New EU sugar price a heavy blow on poor countries

Guyana and other Caribbean sugar producers on November 24 reacted with dismay to the landmark deal European Union (EU) agriculture ministers struck to overhaul the bloc's subsidy-laden sugar policy, but which can have devastating effects of the lives of tens of thousands in the region.

In Parliament, Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Minister Clement Rohee called the agreement to cut sugar prices by 36 per cent “outrageous and unconscionable”.

Guyana and other Caricom sugar producing countries will now have to “gird their loins for another round of the battle”, he told the National Assembly.

The agreement reached in Brussels means that the European Union will see its sugar production and exports fall sharply as its 40-year-old regime falls into line with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling that has branded most EU sugar exports as illegal.

However, it discriminates against the poor countries and offers a bare pittance to sugar producers in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping which have enjoyed preferential prices for sugar sold to the EU.

Aid agencies were quick to criticise the agreement, saying the steep price cut would harm Europe's raw sugar suppliers in poor countries.

"Developing countries have been sacrificed in order for Europe to reach a deal," said Luis Morago, head of Oxfam International in Brussels. "The Commission has hurled money at its member states to convince them to sign up but has abandoned some of the world's poorest countries to destitution."

Rohee said that as though to add insult to injury, EU beet sugar producers will now receive compensation covering 64.2 percent (including an additional 2.2 billion Euros) of the loss incurred by the price cut. In contrast, a meagre 40 million Euros has been offered to ACP sugar producers as compensation, he noted.

He pointed out that ACP countries have stated that they were prepared to accept a price cut of 19 percent and the announcement by the EU of a 36 percent cut has created a framework for negotiations between the ACP and the EU on the level of price cut for ACP countries.

“ACP countries have called on the EU to provide upfront adequate financial resources on a secure and automatic basis, that is, 100 million Euros for 2006 and 500 million thereafter to allow them to adjust to the reform process,” he said.

He noted that Guyana has been taking steps to adjust to the challenges of the closure to preferential markets, citing the ongoing Skeldon Estate modernisation project as an example. He added that studies have shown that Guyana’s sugar industry is one of the few within the ACP that will manage to survive the price cut.

Guyana says smaller economies want “fair free trade”

Guyana has again called for special and differential treatment for the smaller and weaker economies of the Caribbean if a “fair free trade” regime is to be established.

This position was stressed by Guyana’s Ambassador to Venezuela, Dr. Odeen Ishmael, when he addressed the Latin American Economic System (SELA) annual meeting in Caracas on November 22.

Ishmael, who was earlier re-elected as vice-chairman of the Latin American Council of SELA for a second year, told a special forum to mark the 30th anniversary of the organisation that it will be difficult for these smaller economies to enter a free trade union if they do not receive special and differential treatment.

He further told the forum, attended by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister Dr Ali Rodriguez, that these countries will also face a disadvantage if their agricultural products encounter competition within that same union from another country providing subsidies to its farmers.

The Guyanese ambassador said the challenges and problems facing Latin America and Caribbean countries make it imperative for them to promote coordination, consultation and even taking joint positions in their mutual economic interests. He suggested that SELA can act as an organising force to assist member states to move in that direction.

Ishmael added that there is now a growing trend for the region to be more “southward” looking.

“While our countries still want more trade and investment from the North”, he stated, “we do not seem to be attracting much of it as we would like. Therefore, we have to push for more South-South cooperation, for more trade with each other, developing infrastructure to link up with each other, and invest in each other’s economies.”

The annual three-day SELA meeting was held on November 21-23.

Critchlow declared national hero

The National Assembly on November 30 declared the father of the trade union movement in Guyana, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, a national hero, and from now on November 28 will be known as “Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow Day”.

Members of Parliament from the government and opposition benches also paid glowing tribute to him for his outstanding contribution to the improvement of the lives of workers, the birth of the trade union movement in Guyana, and to the legislature of Guyana at a special sitting held to honour him. Critchlow also served in the country’s colonial legislature.

The declaration came following the unanimous passage of a motion moved by PNCR MP Winston Murray on behalf of Leader of the Opposition and PNCR Leader Robert Corbin who was absent due to hospitalisation. Corbin is also the President General of the Guyana Labour Union, the renamed British Guiana Labour Union, which Critchlow founded and which was registered on January 11, 1919.

