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CARICOM aims for common environmental strategy
- GEF says region should take more advantage of funding opportunities
By Neil Marks
WITH global environment change threatening to undermine the key economic sectors of agriculture and tourism in the Caribbean, ministers from across the region met in Georgetown yesterday to define areas of functional cooperation.

But while the region scrambles to find money to confront the issue, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which helps developing countries fund projects and programmes that protect the global environment, has indicated that the region is not aggressive enough in taking advantage of resources that are available.

“They need to take advantage more and they need to utilise the resources that are being made available; there is still room for more work to be done to get more resources,” Rawleston Moore, the Adaptation and Country Relations Officer for GEF told the Guyana Chronicle. The GEF has some US$3.1B in its 2006-10 budget to support projects related to biodiversity, climate change, and other areas of environmental concern.

In Guyana, the GEF is currently funding to the tune of US$3.1M, a project which addresses the improvement and enhancement of the water management capacity and the flood control system of the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) -- a water storage system that provides East Demerara areas with irrigation and drinking water, and which links up the network of drainage and irrigation canals of the area.

However, the Caribbean faces more woes than getting money. St Lucia’s Minister of Tourism, Mr. Allen Chastanet warned against speculation, telling the meeting that the region is like “Alice in Wonderland” regarding the extent to which coral reefs and water quality, for example, have been affected by climate change.

“Unless you can measure something you can’t change it. We must be able to measure the progress of this region; we must become experts in determining our own environment and whether we are reducing or improving its quality,” he declared.

Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Robert Persaud also underscored the need for a comprehensive assessment of the region’s water resources. He said many Caribbean territories are water scarce, and even where freshwater may be in abundance, it is not without threat.

He said that as CARICOM looks to move forward in developing a comprehensive regional approach to climate change, with the effects rapidly intensifying and the dire consequences for food security globally and regionally, there is an urgent need to safeguard the region’s food resources, an integral part of this being freshwater resources.

“As they say, 'Water is Life' and our very existence will depend on the actions we take today,” Mr. Persaud warned the gathering of ministers who form part of CARICOM’s Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

Pointing to another challenge facing the region, Mr. Chastanet says there is a long way to go in curbing littering and dumping.

“Society has to start valuing the environment,” Chastanet declared.

Guyana faces a similar problem, according to Adviser to the President on Sustainable Development, Mr. Navin Chandarpal.

When high tides caused flooding in some East Coast villages recently, Chandarpal said the problem would have been less were the drainage canals not blocked by debris dumped indiscriminately.

According to Chandarpal, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDERA) now has an expanded mandate which takes into account this issue of risk reduction.

“If people keep the drainage canals free, the flood impact will be reduced,” he said.

Mr. Chastanet said there is need for an aggressive public awareness initiative, starting at the school level, to encourage better practices to save the environment.

Agriculture the chief victim
Persaud said that a regional policy on environment is appropriate given that the territories of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are all low-lying coastal states and are already facing more frequent and intense weather events “which threaten our economies and very existence.”

He noted that agriculture has been a chief victim of the changing weather pattern.

Garfield Barnwell, Director of Sustainable Development at the CARICOM Secretariat agrees. He said that perhaps the “best example” is Grenada, where the 2004 Hurricane Ivan wiped out its nutmeg cultivations, leaving the island without its major export crop.

“Nutmeg was Grenada’s major export crop,” Barnwell cited, noting that it would take another decade for the industry to get going again. But by that time, it is quite likely that its market share would have been lost to other exporters.

“So for many of the Caribbean’s agriculture-oriented economies, the issue of climate change has to be taken very seriously,” Mr. Barnwell has warned.

Persaud said that CARICOM recognised the need for comprehensive disaster management as far back as 2001 with the development of a regional strategy, but he said there is a clear need to build on this “and to move forward expeditiously with its implementation.”

Against the backdrop of rising fossil fuel prices daily, and its implications for all sectors of a country’s economy, Persaud urged that the Caribbean increases the momentum in its efforts towards renewable energy, “to build capacity for management, as well as opportunities for financing and access to technology.”

At the same time, he said there is need to examine and pursue opportunities from agro-energy in a way that does not add to our environmental challenges and jeopardize food production.

Mr. Persaud said that the discussions of the Caribbean environment ministers were pertinent to the rapid increase in food prices.

Many of the issues that were set for consideration, “and subsequent actions can, directly and indirectly, influence our ability to respond to these massive food price increases,” Mr. Persaud said.

Reward for eco system services
Persaud called also for the establishment of a regional task force on climate

change negotiations to build on current coordinating mechanisms of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre and the CARICOM Secretariat.

Since its establishment in 2002, the Centre has emerged as one of the leading regional authorities on climate change, providing technical assistance and guidance for decision making, Persaud noted, adding that “a regional policy would help to enhance our ability to better represent the region as a whole.”

