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President deems national stakeholders meeting successful
- hopes that spirit of cooperation will continue
President Bharrat Jagdeo and several other stakeholders yesterday described the national stakeholders meeting on crime, held at the Office of the President, as successful as most initiatives were agreed upon and presentations were good.

Yesterday’s meeting was also historical as it included all Parliamentary political parties including the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), religious organisations, the Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Commissioner of Police, Trade Unions, women’s organisations, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), the Guyana Bar Association (GBA), the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), the Private Sector Commission and other representatives of civil society.

A joint press release was later issued to the media noting that the meeting discussed the national security plan and views by all stakeholders on how to address the serious escalation of crime in the society currently.

“The national stakeholders held a cordial and constructive meeting at which it was agreed to (1) support the national security sector plan and its various components and (2) to tabulate all the recommendations which were presented for consideration and agreed that another meeting would be held in two weeks time to examine these recommendations”.

Commenting on the meeting, President Jagdeo said it stemmed from a series of engagements he had last week with members of civil society and members of the Opposition parties. He described the previous meetings also as successful except for the PNCR not agreeing to sign the agreement following the meetings, which spoke of the full support of the security forces to pursue the criminals and the unequivocal condemnation of the horrendous crimes that took place, particularly at Lusignan and Bartica recently.

“We agreed that today we will focus on a review of the Government’s security plan. A lot of people were not familiar with what we were doing, so many of the suggestions that were coming in were things that were already being pursued and part of the national plan. What we have been asking for is additional suggestions to add to what we are already pursuing so we presented the security plan, 3 major areas,” the Head of State explained.

The President pointed out that the security plan has 11 priority areas which includes the setting up of an anti-crime unit to analyse crime data and focus on high profile crimes.

He noted that the specialised police unit would deal with situations like the recent tragedies and would include specialised gun training and equipment.

“We spoke about intelligence gathering, traffic management oversight, a whole range of things and those 11 priorities were approved since last year and we have been receiving assistance from the British government since then to put these things in place. Since Lusignan, we have seen an acceleration of the help,” the President added.

President Jagdeo explained further that the original plan would have gone over several years.

Meanwhile, the meeting also saw presentation of the Government of Guyana and Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Citizens’ Security programme, a US $25M project to restructure all police stations and to better equip them to work with communities, especially vulnerable ones as well as to prevent youngsters from becoming prey to criminals or be easily recruited.

“So, we are working to build better community /police relations as well as to create employment and training opportunities for young people in those areas,” the President emphasised.

National stakeholders also witnessed a presentation of the Justice Sector Reform Programme which is focused on a significant reform of the justice system to allow for better justice and for strengthening of prosecutions and the moving away of the police from prosecutions.

“So, only the District of Public Prosecutions (DPP) would prosecute certain types of crimes. It means that we would have to hire more lawyers there to remove the Preliminary Inquiry for a whole range of crimes now where it take a long time to get the cases heard and to reform the rules of court and a number of things that would bring greater accountability to the judiciary and faster administration of justice,” President Jagdeo underscored.

On this note, he alluded to the death warrants which were signed several years ago and noted that they have been stuck in court.

It was noted that following the presentations, comments from the various parties were received and these were favourable.

“I said ‘look this programme is to deal with the short and medium term, it is not to be confused with what we have to do now, what we need now is for every one to support the efforts of the security services to hunt down these people, and that is the only thing that will bring relief to the people of this country,” the President concluded. (GINA)

British trainers, equipment arrive for security reform
IMPLEMENTATION of the Guyana Security Sector Reform (SSR) Action Plan is on schedule with the arrival of trainers and equipment, the British High Commission has announced.

Delivery of equipment under the UK funded project has started and training of police ranks in key areas starts this week, the High Commission said yesterday.

An interim Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in August last year by the Government of Guyana and the British High Commission provides for the implementation of the SSR Action Plan. In December the two sides agreed on a series of early steps for moving the SSR Action Plan forward.

