Amerindians now provided with opportunities they never had – says President Jagdeo

The President was speaking at the launching of Amerindian Heritage Month 2005 at the Umana Yana on Thursday, September 1.

According to President Jagdeo, all Guyanese are equal and have equal rights. He added that if there is the perception that there is a special focus being placed on Amerindians by his Government and if there seems to be a bias regarding Government's concerns toward this specific ethnic group, this may just be the case. He said, “I don't think anyone should apologize for this bias, I certainly will not,” and pointed out that Government wants to provide Amerindians with the opportunities they never had.

Reflecting on bits of the history of indigenous groups around the world including the Aztecs, Incas and the Mayas, the President noted that Guyana is a blessed nation to be part of that history that has “brought us together.”

He alluded to the recent situation regarding the increase in oil prices and advised the Amerindians present to teach other Guyanese to be tolerant of specific situations as they have been. He urged them to aspire to fill any post they wished because they were an equal part of the country.

Also addressing the gathering was Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues, who noted that this year the largest number of students ever have qualified for hinterland scholarships, with 80 to receive scholarships this year, compared to 60 last year.

With regard to the land ownership issue, she said that communities have had enough misinformation and confusion adding that, currently, 14 more communities have agreed to have their lands demarcated. She reiterating Government's commitment to the development of the Amerindian people and pointed out that the administration has increased its focus on that community.

Minister Rodrigues also stressed that the Amerindian Bill, which has been presented to Parliament, and the new building which now houses the Amerindian Affairs Ministry are tangible evidence of progress.

This year's theme for Amerindian Heritage Month theme is “Overcoming Challenges as We Progress,” and the launching ceremony on Thursday attracted a larger crowd than last year. Attendees included Prime Minister Sam Hinds, members of the diplomatic corps, several Ministers of the Government, Opposition Leader Robert Corbin and other special invitees.

The programme included a cultural presentation and display of Amerindian artefacts and craft. The cultural presentation included performances by the Calibro Band, and the singing of the national anthem and reciting the national pledge in both the Akawaio and English languages.

Guyana supports Social Charter of the Americas

Ambassador Ishmael, who headed the Guyana delegation, also expressed satisfaction that the draft of the proposed Charter, presented by Venezuela, included concepts currently incorporated in the Caricom Charter of Civil Society – “concepts such as good governance; fundamental human rights; respect for cultural and religious diversity; equality before the law; human dignity; the rights of women and children; workers’ rights; environmental rights and awareness; and participation in the economy.”

“Guyana supports their inclusion and is confident that they form a strong backbone to the final draft of the document,” the Guyanese diplomat stated.

He added: “Without a doubt, the elimination of extreme poverty is an essential part of the promotion and strengthening of democracy and is the common and shared responsibility of the member states of the OAS. The Inter-American Democratic Charter itself states that poverty, illiteracy, and low levels of human development are factors that adversely affect the consolidation of democracy. Over the years, citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean have come to realise that democracy is not only about having free and fair elections. It also involves ensuring that all citizens enjoy social and economic rights which provide them with security and a comfortable standard of living.”

Three new companies to explore Guyana’s oil potential

CCC is a Lebanese-based construction company which specialises in oil and gas exploration. The company currently operates in over 30 countries including Niger, Saudi Arabia, Ecuador and Yemen.

General Manager of the company, Clifford Hunter, said they are considering a number of potential investment locations and Guyana is a prime candidate.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds noted that the investment, if successful, will be timely, especially in light of surging oil prices worldwide.

He noted that the company has identified several potential onshore and offshore locations, which includes the Takutu basin.

The Prime Minister also met with UNI Arab Group Holdings, a Middle East based company, which has also indicated its interest in acquiring a prospecting license to drill for oil in Guyana.

According to Prime Minister Hinds, yet another company, Petrobras of Brazil, has expressed an interest and is scheduled to commence negotiations with government next week.

Ground-star Resources of Canada and SADHNA Petroleum of Trinidad and Tobago have also recently acquired prospecting licenses (PL) and are scheduled to commence activities shortly.

Corporate Express Brands launched in Guyana

The launching will see Corporate Express, a Dutch-owned Company with large agencies in the United States and around the world, teaming up with the LAPARKAN Group of Companies to provide business companies in Guyana with more economic and sustainable office services.

Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of LAPARKAN, Glenn Khan, said that when LAPARKAN began looking at the relationship between its companies some years ago, it examined its office services division and was challenged to provide the community with an articulated programme that is both economic and sustainable.