“As we move forward with the momentum from the Bali Conference, and through

the Bali Action Plan to devise a comprehensive agreement on climate change by 2009, as well as a successor to the existing Kyoto Protocol, there is much merit in the establishing of a Regional Task Force on Climate Change Negotiations,” Persaud exhorted.

Integral to the success of this would be the development of a Regional Climate Change Strategy to establish a coordinated approach on climate change, the minister pointed out.

He said that this would ensure that “due recognition and some form of market-based compensation are given for the vital eco-system services we provide to the planet, such as the significant role of standing forests in mitigating climate change.”

July month-end Takutu Bridge commissioning mulled
WORK on the approaches of the Takutu Bridge, likened as a vital link to integrating countries in the Guiana shield, is near completion and a tentative July month-end commissioning has been set.

This was disclosed yesterday by Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Robeson Benn, while updating the Guyana Chronicle on the status a wide range of developmental projects.

Construction of the 14-metre wide reinforced concrete structure supported by four piers, and which has two walkways for the unhindered access by pedestrians commenced in 2001 with funding by the Brazilian Government.

The construction was not without woes as it was plagued by lengthy delays as result of a number of factors including a serious over-topping of the banks of the Takutu River during the May-June rains.

As a result the initial January 2008 completion could not be met.

The Takutu Bridge - will offer easy access to Guyana from the entire South America.

Meanwhile, a pre-feasibility study is being undertaken for the Brazil/Guyana road which will run from Lethem to Linden for which the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank inked a US$900,000 technical cooperation agreement in August last year .

The contract for the pre-feasibility study to determine the options for improving the road link which is envisioned to significantly increase integration between Guyana and Brazil, was awarded to Mott McDonald Ltd of the United Kingdom, in association with CEMCO Inc. of Guyana.

GUYSUCO laments production loss resulting from unrest in Berbice
-loss of production so far is 1,380 tonnes over the three estates and is equivalent to US$1 M or G $ 200 M loss in revenue.
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud has lamented that the industrial unrest at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates in Berbice is a set back to the entity in meeting its production target.

At a recent press briefing held at his Ministry last Wednesday he said: “It would be better if we don’t have any industrial action because every day away from work does take a toll on us.”

The minister hopes that the responsible agencies will look into their concerns and the matter would be speedily resolved.

He pointed out that the workers do not have a problem with GuySuCo but are aggravated by the services of the Guyana Power and Light Incoperated (GPL), the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), National Insurance Scheme (NIS) among other issues.

The corporation in a release yesterday expressed bitter disappointment over the actions of its employees who are on strike at the Rosehall, Blairmont and Albion estates for issues not directly related its operations.

The company called on the workers to resume work today or face the potential of serious disciplinary action consistent with the collective labour agreements signed with the union.

The protest started on Tuesday with sugar workers of the Rose Hall and Providence Estates marching through the streets of New Amsterdam before picketing the NIS and GPL offices.

“The workers have ignored and blatantly disregarded the established grievance procedure which requires workers to follow due process before proceeding on strike, leaving burnt canes in the fields and punts full in dock unable to be crushed further adding to the losses of the corporation. This type of action will affect the company’s ability to guarantee employment opportunities,” the release stated.

It underscored the cooperation has no control over the factors which the workers are striking about.

“It is therefore beyond comprehension that workers should harm the very company that is employing them and providing them with their living over something to which it has no influence,” the entity stressed.

GuySuCo expressed concerns that the workers action is further aggravating the corporation strides to adjust to the European Union (EU) price cuts when another will be felt in October this year and the full impact in October 2009.

The annual loss in revenue to the industry as a result of the EU action is expected to exceed $8B the press statement pointed out.

Also, the corporation said the strike is harming its reputation in the international market because if the workers do not return to work as of tomorrow it will be in danger of supplying contracted markets in the Caribbean and Europe.

The company has reduced it production target for this crop from 124,000 to 108,000 tonnes following the very poor weather at the beginning of the year.

“This new target is now in serious danger of not being achieved following the action of the workers at our Berbice estates. The loss of production so far is 1,380 tonnes over the three estates and is equivalent to US$1 M or G $ 200 M loss in revenue. This is likely to double if the protest is not brought to a speedy conclusion and production resumed,” GuySuCo underlined.

The release said the entity has recently invested US $ 180 M in the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project (SSMP) which is expected to be commissioned early in the second crop of 2008.

It noted that there has been significant spending in agriculture to buy mechanical cane loaders, carry out land conversion to facilitate mechanized operations as well as factory improvements across the country.

“This additional investment in agriculture and the factory has totaled G$ 3 B over the past two years. The corporation may now have to consider investing more resources to accelerate our capital investment to mechanize the industry, to address general labour in the industry,” the release stressed.

PM meets sugar workers on irritants
A five-member delegation is expected to meet with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, at his office on Monday, to amicably resolve issues which forced sugar workers at Providence and Rose Hall Estates to down tools and take to the streets in what they described as a ‘kitchen protest’.