In the area of equipment, a computerised data collection and management system has been installed at the Force Control Room, Eve Leary.

Further equipment for the new and expanded Criminal Intelligence Unit has been procured and installation will be done before the end of the week, along with a state of the art communication system, the High Commission stated.

Also before the end of this week, computers will be installed at the Operations Room of the Brickdam Police Station.

Equipment for the Anti-crime Unit will start arriving in March, the High Commission added.

In the area of technical expertise, Mr. Tod O'Brien, a specialist from the UK is expected in Guyana today to conduct training for ranks in the Operations Room and Force Control Unit.

Early next week two advisors from the UK are scheduled to arrive in Guyana to work alongside local Police officers to develop crime intelligence, advise on structures and provide training.

Also arriving next week is a technical team who will conduct a needs analysis to build capacity in the Anti-crime Unit. The Police Office of Professional Responsibility will also be looked at in terms of building capacity, the High Commission said.

The four-year SSR Action Plan follows a request to the British Government by Guyana's President Bharrat Jagdeo back in 2006, in which the President asked for comprehensive assistance for the security sector.

In October 2007, a team of security reform experts from Ghana, Sierra Leone and India visited Guyana when they engaged with persons in the security sector and parliamentary political parties.

It was following these engagements that the SSR Action Plan was crafted and an interim MOU for its implementation signed.Judge Advocate to sum up today

WO2 Torrington Court Martial
By Wendella Davidson
The Defence and Prosecution yesterday addressed the court at the convening of yet another sitting of the court-marital against Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Warrant Officer Class 2 Torrington L, for the loss of a lone AK-47 weapon from Base Camp Ayanganna in November last.

And, today, Judge Advocate Winston Moore will sum up evidence from the hearing which began on January 16, after which the Court, which comprises Major Ramkarran Doodnauth as President, Judge Advocate Moore and members Captains Lloyd Souvenir, Marvin Chichester and Lancelot Lynch, will deliberate and decide on the fate of the accused.

Presenting the State’s case is Attorney-at-law Melissa Yearwood-Stewart, while attorney-at-law and serving GDF reservist Major, Leslie Sobers, is representing the accused.

The GDF has charged Torrington, who, when the rifle was discovered missing in December 2007 was functioning as Base Sergeant Major at Camp Ayanganna, with ‘Conduct to prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline’ and ‘Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.’

Particulars of the first charge states that at Base Camp Ayanganna on November 26, 2007, he failed to ensure that AK-47 rifle Serial Number 410416 was returned to the Arms store, a duty which he knew or was reasonably expected to know.

The second accuses him of, at Base Camp Ayanganna between November 23, 2007 and November 30, 2007, so negligently supervised the Base Arms Store as to cause AK -47 rifle Serial Number 410416 to disappear without his knowledge.

The duty of the State is to prove both charges against Torrington without reasonable doubt, while the claim of the Defence is that there is no wrong-doing on the part of the accused.

Defence Counsel Sobers, in his presentation during the first session of the sitting, the onus of the Prosecution to prove from the issues present whether, as is stated in the first charge, it was Torrington’s duty to ensure that something happened, whether he knew of such a duty or failed to carry out the duty.

And in relation to the second charge, whether the accused was negligent in supervision resulting in the disappearance of the weapon, whether he noticed the disappearance or whether an omission can be regarded as being blameworthy.

Alluding to a statement taken from the accused during an interview with Warrant Officer Johnson, Sobers reminded the Court the accused had said, “I was operating from my own knowledge with help from his peers and friends.”

He pointed out too, that while upon assuming the appointment there was the usual hand over, take over from his successor, his client was not issued with orders or list of duties.

All he received was a list of guidelines from another colleagues and Sobers questioned “is this all, a mere list of responsibilities.”

Referring to the testimonies of Capt. Pompey, the Base Adjutant, Lt. Col Windee Algernon, then Base Commander (BC), WO Fisher, the Base Sergeant Major, Sobers said all had exonerated Torrington from a wrong doing. He further recalled Pompey saying it is the duty of the arms storeman to ensure that weapons are returned to the arms store, while the BC had admitted that she had given no orders or list of duties to Torrington when he took over the position.

