’s commitment to the further development of art and culture in Guyana.
The money is to help complete the remaining works and the donor representative recalled that Linden Quarries, which they also own, had previously made a donation of construction aggregates.
Tiwarie said they are committed to supply quarry material, as well, for the completion of the project.
She added that, in its continuing effort to aid construction of the playhouse, the firm is currently soliciting the assistance of other businesses to partner in the scheme, by making substantial financial contributions for the purpose.
Acceding to a request by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, Tiwarie said the entity has pledged its wholehearted support for the conclusion of the undertaking.
Hughes disclosed that more than $50M was raised for the renovation and transformation of the building while an exorbitant sum was also spent on the purchasing of lighting and sound equipment.
She said some $5M is still needed to finish the job by the middle of next month.
The extended auditorium, which previously seated 220 persons, will now be able to accommodate 300, including 75 in the new balcony, Hughes reported.
She acknowledged more donations from various corporate entities and individuals and encouraged others to follow in their footsteps, so the playhouse could be ready for staging the 10th Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA X), from August 22 through 31.
Minister Rodrigues urges early appointment of Indigenous People’s Commission
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues, has urged that the Appointive Committee of Parliament conclude its consideration of the Indigenous People’s Commission (IPC) as soon as possible.
Making a presentation in the National Assembly during the 2008 Budget debate recently, Minister Rodrigues said that for every day the House failed to appoint this and other Commissions; the people of Guyana will be short changed.
On October 24, during a National Toshaos’ Conference at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, three members were elected to the IPC. Ms. Yvonne Pearson, Toshao of Mainstay/Whyaka is the first woman elected, while the other two members are opposition member of Parliament Dr. George Norton of Riverview village, Region 10 and Mr. William Andries of Toka Village, Region 9.
Minister Rodrigues said, “Let us put aside our differences and demonstrate our confidence in our Guyanese people, regardless of where they are from and what they look like, by appointing some of them to these Commissions.”
The IPC will address all aspects of Amerindian rights and development and will be accountable for the interest of all indigenous people.
Twenty members were unanimously elected by their fellow Toshaos from various sub-regions within the ten administrative Regions to form the National Toshaos Council (NTC) out of which the IPC evolved.
These Toshaos are mandated with the responsibility of protecting the interest of Amerindians in the country and will give support to the IPC.
The council will make decisions in accordance with the new Amerindian Act for the benefit of all Amerindians.
This is a very important body that has long been called for and the Government looks forward to working in a collaborative manner with the NTC, Minister Rodrigues said.
Government was highly praised by the NTC for making the long-awaited Council a reality and for continuing the development of Amerindians. (GINA)
Seminar puts focus on bolstering forestry research
- network to be set up for Guyana and other ACP countries
By Tajeram Mohabir
IWOKRAMA International Rainforest Centre, in collaboration with Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), yesterday conducted a one-day seminar to strengthen forest research priorities in the Guianas.
It was attended by representatives of several key stakeholders in the sector and convened at Red House, High Street, Kingston, Georgetown.
Iwokrama Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Dane Gobin, said it was part of a seven million euros project to establish a researching network for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, as well.
He said the programme seeks to bolster the networking to facilitate transfer of results between applied research initiatives, which will contribute to the building of effective tools to monitor sustainable development.
It would also test the criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management under different socio-economic and ecological conditions, Gobin disclosed.
The ACP states involved are The Cameroons, C