Minister of Labour, Human Services and Social Security Dr. Dale Bisnauth seconded the motion. His presentation was followed by PNCR MP Basil Williams; PPP/C MPs Donald Ramotar and Cyril Belgrave; and GAP MP Shirley Melville.

Mass protest against crime on Corentyne

Mass protest against crime on the Corentyne intensified on November 25-26, forcing police ranks to use tear gas, and fire pellets at the protestors who placed burning tyres, derelict vehicles, and a low bed trailer to block traffic along the main public road at Tain, John’s and Clifton Settlements.

On November 25, the demonstrators began gathering along the main roadway in the vicinity of the Tain koker from as early as 5.00 a.m. As the protest intensified and black smoke billowed, Home Affairs Minister Gail Teixeira flew to the Corentyne coast, where she was told of the allegation that cops from the Quick Reaction Group, or “Black Clothes Squad”, were involved in robberies that netted bandits millions of dollars.

However, on the following day, tempers flared as the villagers, seemingly dissatisfied with the outcome of the Minister’s visit , returned to the streets, placing two additional roadblocks about two hundred meters apart, at Ankerville and in the vicinity of the Berbice Islamic School, some two miles east of the Rose Hall township..

Around 7.00 p.m. on November 26, members of the Tactical Service Unit, geared for battle, and using a loud hailer, ordered the protestors, who were mainly employees of the sugar industry, to disperse.

But instead, stones were hurdled at the ranks forcing them to use tear gas. Pellets were also fired, causing injuries to some, among whom was a pandit who was on his way to perform a religious function.

Seven man committee to look into “rogue cops” allegations

A seven member committee, among whom is former Chancellor of the Judiciary Mr. Cecil Kennard, has been nominated to an Investigative Committee to probe into allegations that members of the Quick Reaction Group, or “Black Clothes”, are involved in criminal activities and soliciting sexual favours.

The nominations were made on November 30 by residents of Tain, Clifton and John’s Settlements, Corentyne, during a meeting with Minister of Home Affairs Gail Teixeira, at the Tain Primary School, Port Mourant

The other nominees are Principal Magistrate Krishendat Persaud, Magistrate Geeta Chandan, private investigator Errol Vanooten, Savina Jagernauth , Budrajan Balkaran, and Nigel Ramsammy.

Minister Teixeira told the gathering, that she would appoint another person to the committee.

In addition, a four man team from the Office of Professional Responsibility, appointed by the Commissioner of Police, will also investigate charges of corruption and other administrative matters within the ranks.

Following the announcements, resident were given the opportunity to raise proposals to improve policing in the area. Among the propositions were better benefits for ranks, the appointment of a Station Management Committee, monthly face-the-community meetings, the construction of a police outpost at Tain and Clifton Settlements, the rotation of members of the Tactical Service Unit and the installation of streets lights.

One resident reminded those present that the protest was not politically motivated, but was a peaceful demonstration to have their concerns looked into.

New schools, health centre commissioned in Region Three

Government continues its development thrust across the regions with several new buildings commissioned in various riverain communities in Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara) when Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Harripersaud Nokta and a team visited the areas.

On Friday, November 25, the team travelled to Bonasika and Aliki where meetings were conducted, while a new health centre was commissioned at Lower Bonasika. This was in addition to a new primary school also commissioned in the community.

The Bonasika community had requested the health centre in January, 2003 and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) subsequently engaged Samuel London and Associates to provide consultancy service for the construction project. The centre includes waiting and storage rooms and two wards as well as sanitation, water storage and electricity facilities.

The health centre’s construction commenced on August 09, 2005 and costs a total of $10.4 million. Its operation is slated to benefit approximately 2,000 persons.

Meanwhile, the Bonasika Primary School, also funded by the CDB at a cost of $18.4 million, was repaired and the upper flat extended. The bottom flat of the building was enclosed to house a nursery school. Provisions were also made during construction for a head teacher’s office, a staff room, library, home economics and industrial departments, rest rooms, and a kitchenette with electricity. The building also contains adequate sanitary and water storage facilities.

