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.