During a meeting in front of Freedom House, New Amsterdam Office of the People Progressive Party (PPP) yesterday, the Prime Minister acknowledged that indeed it was a difficult period, but not just for Guyana. However, he assured the disgruntled group, that government was doing its best to alleviate the complexities they face.

Hinds emphasised that the administration is aiming at making the workers life better, nevertheless, he urged them to adjust to the world wide change.

With respect to complaints about the improper keeping of records by the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), the Prime Minister said that there must be an intervention by the relevant authorities to resolve the complaint.

Hinds commenting on the allegation of police harassment on a female sugar worker at Rose Hall on Wednesday, assured that should the rank/s be found culpable following an investigation, disciplinary action would be taken.

Last Tuesday, about 1,500 sugar workers attached to the Rose Hall Sugar Estate, in East Berbice, returned to the streets yesterday to protest rising food prices, exorbitant electricity bills and problems with NIS record keeping. (Jeune Bailey Van-Keric)

Cops pledges support to family of security guard
-who was mauled to death by a pack of dogs
By Michel Outridge
Cops (GUYANA) Ltd. yesterday pledged to support the family of former long serving and outstanding security guard, Charles Roopchand, 54, who was attacked and killed early Wednesday morning by a pack of dogs while on his way to work.

At a press conference yesterday at Cops (GUYANA) Ltd. 273 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Executive Director, Mr. Gregory Gaskin expressed his sorrow at Roopchand’s demise.

He said the company is mourning the loss of an excellent employee who they will stand by and will ensure that his family receives his insurance benefits of the nine years he was on the job.

Mr. Gaskin added that the security company will also handle Roopchand’s funeral expenses.

He added that the man’s death has aggrieved the company considering the fact that he was walking to work on a public thoroughfare when was brutally attacked and killed by nine ferocious dogs which managed to escape from its owner’s yard.

The incident took place at Ogle Airstrip Road, East Coast Demerara, Roopchand was on his way to work to relieve a colleague who was guarding the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) cell site, a short distance away.

Mr. Gaskin pointed out that legislation should be implemented for dogs that are being used for gaming purposes and pit bulls should be banned to prevent any more loss of lives.

Gaskin said Charles Roopchand’s attack clearly shows how the animals are being treated and it has reflected on their behavior as killers.

He however, described the dogs as ‘lethal merchants of death’ and the owner, who is said to be a well-known pilot, should be held accountable for not securing his property.

He is currently being held at the Sparendaam Police Station along with his nine dogs.

Cops (GUYANA) Ltd. Operations Manager, Mr. Christopher Thompson who was on the scene shortly after Roopchand was mauled to death said that the incident has left him in a deep state of shock and grief.

He recalled that the last time he saw Roopchand alive he dropped him home and last he heard the man was that he did not show up for work at his location.

He related that he rushed to the scene and what he saw was most disturbing.

Mr. Thompson added that Roopchand was a model worker who was described as a very pleasant person who worked at University of Guyana (UG) from 1999 to 2005.

He also called on the relevant authorities to address the gaming issue of dogs and to limit the introduction of pit bulls in the country.

According to Commander of ‘C’ Division, Mr. Leroy Brummel, they are in the process of securing a better place for the dogs involved in the attack and have approached the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) for advice.

He said that when the investigations are completed and if it is found that the owner was negligent he will be charged as the police are awaiting the advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the fate of the dogs.

Meanwhile, President of GSPCA, Mr. Oliver Insanally told the Guyana Chronicle that it is not in their mandate to shelter dogs that have attacked and killed people.

He explained that they provide a safe environment for dogs that are homeless and those that were abandoned and mistreated by their owners.

Injured in the attack is Desiree London, wife of Bishop Philbert London, who was jogging at the time.

She was thrown to the ground by the dogs unaware that they had minutes before killed a man.

She was however, rescued by two men and Former Minister of Labour, Dr. Dale Bisnauth, who was walking and armed with pieces of sticks.

London was treated for wounds to her calves and hands and sent away.

Over the years, although no one was killed, several persons were injured after they were attacked by dogs.

Two pit bulls attacked two residents of Tucville and employees of the GSPCA, when their owners reportedly let the animals free on a group of children who were playing on February 29, 2008.

She was however charged and provided compensation to the injured.

Another pit bull attack was recorded when two pit bulls attacked and mauled a jogger, Lennox Wade, 57, near Well Road, North Ruimveldt on October 1, 2007.

NEWS

San Felix and Puerto Ordaz Guyanese receive help from Guyana’s Embassy      
GUYANA’s Ambassador to Venezuela Dr. Odeen Ishmael and a five-member team from the Embassy last weekend met with hundreds of Guyanese nationals residing in the Venezuelan industrial city of Ciudad Guayana, located at the junction of the Orinoco and the Caroni Rivers, 600 miles south-east of Caracas. Most of the Guyanese who migrated to Venezuela reside in various parts of this sprawling industrial city.