Remarking that the orders were the tools needed for him ( the accused) to efficiently do his job, Sobers added that his client was then likened to a carpenter without his tools.

Touching on other aspects of evidence, such as receipt of forms signed by the Adjutant without any physical evidence, the Base Commander having never visited the arms store to verify that which she has overall responsibility, Sobers said it could be assumed that “everyone seemed to be working on remote control”.

And, in the circumstances, Torrington’s supervision of the arms store was to the best of his knowledge, the Defence Counsel reiterated.

According to Sobers, as it relates to the charge of neglect, there is no concrete evidence to prove any wrong doing.

On this note, the Judge Advocate reminded the court of the charge and the “fact” that the weapon had disappeared .

Sobers, however, pointed out that had his client been properly supervised, if he had more knowledge, the possibility is “the fact of disappearance” would have been detected earlier.

He maintained that there was no omission on the part of his client and that it is the duty of the prosecution to prove the guilt.

In her address, Prosecutor Yearwood-Stewart said evidence was led to show that it was as a result of negligent supervision of the arms store that resulted in the disappearance of the weapon.

Noting throughout his evidence from the dock the accused had maintained his innocence, the Prosecutor told the Court that while the onus is that of the State to prove guilt, should the Court find that the State has failed to prove its case, then the duty is to return a decision of not guilty.

The Prosecutor too, alluded to the testimonies of Fisher, Pompey, Algernon, Marshall and now Base Commander Bristol and other witnesses for the State, mention of physical checks being made in the arms store along with the recording of notes, as she sought to refute the contention of the defence counsel that his client was not aware of his duties.

And she wondered, whether such exercises were “an act of futility”, even as the accused knew he was taking over duties.

The Prosecutor also made reference to previous appointments held by the accused at other locations, one of which required of him to have responsibility for an arms store.

She noted that the weakest period in the evidence before the court is November 26 to 31, and asked, whether if a 100 per cent check of the arms store was not conducted on November 31, that the accused would have been aware the weapon was missing.

It was during the Prosecution’s address of whether Torrington should have exercised greater care and responsibility, and too that standard procedures were not adhered to, that the Judge Advocate queried whether that was the reason the accused was placed before the court.

“Who is to ensure this… are you placing him on the line…is it that a weapon is lost and someone has to pay ?” the Judge Advocate again asked.

To the first question the Prosecution said it was the Base Commander.

Reminding that there was mention by the Base Commander in her testimony of having a choice of two persons for the position of BSM, but chose Torrington, the Judge said many other aspects needed to be examined, including surrounding circumstances like disgruntlement, the rank of the arms storeman, among other things.
These he noted needed to be ventilated before the Court.

Previously wanted ‘Manu’ freed of $1.2M larceny charge
MANU Durant called ‘Manu’, for whom the Police had issued a wanted bulletin in connection with the disappearance of teenager Tenisha Morgan, appeared in Court yesterday, on a simple larceny charge.

The defendant, 33, of Lot 170 Barr Street, Kitty, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty before Principal Magistrate Melissa Robertson-Ogle.

Particulars of the offence said, on December 18, 2007, Durant stole $1,200,000, belonging to Wilson D’Oliviera.

But Defence Counsel Mark Waldron said the virtual complainant told Police that it was a case of mistaken identity with Durant, who owns a taxi and car rental service.

D’Oliviera, who is the owner of a restaurant on Alexander Street, also in the city, said he made that statement because, at the time of the incident, he was nervous and confused.

Waldron claimed that, after what took place at the victim’s eating house, Durant and others were going there and that is why he was accused.

The magistrate dismissed the case for want of Prosecution and Waldron asked that the cash taken from Durant be returned to him, at this stage, while the issue involving jewellery, also seized, would be dealt with in the High Court.

Police Inspector Denise Griffith, prosecuting, said, as the victim did not finger Durant as the person who robbed him, the money the latter had on his person could be returned to him.

However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised that the jewels remain in custody because the ownership cannot be ascertained, the Prosecutor reported.

Meantime, when D’Oliviera was ordered to pay $10,000 Court costs, Waldron said, as an act of benevolence, Durant would pay it.

Durant refused to leave the courtroom through the chute used by prisoners and was permitted to go down the stairs.

He also threatened the Guyana Chronicle photographer, telling the cameraman: “This might be the last photo you’re taking! I’m marking your face. My case was dismissed. You now want me to go to prison for something.”

Durant had turned himself in, accompanied by Waldron, at Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, on Monday, in response to the wanted bulletin.

Pregnant teenager Morgan was reported missing while on her way to give birth several weeks ago and her whereabouts are still unknown.

National stakeholders agree to support national security plan
(GINA)
The national stakeholders representing the Government and the five parliamentary parties, along with and a broad cross-section of civil society met yesterday at the Office of the President to discuss the national security plan and to bring their considered views to address the serious escalation of crime.

A joint press release issued by the Government Information Agency said the national stakeholders held a cordial and constructive meeting at which the following was agreed:

(i) to support the national security sector plan and its various components.

(ii) to tabulate all the recommendations which were presented for consideration and that another meeting would be held in two weeks time to examine these recommendations.

The Government delegation was led by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The following Organisations were represented at the meeting:

*People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

* People's National Congress – One Guyana (PNCR/1G)

* Alliance For Change (AFC)

*Guyana Action Party/Rise Organise And Rebuild (GAP/ROAR)

*The United Force (TUF)

*Private Sector Commission

*Private Sector Corporate Members

*Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC)

*Aircraft Owners Association

*Guyana Manufacturers and Services Association

*Georgetown Chamber of Commerce

*Small Business Association

*Gold and Diamond Miners Association

*Forest Products Association

*Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana

*Inter Religious Organisation

*Guyana Council of Churches

*Guyana Evangelical Fellowship

*Georgetown Ministers Fellowship

*Guyana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

*Baha'i Faith

*Buxton Ministers Fellowship

*Independent Pentecostal Churches

*Gandhi Youth Organisation

*Guyana Maha Kali All Religious Organisation

*Guyana Central Arya Samaj

*Cornelia Ida Hindu Temple

*Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sahba

*Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana

*Guyana Islamic Trust

*Essequibo Ahmadiyya Organisation

*Muslim Youth League

*Abmadiyya Ishati Islam

*Guyana Trade Unions Congress

*Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana

*Red Thread

*Rural Women’s’ Network

*Mothers in Black (Alicea Foundation)

*Women's Affairs Bureau

*GUYWID

*National Commission on Women

*TAAMOG

*Guyana Human Rights Association

*Guyana Bar Association

*Guyana Association of Women Lawyers

*Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association

*Citizen's Initiative

*Indian Arrival Committee

RPA dismisses allegations by West Coast Farmers Association
By Sohodra Rampersaud
The Guyana Rice Producers Association has dismissed the recent allegations purportedly published by the West Coast Farmers Association as a blatant attack on the Association rather than the publication of information in the interest of rice farmers and millers.

These allegations, published in the February 17, 2008 edition of the Kaieteur News, accused the GRP of having a hand in the downfall of the rice industry when millers previously encountered financial difficulties, and of failing to reveal what the Farmers Association considered to be critical information at the February 13 Rice Millers and Exporters Conference held at Buddy’s International Hotel. The paid advertisement in the local daily also presumed that Government has unfairly subsidised the cost of rice following sharp increases, which has been to the detriment of farmers and millers.

Refuting these allegations, General Secretary of the RPA, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, told reporters at a media conference yesterday that the RPA, which operates out of Crane, West Coast Demerara, is unaware of the establishment of a “West Coast Farmers Association” as is being claimed in the advertisement.

Mr. Seeraj noted that checks with several farmers along the Coast have substantiated this position. He noted that the contact number for the West Coast Farmers Association as provided in the advertisement is a contact number for the Ruimzeight Rice Processors, “which is a milling establishment that is part of a group of companies affiliated to the Alesie conglomerate.” Alesie, he said, has a track record of dealing unfairly with farmers across the country that sold paddy to the company and were never paid or paid in part. He cited similar incidents at Black Bush, Wakenaam and even Ruimzeight, where farmers were not fully paid for paddy.

The latter case resulted in the non-renewal of the licences for the Ruimzeight Operations, since, according to the Factories Act, a milling company’s licence cannot be renewed if that company has an outstanding debt to farmers. The company would have to clear more than 90 percent of that debt before being allowed the renewal.

According to Seeraj, the content of the advertisement is being “used as leverage and a front to restore some measure of credibility to Mr. Doerga and the discredited group associated with Alesie. This has incensed many farmers, who were unaware of the vitriolic contents of this advertisement, which are misleading and misrepresent the facts.”

Turhane Doerga is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alesie Group, which is a Surinamese company. “Mr. Doerga’s ad in the Kaieteur News is a blatant attack on the farmers’ representatives and a well-orchestrated attempt to destroy the unity of the rice farmers. The ‘divide and rule’ strategy has now become endemic to our society, but this strategy will fail as it always has,” Mr. Seeraj said.

He noted that the GRP stands ready to work with any organisation in the interest of farmers and as such would welcome the establishment of a West Coast Millers and Exporters Association as was discussed at the Rice Millers and Exporters Conference.

On the issue of Government subsidy, he explained that the price of paddy increased toward the end of last year resulting in the commodity being resold at higher prices, as high as $6,000 per bag of rice. However, farmers claimed that they were not making excess profits and so did millers. Hence, it was decided by the Ministry of Agriculture that since either party is not absorbing the return from the increased prices, then the millers should sell their rice to the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) where it could be resold to consumers thereby eliminating opportunity for the ‘middlemen’ to exploit consumers. This, Mr. Seeraj strongly lamented, cannot be considered a subsidy and therefore the allegation is unfounded since according to him, there are no resources or willingness on the stakeholders’ part to subsidise rice in the free market arrangement. Additionally, subsidies are constrained by regulations under the World Trade Organisation.

Seeraj was also quick to debunk accusations that the Ministry of Agriculture and the GRPO acted to the detriment of the industry when together they caused the Other Countries Territories (OTC) route for rice to be terminated. He posited that this was an initiative from which Guyana’s rice benefitted, but the preferential treatment was abused by some exporters and Europe became concerned with the amount of rice being traded through that route, particularly those shipments that were exported from outside of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries.

“That decision was a direct result of the shady dealings of the foreign companies which came here and conducted their business under nefarious modes of operation, leading to the entire country being discredited in the international trading arenas,” the General Secretary said.

Additionally, he cleared the air on misconception that the RPA did not raise issues relevant to farmers at the Rice Millers and Exporters Conference, noting that that was not the forum for issues other than those suggested by the name of the conference.

Looking into the future, Seeraj said that the RPA would continue its advocacy for farmers’ rights within the confines of the law, and to this end is pushing for an arrangement that necessitates investors in the milling industry establishing as escrow account that could adequately reimburse farmers in cases of failed payment. He noted that what has happened in the past is that farmers, even after winning legal battles against millers, could not be rewarded because the companies that bought their paddy were not the companies that owned the assets in the establishments. When asked whether these millers and exporters are paid for the rice exports and simply refuse to pay local farmers and suppliers of paddy, Seeraj noted that this has not always been the case.

New unit created for greater emphasis on OH&S
CHIEF Labour Officer, Mr. Mohamed Akeel, revealed yesterday that the functions of Labour Inspectors and those employees in the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Division have been merged.

He said the single unit created will perform both sets of duties and labour, as well as OH&S inspectors will wear shirts carrying the Ministry logo.