On Monday, November 28, the Minister and team stopped at Makouria and a new primary school was commissioned there as well. As the team proceeded along the Essequibo River, another meeting was conducted at Lanaballi and yet another primary school was opened in that area.

State-of-the-art cardiology clinic opens in Georgetown

Guyanese suffering from heart disease now have access to a state-of-the-art cardiology clinic which was officially opened on November 25 in South Road, Georgetown.

Guyanese-born interventional cardiologist, Dr Alfred Sparman, who currently operates a cardiology clinic in Barbados, noted that such a facility in Guyana was long overdue, and would boost the local health care system.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds was at the opening ceremony and he acknowledged the integral role such a facility would play in boosting the health care provided in Guyana.

The clinic will offer angiogram testing, a procedure not currently available in Guyana, and which conclusively detects the percentage of debris clogging arteries pumping blood to and from the heart.

The clinic will be staffed with a team of Guyanese doctors. Sparman will act in the capacity of consultant and will be at the clinic at least twice weekly.

Dr. Sparman noted that over the past recent years Guyana's international recording artiste, Eddie Grant, was urging him to open a clinic in Guyana and, after making several visits here, finally decided to venture into the idea.

“The building that the clinic in Guyana is housed in belongs to Eddie Grant. He donated the building towards my clinic so that I could help Guyanese people,” he said.

Explore Guyana 2006 guide launched

Explore Guyana, the country’s official tourist guide for 2006 was launched on November. The magazine which describes Guyana as South America’s “heart of gold” features Berbice – the Ancient County – and stories about Bourda Cricket Ground and Guyanese cricketing heroes such as Rohan Kanhai, Clive Lloyd, Lance Gibbs, Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

Guyana’s waterfalls such as Orinduik, Kumerau, Marshall and the majestic Kaieteur, the country’s wildlife and night life and traditional Guyanese dishes such as mettagee and curried hassars are also featured.

Explore Guyana is published by the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG). President of THAG Mrs. Cathy Hughes said the magazine takes readers on an exciting tour and tells about Guyana’s charter services, craft stores and tour operations.

She said her group continues to be committed to developing the industry since the body encompasses the Guyanese tourism product.

The magazine circulates in Berlin, London, Canada, and North America at various trade fairs and upon request, packages are sent to the United Kingdom, Malta, Trinidad and Tobago, Italy, China and Suriname.

Investments in Region Four to top $30B

Head of the Guyana Office for Investment (Go-Invest), Mr Geoff Da Silva, has said Region Four (Demerara/Mahaica) is poised to absorb $30.4 billion investments from projects in eight key sectors.

He said that investments in tourism will be more than $13.4 billion while the manufacturing sector will attract more than $5.8 in investments. Other sectors to gain from major investments are information and communication technology, processed and fresh foods, forestry, services, entertainment and financial services, he said.

He also reported that Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) has the second highest level of investment, and is poised to benefit from a projected $15.6 billion in ventures this year.

Projects in that region include ventures in agriculture, processed and fresh foods, livestock, and telecommunications and mining.

While the mining sector continues to dominate the region’s economy with an estimated $12 billion in investments from the Russian Aluminium Company (RUSAL) and the Omai Bauxite Company, significant investments are also projected in other sectors.

Processed and fresh foods will benefit from a projected $395 million in investments from nine entities while local and foreign investments in the forestry sector will result in about $2.6 billion in projects.

The Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) has undertaken several projects to promote growth and development of the community, following the collapse of the bauxite industry.

US report lauds Guyana Government on religious freedom

The latest United States report on religious freedom around the world has found that in Guyana the government generally respects the right of freedom of religion in practice.

The finding is in the State Department’s 2005 annual International Religious Freedom (IRF) report.

“The government policy continued to contribute to the generally free practice of religion,” the report noted, adding that “despite ethnic tensions, the generally amicable relationship among religions in society contributed to religious freedom.”

“The government at all levels strives to protect this right in full and does not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors,” the report added.

The US Government discusses religious freedom issues with the government as part of its overall policy to promote human rights.

The State Department noted that the IRF report is mandated by the US Congress.

According to the document, in Guyana members of all faiths are allowed to worship freely.

“There is no state or otherwise dominant religion, and the government practices no form of religious favouritism or discrimination,” the report noted.