At four different centres in the city’s large municipalities of San Felix and Puerto Ordaz, the Ambassador and his team during the two-day period concentrated their efforts on assisting more than 200 Guyanese in renewing their passports and another 200 to apply for new and first-time passports.

Many of the Guyanese in this city are illegal residents and a sizeable proportion of them do not even possess Guyanese passports or even copies of their birth certificates which form the essential requirement for them to apply for passports. A great proportion of them are also without Guyanese identification documents, even though they have been living in Venezuela for as long as twenty years. As a result, they cannot apply for Venezuelan residency which many of their compatriots with the relevant documents have already acquired.

Ambassador Ishmael also in addressing the Guyanese nationals, who turned out in large numbers at the four locations, explained to them how they can acquire other documents such as copies of birth and marriage certificates, and also of the process they have to follow to enable their children born in Venezuela to acquire Guyanese passports.

According to the city authorities of Ciudad Guayana, more than 36,000 Guyanese reside there, with the largest concentration in the municipality of San Felix. While some have found employment in the city’s iron, steel and aluminium industries, most of the “illegals” are employed as labourers, domestics and ice-cream vendors. However, some others are self-employed mainly in the transportation business and in operating small farms, groceries and small stores.

At a lengthy meeting on April 12 with the mayor of the city, Mr. Clemente Scotto, Ambassador Ishmael discussed the problems of the Guyanese nationals and sought the city government’s assistance in helping to more rapidly incorporate the Guyanese community into the general Venezuelan society. The Ambassador reminded the mayor that many Guyanese children, due to their non-possession of (Guyanese) birth certificates, face problems in obtaining admission to schools.

The mayor responded that he was aware of this particular problem and that it was currently being addressed. He added that the Guyanese, because of their language and religions, tend to form a closed community and generally they would not participate in civic programmes organised by the city authorities. But Mayor Scotto said that he noticed a positive shift in February when a representative organisation of the Guyanese in the city organised a food fair to mark Guyana’s republic anniversary to which the general public was invited.

The Ambassador and the Mayor also discussed problems associated with employment of Guyanese in the area. On this point, the mayor pointed out that many employers exploit the “illegal” Guyanese who are forced to accept menial wages for long hours of work. He also expressed concern over the perceived movement of criminals, contraband trade, and drug and arms trafficking and across the Guyana-Venezuela border, a situation which he said has also resulted into a higher level of money laundering in his city.

During Ambassador Ishmael’s meetings with the Guyanese nationals, he informed them of the discussions he held with Mayor Scotto and urged them to make greater efforts to incorporate themselves in the affairs of the wider community of which they now form an essential part.
(Guyana Embassy in Caracas)

Damaged Demerara Harbour Bridge back in operation
The damaged component on the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) which caused the free flow of vehicular traffic across the bridge to be disrupted Tuesday, and prompted management to implement a reduction in the weight limit of vehicles crossing the structure has been completed.

And in order to facilitate repair works, the bridge was closed to vehicular traffic from 13:30h to 16:00h, according to DHB Acting General Manager, Mr. Rawlston Adams.

At the moment, the maximum weight for vehicles crossing the bridge has been reduced from 22.4 tonnes to 18.4 tonnes.

But it is expected that when repairs are done, the maximum weight will return to normal.

The broken component was discovered during a scheduled 13:00 hours retraction of the bridge to allow ocean-going vessels to pass through. The bridge remained closed until 16 hrs to effect temporary repairs.

Recently, a combination of factors compounded the effective maintenance of the 30-year-old bridge which spans 1.25 miles across the Demerara River and comprises 61 spans.

CLICO donates $100, 000 for surgery to bed-ridden patient
CLICO (Guyana) presented a cheque for G$100, 000 to the family to help offset the cost of surgery for Ms. Tashana Corlette which she urgently needs

In 2007, Tashana’s life took a dramatic turn when doctors diagnosed her with a “mass-like lesion” within the proximal portion of her cervical cord, a condition which severely affected her ability to function normally and resulted in her being bed-ridden.

She was hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) experiencing prolonged instances of weakness, after which an MRI revealed the existence of the tumor. 

The family was advised to seek further evaluation overseas. Despite the diagnosis, Tashana remained resilient, offering her father, Terrence Corlette, the necessary motivation to seek help in providing his daughter with the urgent medical attention she needed.

Remarking on the gesture, Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Geeta Singh-Knight stated: “We’re in the business of adding value to life; with this small contribution, with hope that like Tashana can return to the vibrant young woman she was before...our heartfelt prayers and best wishes are extended to her on her journey to recovery.”

Agriculture Ministry alerts GRA on suspected rice smuggling
AGRICULTURE Minister Robert Persaud said his Ministry has received reports of rice smuggling and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has been alerted to address the issue.

