To avoid sewerage blockage…
GWI insisting that eating houses install grease traps
By Michel Outridge
GUYANA Water Inc. (GWI) announced on Thursday that all restaurants must install traps to rid the sewer system of grease, fat, oil, wax and other debris.

GWI PRO Rawle Aaron as he demonstrates the use of the grease traps to the media.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) Rawle Aaron indicated, during a demonstration of the mechanism, that the utility is trying to protect the integrity of an already deteriorating sewerage network.

He explained that it is clogged with sanitary napkins, pampers and more materials that it was not designed to accommodate.

Mr. Aaron pleaded with the public to desist from disposing of waste in such a manner and said, with the installation of the trap at eating houses, oil, grease and other sediments would be removed and only water will be allowed to flow into the sewer system.
The PRO said the grease traps can be installed under sinks and he exhorted restaurant owners to do so as soon as possible because GWI has embarked on a massive campaign to curb the practice of improper disposal.

He said the device costs between $15,000 and $20,000 and could last about five years, depending on what is used to make it.

“Restaurants have been given a grace period to install grease traps in their business place and failure to do so will result in penalties,” Aaron warned.

Grease traps or interceptors are passive devices stipulated by the municipality to prevent the wrong discards entering the municipal sanitary system.

Such materials cause blockages and result in back-ups and overflows and the traps are designed to separate greasy stuff from waste water so that it can be removed before it enters the system.

All restaurants, caterers, school cafeterias and other commercial cooking facilities must avoid those discharges, Aaron said, adding that the traps are made to receive waste water from all contributory sources, such as pot sinks, dishwashers, floor drains and mat washing area drains before draining into the sewer system.

Cimate change strategy…
Sukhai explains importance of consultation with Amerindians
By Priya Nauth
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Sukhai announced Tuesday that consultations with the indigenous population, in their communities on the climate change strategy, will begin in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

She made this announcement at a press conference in her ministry building on Quamina Street, Georgetown where she dealt with issues and developments in the hinterland locations.

Sukhai observed that a lot of questions were raised Monday when President Bharrat Jagdeo formally outlined the policy, that aims to transform the national economy to mesh with a new global climate change regime, to a wide cross-section of stakeholders at Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

She said the Government has wisely seen that, even though their lands are not part of the strategy nor committed, the Amerindians should be consulted on it.

The Minister said the exercise is to educate and make them more aware of what the approach entails and what it means for Guyana.

“What it means for hinterland development and also to help them to understand the strategy, so that they will be able to make their decision whether they want to opt in and at what time they may want to do so,” Sukhai elaborated.

She said: “It is our duty, as a government, to provide the Amerindian population with enough information and capacity to understand what this strategy holds for us, as a nation and also the benefits that may be accruing from pursuing such a development strategy.”

According to Sukhai, the consultative process will start on June 19, in Region Nine and continue in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

“However, the coastal Amerindian communities would have a chance to join any of the coastal consultations and there are plans afoot to discuss further having them together, all the coastal Amerindian communities at one forum, whereby they, too, can sit together and be able to discuss,” she stated.

Sukhai said the communities will be able to hear from presenters on the Government side a more in-depth presentation on the strategy.

“I think this period here is going to be pretty exciting,” she anticipated, adding: “What we are trying to do in Guyana has never been tried in the world.”

President Jagdeo said Monday’s deliberations were just the beginning of the consultation process, through which the Government is seeking to reconcile competing interests.

He said Norway is helping the cause and is supporting a study to assess the state of forest law enforcement and governance here and the results should be available by September.

Sukhai announces…..
$88M national programme to transform hinterland economies
By Priya Nauth
AMERINDIAN communities would benefit from a massive $88M programme geared towards developing economic activities and improving the livelihood in the hinterland.

It is part of the new focus by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, the Minister, Mrs. Pauline Sukhai told a press conference Tuesday at her Quamina Street, Georgetown office.

She said: “We are bringing a new focus to the work of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and that new focus has unfolded I think in a very significant way.”

Alluding to the Low Carbon Development Strategy unveiled by President Bharrat Jagdeo the day before, she said: “You would have heard that he made mention of putting finances into the hinterland. I think he did call a figure of around $60M.”

But Sukhai said there would be much more investment in the hinterland for the remainder of 2009 and that money will be provided almost immediately.

“That would go towards the new focus which we have been developing over the last couple of months and that focus is to work and support and encourage the Amerindian leaders and the communities to begin to seriously address community development.

“Also to seriously start engaging their communities to begin to develop economic activities that would provide opportunities for their residents,” she explained.