Mr. Hinds pointed out that for the government, a reputable company from overseas, such as Corporate Express coming into Guyana, is of great benefit to the country, and Government sees such partners generating knowledge about Guyana, and hopefully pleasant experiences that contribute sufficiently to their bottom line.

New York trade show encourages exports to North America

Several representatives from the companies which participated in the show expressed the view that the event should become an annual one because of the overwhelming response by the Guyanese and West Indian diaspora in North America to products from Guyana.

Chief Executive Officer of GO-INVEST, Geoff DaSilva, said he was satisfied with the attendance in New York but noted that the exposition was not only a promotional opportunity for Guyanese products, but one for local companies to expand their business contacts and trade and that this was achieved to a large extent.

He said about 55 Guyanese companies participated in New York, including those from the wood, furniture, agro-processing, fresh fruits and vegetables, food processing, pharmaceutical, jewellery, handicraft, and confectionery sectors, among others. For the first time, the art sector, featuring sculpture and paintings, participated and found that there is an encouraging market for such products.

LEAP undertakes $32M in community projects

The Burnham Drive/Winifred Gaskin Highway outfall will be repaired at a cost $7.2 million. This entails the stabilisation of the collapsed concrete headwall of the main outfall of the Canvas City, Half Mile and One Mile area, with timber revetment. The existing culvert is being extended while repairs will be carried out on the partially collapsed road curb.

The Burnham Drive koker will be replaced with wooden doors and supporting structures.

The Mackenzie bus park will be upgraded at a cost of $15 million. Resurfacing of the park area with two inches of bitumen, construction of drains, entrance and new vending booths will be facilitated. A temporary bus park will be created at the Linden Constabulary drill square while the project is being implemented.

LEAP has undertaken several initiatives geared towards the growth and development of the community, as part of Government’s thrust to revitalise the economy of Region 10.

Scholarship students for Cuba

During a visit in 2001 to Cuba, President Bharrat Jagdeo secured 350 scholarships from President Fidel Castro under the Guyana/Cuba Joint Commission. Currently, there are 145 students pursuing studies in the Medical Sciences, 92 in the Technical Sciences, 53 in the Agricultural Sciences and 13 in the Natural Sciences.

Health centre opened at old New Amsterdam Hospital

Minister of Health Dr. Leslie Ramsammy who gave the feature address at the opening stated that the centre was the second of its kind in the country, and noted that a nursing school would be added to the complex.

The aim of the centre is to help reduce and eliminate STIs, HIV and tuberculosis as public health problems. He appealed to the public for volunteers and persons with vehicles who could help elderly persons to the centre because he said the health workers could not do so alone.

The project received help from the Canadian Government, through the Canadian Society for International Health, and the US Government.

Private enterprise involved in Berbice Bridge

The Clico Life & General Insurance Company Ltd and the Hand-in-Hand Trust Corporation, who are initial shareholders, currently own the BBCI. Additional shareholders and investors are expected into the BBCI within the next few months.

The company has launched an advertisement inviting tenders for the design/construction of the bridge. The targeted deadline for receipt of tenders is Monday, October 31, 2005 and the BBCI's aim is that the contract for the design/construction of the bridge will be completed by the end of the year.

The floating bridge will be located downstream of the existing ferry stelling, from D'Edward village on the western bank to Crab Island on the eastern bank. The width of the crossing at this point will be approximately 1.75 kilometres. On the eastern bank, the bridge will be connected via a new road at approximately 3.5 kilometres that will in turn connect to the Corentyne highway. On the western side, the existing roadway of 0.8 kilometre connecting to the Rosignol highway will be improved.

Guyanese appointed to top legal post on ICT

The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, based in The Hague, was established by Resolution 827 of the UN Security Council, among other things, to bring to justice persons allegedly responsible for serious violations of international law to render justice to the victims and to contribute to the restoration of peace by promoting reconciliation in the former Yugoslavia. The Chambers of the Tribunal consist of 16 permanent judges and a maximum at any one time of nine ad litem judges drawn from the pool of 27.

Mr. Pollard has had an outstanding legal career. His service has included work with the Caricom Secretariat, negotiations for Namibia’s independence constitution, GECOM, St Kitts & Nevis’ constitutional reform and the Judicial Service Commission of Guyana. Between 1997 and 2004, he served as a member of the Inter-American Juridical Committee of the OAS including successively as Vice Chairman and Chairman from 2000-2004. Mr Pollard has also been the recipient of the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement and the Cacique's Crown of Honour.