“I am not saying this is happening by any particular player but we have received reports that smuggling is taking place,” the minister clarified.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday at his Ministry, Persaud pointed out that the illegal activity could disappear in terms of supply but if tackled at the ports of export, it would be arrested.

He explained that before the commodity is exported, it has to receive a stamp of approval from the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) after passing a fitness test for quantity and quality.

Millers also have to submit their contracts to the GRDB for it to know the amount being exported, the minister noted.

Recently, government has restricted export of the commodity to ensure adequate supply for domestic consumption and for traditional markets particularly in CARICOM in light of the global surge in food prices.

The administration has also banned the export of rice bran and has limited the export of broken rice to 10,000 tonnes to allow for adequate supply to the feed industry.

According to Persaud ,this year marks 100 years since Guyana has been exporting the staple and stressed this crop is expected to be the biggest ever in Guyana’s history, despite the inclement weather.

He said production this year is estimated to be over 321,000 tonnes of which 271,000 tonnes would be for export.

The minister attributed the boom to measures taken by government to not only maintain the level of production but to increase it. The minister noted that this includes the improvement of services to farmers.

Meanwhile, following requests for hinterland farmers, the Ministry thought the GRDB is looking to introduce a special variety of rice to be grown there.

The minister disclosed that his extension officers have already started plans for the project which will save the cost to transportation the commodity to those communities.

The Ministry in an effort to stabilize the price for rice will be extending the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC) “Price Buster” campaign to other communities. (Tajeram Mohabir)

Safe workplaces, healthy workers a priority-Nadir
By Priya Nauth
MINISTER of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir yesterday assured that his Ministry is intensifying efforts to ensure Occupational Safety and Health for workers.

He gave this assurance at a symposium on Occupational Safety and Health conducted by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in collaboration with the National Advisory Council on Occupation Safety and Health (NACOSH).

The symposium was held under the theme ‘Managing Risk in the Work Environment-My life, My work, My safe work’ yesterday at the Hotel Tower, Georgetown.

Nadir said that safe workplaces and healthy workers will be among the priorities for the Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Department, disclosing that that within the next eight weeks the department will be fully staff doubling its current strength.

He informed the gathering that his Ministry has move steadfast to rebuild the institution to police the occupational safety and health; and labour laws in the country.

The minister said that the Ministry has been very lenient in getting employers to resolve issues relating to workers, however, now they are going to get serious in dealing with them.

He disclosed that there are already three industrial deaths for this year.

We are serious about occupational safety and health and feel that cases reported to us are only a small fraction of what happens,’ he observed.

The minister said 1,200 cases of accident were reported in 2006 and the following year over 2,000 and additionally about 2,400 inspections were conducted last year and this year’s target is 3,000.

He noted that there will be a difference this year in that the labour and occupational safety and health officer will be the same person.

Also, in two months every inspectors will have the basis tools to carry out their duties and the Ministry is working towards ensuring that the officers acquire the support training and exposure necessary to enforce best practices.

In this respect, he said, the Ministry will conduct training programmes and international visits to produce officers that are academically sound, professional and guided by international best practices.

“… we are getting very serious about enforcement and more seriousness in terms of prosecution,” he exhorted.

Chairman of NACOSH, Mr. Dale Beresford, recalled that one of the most comprehensive and modern piece of occupational safety and health legislation in the Caribbean known as the Occupational Safety and Health Act was assented in 1997, however, years later they are still unable to give this act its prominence in the Laws of Guyana

.Beresford observed that major sections of the Act which are fundamental to safety and health of employees, employers and sectors within Guyana, are still to be implemented.

He supported the establishment of joint occupational safety and health committees and appointment of occupation safety and health commission.

“There are less than 30 percent of organisations that have functional joint safety and health committees,” he informed the participants.

He commended the minister on the recent launching of the Ministry’s joint Safety and Health Committee.

Also, he noted that the gestation period for the Act has long expired and actions should be taken at the highest level to ensure that occupational safety and health does not follow the path of other pieces of legislation that are allowed to be just pieces of papers.

He urged the minister to make this a priority for this year since too many employees are in breach of the Act and declare zero-tolerance.

“…ignorance is no excuse,” he pointed out.

He insisted that accidents are preventable and every effort should be made to ensure zero –tolerance policy on unsafe practices and working conditions.

Beresford pointed out that employers have a duty to ensure their employees work in a safe and healthy environment free from potential hazard and safety must be an integral part in their working operations.

“Safety starts in womb and ends in tomb,” he reminded.

Another importance, he noted also, is the strengthening of the human capacity of the Labour Occupational Safety and Health Division with professional and well trained staff.

President of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Ms. Gillian Burton reiterated that that the employers’ responsibility is not only to manage risk in the work environment but also to place emphasis on the workers.