Sukhai said the Ministry is hoping to get this initiative underway at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) conference in July.

“However, the groundwork has already been done and the foundation has been set and we have been able to place three specialists in Region One (Barima/Waini) sub-region Mabaruma, where this programme will kick off,” she revealed.

Sukhai said the specialists are already working in the field with 15 communities and another four are expected to join them.

She said that team comprises an aquaculturist, an agriculturalist, a pest control specialist, a food technologist, marketing and finance specialists, a project management and networking specialist and a business development specialist.

RELIEF
“It would bring a lot of relief and a lot of support to what is happening in the Amerindian communities,” Sukhai noted.

She said the experts will be looking directly at supporting communities in developing enterprises that are unique to the sub-region that has a good comparative advantage in that region and be supportive of their development throughout the entire value chain.

Sukhai said that the programme is expected to last two years, during which the specialists would be working with the communities to ensure that whatever venture is going to be established will be sustainable.

The minister emphasised that young people in the targeted communities would be attached to the specialists to enable the former to develop their skills.

She said that objective is in accord with the low carbon development strategy which President Bharrat Jagdeo so forcibly presented Monday.

“It also sits very neatly into his document and, as the theme says, transforming Guyana’s economy while combating climate change, because we expect that those enterprises and those ventures that will take place in Region One will be based on a low carbon kind of model,” Sukhai observed.

She pointed out that it is a national programme for which the funding has been realised.

Of the $88M, $60M will be released almost immediately and, notwithstanding that, every year the communities in the hinterland receive $150M under the Presidential Grant Fund, that is also provided to the communities to start small economic enterprises, particularly productive ones, Sukhai said.

She said it is a very significant national programme which is just the first step in providing one sub-region and 15 communities with resources to move ahead in the transformation of their economies.

PUC registers concern with GT&T’s fibre optic disruption
THE Public Utilities Commission has registered its strong concern with respect to the severe disruptions in the voice and data services on June 11, 2009 at approximately 11:00 hrs. The service was restored to normalcy about four hours later, the PUC said in a statement.

It noted that when the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Limited (GT&T) was contacted, the company informed the Commission that the disruptions were a possible result of excavation works being carried out in neighbouring Suriname.

The telephone company noted that there had not been a disruption to the voice traffic, since this was rerouted to satellite. It was also stated that there was some amount of latency with respect to data transmissions.

“Reports however, coming into the Commission informed that there were significant disruptions to voice traffic - both local and international, and the data transmissions were completely disrupted,” the PUC contended.

The Commission said it is aware that in 2009, there were five disruptions between February 5 and June 11, and nine disruptions in 2008, between February 28 and November 25.

“The disruption caused severe interruptions to businesses in the commercial sector, possible financial losses to companies, and may have serious implications to Guyana’s national security.”

“Should there be repeated interruptions in the service then the Commission may be left with no option but to recommend to the licensing authority that other providers be issued with licences allowing for international connectivity,” the PUC advised.

Murder accused pleads guilty to manslaughter
Judge jails Sunil Lall for 4 years
By George Barclay
A ‘PROVOKED’ accused, Sunil Lall, who stabbed his ‘taunter’, Teekeram, of Best Village, West Coast Demerara, to death on December 19, 1998, on Thursday pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter, and was jailed for 4 years.

Justice William Ramlal who imposed the lenient penalty, had taken into consideration the mitigating circumstances of the case which showed, among other things, that Teekaram (the deceased) was the aggressor that day and was the initiator of the aggression that led to the loss of life.

Last Wednesday, Sunil Lall appeared at the Demerara Assizes before a judge and jury and pleaded not guilty to the murder of Teekaram. The hearing was expected to continue on the resumption yesterday.

But on the resumption yesterday, defence counsel Mr. Jerome Khan indicated to the Court that his client wished to enter a new plea of not guilty of murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

At this stage and following the plea of the accused, Prosecutor Mr. Ganesh Hera narrated the facts of the case which disclosed that on the day in question, Teekaram along with his friend Albert Rameshwar were standing under a tamarind tree at Best Village, West Coast, Demerara, drinking rum.

At the same time, the accused was walking along the road going to a nearby shop to purchase kerosene when Teekeram shouted out to him saying, “Rasta, Rasta, Rasshole”.

The accused did not respond but went into the nearby shop. He did not get kerosene but he purchased a knife.

The accused was returning from the shop, when on passing the tamarind tree where Teekeram and his friend were, Teekeram again shouted out to the accused and asked: “Wha happening girl?”

Replying to Teekaram, the accused said, “Carry your mother sk..t”. Enraged by the accused’s reply, Teekeram furiously approached the accused in a fighting manner.

The accused likewise, retaliated by stabbing Teekeram, who fell unconscious, and was pronounced dead on arrival in hospital.

In a stirring plea in mitigation, defence counsel Jerome Khan said his client, now 31 years old, was only 20 when the crime was committed on December 19, 1998. He pointed out that it was the deceased by his action that day that initiated the aggression which led to the loss of life.

Khan told the court that following the P.I., the accused was committed to stand trial for manslaughter on April 5, 2000, and was allowed bail. But on January, 11, 2004, the then Deputy DPP indicted the accused with murder, causing him to be arrested and incarcerated for the offence of murder.

Khan told the judge that the prisoner is remorseful for what had happened. He now attends bible classes in prison and is being counselled by a pastor

After strengthening collaboration…
Ministries of Agriculture, Health issue advisories on H1NI
By Vanessa Narine
THE Ministries of Agriculture and Health have strengthened collaboration to avert an outbreak in Guyana, after the announcement, by World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday, elevating Influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) to pandemic status.

Although there is no confirmed trace of the virus in this country of H1N1, its moving from level five to six means it is now seen as a disease with potential for a global spread.

In a release, the Agriculture Ministry assured pig farmers, primarily, that there was no need to panic.

However, that Ministry issued an advisory to members of the public and swine rearers to make them aware of:

* heightened surveillance at all local ports of entry and pig farms;

* the deployment of veterinarians to all 10 Administrative Regions;

* the fact that WHO states that it is safe to eat pork and pork products;

* the fact that a Disease Action Place has been established, should the need arise to contain and control any occurrences of swine flu and

* the collaborative efforts by the two Ministries to prevent the entry of the disease.

The Ministry of Health said it has, through the National Pandemic Influenza Committee, put in place a number of mechanisms to also prevent the entry and or to contain any outbreak that might occur.

The Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy noted that the mechanisms will be further enhanced in the coming days as health workers try to avert the appearance of H1N1.

The Health Ministry advisory said the mechanisms include:
* Border vigilance - at borders, particularly airports and seaports, a more intrusive monitoring mechanism will be implemented. This strategy is expected to see all passengers and staff members travelling to Guyana provide more detailed, individual health and travel information before entering. All persons entering will be required to fill out the Health Declaration Forms before presenting themselves to the immigration officers. These measures may require the authorities to subject travellers to medical examination and also require laboratory testing. They may also require persons to be placed under observation and medication and prophylactic treatment.

* Intensified surveillance - all health facilities and providers will be required to notify the Ministry of any SARI (severe acute respiratory infection). The information must include detailed medical and personal. This is a requirement and all health care providers must, on a daily basis, both report and provide notification of all serious acute respiratory infections.

* Index of Suspicion - the Ministry of Health has invoked its Index of Suspicion Tool for H1N1. Based on that, 13 cases have aroused suspicion and five of those persons have been subjected to testing. The Ministry has a low degree of confidence that any of these cases would be confirmed as H1N1. Only two cases remain as suspects at this time. However, any case that allows the Ministry to enter a person on the index database would be tested for H1N1 and the results are expected in 14 days.

* Public Education - the public will be informed, through daily advisories and a public education programme. The Ministry is advising that the routine good hygiene practices all have been taught must be complied with, including frequent hand washing with soap and water. Persons are encouraged to acquire any one of the hand sanitisers that are commercially available. Above all else, people are encouraged to ensure that they cover their mouths and faces when coughing and all persons should stay clear of others who are openly coughing without taking adequate measures to cover their faces.

* Seek medical attention - persons with fever and acute respiratory infections, such as cough and cold, are advised to seek medical attention at the nearest health centre, hospital or any health care provider.

However, irrespective of the many measures in place, Ramsammy said, given the rapid and global spread of H1N1, the Ministry might only be able to delay the appearance.

In spite of this, it is working to delay the appearance of H1N1 for as long as possible, he said.

H1N1 or swine flu is a new virus of swine origin that was first detected in April this year in Mexico. It infects people and spreads from person to person, sparking growing outbreaks of the illness, in the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses do, mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with it.

There is no vaccine yet against the H1N1 virus but, in order to reduce vulnerability, especially among the elderly and children, the Ministry will vaccinate those groups over the next several weeks against the seasonal influenza.

However, in event of an outbreak of the H1N1, the Ministry has, in its possession for use, at least 30,000 doses of Tamiflu.

In case more is needed, reliance can be placed on the production capacity of New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (NGPC) and the Regional PAHO Warehouse in Panama, the Ministry stated.

