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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday July 19, 2014
Portrait in honour of Nelson Mandela unveiled By Sandy Agasen
MINISTER of Public Works, Robeson Benn, along with Registrar of University of Guyana Vincent Alexander, yesterday, unveiled a portrait in honour of Nelson Mandela. The portrait was done by Tammy Walker. The event, at the Museum of African Heritage, Barima Avenue, Bel Air, was held in commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day (Mandela Day), the 95th birth anniversary of Mr Rolihlahla Mandela better known as Nelson Mandela. This year signifies the fourth annual commemoration of Nelson Mandela International Day. The United Nations, in November 2009 adopted a resolution designating that July 18 be observed each year as Mandela International Day beginning in July 2010. This came about following an international campaign by the Nel-
service of humanity, in the fields of conflict resolution and race relations. HUMANTARIAN Benn also mentioned that Mandela fought for the promotion and protection of human rights, reconciliation, gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups, as well as the upliftment of poor and underdeveloped communities. Mandela Day, also, acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. Benn acknowledged Mandela’s contribution to the international struggle for democracy and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. According to Benn, during his two visits to South Africa, Mandela and others struggled against apartheid, the then legal policy of the Republic of South Africa. This involved racial segregation of the people of South Africa and also the political, legal and economic discrimination. Mandela took it upon himself to fight to free South Africa from this tyrannical regime and make it a country where equal-
One of the paintings in the Museum of African Heritage, which depicts the Africans (after slavery) pooling their money to purchase villages son Mandela Foundation for the great man to be thus recognised. The Foundation had been already observing his birthday as Mandela Day but believed that this should be done on a global scale. For 67 years Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity — as a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, an international peacemaker and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa. Benn explained that Mandela Day seeks to recognise and celebrate Nelson Mandela’s values and his dedication to the
ity exists. Alexander pointed out that for Mandela, education was fundamental. He (Nelson Mandela) wanted the people of his nation to be educated. “Education is the most powerful weapon which we can use to change the world” –
Nelson Mandela. Head of the Summer Programme, Ms. Florence Dalgetty, highlighted the struggles and teachings of Mandela during his 67 years. All the speakers recalled that during the struggle to free South Africa and make it a country where every person, regardless of skin colour had equal rights, saw Mandela being arrested for treason in 1956. Mandela was released from prison in 1990. He had spent 27 years of his life behind bars because he chose to put the quality of life of the South African people ahead of his own. Ms. Dalgetty explained that after Mandela was released from prison, the ban that was placed on Mandela’s political party (African National ConTammy Walker gress) in 1960 was lifted, which allowed him to contest in South Africa’s first democratic election in 1994. Mandela was elected president and after his first term in office, he was hailed as a statesman and humanitarian. Nelson Mandela International Day aims to inspire all to do good works for people and the planet. Its theme is ‘Take Action, Inspire Change’ and persons are being encouraged today to spend at least 67 minutes doing some form of community service in honour of the 67 years Mandela devoted to the fight for human rights and social justice. “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings” – Nelson Mandela.
‘Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.’ – Nelson Mandela
GUYSUCO to review its strategic plan By Vanessa Narine
FINANCE Director of the Guyana Sugar Corporation, Mr. Paul Bhim has indicated that the issues affecting the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) will be addressed with the upcoming review of the entity’s strategic plan. He acknowledged that the current world price market for sugar stands at US18c per pound of sugar and that GuySuCo production cost averages around US35c per pound, with sales standing at US25c per pound. However, Bhim pointed out that world market prices fluctuate and reiterated that the review of the corporation’s strategic plan will address the issues that are currently affecting its cash flow. “The world market price fluctuates. A few days ago it was at US20c and a few years ago it was nearly US30c per pound…we are not unaware of what the issues are and we are working to address these,” he said. The Finance Director also addressed the debt burden of GuySuCo, currently pegged at $42B, and stated that this is expected to be significantly reduced by the end of the year. Of the $42B debt, some $23B reflects long term debt and $19.4B reflects short term debts of the corporation. With regards to the latter are: $2.7B owed to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA); $729M for the National Insurance Scheme (NIS); $1.4B for the Sugar Industry Labour Welfare Fund; a
-with a view to address issues affecting the industry $3B loan from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica to cover operating costs, and $2.5B for seven local banks. Among its long term debts are: $56M for the World Bank, $32M for the Exim Bank of China; and $24M from Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). “We hope to reduce the debt very soon; reduce it by a lot by year end, particularly as we get into the second crop,” he said.
MR. PAUL BHIM
TURNAROUND NOT AFFECTED According to him, while the debt, production costs and selling prices are challenges for the Corporation, these will not affect the turnaround of the industry.
“We have a plan for the turnaround and we have a plan to finance that turnaround,” he said. Bhim noted that GuySuCo was able to surpass its first crop target of 74,000, by bringing in close to 80,000 tonnes of sugar. He underscored the fact too that there are other challenges facing the Corporation, including, climate change, labour and mechanisation. As a result of climate change, weather patterns have changed and are affecting the industry’s output; for example the industry was used to 120 opportunity days, but workers now have to make do with 80 or less days. Relative to the labour issue, a decreasing labour pool, steps are being taken to move to mechanisation, which will not displace sugar workers, but address the issue of labour shortage. GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Raj Singh, reiterated similar sentiments and made it clear that while the corporation has its challenges, these will not affect the turnaround of the industry. Among the measures to be undertaken to ensure a turnaround of the industry, for which the allocation adSee page 11