She pointed out that the occupational health and safety officers have a huge responsibility in ensuring that safety regulations are adhere to at all time.

Burton encouraged the participants to ensure that the Act is operational through occupational safety and health committees at their respective workplace and ensure it is functional.

Spain’s Ambassador presents credentials to President Jagdeo
THE Kingdom of Spain’s interest in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been increasing and the country has just established a second embassy in the region in Trinidad and Tobago.

This is according to that country’s Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Fernando de la Serna who presented his credentials to President Bharrat Jagdeo at the Office of the President yesterday.

The Ambassador said previously Spain had only one permanent mission in the region and this was situated in Jamaica. He feels that cooperation between Guyana and Spain will now be enhanced with the second Embassy established in closer jurisdiction to Guyana.

“There have been already three meetings between Spain and CARICOM at the level of the Heads of Government,” he noted, adding that the meetings were held in 1999 in Port of Spain and in 2002 and 2006 in Spain.

The Ambassador extended an invitation to President Jagdeo to attend another meeting that will involve CARICOM Heads and the Prime Minister of Spain.

“This is in the context of our increasing interest in the CARICOM region. We have an agreement of cooperation with CARICOM and we hope in that context to start a project now at the national level in Guyana. It will start next year,” Ambassador de la Serna posited.

The Ambassador acknowledged that much more needs to be done to enhance cooperation and promised that this will be done in the upcoming years during his tenure.

Spain will be focusing on development projects in the areas of training, food and agriculture, health, tourism and industry.

The country is also interested in promoting Spanish at the level of the University of Guyana.

The Ambassador, who holds a law degree from the University of Madrid, will be based in Trinidad and Tobago.

He has served as Ambassador to a number of other CARICOM territories including Jamaica, The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Lucia, Dominica and Grenada. (GINA)       

Missing man discovered in shallow grave at Patentia
THE decapitated, dismembered and decomposed body of a man missing from his home for the last three weeks was yesterday dug up from a shallow grave aback of his yard at 93 Fourth Street, Patentia, West Bank Demerara.

The gruesome discovery of the man identified as Ramesh Singh, 54, a former Security Guard employed with Toolsie Persaud, was made around noon, by his son Mahesh of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara who visited his home on Sunday and found out that he was not there.

Within minutes of receiving the report yesterday, police swooped down on the premises and took into custody, a man who, along with his wife had been sharing Singh’s house with him for just under two months.

Deeply anguished and shocked at the discovery, Mahesh said that when he arrived at his father’s home on Sunday, he was told by the tenant known as “Dumb Boy” that his father had gone to Venezuela to spend some time with another son, Pran. The tenant, in his mid twenties, further told Mahesh that he had given Singh $40,000 to take care of his travel expenses.

Meanwhile, neighbours confirmed that the same story was related to them by the suspect when they enquired of him, after not seeing him since Good Friday.

Noting that he was a man who was always “up and around”, doing errands for neighbours, or tending his kitchen garden when not having a “booze” with friends, they said that he was immediately missed when they did not see him playing Phagwah the day after Good Friday. However, the suspect maintained his story.

Neighbours said they tended to believe the man, since Singh, known as “Chukuru” often told them that he wanted to travel to Venezuela to see his son.

However, Mahesh did not “buy” that story, since he felt sure his father would not leave the country and not inform him and his wife Savita or any of the relatives here that he was leaving. He apparently contacted his brother in Venezuela and learnt that his father was not there.

After relating this to neighbours at Patentia, persons said they recalled seeing the suspect digging a pit next to some banana trees at the back of his yard just around the time of Singh’s disappearance. They said they figured it was a latrine pit being dug, but later noticed that the pit had been covered up with dirt.

Meanwhile, neighbours recalled getting a very putrid smell coming from the back of Singh’s yard and dismissed it as being shrimp shells the tenants might have thrown out there.

On hearing these stories, Mahesh said he grew increasingly restless, and called in a villager to dig up the mound in the yard. He said he almost fainted when he saw a human hand appear as the man continued digging. They immediately discontinued and called out for the suspect who was apparently “eyeing” them from a secluded corner.

On noting Mahesh’s rage, the suspect who, by then had a cutlass in the back of his waist ran up the road, Mahesh recounted, but he pursued him hotly, overpowered him, and sent for the police.

Late yesterday, as police continued their investigations, the man and his wife remained in custody. At completely digging up the shallow grave, the man’s badly decomposed and offensive smelling remains were placed, limb by limb into a steel coffin along with his head which had been severed.

Meanwhile, scores of villagers, along with the dead man’s relatives, on hearing the news, gathered outside his home and remained outside the area cordoned by police at the crime scene.owever,

Singh leaves to mourn, his elder brother Muni; sons Pran and Mahesh; daughter- in-law Savita.

PPP/C deplores murderous attacks on Palestinians
THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has deplored what it describes as the “continued vicious and murderous attacks” on the Palestinian people by the Israeli military.