UAEP network construction well under way

Four villages on the East Bank Berbice – Landsdale, Brothers, Sisters and Rotterdam – are now electrified and applications by residents for connections are being processed.

The networks for Mosquito Hall at Mahaica and Sophia Block AA are also completed, while Cummings Lodge will be completed this month.

Simultaneous construction is ongoing at Charity, La Belle Alliance, Lima Dairy, Bush Lot, Suddie, Pomona Section D and the Jibb on the Essequibo Coast; and on the West Demerara poles have been laid and pole-top installation has begun at Tuschen North, Vergenoegen South and Prem Nagar.

Work has also begun at Block E Sophia, Strathspey Area G, and Foulis Block II on the East Coast Demerara.

GPL further reported that all the areas earmarked for electrification in Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) are currently under construction, while in Region 6 (East Berbice Corentyne) power lines are being installed at Yakusari, Johanna, Mibicuri and Cumberland Section D.

The UAEP got underway in July of this year after three firms, Cummings Electrical, Power Lines Construction Company, and Dynamic Engineering were awarded contracts to execute the project. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by the beginning of the first quarter in 2006. Thereafter, the second phase will begin.

Civil society receives $52.8M to fight HIV/AIDS

The funding will be used for projects targeting youths, orphans and vulnerable children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, miners, commercial sex workers, Amerindians and the general public. The sub-projects will reach areas as far as the North Rupununi, Mahdia, Kurupung, Mathews Rridge, Port Kaituma, Corriverton/ Upper Corentyne, Coomaka, Kwakwani, Ituni and Belladrum.

The organisations that received money are the Roadside Baptist Church and Skills Training Centre in Region Six; Artistes in Direct Support in Regions Two, Four, Six and Ten; The President’s Youth Award in Regions Two, Six, Seven and Ten; the Guyana Conference of Seven Days Adventists in Region Five; Iwokrama International Centre in Regions Eight and Nine; Linden Care Foundation in Region Ten; Operation Restoration in Regions Three and Four; Tuschen/ Uitvlugt AIDS Committee in Region Three; Lifeline Counselling Services in Region Four; Family Planning Association of Guyana in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Ten; and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

Modernization of laws for family legislation

This amenable legislation will comprehensively provide for modernization of existing laws with regard to Guyana's specifics, best practices, and the incorporation into domestic legislation of a number of commitments and obligations of the state arising from Guyana’s accession to the Rights of the Child Convention and its Protocol.

At the earliest stage, the Bills would be provided to the Parliamentary Opposition with a proposal to have even pre-Parliamentary consideration of their contents.

New five-year tourism plan

The project will be premised on the recent report produced by the World Travel and Tourism Council, Guyana: Travel and Tourism Sowing the Seeds of Growth, the 2005 Travel and Tourism Economic Research.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Manzoor Nadir made this disclosure on August 10 in addressing key stakeholders of the tourism sector at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.

The report revealed that there is healthy investment in capital works in the sector, but it noted that the forecast for the next 10 years would be dim if the current trends in investment and development of the sector are not sustained for the period.

Guyana has been ranked favourably in terms of government's capital investment in the industry.

Volunteer teachers for hinterland

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with World Teach welcomed the teachers during a ceremony at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown on August 10.

The Field Director of World Teach, Nick Wexler, said the programme has been in the works for a number of years and the teachers were fully ready to take up their respective posts.

Although most of the teachers will be deployed to the hinterland areas some will also be stationed in the East Demerara, Corentyne and Linden areas.

Deputy Permanent Secretary attached to the Ministry of Education, Winston Brown stated that the Ministry said that the main reason for the joint programme was the lack of qualified teachers in the hinterland and the resulting limited curriculum taught to students there.

The three-year programme would continue until 2007.

The 25 volunteers are from different backgrounds and some of them have Guyanese roots. The subjects they are expected to teach include Chemistry, Biology, English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Geography and Physical Education.

The Ministry of Education will cover most of the costs incurred for the volunteers’ travelling.

The World Teach Programme provides English-speaking college graduates as full-time, on-site overseas volunteer teachers for schools across the world.

Anthropological marvels discovered in Rupununi

National Anthropologist John Perriera on August 15 disclosed the startling findings from his most recent archaeological trip to South Rupununi. He made the disclosure at the Amerindian Ministry's pre-Amerindian Heritage Month lecture series held at the Walter Roth Museum.