It added that both public and religiously affiliated schools exist, and parents are free to send their children to the school of their choice without sanction or restriction and the government imposes no requirements regarding religion for any official or nonofficial purposes.

Free trade zone for Lethem

Guyana is moving to set up an industrial estate in Lethem as the forerunner to a free trade zone in the border region with Brazil in the push for closer integration with the rest of South America, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds announced on November 4.

He said this country’s development is predicated on links with its South American neighbours and in this regard it is moving to establish an industrial estate at Lethem, eventually making it into a free trade zone.

In addition, an incentive regime will be created to encourage joint ventures between South American countries and Caricom and wider regional groupings, he said.

Mr Hinds reaffirmed this country’s commitment to South American integration at a workshop hosted by the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA) at the Hotel Tower in Georgetown.

The workshop is the ninth on consultations in all 12 South American countries aimed at formulating a strategic vision for the physical integration of South America. IIRSA is seeking to promote the development of transport, energy and telecommunications infrastructure from a regional perspective, aimed at the physical integration of the South American countries and the achievement of an equitable and sustainable territorial development pattern.

The initiative was adopted at a summit of South American Presidents in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia, in August 2000, at which the leaders agreed to take joint actions to promote South American political, social and economic integration. This includes streamlining regional infrastructure and specific measures to foster the integration and development of isolated sub-regions.

“Save a Life” campaign

With some 300 children on the waiting list, the successful heart operations of four in India are just the beginning of First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo’s “Heart 2 Heart – Save a Life Campaign” and she is already gearing up to raise funds for about 15 children to travel to Chennai in February, 2006.

The First Lady’s Kids First Fund, which has pioneered efforts to send children of poor families in Guyana for surgery overseas, launched the “Heart 2 Heart” campaign earlier this year with the help of the Health Ministry and international connections she has been able to form overseas.

With the cost of heart surgery in Trinidad about US$15,000, in the US four times that amount, and even more expensive in Canada and the United Kingdom, Mrs Jagdeo decided that India was the best route with the cost there at US$3,000.

“The benefit of going to India is that we can get top quality health care at a fraction of the cost elsewhere and it is easily accessible,” she said in a recent media interview.

Joining her were the four children who underwent open heart surgery at the Frontier Lifeline, International Centre for Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Diseases in Chennai, India.

Sharing the media conference with the First Lady, Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said the Health Ministry will pay the US$2,000 airfare each for the children to travel to India in February.

Kids First Fund will be holding several fundraising activities to help meet the cost of the operations.

“For a total of US$5,000 we can transform the lives of our children who have heart problems,” Mrs Jagdeo said.

Top class lab, AIDS treatment clinic for Guyana

Guyana is getting a top class laboratory to test for HIV and other diseases and an AIDS treatment clinic under United States President George Bush’s emergency AIDS relief plan.

The state-of-the-art lab will allow testing for HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), drugs resistance and even to support broader health concerns such as filariasis, anaemia and viruses, including the Avian influenza.

The lab will be established at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation under a contract Ramsammy signed at his ministry on November 3 with US Ambassador Roland Bullen.

Others at the ceremony were Acting Deputy Director for Administration, Mr. Timothy N. Thornton and Deputy Director for Programmes, Dr. Amy Dubois, both from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The agreement is for the launching of a National Reference Laboratory and Treatment Centre.

Funding for the project is coming from President Bush’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief known as PREFAR.

The PREFAR targets for Guyana include the prevention of 15,000 new HIV infections, offering care and support to 9,000 HIV–positive people, and administering Anti-Retro Viral Therapy (ART) to 1,800 people with AIDS.

Several more schemes to boost rice sector

The rice sector is in line for several enhancement projects through the Agricultural Support Service Programme (ASSP) and the European Union fund.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has cleared a rice seed and training project. This includes the construction of a rice seed plant at No.56 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) valued at US$478,000. It is expected to be operational by August next year.

Additionally, US$360,000 is to be spent to upgrade the Burma Rice Research Station at Mahaicony in Region Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

Another $1.25 million has been approved under the ASSP to train personnel in the rice industry. Of this sum, the Guyana Rice Development Board will use $790,000 to provide training to farmers in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Six.

Under the ASSP, Guyana has now joined the Latin-American Fund for Irrigated Rice (FLAR). The country stands to benefit from US$50,000 through this partnership which allows for more high yielding varieties.