Akeel observed that the merger is not an overnight process and explained that the decision was based on the successes of it in several countries on the recommendation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

He said, this year, OH&S in the workplace is one of the three priorities in the ministry focus.

“We are going to be engaging in a very aggressive programme to ensure that workplaces for all workers are safe, healthy and can and encourage the best contributions for national development,” Akeel said.

He said awareness of the labour and OH&S laws will be heightened and the officers will be more vigilant.

Akeel said, since records of workplace accidents are being kept, the number has jumped from 1,100 in 2006 to close to 2000 last year.

“I don’t believe the workplace got more dangerous but many persons did not know of their responsibility to report accidents, keep an accident register or establish a safety committee at workplaces…so we saw a doubling of reported cases in 2007,” he stated.

Akeel predicted that, with greater monitoring this year, the number of causalities is expected to rise and assured the working populace that his ministry will not be silent on breaches.

“We are going to ensure that there are going to be no let-ups in prosecuting offenders, because loss of life or limb or getting a disease at the workplace cannot replace the productive years of a person who is a victim,” he acknowledged.

Akeel said a mass media campaign will commence in another four weeks to educate employers and employees about the ministry’s health and safety policy.

He said HIV/AIDS in the workplace will be another area that will be given priority attention and the ministry has adopted the slogan ‘Embracing the fight against HIV/AIDS at the workplace’ which will be printed on all its correspondence.

Permanent Secretary within the Labour, Human Services and Social Security Ministry, Mr. Trevor Thomas, emphasised that HIV/AIDS in not only a health issue because it also affects development.

“For us, labour is more than dealing with industrial relations problems, but actual dealing with development to ensure workers and the people in their productive lives are given ample opportunity to contribute to national development,” he said.

New minimum wages stipulated on tripartite committee recommendation
MINISTER of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, yesterday announced that 12 orders have been signed, prescribing the new minimum wage rates for several categories of workers.

Making the announcement, at a media briefing in his Cornhill Street, Georgetown office, he said they will take effect March 1.

Nadir said the pay increases were recommended by a tripartite committee, chaired by Chief Labour Officer Mohamed Akeel and included representatives of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industry Limited (CAGI).

The agreement covers employees of dry goods, hardware and drug stores, groceries, security services, petrol stations, sawmills and timber grants.

Those in the printing trade, mechanical transport workers, others in aerated water factories, hotels, guest houses, discotheques, night clubs and liquor restaurants are also combined in a single category.

The minimum weekly pay for workers in dry goods, hardware and drug stores and groceries range from $4,500 to $5,000.

That for security guards will be in the range from $84 to $100 hourly; $672 to $800 daily and $3,703 to $4,500 weekly.

Petrol stations supervisors will be the highest paid in that group, earning between $6,000 and $9,500 weekly.

Sawmill workers will earn the most, with labourers getting $1,000, skilled workers $1,200 and head rig (band saw) operators $1,500 daily.

Timber grant workers would be the second highest paid, as labourers in that group will get $1,100, skilled workers $1,200 and tractor operators between $1,200 and $1,300 daily.

The printing industry will pay from $8,800 for monotype keyboard operators (the highest) to $4,700 for printery assistants weekly.

Drivers and conductors of minibuses are to get $9,500 and $4,500, respectively, weekly.

Supervisors in aerated water factories will earn $7,000, the most in their group while sign artists are at $6,000.

Wages for workers in hotels, guest houses, discotheques, night clubs and liquor restaurants are from $4,500 to $8,000 weekly.

The emoluments were last revised in September 2005 and, according to Minister Nadir, the recent revision has resulted in 22 per cent hike and the payments have been standardised to ensure consistency among those who perform similar tasks.

He said the sums were set against the current minimum in the various industries and the raise granted public servants from 2005 to 2007.

Nadir also pointed out that the prevailing supply and demand on the labour market were key determinants.

He pledged Government’s commitment to make sure workers are not exploited, especially those unrepresented by unions.