At a location called Fly Hill, a necklace made of nylon fishing lines, colourful glass beads and sandpaper trees were discovered.

According to Perriera, rock engravings, rock circles, wedge stones and pottery vessels are just a fraction of the historic items found in Rupununi. He noted that, during investigations, conducted by the Louisa State University and the Walter Roth Museum, more than 20 anthropological sites were located.

During a survey done in April this year at Battleground Hill, evidence of exfoliation, rare stinging nettles and rock shelters (burial caves) were found.

Perriera explained that, having gone through the entrance of one rock shelter, the team found a charred appearance which shows evidence of tool-making. He also discovered the presence of bones, green water glasses and rock graffiti that were drawn in designs of red pigments.

Perriera made mention of rock alignments in the shape of a bone, a grouping of 17, along with rock piles with lengthy measuring. According to the anthropologist, some of the rock piles were said to have been disturbed by students who picked up the stones.

He observed evidence of quarrying and other activities of ancient enterprises. Perriera said one rock shelter was evidently used as a burial urn where at least one female skull was found. He commented that another burial location was painted in black, which might have historical significance.

Among the most startling discovery was a termite nest, which was accidentally broken, revealing a huge pottery vessel measuring four metres by four metres.

• Guyana, represented by Bishop's High School students, Tivia Collins and Teressa Campbell, placed third at the recently concluded youth symposium held at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, in Trinidad and Tobago from August 17 – 20, 2005. The symposium, which is a yearly feature was organized by UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network and UNESCO Clubs, in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago National Commission for UNESCO.

• The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) announced that mechanism is in place to grant tax concessions for businesses to purchase surveillance equipment. GRA said that businesses applying for concessions under this special grant have to satisfy the basic criteria of being registered and provide proof of tax and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) compliance certificates.

• Government has allocated $29.5 million to purchase vehicles to boost the transportation component of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Included in this purchase will be one “rapid intervention” and two bullet-proof vehicles. The rapid intervention vehicle is specially designed for the Police and paramilitary forces to control mobs in dense urban areas. Due to its unique design it can be deployed faster and can easily be manoeuvred in lanes and in congested areas.

• The Government's promise to primary and secondary school children across the country is being fulfilled as efforts to provide improved access to free textbooks is being implemented in all the regions. The books are being provided under the Education for All/Fast Track Initiative. Both primary and secondary texts have already been distributed to all ten regions and more texts are expected in the country soon.

• The Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security, has provided G$6 million to the Help & Shelter Organization for carrying out its administrative functions. Of this sum, $1 million is to assist in renovating the Shelter’s office located on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown. Help & Shelter is an NGO that was established to assist victims of domestic violence but due to lack of funding was not able to function effectively for the past year.

• The old Durban Park area aback the Square of the Revolution where the 1763 Monument is located and which is commonly referred to as "Cuffy Square," will soon be transformed into a recreational park. The government has allocated G$45 million for the project which includes land preparation, backfilling and drainage work on the 18 acres of land. Upon completion of this phase of the project, economic, recreational and tourism facilities will be established.

• Government has allocated G$383.9 million to construct an approach road from the Parika stelling to the market at Hydronie as part of the plan to transform Parika, East Bank Essequibo into a secondary town. The new market at Hydronie was constructed at a cost of some $58 million by the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP).

• Kaieteur News in August presented G$7.27 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for the African Hunger Fund. The money represented donations garnered from Guyanese during the three weeks that the fund was active. The fund was organised by Mr. Glen Lall, publisher of the Kaieteur News.

• The Guyana Watch Medical Team from the United States handed over approximately US$70,000 worth of medication in August to the health sector. The assortment of medicines was left over from the outreach programme conducted by the team when it was in Guyana in early August. The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and five health clinics throughout Guyana will benefit from this donation.

• Conservation International (CI) Guyana is the beneficiary of US$6,000 from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to fund a six-month training programme by the Amerindian Research Unit of the University of Guyana (UG) and CI. The programme, “Developing Cultural Tourism in Masakenyari – Orientation and capacity building of the Wai Wai”, will see CI working in close collaboration with the Masakenyari Village Council. It is aimed at creating a realistic approach towards the development of tourism in the Amerindian community, by showing the natives how to live with local resources, without destroying the forest and its environment.

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

Compiled and edited by Evangeline Ishmael