Health Ministry gets good response despite training delayed
By Vanessa Narine
THE new training programme being undertaken by the Ministry of Health, through its $700M budget, has received a good response.

Director of Health Sciences Education, Mr. Noel Holder said testimony to that is the 1,000 plus applications received.

He said the best of the applicants will be chosen with the most important requirement being English Language.

“We are preparing for clinical and technical training that is scheduled to commence soon,” Holder said.

He said, for the purpose of continuing it in the health sector, the Ministry invited persons interested in becoming, among other things, pharmacy and rehabilitation assistants, audiological practitioners, medical laboratory and x-ray technicians, community dental therapists and environmental health workers to apply.

Holder said instructions will be conducted in the different disciplines for periods of 12, 18, 24 and 36 months, free of cost, after which the newly trained individuals would be contracted to the Government.

He explained that those who applied are still being processed for the selection process, following which the successful ones will be contacted and informed on starting dates for the stints.

In addition, Holder said the arrangements are being put together and the facilities would be upgraded but, at the start of the training, all successful applicants will be required to undertake a core course, covering areas such as anatomy, physics, chemistry, information technology and management.

It would help them become more rounded and then they will move into the various disciplines, he explained.

However, the course that was slated to have already begun has met with a few challenges that have caused it to remain in the preparatory stages, Holder said.

According to him, the main challenge is having had to organise a change in venue to accommodate the facilitation of the core course sessions.

He said a larger space is needed but he assured that the issue would be resolved with focus remaining on the importance of providing affordable opportunities for individuals who wish to pursue a career in health sciences.

Holder mentioned that, apart from the current training series, persons already qualified have avenues available which would allow them to further qualify through post graduate programmes accredited by the University of Guyana (UG).

No air cargo service to North America despite Government’s approval
Farmers/exporters being denied market opportunities
DESPITE approval being granted by the Government of Guyana to Caribbean Airlines for the commencement of air cargo operations from Georgetown to New York and Toronto, several months later, this service is yet to be realised.

Farmers and exporters have repeatedly pointed out that significant market opportunities in the United States and Canada for Guyana’s fresh fruits and vegetables are being curtailed due to the lack of air cargo services to these locations, according to a statement from the New Guyana Marketing Corporation.

This issue was raised in November last when President Bharrat Jagdeo, Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud and a team of officials were in New York for an Agro-business Investment Seminar. At the time, Caribbean Airlines had expressed to President Jagdeo, an interest in offering this service, which the airline assured, could begin immediately. Cognisant of the importance of such an operation, government granted approval.

Caribbean Airlines, however, has thus far failed to honour its commitment, with no clear indication as to if and when the service will become operational.

Increased food production in Guyana and the growing demand worldwide continue to present business opportunities to farmers and exporters. However, the absence of an air cargo service to New York and Toronto has been a major barrier to the export of fresh fruits and vegetables to these markets.

Several farmers and exporters have indicated to the New Guyana Marketing Corporation that they are poised to commence exports providing that the service becomes operational, and as such, are optimistic that Caribbean Airlines will honour its commitment given to President Jagdeo.

Agriculture Minister urges fishermen to support anti-piracy initiatives
By Tajeram Mohabir
Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud yesterday appealed to fisher-folk throughout the country to support his ministry’s anti-piracy revolving fund and other initiatives to tackle the problem.

Speaking at a press briefing at his Regent and Vlissengen Streets Headquarters, he pointed out that even though there have been less than a dozen confirmed cases of piracy this year, a steep decline from the previous year, fishermen should not become too complacent.

He said the decline was achieved following numerous steps taken by the government over the past 14 months to curtail, if not eliminate the scourge.

Prior to the decline, the government had established a $5M revolving fund to assist fishermen who are confirmed victims of piracy, but Persaud reported that an overwhelming majority of fishermen have not been subscribing to the programme.

He said fishermen have ignored the scheme, despite the subscription fee is no where close to an onerous financial burden.

The minister explained that the fee is only 0.25 per cent of their assets which consist mainly of their fishing boats, engines and nets, and according to him this translates to an amount not exceeding $6, 000.

He disclosed that only seven fishermen have subscribed to the programme and only they will benefit if they become victims to sea robbers.

Persaud noted too that his ministry has worked very closely with the Coast Guard in putting a state-of-the-art communication network in place to help fishermen at sea.

He said for the fishermen to become part of the network, they only have to purchase a simple hand-set which will allow them to “radio-in” for help if the need arises when they are at sea.