In a release the party said everyday many civilians, including children are being killed indiscriminately by soldiers firing rockets from aircrafts.

“Israel has turned the Gaza Strip into a huge prison with deteriorating conditions. They have destroyed electricity and the sewage system. These actions have compounded the misery of the Palestinians. Today all in Gaza are not only confronting the wrath of the Israeli army but also the dangers of a major disease outbreak,” the party charged.

According to a press release, the party deplores the continued vicious and murderous attacks on the Palestinians people by the Israeli military. Every day many civilians including innocent children are being killed indiscriminately by the soldiers firing rockets from aircrafts and helicopters, it said.

The PPP reiterated that it salutes the courage and efforts of President Carter whose great humanitarian concerns have led him to speak out against the apartheid system that Israel has imposed in relation to the Palestinians which has earned him the wrath of the Israelis regime.

The party also notes the double standards of many western governments in talking about democracy, as they have encouraged the destruction of the democratically elected government in Palestine.

The PPP is calling on the international community and in particular on the United States (U.S.) and European Union (E.U.), the main financiers of Israel, to use their considerable influence to demand that Israel respects the Human Rights of the Palestinian people and work towards the establishment of a viable Palestinian state.

Poonai’s Words of Worldly Wisdom launched
TWO booklets including ‘Words of Worldly Wisdom - Guyana: Proverbs, Aphorisms and Parables by the late Mr. Neranjan Oudho Poonai, were launched yesterday at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, Kingston, Georgetown.

The other, ‘Insightful Views of Guyana’ contains 18 articles by Hydar Ally, a member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

Former President of Guyana, Mrs. Janet Jagan, who composed the manuscript, recalled that every week Poonai would send one of his proverbs to be published in the Mirror newspaper and described Poonai not only as a solicitor, a writer and a naturalist but a man of the future and one of the earliest ecologists in the country.

She said his book is full of wisdom and a wonderful addition to Guyanese culture.

Mrs. Jagan also said that Ally is a regular contributor to the Mirror Newspaper and his contribution focuses on various aspects of life in Guyana.

Minister of Local Government, Mr. Kellawan Lall, during brief remarks, observed that Guyana has some fine writers and expressed hope that the book can be one of the basic textbooks used in the school system.

He encouraged parents to make their children read the book which also features an historical and cultural perspective with quotes that were uttered and passed on from generation to generation.

Poonai who hailed from Corentyne, Berbice, was a teacher before studying law and additionally obtained a Master’s Degree in Conservation and a Degree in English.

He wrote articles for local newspapers and do the radio programme ‘Broadcast to Schools’ for Children and also took delight in writing short stories for children and was awarded a medal by the Government of Guyana.

Poonai also took photographs of interesting things that Guyana had to offer like the interior and flowers and birds and also designed a series of postage stamps of different denominations and highlighted Guyana’s bird life and one of his hobbies was oil painting of the interior.

Ally noted that Poonai and him came from the same community and attended the same Primary School.

He said he started to write for the Mirror Youth Page from an early age which was a popular page and since then his interest in writing never diminished and the articles range from the Party’s philosophy, ideology, social development; the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s struggle and contribution to development; and other issues.

He thanked Mrs. Jagan for editing the articles and writing the introduction and expressed his hope that the publication will make a contribution to the literature and politics of the country and noted that many young people are not familiar with political history.

Ally also observed that youths are not reading enough now because of the influence of television and hopes the publication can rekindle the spirit of reading and writing.

Former Minister of Labour, Dr. Dale Bisnauth also read some excerpts from Poonai’s work. (Priya Nauth)

Food for the Poor donates $7.5M in items to Education Ministry
WITH their focus on the development of Guyana’s youth, Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc yesterday donated approximately $7.5M worth of meal packs and other items to the Ministry of Education.

In the boardroom of the non-governmental organisation, in Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Executive Director Leon Davis said that the purpose of the contribution was to help needy children who attend school.

“Children are our country’s greatest future resources and because of this any collaborative work with the Ministry of Education is positive. We see education as the key to success,” David stated.

Some 2500 meal packages were handed over to the ministry, along with 500 pairs of Croc footwear, five cases of exercise books, 1000 lunch bags (500 big and 500 small) and 20 boxes of pencils.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Winston Brown called the donation “enormous”. He thanked the organisation for their contribution and remembered some of their past investments like that of skim milk and cricket gear.

He assured the organisation that the items will be properly used.

“I want to assure you [Mr. Davis] that the nationwide distribution items will be used effectively. We will be tackling areas prone to poverty,” Brown proclaimed.

The Ministry’s representative said that even though some of the items will be used in Georgetown, most of it would go into the interior locations where it is most needed. (Faizul Deo)

Ten-year old becomes accident victim twice within a month
A ten- year- old girl recovering slowly from injuries sustained when she was struck down and run over by a motor cycle on March 22, unfortunately was injured again yesterday– this time by a motor car, after being discharged from hospital only about three weeks ago.

Tecoama Armstrong, of Bent Street Wortmanville, was rushed to the Accident and Emergency Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital around 13:30 hours writhing in pains.

She became a victim of the accident as she was returning from the trial at the Brickdam Magistrate’s Court involving the offending motor cyclist in the first accident

Her mother Kim Armstrong told the Guyana Chronicle that she had only three weeks ago been discharged from the Woodlands Hospital where she was warded following the first accident.

The distraught mother recalled that her child who suffered severe bone and other injuries was admitted to the Woodlands Hospital unconscious and had to be hooked up to life support systems.

Armstrong said, following the court appearance yesterday, she and her daughter had gotten into a motor car driven by a relative, and were proceeding east along Brickdam on their way home, when another motor car travelling from behind, slammed into theirs. The child was injured for a second time around, compounding the earlier injures from which she had not quite recovered.

Meanwhile, Tecoama’s first accident occurred March 22, as she was leaving a “wake” at East Ruimveldt, in the company of other relatives. They were reportedly standing at the side of the road, awaiting transportation when a speeding red Jailing motor cycle ploughed into her.

The motorist reportedly fled, leaving the injured child and his motor cycle behind.

17 deportees from U.S. Canada and France
THE under-mentioned 17 persons were deported from the United States, Canada and France, between September 14, 2007 and February 14, 2008, for the reasons indicated.       

 * Dellon Campbell, 30, of 119 Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden was on 2007-09-14 deported from Canada for robbery.

On 2005-06-08 Campbell was arrested for robbing his cousin of US$ 300. He subsequently appeared before the court where he was found guilty and was sentenced to 17 months imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

* Arlington Jackson, 28, of 146 Sixth Street, Alberttown, was on 2008-01-25 deported from the USA for drug related offences.

On 2005-10-25, Jackson was arrested after a search was conducted on his home by the police and a quantity of cocaine was found. He appeared before the court, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

* Kenneth Wong, 34, of 242 Caneview Avenue, South Ruimveldt Park, was on 2008-02-05 deported from the USA for drugs. 

Wong was among a group of friends who got themselves involved in drugs, which resulted in them being arrested. He appeared before the court, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.  On completion of his sentence he was deported.

* Vishwadat Jaikaran, 31, of 30 New Road, Essequibo Coast was on 2007-12-11 deported from the United States for assault. 

Sometime in March, 1996 Jaikaran got into a fight with another man and was placed on five years probation. He subsequently filed for his citizenship and during this process it was found that he had been charged for a misdemeanor and should be deported. This was carried out by the authorities.

*Roberta Murray, 32, of 511 North East La Penitence, was on 2007-09-24 deported from France for trafficking in narcotics.

On 2006-03-22 Murray travelled from St Maarten to France where a quantity of narcotics was found in her luggage. As a result, she was charged and sentenced to three years imprisonment. On completion of her time she was deported.

*Hugh Douglas, 43, of 87 Buxton, East Coast Demerara, was on 2007-09-26 deported from the United States for drugs. 

Sometime in 1987 Douglas was at home in the USA when the police conducted a search and found a quantity of marijuana. He was charged and appeared before the court where he was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

*Russell Veira, 29, of 262 Delph Street, Campbellville, was on 2008-02-05 deported from the United States for causing death by dangerous driving.

In 2003 Veira was involved in a fatal accident resulting in his being charged. He appeared before the court, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to five years imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

*Ricardo Bourne, 27, of Lot 28 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, was on 2007-12-11 deported from the United States for possession of an illegal firearm.

On 2007-01-12 police in the United States conducted a search on Bourne and found an illegal firearm in his possession. He was arrested and charged and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

*Rodwell Sherwin Anderson, 30, of 66 Barr Street, Albouystown, was on 2007-12-19 deported from the United States for selling an illegal firearm.

On 2005-05-06 Anderson was arrested in the USA after he was found selling an illegal firearm. He was charged and sentenced to two years imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

*Walter Johnson, 49, of Lot 112 Friendship, East Coast Demerara, was on 2007-12-11 deported from the United States for sexual assault.

On 2005-11-01 Johnson was arrested and charged after a woman accused him of touching her inappropriately.  He appeared before the court, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

*Francis Rohit, 32, of 194 Block 8, Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, was on 2007-09-26 deported from the United States for attempted robbery.

In 1998 Rohit was arrested during an attempt to rob the occupants of a house in Queens, New York. He was charged and appeared before the court where he was sentenced to nine years imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.

*Edward Barnes, 49, of Second Street, Alberttown, was on 2008-02-05 deported from the United States for possession of cocaine. 

In January 2006 Barnes went to collect someone at the JFK International Airport who was found in possession of narcotics. He was arrested and charged and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. On completion of his time he was deported.