Chief Labour Officer Mohamed Akeel said employers who are now paying higher than the minimum will have to maintain the trend and all late payments for workers who earn less must be backdated.

He warned that inspectors will undertake regular checks on businesses to enforce the guidelines

Soca, Chutney competition winners collect cash prizes
WINNERS in the 2008 Mashramani Carib Soca Monarch and Carib Chutney Monarch competitions yesterday collected their prizes at Ansa McAl Trading, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.

In the Soca Monarch contest, first prize winner Adrian Dutchin was not there to collect the $750,000 but Wilbur Levans, popularly known as ‘Lil Man’, in second position, received $400,000 and, in third place, the most promising artiste, Onikha Joseph was the recipient of $300,000.

Dutchin was reportedly absent due to international duties and commitments.

For the Chutney group, Sandradai Persaud called ‘Girlie’, who dethroned four times winner Haresh Singh with her song ‘Rum is meh husband’, took away $550,000, Levi Nedd, another absentee, copped $350,000 and 20-year-old Mahesh Narine and Aaron Dasraj were both given $100,000 for the tied third place.

The most promising artiste in that category, Sandella Craig got $50,000.

Convener of the Chutney rivalry, Mr. Neaz Subhan thanked the sponsors on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the participants.

He said those who took part have taken chutney singing to a very high level although there is still room for improvement.

Subhan expressed satisfaction with the number of young people in the 2008 competition, more than last year.

Representative of Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T), Ms. Margaret Washington, congratulated the winners and encouraged those who did not win any prize to keep working and follow their dreams, as success always comes with hard work.

Ansa McAl Marketing Assistant and Coordinator of the Carib Soca Monarch event, Mr. Nigel Worrell, noted the need for a little more work by the competitors and the media to help people understand more about local talent and take the competition to another level.

He implored Guyanese to start supporting their own and enjoy local talent.

Worrell said this year saw Ansa McAl and Carib Beer, in collaboration with GT&T Cellink Plus and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), sponsoring the Chutney competition.

Security Forces rush into Enachu
Members of the Joint services deplane at Enachu in the Mazaruni after rushing there following a report that a mining camp had been attacked by bandits. But there was no attack. The security forces made a rapid response, flew into Enachu, and found that the report of an attack had been made when someone said bandits were seen in the area.

GPHC refutes Freddie Kissoon statement
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation wishes to address an inaccurate statement published in the Wednesday, February 27th, 2008, edition of the Kaieteur News, a statement from the GPHC said yesterday.
The statement read:
The article, written by columnist Mr. Freddie Kissoon and captioned “Dying slowly in a country even after Dr. Muchenogumbo is gone” erroneously stated that a patient was made to wait for several hours before receiving medical attention when he visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.

Paragraph thirteen of the article stated: “My Chinese neighbour in Wortmanville got shot by bandits at 19:30 hours. His family came home the next morning screaming. He died. They told me he was left on a bench in the A&E at the Georgetown Hospital with a bullet in him for two hours.”

Official records of the Georgetown Hospital for that patient revealed that he was brought to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit with a gunshot wound to the right side chest. He was registered and triaged at 21:10 hrs and immediately seen by the doctor and was prepared and sent for surgery.

The patient subsequently died.
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation wishes to clearly state that at no time would a person in such a condition be made to sit for two hours before receiving the necessary medical attention.

The patient’s case was definitely an emergency and the A&E unit is designed to effectively treat such cases.

Although Mr. Kissoon pointed out that he contacted the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Michael Khan, he should have had the benefit of a full investigation before publishing such a statement.

In keeping with its Mission, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation continually provides efficient and effective care and treatment to anyone who visits the hospital.

24-hour celebration of Maha Shiva Raatri festival
COVE and John Ashram, on East Coast Demerara, will celebrate the festival of Maha Shiva Raatri, for 24 hours on March 6.

The programme begins at 05:30 h, with the procession of the Holi Tulsi plant and Sri Guru Arti.