He said many fishermen have not subscribed to the network.

Government has invested some $15M to strengthen the system which covers some 80 per cent of areas under the fishery co-op societies, and interlinks its membership, the Police and the Coast Guard.

He pointed out too that through collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, his ministry was able to work with the Police force in assisting co-op societies in obtaining access to firearm licences for qualified fisherfolk.

He said some fishermen have “opted-in” to the arrangement while others have “opted out”; but on the whole, a number of these societies benefitted under this scheme.

The minister told reporters that the Coast Guard has deployed more resources to tackle the problem and has set-up anti-piracy committees in various fishing communities to support its efforts.

On that score, Persaud lauded Commodore Gary Best for his sustained interest and support for the anti-piracy initiative.

The Ministry of Agriculture has also provided two new boats and outboard engines to the Berbice and Essequibo fishing communities to enhance their ability to respond to crisis situations.

In addition, government, in an effort to comprehensively address the issue, last year amended the Anti-piracy Act to make the illicit activity a non-bailable offence.

Q.C. pips St. Rose’s at GBTI Impromptu Speech Competition
“Every year we keep getting better” , Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony said as Queen’s College scored 696 points and St. Rose’s 670 last Tuesday, in the final match of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI) 3rd Annual Inter-Secondary School Impromptu Speech Competition.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony presents the winners’ trophy to the Queen’s College team. From Left: Saed Khalil, Richard Rambarran and Keisha Campbell.

The competition was held at the GBTI Recreation Centre on Kaieteur Road, Bel Air Park.

Continuing, Anthony stated that if students are to be “holistic and developed”, then it is necessary to expose them to events such as impromptu speech.

“Parental support is vital” he stressed, “A little parental support can go a long way in building confidence”.

Quoting Mahatma Gandhi he said: “Every good deed is its own advertisement”.

The St. Rose’s team comprised Aaron Homer, Rehanna Wilson and Saed Hamid, who spoke on the topics “The person who has molded me”, ‘Public shame should be added to the punishment of convicted criminals” and “Should young offenders be thrown into jail”.

Mr. Radhakrishna Sharma, C.E.O of GBTI, presents the runner-up trophy to the St. Roses team. From Left: Aaron Homer, Rehanna Wilson and Saed Hamid.

Richard Rambarran and Keisha Campbell, part of the winning team, spoke on the topics “Working mothers good or bad?” and “Should religious education be taught to all students?” Saed Khalil, who won the prize for best speaker of the competition, had the audience in fits of laughter with his speech on the topic “Can music change a person’s life?”

The annual competition commenced on May 7, 2009. Tuesday’s event followed 14 rounds that involved Fourth Form students from 16 secondary schools drawn from Georgetown, East Bank and East Coast Demerara.

Bibi Wharton-Branch, Manager of the Regent Street Branch of GBTI, said, “The Bank [GBTI] has placed emphasis on the development of youths; and as such impromptu speaking was chosen with the intention of promoting the development of communication, leadership and teaching skills. It also allows the youths to gain self confidence, harness their thoughts quickly and improve their oral expressions.”

The final leg of the competition was judged by Dr Joyce Jonas, Reader at the Department of Language & Culture Studies at the University of Guyana; Ms. Bonita Hunter, Senior Education Officer-Arts; and Ms. Joan Kendall, Former Headmistress of St. Joseph’s High School.

Early voter education for local government polls needed
-- PNCR
THE main opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) wants an early voter education programme for the long-postponed Local Government elections now due in November.

In a statement at its weekly press conference yesterday, the party said that because of the fundamental reforms to the Local Government electoral system, it is vital that there should be the early implementation of a comprehensive and people-friendly public education programme.

At its Congress Place headquarters briefing, it said this was needed so that the electorate can understand the system under which Local Government elections are to be held.

“It is, therefore, a source of concern to the party that such a programme has not yet started”, the statement said.

However, Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, this week said voter education, particularly about the new electoral system, is among the main activities by the Guyana Elections Commission that “will attract increasing scrutiny as time flows”.

He said the commission is into the final stages for its management of the polls, adding that Cabinet was convinced that with full cooperation and support, the holding of Local Government elections will be a reality this year.

Luncheon noted that the remaining bills on Local Government reform have been tabled in Parliament but the PNCR boycotted the first sitting of the Select Committee to examine the bills.

He said the PNCR has even boycotted the Committee of Selection process, rejecting the opportunity to name its members to sit on it.

“Nonetheless, the Select Committee has been constituted and is anticipated to function in the context of defined time lines for the widely supported Local Government elections in 2009”, he said.

The PNCR claimed the government has “evidently been committed to a strategy of frustrating the process of Local Government reform and, thereby, delayed the holding of Local Government elections.”

But at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Luncheon said stakeholders have all taken principled positions – with the government putting the finance, political will and capital on board for the process and opposition parties initiating the training and selection of electoral officials.

He said despite risks and concerns, the “signs are promising…but if we were to collectively cultivate those interventions that allowed us to move forward, we will have Local Government elections in 2009.”

The PNCR said it and the other Parliamentary Opposition parties have consistently argued that the reform of the system of Local Government is a necessary condition for the holding of Local Government elections and the promotion, and nurturing of democracy at the “grass roots” levels in Guyana.

It said the Local Government reforms must therefore be implemented prior to the holding of Local Government elections.

It added that contrary to the government’s “self serving propaganda, the PNCR-1G and the other Parliamentary Opposition parties have made the commitment that, provided there is the political will and good faith by the Government members, the issues that remain to be resolved can be concluded expeditiously, in time for the holding of Local Government elections.”

Republic Bank donates to development of Cactus Mound
By Priya Nauth
REPUBLIC Bank (Guyana) Limited yesterday donated $232,000 towards the expansion and development of the Cactus Mound at the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown.

Administrative Manager of GTA, Mr. Ohene Koama collects the donation from Communication and Public Relations Officer of Republic Bank, Ms. Jonelle Dummett. Looking on at left is General Manager of National Parks Commission, Ms. Yolanda Vasconcellos and Republic Bank Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ms. Michelle Johnson at right.(Adrian Narine photo)

The project was initiated by Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, National Parks Commission (NPC) and the Horticultural Society of Guyana, during Tourism Awareness Month last November.

It was part of the GTA enhancement initiative to encourage citizens and businesses to join in the effort to beautify their surroundings.

About 18 different species of cactus were planted, among them from around the city and in the hinterland.

The cheque for the donation was handed over, at the Cactus Mound, to GTA Administrative Manager, Mr. Ohene Koama, by Communication and Public Relations Officer, Ms. Jonelle Dummett, in the presence of Republic Bank Manager, Marketing and Communication, Ms. Michelle Johnson and General Manager of NPC, Ms. Yolanda Vasconcellos.

Koama acknowledged the major contribution by Republic Bank and reminded that the cactus garden was commissioned as a new dimension to the Botanical Gardens, within the GTA enhancement undertaking.

“Today commemorates the first expansion project to which the initiative has given birth,” he stated.

Koama said there is presently no roof over the garden because the weather destroyed the plastic which was above.

But the plants have to be covered as the cacti cannot grow in a lot of rain so the necessary covering is to mitigate or reduce the amount of rainfall on them, he stated.

Koama said the objective now is to use durable plastic sheets and encourage the public to go there and plant more cacti and have a thriving cultivation.

Johnson reiterated that the bank is committed to community enhancing and partnering with entities to ensure that Guyana and Georgetown remain beautiful, as well.

She mentioned what the bank did to rehabilitate the Promenade Gardens over a five-year period and wished the coordinators the best while looking forward to the continuation of the latest venture.

Vasconcellos joined in thanking the bank and noted that the NPC, being responsible for the Botanical Gardens, has a commitment to the expansion and development of the gardens in showcasing the flora, particularly.

“But balanced with the biodiversity and the ecosystems and such a cactus garden allows us to do so, because it not only showcases our local cactus taken from most of the regions of our country, but, primarily, reflects the cactus of Region Eight (Potaro/Siparuni), which are all endemic to Guyana,” she observed.

In her view: “It also allows for the other ecosystems to co-exist within the gardens and it, therefore, allows us to expand on our environmental and education awareness programmes as well.”

Vasconcellos said NPC is looking for support from the other private sector companies in the expansion and environmental education awareness of the gardens.

Other sponsors include Caribbean Chemicals, Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Conservation International (CI), Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM), Rainforest Tours and National Hardware but GTA is encouraging plant enthusiasts and others to donate cacti plants for extending the Cactus Mound and to the Botanical Gardens Nursery.

Moruka residents report reduced mystery illness attacks
By Vanessa Narine
RESIDENTS of Moruka have reported that some amount of normalcy is returning to their way of life, despite the fact that the cause of the mystery illness is still a debatable issue.

There have been three attacks of the sickness this week, one very serious, suffered by 15-year-old Mollyann La Rose.

Her mother, Graciann La Rose told the Guyana Chronicle her daughter was asleep at home when it happened and lasted 15 minutes.

The less serious attack saw the two more teenage girls falling victims, during their stay at the Santa Rosa Secondary School dormitory.

But they only complained of feeling unwell on Tuesday.

The sickness, again plaguing the Santa Rosa Mission community, resurfaced in February after it first struck three years ago.

Since the resurfacing 67 victims, between the ages of 13 and 18 years, have been continually afflicted.

However, the older La Rose said, generally a reduction has been experienced across the community.

“Things are slowly getting back to normal,” she asserted.

La Rose is one of the many who, while agreeing that the illness has psychological effects, is of the firm belief that it is in the paranormal realm.

However, tests done by health personnel were unsuccessful in ascertaining the cause, with no obvious genetic or other links, nor long term physical consequences.

Also, the Chronicle would like to apologise for carrying an ‘old story’ on the mystery illness in yesterday’s edition, instead of this updated version. We sincerely regret the error.

At Berbice Assizes…
One of 19 awaiting trial seeking plea bargain
NINETEEN prisoners, including a woman, incarcerated at the New Amsterdam Jail in Berbice, are requesting early trials at the Berbice Assizes, Assistant Superintendent of Prisons Charles Cossiah told Justice Diana Insanally yesterday.

Delivering the Jail Delivery at the close of the April sessions, he said murder accused Harlon Dey has indicated that he is seeking a plea bargain and other inmates facing indictments are willing to “throw in the towel” but are not in receipt of their depositions.

Cossiah said the listing contains the names of 15 prisoners indicted for murder, two charged with attempted murder and two more accused of robbery under arms and carnal knowledge, respectively.
The June sessions of the Berbice Assizes begin on Tuesday.

Major countries holding back on climate change battle
-- Civil group
`We need our leaders to understand the scale of the threat’ – Saleemul Huq
THE London-based International Institute for Environment and Development says the major developed countries are still not putting serious proposals on the negotiating table to tackle the impact of global climate change.

Saleemul Huq, senior fellow in the IIED’s climate change group, feels there was good and bad news from the United Nations climate change negotiations in Bonn, Germany which ended yesterday.

Huq was also a coordinating lead author of the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

In a press statement, he said the good news is that countries are generally moving in the right direction and have the basis of a text that they need to refine and agree by December when the UN is hoping to reach consensus on a new global climate change regime.

Guyana this week launched national consultations on its draft low carbon development strategy aimed at putting reforming the country’s economic base. It has committed the forests of Guyana to avoid deforestation to help in the international climate change battle.

Huq said the bad news from the Bonn meeting is that the pace of progress is far too slow and the strength of commitments is far too weak.

He said the major developed nations are still not putting serious proposals on the negotiating table. “They have been talking about what they can do domestically to limit climate change but when you add up their proposals they do not match the scale of the problem.”

“The world cannot wait until the UN summit in Copenhagen in December. If rich countries hold out until then we won’t get a global deal”, he argued.

Huq said heads of state need to get involved now and make some serious commitments that reflect the global challenge of climate change.

“This is simply a question of leadership. If the planet was a bank in crisis it would have been given a trillion dollar bailout by now. The money is there but the political will is not”, he said.

“We need our leaders to understand the scale of the threat climate change poses and to take the ambitious steps needed to face it”, he added.

Huq is urging civil society organisations, scientists and people all over the planet to push their leaders to take action.

This action must not only serve national interests but must be guided by science and a spirit of global solidarity, he said, adding that the immediate priority is that rich countries must pledge finance to tackle climate change.

“Without pledges, nothing else will follow”, he stated.

Some relatively good news from Bonn is that there is growing consensus about the need for vulnerable countries to adapt to climate change, he found.

“The missing link again is money. The most vulnerable countries will need tens of billions of dollars each year. There are some promising proposals but no agreement yet on how to finance adaptation, though I am still hopeful that this will be agreed by December.”

Cimate change strategy…
Sukhai explains importance of consultation with Amerindians
By Priya Nauth
MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Sukhai announced Tuesday that consultations with the indigenous population, in their communities on the climate change strategy, will begin in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

She made this announcement at a press conference in her ministry building on Quamina Street, Georgetown where she dealt with issues and developments in the hinterland locations.

Sukhai observed that a lot of questions were raised Monday when President Bharrat Jagdeo formally outlined the policy, that aims to transform the national economy to mesh with a new global climate change regime, to a wide cross-section of stakeholders at Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

She said the Government has wisely seen that, even though their lands are not part of the strategy nor committed, the Amerindians should be consulted on it.

The Minister said the exercise is to educate and make them more aware of what the approach entails and what it means for Guyana.

“What it means for hinterland development and also to help them to understand the strategy, so that they will be able to make their decision whether they want to opt in and at what time they may want to do so,” Sukhai elaborated.

She said: “It is our duty, as a government, to provide the Amerindian population with enough information and capacity to understand what this strategy holds for us, as a nation and also the benefits that may be accruing from pursuing such a development strategy.”

According to Sukhai, the consultative process will start on June 19, in Region Nine and continue in Regions One (Barima/Waini), Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice).

“However, the coastal Amerindian communities would have a chance to join any of the coastal consultations and there are plans afoot to discuss further having them together, all the coastal Amerindian communities at one forum, whereby they, too, can sit together and be able to discuss,” she stated.

Sukhai said the communities will be able to hear from presenters on the Government side a more in-depth presentation on the strategy.

“I think this period here is going to be pretty exciting,” she anticipated, adding: “What we are trying to do in Guyana has never been tried in the world.”

President Jagdeo said Monday’s deliberations were just the beginning of the consultation process, through which the Government is seeking to reconcile competing interests.

He said Norway is helping the cause and is supporting a study to assess the state of forest law enforcement and governance here and the results should be available by September.

Police shoot West Berbice cow-minder
A forty-five-year-old West Berbice man was shot dead by police during a confrontation at No. 30 Village in Berbice yesterday.

Reports are that police shot Daniel Usher, also known as Shaggy, when he attacked them with a cutlass around midday yesterday.

The police had been attempting to arrest Usher on a charge of threatening language.

Some residents confirmed that Usher was armed with a cutlass at the time but added that he had stopped running behind the Policemen and had stooped to pelt one of them with a stone when he was shot.

The residents said that Usher was a cow-minder and he was prone to being mentally unstable at times.

Reports yesterday said that the shooting was being investigated by senior officials of the Police Force.

STOP THIS OFFENSIVE TREATMENT
By RICKEY SINGH
(The following appeared as the author's column in yesterday's Barbados "Weekend Nation")
"I DO NOT accept that it could possibly be part of official Barbados Government policy for personnel of the immigration and police services to be engaged in a demeaning "scare-them-away" campaign against CARICOM migrants--a campaign that violates their basic rights and mock their dignity.

True, Prime Minister David Thompson and Attorney General Freundel Stuart are on record as having separately made, over recent months, some rather surprising statements--to say it politely--that may have unintentionally contributed to the reported shameful behaviour and inhumane treatment of CARICOM immigrants at public places as well as in private homes.

Both have been maintaining public silence for weeks prior and since the enforcement from June 2 of a six-month amnesty for the "illegals" to regularise their status or, face "removal"--that loaded official choice of warning in a civilised society committed to the rule of law.

Now perhaps, there should be an objective reappraisal of the methods and circumstances of "removal"--before and since the start of the amnesty--as being carried out against claimed "illegals".

Incidentally, NO intelligent estimate can be officially obtained about the number of "illegal' immigrants.

Nevertheless, speculations run the gamut, the sort fanned by alarming levels of ignorance and prejudices in the absence of ANY informed official statement to help guide public opinion and avoid the inhumane acts that must surely violate the sensibilities of the mass of Barbadians, known for their civility and respect for human dignity..

This past Wednesday, the political scientist, columnist and independent pollster, Peter Wickham, in a follow-up analysis in the 'Midweek Nation" on current "immigration issues", counselled objectivity and pointed the government to available options, before noting, and I quote:

"We (Barbadians) demonstrate our support for the presence of illegal immigrants by employing them; renting properties to them, and also partnering with them in all manner of domestic arrangements; but then argue that these persons should 'disappear' when the day's work has ended or, alternatively, when the personal relationship ends..."

Significantly, in that same edition, there was a well articulated argument from a letter writer, Charles Whittaker who, writing under the title "Time to speak up, Bajans", lamented:

"Unless you happen to be blind or deaf, you will have to be aware of the kind of treatment being meted out to our Caribbean brothers and sisters on a daily basis...the removal of people from buses; the collection of pregnant women and women with children from their homes in the middle of the night and the overall manhandling of these people in a manner that would only be used by the police on dangerous criminals..."

I happen to be aware of the growing concerns over these "immigration issues" that some CARICOM leaders intend to raise at next month's Heads of Government Conference in Guyana. But that is still three weeks away.

The question is: Will there be a halt now, or after that conference, to the offensive treatment against the CARICOM nationals here, or elsewhere in the Community? CARICOM's future is being seriously jeopardised on other fronts as well, amid cynical remarks about who is "driving" the CSME process".