• Work on the new $6.1 million Amerindian hostel at Suddie has been completed by the Government of Guyana through the Region Two administration. The new facility will provide accommodation to Amerindians who are travelling through the Essequibo Coast from either Charity or Supenaam and cannot reach their homes in the riverain community before nightfall.

• The Anna Catherina Islamic Complex (ACIC) of West Demerara has established a computer school. The school was funded by Muslim Aid of London, England, and will be managed as an independent institution operating to meet its expenses and to cater for future expansion. The computer centre includes ten computers and was funded with a grant of $2.5 million from Muslim Aid, while the ACIC provided the infrastructure to house the facility.

• Six schools in Wakenaam can now offer classes in Information Technology for the first time since their establishment. This was made possible through the efforts of Dewan Singh, a New York-based resident of the island. Singh donated 11 computers, six printer/copiers, two microscopes, a large quantity of school stationary, supplies and books, six invertors, six batteries and two chargers. The donation is valued in excess of $2.5 million. The schools which benefited are Zeelandia, Maria's Pleasure, Arthur Ville and Sans Souci Primary/Nursery, the Ridge Primary and the Essequibo Islands Secondary.

• St. Joseph High School last week officially opened its $3.9 million computer laboratory which has 13 computers in a well-furnished room. And students of the school will now be able write Information Technology at the Caribbean Examination Council (CSEC).

• The members of the Cuban eye care team have referred 95 persons for surgery in Cuba during a three-day outreach to Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni). The team carried out examinations at the Bartica Regional Hospital on November 23-25 and screened 449 persons. The 95 persons were referred for surgery in Cuba after being diagnosed with cataract and pterigium.

• The United Women for Special Children (UWSC) group yesterday donated a complete set of auditory hearing equipment to the Diamond Special Needs School, East Bank Demerara. This was the third donation by the UWSC following presentations to the New Amsterdam and David Rose Special Needs Schools. Each set of equipment is valued at more than G$400,000 and five students are allowed per session.

• The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) in collaboration with a number of donors on Tuesday donated six homes to needy families on the West Coast and West Bank Demerara. The houses were handed over by the organisation’s president, Fazeel Ferouz.

• Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy recently launched three “health promoting schools” in Region Nine. The three schools are the Arapaima Primary School and the St. Ignatius Primary and Secondary Schools in Lethem, in the Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Region. At these schools, students will be exposed to both the formal and informal curricula in health, the creation of a safe and healthy school environment, the provision of appropriate health services and the involvement of the family and the wider community.

• Construction of the new $100 million hospital at Lethem is advancing. The project has a 12-month completion period and is expected to bring improved health care to more than 20,000 residents in Region Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

• The government will be spending $110 million to develop the Dochfour/Hope housing scheme on the East Coast Demerara. The money will be used to build roads in the relatively new housing scheme. Other works will include cleaning drains and providing water supply. A total of 421 house lots were allocated but residents in the area.

• Massive infrastructural works have finally started in the Kaneville housing scheme on the East Bank Demerara, under the Low Income Settlement programme. The works include construction of roads, drainage and irrigation works, potable water and electricity supply and will cost $268 million.

• Mobilisation is expected to start next year on a 12 megawatt, 8,000 square metres wind farm at Hope Beach on the East Coast Demerara with a US$15 million investment by DELTA Caribbean N.V., a wind energy company based in Curacao.

• Mr. Harry Narine Nawbatt was on November 10 sworn in as the new Minister of Transport and Hydraulics. He replaces Mr Anthony Xavier who is now the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

• Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Edward Collins on November 3 declared that the Army was firmly committed to the anti-crime fight and was ready to defend and deepen democracy in Guyana. His firm pledge came as the GDF formally opened a month-long programme to observe its 40th anniversary with a religious service at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.

• On November 19, 628 students graduated in various courses from the University of Guyana Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE). They completed courses in Industrial Relations, Management, Developmental Psychology, Language and Communication, Proficiency in English, Introduction to Sociology, Care of the Elderly, Language and Communication, Tourism and Hospitality and Information and Library Technician.

Credits: Stabroek News, Chronicle, Mirror, Kaieteur News, GINA

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael