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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

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SEPTEMBER 23, 2016

(VAT Inclusive)

Six-month maternity leave soon – Minister Norton

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Lewis set to take command of GDF

‘We got to stamp it out’ ‒ Minister Lawrence

…as Brigadier Phillips bows out COLONEL George Lewis, Deputy Chief-of-staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is set to take over command of the military when current chief, Brigadier Mark Phillips retires early next month.

A farewell parade billed for October 3 in honour of Phillips will be the same day when Lewis will take up office. The Guyana Chronicle was told that Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President David Granger, will soon promote Col Lewis to the rank of Brigadier in time for his ascension to the chief-of-staff post.

Phillips who hails from Linden where he attended the Christianburg Primary School and the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School (Multilateral School), joined the GDF in December 1980. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom and has held several appointments, including Colonel (Administration and Quartering), and Colonel (General Staff) in the GDF’s Defence Headquarters, during his 30 years of military service. He was also Guyana’s Head of Delegation to the Inter-American Defence Board from 2008 to 2009, and was up to 2011 Guyana’s non-resident Military Attaché to Venezuela. He was promoted to the rank of Brig-

adier back in 2013 by then President Donald Ramotar before he took command of the GDF. He succeeded Rear Admiral, Gary Best.

Meanwhile, asked about the impending change of command in the GDF, President Granger said there is a “succession plan” when Phillips demits office. “…the next senior officer is going to take his place,” he told the Guyana Chronicle.

The President made it clear that there will be a smooth transition and more details will become available in the next few weeks.

“There is no surprise there. The present Deputy Chief-of-Staff is Colonel Lewis, [there is] Colonel Nazrul Hussain, Colonel Persaud…about half a dozen colonels,” he added, noting that the Defence Board has a wide field of choice.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that the Defence Board will meet when he returns to Guyana and make its choice on who will manage the GDF. “The defence board will make the final decision,” said President Granger who is Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces.

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alarmed at rate of child abuse in Linden Colonel George Lewis

Members of the Defence Board also include Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and the Commissioner of Police.

Colonel Lewis’s appointment as Chief of Staff means that he joins the number of esteemed Chiefsof- Staff including, Colonel Ronald Pope, Brigadier Clarence Prince, Major-General Retired Norman McLean, Major-General Joseph Singh, Major-General Michael Atherly, Brigadier Edward Collins and Rear Admiral Gary Best.

Soyini scores the big one 16 Page

Britanny takes Miss India 14 Guyana title Page

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Harry Gill out to mislead public

on drug supplies in Region 5

Humane Governance

GOOD governance, also known as humane governance, has to do with management of the people’s business within the confines of laws, international conventions, charters and time-honoured principles, tempered by respect for the people.

President David Granger is known to express his thoughts on matters impacting Guyanese and decisions taken by the state and government, irrespective of tier, by calling for a humane approach in doing things. For quite some time this thought, much less expressed view, was absent or played minimal part in influencing decisions. It cannot be over-emphasised that all Guyanese, irrespective of historical experiences, have more in common with what unite us. It redounds to the strengthening of nationhood when attention is paid to our commonalities. As such, it would be difficult to find amongst us anyone who does not want to be treated humanely, including those who act inhumanely to others.

It is oft overlooked that in making decisions or what is being said, what the person first registers is the tone/treatment being meted out and from this would flow acceptance or rejection. Colloquially said, it is not what you do but how you do it. Within recent weeks, President Granger weighed in on the relocating of Georgetown vendors and called for the matter to be handled humanely. In his Weekly Public Interest programme broadcast on 9th September, he said: “I would urge the City Council to deal with these issues in a humane manner, at the same time ensuring that before any move is made, any action is taken, there is an alternative.”

APNU+AFC councillor Andrea Marks also took a similar approach at the Council’s statutory meeting on 13th September, where in expressing the need for City Hall to do its work, called on her colleagues and the town’s administration to, “let’s do it in the right way.” Another issue the President spoke to is the less-than-humane treatment meted out to NCN staff, Natasha Smith and Jocelle Archibald-Hawke.

Ms Smith’s issue surrounded her pregnancy and the latter was disciplined for expressing an opinion, for which an apology was requested and made, but was found not to be to management’s satisfaction.

Another noted public pronouncement on pursuing the humane approach came recently from Vice- President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. New prison officers were charged by him to seek “balance between security and control in the prisons on the one hand, but maintain humanity and justice on the other.” He went

Dear Editor, I refer to a letter carried on the letter page of the Guyana Chronicle dated Wednesday September 21 and captioned “Contradicting Region 5 RHO by personal experience.”

This letter was submitted by Mr. Harry Gill MP (PPP/C). In his letter Mr Gill saw it fit to make several sweeping generalisations about the status of the health care system in the Region, the majority of which are amazingly based on a single personal experience he said he had at one institution.

It is my view that in recent times more and more Guyanese are developing the perception that the political opposition finds it difficult to find hard evidence to support the allegations that they would like to make and are in fact reduced to making sweeping allegations based on nothing more than emotions and conjecture with the whimsical hope of fooling the naïve and the gullible.

Mr. Gill’s letter is a glaring example of the depths to which these opposition politicians are willing to sink in the hope of scoring some points against the Government. Mr. Gill writes of a shortage of drugs at the Fort Wellington Hospital. As Regional Executive Officer, I have successfully exposed the inaccuracy of this claim before and I will not deal with this further but merely wish to draw the attention of the public to a recent highly successful healthcare exercise held in the Region on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th September last.

On these two dates the visiting overseas-based Bridges Global Medical Team and Senior Medical personnel from the Georgetown Hospital and the Fort Wellington Hospital held a medical outreach at the Fort Wellington Hospital during which they saw and treated over two thousands residents of the Region for a wide range of ailments. The

visiting teams did not bring any drugs to Fort Wellington Hospital with them yet each one of the two thousand odd patients who requested help from this outreach were supplied with all the medications prescribed by the doctors.

In the face of the spurious allegation by MP Gill that there is a shortage of essential drugs in Region 5, where did the drugs to provide relief to two thousand odd people over a period of two days, come from? From out of thin air?

Mr. Gill, writing that the face masks given to his wife by staff at the Fort Wellington Hospital when she experiences attacks of asthma are unsanitary, is another case in point of a politician callously twisting the facts to support his theory. These face masks also known as nebulizers are sterilized for re-use using highly expensive equipment at the Hospital bought incidentally by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic during its term of office, for the very purpose of ensuring that they can be re-used.

Mr. Gill wanted special treatment for his wife: brand new face masks, immediately discarded after use (at least three during an hour and fifteen minutes of treatment ) even though medical science has proven that it is impossible for nebulizers to host bacteria/germs during use and impossible for bacteria/ germs to survive the rigorous process of sterilization after use.

Mr. Gill has been in the habit of trying to bully the staff of Fort Wellington Hospital using his credentials as a Member of Parliament. He once got upset when he wanted to sit in a restricted area of the said Hospital and was told

by Staff that he could not do so. He once demanded of senior staff of the Hospital that they provide him with a list of the drugs available at the hospital and he took umbrage when he was told that he had no authority to make such

on to say, “It is very important that we know the two hands as it were. Proper balance between security and control and humanity and justice is very vital for a public service that is as vital in the public security sector.”

What is encouraging is that should the charge be enforced, it could minimise conflicts in the prison population, which adversely affect the society. Andrew Coyle’s handbook, ‘A Human Rights Approach to Prison Management’ (2nd edition) notes that human rights are an integral part to good prison management, not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it works in ensuring operational efficiency and stable relations between staff and inmates.

When society sees officials, elected and appointed, are placing emphasis on humane governance such are encouraging signs in responding to calls to make the political culture receptive to and respectful of the people. It breathes life

demands.

In his letter to the Chronicle, he further alleged that only one thermometer was in use at the Hospital at the time he visited. But I have been advised that this is standard procedure at the Hospital. Nurses on duty specialize in the use of equipment. One Nurse is assigned to take blood pressure , another assigned to giving the injection, another nurse assigned to the dressing of injuries and another to using the thermometer to take temperature and so you will have just one thermometer in use at any one point in time.

Indeed I have been advised that if each Nurse was given a thermometer in addition to other equipment while on duty, then this would increase the possibility of mistakes being made. But MP Gill is not a medical professional and instead of accepting this and seeking clarifications he chooses to speak from the bottomless depths of his ignorance on such issues. His portrayal of the status of the Health Centre at Bath Settlement West Coast Berbice though is downright dishonest.

The Health Centre at Bath Settlement was built by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic while in Government, smacks in the middle of a catchment area (Woodley Park to Catherina’s Lust) which was already being effectively served by the Woodley Park Health Centre.

Its construction at that location amounted to a redundancy since the population was already being adequately served. Contrary to his allegation that this Health Centre is being neglected by this Regional Administration, this facility was put into operation in August of this year.

Because of its location in a catchment area already being adequately served, our healthcare people have literally had to beg people to come to this Health Centre for treatment. I am advised that on any given

clinic day not more than four or five people would turn up for treatment.

Instead of saying, as he alleges that the Centre is being ignored by the Regional Administration because it is located in a PPP/C stronghold, he should ask why it was built in that location in the first place.

This Health Center at Bath Settlement is in fact a glaring example of the arrogant misuse of public funds for tenuous political gains employed by the former Administration .

His puzzlement of why patients from New Amsterdam and Georgetown Hospitals are being referred to the Fort Wellington and Mahaicony Hospital for drugs again reveals his lack of understanding of how the system operates. When Staff at the Georgetown Hospital or New Amsterdam Hospital finishes diagnosing patients, if they are residents of Region 5, they don’t give them medication, they send them back to Region 5 to collect medication. I am advised that on some days staff at Fort Wellington Hospital get countless referrals from the Georgetown and New Amsterdam hospitals and this influx can cause drugs on the shelves to be fully used up on a given day.

However those who do not get medication on that day are requested to return the very next day to collect their medication and they do get their medication without fail. Mr Editor, it is indeed a sad day when an educated person who is a Member of Parliament can feel free to jump to conclusions based on emotion and conjecture rather than verified and independently verifiable facts.

Then to arrogantly assume that readers are fools.

Regards Ovid Morrison Regional Executive Officer (REO) Region 5

into the society and its motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

Many can recall the truism instilled in us from young to ‘do unto others as you’d like them to do unto you.’

This is the principle that not only informs religious thinking, but underpins human rights declarations and laws. There is an abundance of literature and best practices on humane governance and management and in the technological age such are easily accessible. Treating each other humanely ought not to be reliant on status in society -- social, economic, or political -- but because it is the decent thing to do and necessary for establishing and maintaining human relations sans conflicts. It is also the making of good politics/ management to avoid internecine, confrontational relations with the very people relied on for support and success.

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‘Suspicious activity’ reported where mystery plane found

THE authorities are still seeking to determine whether the abandoned aircraft found at the Yupukari airstrip, Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine) is linked to drug trafficking.

The police and army are speaking with nearby residents with the hope of turning up leads in the case and this has resulted in a number of them sharing information they deemed as ‘suspicious activity,’ such as the presence of motorcycles frequently at midnight in the area.

They also reported that the abandoned aircraft had previously been sighted circling the area on numerous occasions in the past, a release from the Ministry of the Presidency noted.

JOINT TEAM The plane, bearing registration number N767Z, was first brought to the attention of officials on September 13 by a resident of the area. The following day, a joint army and police team, inclusive of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), were dispatched to the location to

conduct a full investigation and it was later revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon that the United States registration was bogus, since there is another active aircraft in the U.S. with the same registration number.

SEVERAL PIECES Meanwhile, the release noted that on Saturday morning, a team including Head of CANU, Mr. James Singh and GCAA officials, ventured into the area to further assess the aircraft for damage and capabilities in order to make recommendations on what should be done with it.

During a search of the aircraft, several pieces of communication equipment were discovered. These have been secured to be further examined for any potential leads.

According to the release, Harmon said that while the government is yet to receive a full report on what had transpired over the last few days, President David Granger and the entire government are committed to ensuring that a full investigation

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The twin-engine Cessna, which has been secured by the Joint Services after it was discovered on Tuesday last

into the matter is completed. The minister noted that reports received from residents near the area where the aircraft was discovered, have raised serious concerns for those involved in the investigation.

The Cessna 441 Conquest 11 is said to be a very

The plane was cleverly hidden by branches and other materials, making it difficult to identify from a distance

expensive aircraft, with an aviation official putting the price at US$2M. The official said too that it is extraordinarily strange for such type of craft to be found at the location. The Guyana Chronicle was also told that the payload of the plane is about 4000 pounds

minus fuel and has a range of 2500 miles on fuel.

Harmon had explained that the area has been under regular and constant surveillance, because in the past an airstrip not very far from that location was actually used for aircraft that

were connected to the illicit drug trade. The aircraft was discovered partly hidden, as it was off the airstrip itself and according to Harmon, there seemed to have been some kind of a camouflage net that was thrown over it.

The stashed-away, twin-engine Cessna which was discovered at the end of the Yupukari Airstrip

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Ambassador meets President Obama

Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr Riyad Insanally on Friday last presented his Letters of credence to President Barack Obama at the White House. In this White House photo, Am-

bassador Insanally and the US President posed for a photograph following the ceremony. Ambassador Insanally, who was appointed by President Granger earlier this year, has been on the

Earlier, he told the gathering, which included other Government officials and visiting Trinidad and Tobago President, Anthony Carmona, that he was addressing the participants in the absence of President David Granger.

President Granger is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York,where he plans to push for a juridical settlement of the issue.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo told the CMJA conference participants of Guyana’s contention that Venezuela’s aggressive stance “haunts us”.

He said after 50 years of Independence, Guyana deserves a better life.

“At last,Guyana is on the threshold of an exciting future,” he said, noting that the country has proposed to the United Nations a juridical settlement.

He said that he raised the issue at Monday’s meeting,since those present represent “a wide cross section of (the) Commonwealth jurisdiction and for a cause we seek your solidarity”.

Guyana’s border controversy with Venezuela dates back to over a century, with renewed and forceful claims by Venezuela after the American oil firm Exxon Mobil announced a giant oil find offshore Guyana

RETIRED Justice Winston Lennox McLennon Moore, serving as Ombudsman, passed away on Friday night after a period of illness.

Justice Moore assumed the post of Ombudsman on January 13, 2014, filling a position that had been vacant for eight years. His duties were to investigate and resolve complaints by citizens with the aim of identifying issues that lead to poor service or breaches of citizens’ rights.

The Ministry of the Presidency noted that Justice Moore began his legal career as an attorney-at-law in 1983, and was appointed a High Court Judge in 1998. He also served as the Judge Advocate for the Guyana Defence Force in 2007, before assuming the post of Ombudsman.

“His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, MSS, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, extends heartfelt sympathy to (the wife of Justice Moore) Ms. Viera Moore and children: Nichole, Gary, Gavin and Kevin, as well as other family members

job since September 1, the day he presented his credentials to the Deputy Chief of Protocol at the US State Department.

He succeeds Ambassador Bayney Karran, who has been posted to China.

PM: Ban can leave lasting legacy

THE forging of a definitive resolution regarding Guyana’s border concerns with neighbouring Venezuela could be a part of the legacy which United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon can leave behind.

This is according to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo,who is performing the functions of President.

The Prime Minister made the remarks after issuing a call for solidarity from legal luminaries from across the Commonwealth on Guyana’s border matter with Venezuela.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo was at the time addressing participants at this year’s Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association (CMJA) conference which commenced on Monday morning at the Marriot Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo told reporters that Guyana expects that the UN Secretary General, who will demit office soon, can advance the proposal that the border controversy be sent to the world court.

“We are demanding a judicial settlement of this matter, it is (a) matter of the rule of law, the international rule of law,” he said.

Ombudsman is dead

last year.

With the oil discovery approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, Venezuela extended its land claim and sought this country’s Atlantic front. This decree was deemed by Guyana’s President as “obnoxious”.

It was back in 1966, on the eve of Guyana’s Independence from Britain, that Venezuela claimed that the 1899 arbitral award,which defined the countries’ borders,was null and void.

That triggered the so-called Geneva Agreement, which mandated the United Nations Secretary General to dictate a mechanism to settle the controversy as provided for in Chapter VI of the Charter of the United Nations.

The then UN Secretary General selected the Good Officers Process as one of the specific means available under the Charter. However, President Granger contended last year that after 25 years, the Good Officers Process has been exhausted.

In July this year,he expressed hope that the outgoing United Nations Secretary General will declare a move to the International Court of Justice within a four- month timeframe, to settle once and for all the border controversy with Venezuela.

Justice Winston Moore taking the oath of Ombudsman before then President Donald Ramotar in January, 2014 and friends of the late Justice Winston Moore”, the Ministry of the Presidency stated.

Justice Moore presided over a number of cases, including the high-profile treason trial of activist Mark Benschop. After spending five years in prison, Benchop was later pardoned by former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

While serving in his last portfolio, Justice Moore had indicated that another activist, columnist and former University of Guyana lecturer, Freddie Kissoon, was wrongfully dismissed from the tertiary institution in January 2012, and had recommended that Kissoon be compensated by the university.

He also investigated a claim by former Chief Executive of the New Building Society (NBS), Maurice Arjoon, that there was a multiplicity of wrongs done to him by two senior managers of NBS. He concluded that Mr. Arjoon and his colleagues Kent Vincent and Kissoon Baldeo, who were dismissed from the employ of the NBS, had suffered an “injustice”, as he found no credible evidence of wrongdoing against them.

The Office of the Ombudsman was created in 1967; its jurisdiction was however extended in 1971 to include certain public corporations and local government organs. When the new constitution was extended in 1980, it continued the Office of the Ombudsman as contained in Articles 191-196 of the Constitution.

Relatives praying for Savory’s safe return Relatives of Shawnette Savory, 37, believe that something sinister has happened to her following her disappearance more than three weeks ago.

They have contended that it is unlikely that Savory, a mother of one, would have left home and not returned.

The missing woman was last seen on August 30, 2016 when she left her Lot 222 Last Street, Prospect, East Bank Demerara home A check at her rented apartment saw everything intact, including her cell phone charger, passport and other documents.

The woman’s aunt,Ruby Ramcharran,said her niece is a very reserved individual and rarely spoke about her

Missing: Shawnette Savory

problems with anyone.

She related that two weeks after Savory went missing, a woman telephoned her to say that she saw her photo and story in the newspapers and she believes that it was the same woman she observed head-

ing to the interior.

The caller stated that she believes that Savory is being held against her will and was forcibly taken away.

The missing woman works part-time at a toilet paper factory at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and has an 18-year-old daughter who resides with her father overseas.

Calls to Savory’s cell phone are forwarded to voicemail. Relatives told the Guyana Chronicle that they are hopeful she will return and are praying for such.

Anyone with information as it regards to Savory’s whereabouts are asked to contact relatives on 233-3699, 689-0171 or 654-1536.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

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Six-month maternity leave soon

–Minister Norton A NATIONAL symposium focused on addressing the protection, promotion and support of exclusive breastfeeding was held Monday as part of activities in observance of National Breastfeeding Week that began on September 18.

Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton delivering an address at the event held at the National Cultural Centre, urged local recreational businesses to create and put in place infrastructure that will facilitate and support exclusive breastfeeding.

The minister said, “Breastfeeding is everybody’s business” and that the implementation of the six-month maternity leave is soon to be part of Guyana’s legislation.

Dr William Adu-Krow, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Country representative said that the organisation will continue to play its role in the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding.

Dr. Adu-Krow also advocated for at least six weeks paternity leave for fathers to assist, and to further support exclusive breastfeeding.

The PAHO/WHO representative supported the six-month maternity leave for mothers and said that through the strengthening of health information systems,

workplaces will be able to better support this implementation.

WHO regards breast-

healthy growth and development. Virtually all mothers can breastfeed, provided they have accurate information,

The theme of this year’s National Breastfeeding Week is, ‘Breastfeeding: a key to sustainable develop-

people think towards valuing well-being from the start of life. The theme also shows the links among breastfeed-

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton and PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr. William AduKrow and other officials after the unveiling of a breastfeeding message at the symposium on breastfeeding (GINA photo) feeding as the normal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for

and the support of their family, the health care system and society at large.

ment’. It speaks to breastfeeding being the key element in recreating the way

ing and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that Guyana along with oth-

er countries signed onto in 2015.

These goals focus on ecology, the economy and equity worldwide. It has been noted that Guyana expects to achieve a 50 per cent exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2025; therefore health officials strongly recommended exclusive breastfeeding from birth up until six months.

The expansion of exclusive breastfeeding awareness is currently being facilitated through accreditation of a number of hospitals to ‘baby friendly status’.

Eleven hospitals attained baby friendly hospital status under the Ministry of Public Health’s Baby Friendly Hospitals Initiative (BHFI).

This initiative, in collaboration with the WHO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), seeks to recognise health institutions adhering to the breastfeeding policy.

Twenty-nine other local hospitals are expected to attain baby friendly status after their evaluation. It has been noted that only 38 percent of babies across the world are exclusively breast fed.

A large billboard, highlighting the ministry’s full support of exclusive breastfeeding will be erected during this week at the football field, east of the Public Health Ministry, Brickdam. (GINA)

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Story: Tamica Garnett Photos: Samuel Maughn Brittany Singh was just six years old when she entered her first pageant - Little Miss Herstelling Nursery - and won, and ignited her dream to one day win at the national level and represent Guyana on the big stage.

Fast forward thirteen years later and she is about to live that fantasy. She is set to represent Guyana at the Miss India World Wide Pageant next month in New Jersey after winning the local crown three Sundays ago.

Singh is scheduled to travel to the US later this week ahead of her participation at the October 3 international pageant where she will be vying with over 20 other beauties from across the globe for the revered Miss India World Wide title.

With just 13 days of preparation, Singh along with two other young ladies - Tahirih Boodhoo and Abigail Mohabir - contended for the local crown, and when all the dust settled, a surprised and tearful Singh was crowned the winner.

“I was beyond surprised but I knew with all my hard work and praying I would have been successful. I remembered back stage I was saying to myself that the only thing missing from my outfit is the crown!”

The former Business School Valedictorian dedicated her win to her late mother, who had always wanted to be there to see her win a national pageant, always believing that her Brittany could.

“Throughout the years she was alive and even now after her death all I ever want to do is to make her proud.

“When my mother was alive, she always encouraged to model and dance. She supported me in my every wish and desire.”

Singh was just twelve years old when she lost mom. She was able to pull through thanks to a great support system of mother figures who all helped to craft her into the beautiful young lady she is today.

“After she died I was battling depression, constantly, I was fighting within myself to be happy. There’s no one that could replace my mother; however I have a beautiful and loving stepmom, whom is

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

practically my best friend. I also have many mother figures in my life - my primary school teacher, who proudly calls me her daughter and accepts me as her own; my godmother who is very supportive in the things I embarked on; and I can’t forget all my amazing aunts. I believe all their support has made me into the young woman I am today.”

And what a gorgeous, adventurous young lady she is, one who does not back down from challenges, or shy away from criticism. In fact, these are traits that did her well following her Miss India Guyana win as many were not pleased that she was awarded the win. Some even personally reached out to harass her. But she was not to be daunted, taking it all in stride, believing it to be all a part of the pageant life.

“I believe in every competition there will be some drama, demeaning comments and gossips; but everyone had their own favourites.

I do believe that I deserved the crown! Besides, the score sheets were opened to the public and I saw for myself how and why I was crowned, where I fell down, which areas I need to work on,” Singh explained.

Following Singh’s crowning many believed that she was not the most competent of the delegates based on Coronation day. However the Miss India Guyana Organization reminded that the pageant was looking for the most all-rounded delegate, and pointed out that the contestants were being judged based on their preliminary activities as well.

In the interest of fairness, the organization posted the score sheet for the pageant online, but this still did not deter persons from also harassing executives of the organization.

Most of the spectators particularly based their opinions on how the girls performed during the final question segment of the pageant.

But the Organization further explained that if persons really looked at the question, Ms. Singh actually had the answer closest to what the judges were looking for, despite the fact that Boodhoo, had a more extensive answer.

“The question was asking for what they can carry to the international stage not what they would ask the patrons to do when they come to Guyana. As a panel, the judges sat down at the beginning and decided upon the question and the answer we were looking for. Ms

Boodhoo’s was articulate, since she is seasoned, but she didn’t directly answer the question. Nonetheless, she still scored more point than Brittany in that segment,” said franchise holder, Uma Bux. The final question at the centre of the controversy read: “My heritage, my home: As an Indian woman, how would you showcase this on the International stage?”

Singh, who stumbled through the question at first, said she would do this through dancing, and would do whatever else she could to showcase Guyana’s culture, it’s beauty and natural resources.

She said she could do this because “I know my heritage. I know my home.”

In the end Singh scored 931 points, while Boodhoo had 899, and Mohabir finished with 714 points, after being judged in six categories.

Boodhoo had missed out on crucial points in the preliminary judging after she had missed one of the activities, despite knowing it was important to attend.

A confident Singh however said it’s all water under the bridge and despite the controversy, she remains friends with the other two contestants and she is now focused on ensuring she puts her best foot out there when she steps on that stage to represent Guyana.

She is currently under around the clock training, seven days a week, which was necessary given the short preparation time.

Her preparation includes fitness training with Genesis Fitness, Pageantry training with Derek Moore, Public Speech training with NCN’s Paul Moore, makeup training with Tenisha Garnett and Talent Training with Euphoria dance group founder James Lomonga and the Kathak dancer Kenrick Cheeks.

As she heads to the international stage, she hopes to be a beacon to other young women out there who may think that they can’t for whatever reason. She implores them to reach for the stars “Nothing is impossible; you can dream and it can come true. Just be true to yourself, believe and work hard, always be genuine. Nothing is impossible once you put your mind to it.

“With the amazing support of the Miss India Guyana Organization, my friends, and family I will get through this and come out shining!”

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

Sonia Noel appointed Global Ambassador

By Shauna Jemmott

Global Ambassador, Dr. Sonia Noel

GUYANA’S renowned fashion ambassador, Dr Sonia Noel, has been appointed Global Ambassador for unite4: good, an internationally dedicated movement for sustainable social good.

Dr Noel’s appointment came after completing an intense training programme in Chicago which was hosted by the unite4: good founders Anthony and Natalie Melikhov.

The organisation said its goal is to involve individuals in spreading good universally, through social networking and specially developed services.

“We develop services that support our goal. It’s our feeling that by building these destinations we can utilise the power of social networking to showcase the best of the best in social good. But that’s not the full remedy. Technology is only for support. The real change comes when we as individuals stand up and decide to take positive action to support a specific social good goal,” unite4: good said.

The organisations utilise “networks of social influencers, Governments, world leaders, and businesses,” in a bid to change “the signal of our entire culture and economy from negative to positive.”

Dr Noel said she is “elated to be introducing unite4: good to Guyana and the Caribbean because this can have a major paradigm shift in society”.

Her responsibilities as Global Ambassador include recruiting ambassadors and encouraging businesses to be socially conscious.

A recent recipient of the Caribbean Philanthropic Award, she told the Guyana Chronicle, “I am passionate about things that will better society, so aligning with U4: G is in-keeping [with] what I believe in.”

She is encouraging all to “join in this movement to unit4good.”

Noel in a post on social media said the organisation makes it easy for its members to connect with partners -- organisations, influencers and like-minded people – in a positive environment, and engage in virtual and real-world opportunities.

They are rewarded for their good work and have opportunities to truly enjoy the experience of giving.

“U4: G’s ultimate goal is to motivate people to integrate doing good into their lives on a sustainable basis, creating a life-long habit of kindness that is both life-changing and world-changing. We are a social

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platform for a new generation, whose mission is to encourage people to live meaningful lives.”

Its co-founders Anthony and Natalie Melikhov are entrepreneurs and global philanthropists, and have devoted their lives to improving communities individually.

They now have expanded their borders, “focusing their efforts on building a global culture that embodies the values of kindness and compassion.”

The two are also the driving forces behind many other philanthropic ventures, including Bright Future International (BFI), DoMore4: Good (DM4G), BFI Curriculum for the Children of Quebrada Negra, BFI and Brighton Ballet Theater Company (BBT) Junior Ambassador Programme, and the Children Affected By HIV/AIDS (CHABHA) After School Programme.

They also host numerous charitable events highlighting the heroes of the social good movement, such as unite4: humanity, Day of Unity Miami, Variety’s Power of Women and unite4: good.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

Soyini scores the big one!

She has won so many pageants before that we almost thought there wasn’t another one she could enter. But Soyini Fraser decided to give the Miss Guyana Universe pageant another shot and won the crown in stunning fashion Saturday evening at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown, closely edging out Rafieya Husain, another pageant powerhouse who two years ago ended Guyana’s drought at the Miss World pageant when she landed a place in the finals. Soyini was the 2010 Miss Earth Guyana, Guyana’s 2011 representative to the Miss Princess of the World pageant, the 2012 Miss United Nations, the 2014 Miss Jamzone Guyana queen, as well as first runner up in the 2011 Miss World Guyana pageant.

After winning the crown Saturday evening, Soyini, the public relations officer at Hits and Jams TV said: “My chest is just trying to

contain my heart right now.

At the announcement of the top five I was just happy to be the first person called; I was just crazy excited. You can’t even understand how hard it is when you’re up here and you have so many

beautiful women in one place and you just wish that you are the one that the judges think can take the next step.” Soyini will represent Guyana at the Miss Universe pageant in the Philippines on Janu-

ary 1, 2017. In photo, from left to right are 4th runner up Ayana Whitehead, 1st

runner-up Rafieya Husain, the new Miss Guyana Universe Soyini Fraser, 2nd

runner-up Ariella Basdeo and 3rd runner-up Ashley John.

Fraser crowned Miss Guyana Universe 2016 THE second time was definitely the charm for former Miss Universe Guyana first runner-up Soyini Fraser, who was crowned Miss Universe Guyana on Saturday.

Fraser beat out tough competition from former Miss World Guyana Rufeiya Husain, among others, when the pageant was hosted at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

“My chest is just trying to contain my heart right now. At the announcement of the top five I was just happy to be the first person called; I was just crazy, excited. You can’t even understand how hard it is when you’re up here and you have so many beautiful women in one place and you just wish that you are the ones that the judges think can take the next step,” Fraser told reporters following her win.

Husain finished as first runner-up. Ariella Basdeo was the second runner-up, followed

by Ashley John and Ayana Whitehead in the third and fourth positions.

Dressed in her red Sidney L Francois evening gown, Fraser was crowned by outgoing queen Shauna Ramdyhan.

Fraser also saw herself picking up the pageant award for “Best Talent”, while in other awards Malika Russell won “Miss Congeniality”, Xameira Kippins deservingly took the “Miss Fitness Award”; Ariella Basdeo took the “Beautiful Heart” award; and Ashley John earned the “People’s Choice Award.”

There was no award for best gown, but obviously if there was, Soyini would have seen herself copping another award, in her fish-tail designed dress, with designer Francois continuing to show that he is the “Pageant King” when it comes to evening gowns.

The pageant got off to an embarrassing start-- one hour and a half late. And added to that, the VIP section was overloaded and

when host Sherod Duncan invited the attendees to take their seats, many VIP patrons found themselves without one.

Things started off with the traditional presentation of the young ladies, with the beauties entering to Timeka Marshall’s “Come Go Down Deh.” The crowd favourites were quickly identified as Ashley John and Kippins.

As a singer sweetly serenaded the audience to “Mermaid Fantasy,” the swimsuit segment got underway with the lovely young ladies strutting their stuff in their Kandice Pelletier two-piece bikinis.

As if the late start did not afford patrons enough time to mingle, the night then headed into intermission, where more worries awaited the VIP patrons when it was soon realised the bar was out of many drinks.

BETTER FIND… “I’ve only had two glasses of wine and they’re out of wine already, I paid $15,000 for my ticket, they better find more wine,” commented an irate patron, sending organisers once again scrambling to fix things.

During intermission, supporters were given the opportunity to mingle with the newly minted Miss Guyana India queen, the radiant, Brittany Singh. It was then time for the evening gown segment, and then it was time for the suspenseful announcement of the top 10 finalists.

The top 10 finalists had already been decided upon based on the delegates’ performance at the preceding, lacklustre Miss Universe Guyana “Preliminary and Talent Night” last week Tuesday at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel.

(Turn to Page 18)

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

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Fraser crowned Miss Guyana..

(From Page 16) Many seemed sufficiently satisfied with this list, which outside of the top five also included Kippins, Odessa Grogan, Iman Jaisingh, Denisha Rogers, and Meleisa DeFreitas. It was the end of the road for Keliesha Kelly, Aysya Kelly, and Ashley Cameron.

Moving at a mercifully fast pace, just over one hour after its start, the pageant was already down to its final five, and it was time for the final questions.

Each delegate was required to answer two questions: one universal question given to all of the delegates, as well as a second question individual to each delegate. The first general and easy question asked the ladies: “Why should you be chosen to be Miss Universe Guyana 2016?” To which almost all of the top five answered wonderfully, making it tough for the audience to begin assessing a winner.

In her answer to this question, Soyini noted that she felt being a confidently beautiful young woman, of determination and strength, are traits that she believes should give her the crown.

Her second question was: “There has been much debate and discussion about the University of Guyana; I know generally education in Guyana. If you could make a difference in education in Guyana, what would it be and how would you do it.”

Fraser beautifully noted that she would “ensure that teachers’ salaries are raised”, a very well received answer. And in the end this was obviously the best question and answers that stood out to the judges.

Soyini now moves on to representing Guyana at the Miss Universe Pageant in the Philippines on January 1, 2016, when she will be hopeful of making it into the top 15 and ending Guyana’s poor standing at the pageant over the years.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

Guyana hopeful

By Ariana Gordon

GUYANA remains hopeful that there will be a favourable response to its request for a juridical settlement to the border controversy with Venezuela before United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demits office in December.

Speaking with Guyanese journalists at Guyana’s Mission in New York on Monday, President David Granger said he is satisfied with what the UN Secretary General has done thus far in the process, but noted his displeasure with Venezuela’s approach to the matter.

“I am satisfied with what the Secretary General has done. I am not satisfied that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has acted in good faith…

“After 50 years, we had hoped we would have been further along the line towards a solution. It is quite clear to us that much more need to be done by Venezuela if this matter is to be resolved,” President Granger said.

The President praised the work of Mr. Ban ahead of his address on Tuesday at the 71st United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

“We are satisfied that he has been working within the limitations of his office,” the President said.

Accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Michael Ten-Pow; and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Shridath Ramphal, President Granger made it clear that the UN Secretary General has been the most engaged of the Secretaries General on the issue over the last 50 years.

“I have not seen a Secretary General so engaged in this matter… He has done everything possible, particularly within the last year… since our first meeting in Bridgetown, to ensure that his Chef de Cabinet, his representatives, shuttle between Caracas and Georgetown; and whenever we’ve met, he is always fully abreast with the controversy.”

The UN Secretary General visited Guyana last October, just after concluding climate change talks in Bolivia. At the 2015 United Nations General Assembly, Ban Ki-moon had promised the Presidents of Guyana and Venezuela to have an

investigative team visit the two countries with the aim of resolving the border controversy.

Shortly after his visit to Guyana, his Chef de Cabinet at the time, Susanna Malcorra, and a team of UN officials visited Guyana and Venezuela to conduct their investigations on the matter.

Guyana has maintained that the juridical route is best suited to end the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela. Venezuela, on the other hand, has called for a restart of the Good Officer’s Process.

President Granger has said he is convinced of Mr. Ban’s “sincerity in trying to bring this matter to closure”.

“I am very hopeful that this Secretary General, given his engagement over the last year or more, is going to do something that is going to lead to a favourable outcome,” he remarked.

Like President Granger, Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge agreed that the UN Secretary General has “gone a long way towards trying to work on both parties to take steps necessary to resolve the matter”.

“At this point in time, we can’t tell you whether that process has actually gone forward in a meaningful way…

We’d have to wait on him to see what he says,” said

we met… How he proposes to move, if not between now and the future, then certainly between now and when he demits office”.

The option chosen by the Secretary General may not be revealed at the upcoming meeting with Guyana, Minister Greenidge has disclosed.

“It is essentially to exercise the responsibility that has been given to him in the context of the Geneva Agreement, in recognition of the fact that the two sides cannot agree on the way forward to resolve the controversy over whether or not the 1899 arbitral award is null and void.”

Guyana has maintained its position that the border issue with Venezuela has been settled in 1899 by way of an Arbitral Award; but Venezuela is holding strong to its claim on the Essequibo region.

In May 2015, Venezuela’s illegal claim to the Essequibo resurfaced following an announcement by US oil giant ExxonMobil of a significant oil find here. Following that announcement, Guyana’s Spanish-speaking neighbour issued a decree claiming part of Guyana’s territorial space. The decree was subsequently recalled

by Venezuela’s President following increased pressure from the international community.

From left to right are: Sir Shridath Ramphal; Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge; President David Granger; and Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Michael Ten-Pow, at the media briefing at the Guyana Mission in New York on Monday (Ariana Gordon photo) Greenidge.

President Granger and team are likely to meet with the UN Secretary General on Saturday; that meeting is yet to be confirmed. He has said that, with the UN Secretary General recognising Guyana’s position on the border controversy, it is Guyana’s hope that the Secretary General can provide an “assessment as to what happened [since] the last time

President Granger would also be addressing the issue of climate change and Guyana’s commitment to ensuring a greener world. He said Guyana is “way ahead” of other territories, and noted that the country will put forward its Policy Statement at the UN. In 1989, three years before the Rio Summit, Guyana dedicated a huge area of its territory -- 371,000 square

kilometres -- to the Commonwealth and the world, to prove we could manage our environment in a sustainable manner.

Guyana has very firmly adopted a “green agenda”, and is part of the Guiana Shield, which contains “the most unique bio-diversity in the world”, President Granger has said, while stating that the country is “part of the lungs of the Earth”.

Guyana last Wednesday inked a US$5M agreement with the German Government to support implementation of the third phase of an ongoing programme to develop protected areas in the country.

The President said the work that Germany has been doing in the field of biodiversity and in supporting Guyana’s environmental drive is providing a global service.

Guyana committed to the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), not only to extend existing protected areas, but also to create new ones.

President Granger noted that with Guyana’s ongoing relations with the Kingdom of Norway, this country is ensuring that the message of Guyana’s green economy is one that is delivered to potential investors.

“We want to see green energy -– solar, air, hydro, bio-gas generation; we want to contribute to countering the effects of climate change; we want to protect our own coastal zone; we want to provide education in bio-diversity, develop eco-tourism, exports.”

Meanwhile, Minister Greenidge said Guyana will be participating in several bilateral meetings over the next few days. He said CARICOM member states will be speaking to the United States, Japan, and other countries on the issue of correspondent banking and regional security, among other issues.

Additionally, CARICOM will be speaking with the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) on its future and the way forward.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also said that the report of the “Wise men” (group) will be discussed.

Additionally, Guyana has bilateral meetings planned with Fiji, India and Nigeria with the intention to look at deepening political and economic ties.

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

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Proud Buxtonian gives back to community

By Margaret Burke

A BORN and bred Buxtonion, George Abrams is very proud of his village, even though he migrated to the United States of America since 1969.

On his arrival in that country, he attended the Howard University from 1969 to 1971, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing with honours.

The father of seven children is happily married to Clarice, also of Buxton, and is delighted to show off his second generation, which makes him a grandfather of 12.

Abrams spoke of enjoying his early days in Guyana, specifically Buxton, where he gained his primary education.

He stated that he more or less self-studied for the GCE examinations at both Ordinary and Advanced levels.

He later self-studied for even higher education, pursuing the Chartered Institute of Secretaries (London Professional Degree).

While in the United States, Abrams went on to attend the American University in Washington DC, where he completed a Master’s in Marketing in 1973.

He later passed the Certified Public Accountant examination (CPA) in 1980; attended the Southeastern University, again in Washington DC, in 1993-1994, and again completed another programme – a Masters in Taxation with honours in 1994.

WORKING IN GUYANA AND THE US

From an early age, Abrams said, he enjoyed farming with his father, engaging in that activity for four years at the Buxton Backdam (farmland). He

States in 1969. Among the many jobs he worked at was controller for a non-profit company from 1971 to 1989.

“I began my accounting practice in 1989, and continued to this day. I provided several small black businesses with marketing, account-

many other services.”

PRIMO’S SEWING ESTABLISHMENT A man to his word, committed to his promise, Abrams relentlessly pursued his dream, and delivered.

According to Abrams, the

sonably-priced clothing for the people, especially school uniforms for our children”.

Despite the challenges, he noted, and although start-up loans are almost impossible to obtain, even with large collateral; in addition to the fact that the banking policies and

A worker shows off some of the various patterns at the Primo’s Sewing Establishment later worked at the Lusignan and Enmore sugar estates for five years, and then the Demerara Bauxite Company in Linden for nine years, before migrating to the United

ing and tax services; provide tax services to individuals; provide representation before the Internal Revenue Service for many; provided business plans to assist others, among

Primo’s Sewing Establishment, situated at Lot 23, Company Road, Buxton, was created “to provide employment in the village, and at the same time provide rea-

requirements are stringent and difficult for persons from the diaspora to adopt, he still made it happen.

“The biggest challenge is obtaining contracts to

maintain the operations…

There are no set-aside contracts to assist in developing the depressed areas,” Abrams noted.

At the moment, he pointed out, there are 12 workers, most of whom are females and are drawn largely from Buxton.

However, the plan is to have at least 30 workers serve the establishment, which he hopes to accomplish as the service expands.

The Primo’s Establishment has been training staff to have first-hand knowledge, so they could specialise in making well-fitted uniforms for schoolchildren as well as employees. They are also equipped to make properly tailored dress shirts for men, which can match international (brand name) standards.

The financing for this project was provided by Abrams, who indicated that “help is needed from the Government ministries to assist in obtaining contracts to supply uniforms etc for the workers, so as to keep the operation going. Despite all the challenges, we manage to produce excellent quality school uniforms at affordable prices for our future leaders, as well as fine clothing for men and women of Buxton and all over Guyana, in pursuit of enhancing our village economy.”

NCN reverses decision - agrees to pay suspended Sport Editor

WHILE suspension of the National Communications Network Sports Editor Mrs. Jocelle Archibald-Hawke still stands, management of the stateowned entity has agreed to somewhat temper the severity of the punishment with what can be termed mercy.

Accordingly, she will now receive her salary in full for the month of September, whereas the mother of two

had been suspended without pay for an alleged infraction.

She is, however, expected to serve out the suspension in full, which means that she will be off the job until September 29.

The Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU), representing Mrs. Archibald-Hawke’s interest, was reportedly verbally informed on Monday that she will be paid her salary for

September. The Union and the sports editor are awaiting written confirmation of this new development.

Having served the NCN for almost nine years, during which she has passed several performance-based assessments, consistently scoring 100 per cent therein; and having been promoted to the position of Sports Editor almost two years ago, Mrs. Archibald-Hawke was

taken off the air because she had, on her Facebook page, expressed the view that she was “surrounded by idiots”, after a colleague had asked President Granger what she thought was a really dumb question.

The NCN Human Resource Department had subsequently asked her to apologise, and she did; but she was nevertheless suspended, allegedly because the apolo-

gy was not to the liking of her colleague. Moreover, reports of past incidents of misconduct which had already been dealt with had allegedly been revisited in arriving at the decision to suspend Mrs. Archibald-Hawke.

A number of prominent individuals and organisations have strongly condemned the action by the NCN management, headed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lennox

Cornette. President David Granger himself thought the decision was “inhumane”, and said as much during his weekly televised programme, “The Public Interest”.

“She has not committed a crime; it is not as though she’s a murderer. I think it was inhumane to take away her salary or to suspend her from her job. I don’t know she has committed any crime at all,” the President said.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

Wings Aviation seeking to launch national carrier

GUYANA may be closer to having a flag carrier sooner than expected since information reaching the Guyana Chronicle is that one local aviation company is poised to service the country’s national flying needs, and is ready to go on the green light of the relevant authorities.

It is understood that Air Guyana, a subsidiary of the well-established Wings Aviation Inc, also parent company of the popular Fly Jamaica, is experienced and has the capacity to provide the necessary service to popular international routes such as the United States and Canada.

According to information, Wings Aviation Inc is expected to acquire two new planes in the near future, but is ready to rebrand one of its two Boeings in vibrant Guyanese colours, boldly displaying an Air Guyana emblem and base it here for specific service to the Guyanese people.

The company has recently hired an additional 25 flight attendants and has al-

ties) have to do is say the word and they are ready to launch,” an aviation source stated. “Wings Aviation is ready to launch Air Guyana.

They already have the staff and the training… they have enough capacity for both Air Guyana and Fly Jamaica.”

THE long-anticipated reintroduction of the Kara Kara toll station in Linden should begin in a few weeks, according to Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland.

It has been close to a month since Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan approved the by-laws governing the rates to be paid by commercial vehicles, especially lumber and container trucks plying the interior route.

Holland said the process would be carefully handled, so that the purpose of the booth would be fulfilled.

“We will let the public know when we will start. The rev-

enues garnered are only to help the township undertake much needed work, such as road repairs, garbage collection, and other community services,” Holland affirmed.

Minister Bulkan approved rates ranging from $2000 to $7000 to be paid by 18 categories of vehicles, particularly vehicles passing through the town with fuel, lumber or merchandise. With these rates, the Council will be raking in approximately $3M monthly, or more than $36M on an annual basis.

This revenue will assist the cash-strapped Council in many ways, including sufficient transportation for

ready designed a green Guyanese oriented overall for its onboard staff. They have the relevant authorisation from countries where they operate abroad and are now gearing toward local documentation to commence operation here.

“All they (authori-

The Guyana Chronicle was told that currently, Wings Aviation Inc has 36 Guyanese flight attendants outside of the 25 recently hired. Of that number, there were five Amerindians from Hinterland communities.

Training for these attendants has already commenced.

It is stated that once Air Guyana gets the go ahead, it will commence with two weekly non-stop flights to Toronto and several other destinations. This is expected to improve airlift and provide several direct and indirect benefits.

Since Guyana Airways Corporation’s fall some 15 years ago, the Guyanese public has endured about everything seeking reliable service to major destinations in the US and Canada. With the pull out of Delta Airlines some years ago, and limited airlift ability in the recent past, many Guyanese passengers were hounded with overpriced tickets, unscrupulous charter operators and even endured poor service, to the point where the Government had once threatened a foreign-based airline to be better to Guyanese passengers.

Caribbean Airlines, Dynamic Airways and Fly Jamaica, which was launched 2013, have been the notable three servicing Guyanese passengers on the major routes, with Fly Jamaica standing out, being owned

by Guyanese. That airline has risen to prominence for onboard service and continued improvement toward time schedules.

Guyana is currently without Category One status and this does not permit

operators registered here to fly non-stop to the United States. Guyana Civil Aviation (GCA) Director General, Egbert Field is confident of Guyana attaining the necessary status in the near future. The retired army officer and seasoned aviator has already registered intent to use his many years’ experience to steer the Guyanese aviation sector in the right direction.

He told Guyana Chronicle that Wings Aviation has expressed interest in servicing Guyana, but the agency awaits the company’s official application. When asked about the company’s operation of Fly Jamaica in Guyana and whether he believes they can be trusted to operator under a Guyanese banner, Field said “Fly Jamaica is an organisation that really understands the way an airline is run, and is running it the way it is supposed to.”

Field, a former inspector with Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS) and who was flight operations

and oversight manager of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority and transnational inspector for the Regional Aviation Safety Oversight had been required to give Fly Jamaica its pass to operator during its certification process and remembered how diligently and professionally the company had gone through the motion.

He said had it not been for Guyana’s failure to acquire Category One status, Fly Jamaica itself would have been a Guyanese registered company. He noted however the success and great support the Guyanese-owned company has gained from the Jamaican public. Senior Wings Aviation officials have confirmed the company’s intent to service the Guyanese public through Air Guyana but provided no additional information.

The Wings Aviation Inc has been operational since 1984 and is located at the Eugene F Correia Airport in Ogle. It has extensive operations in Canada, the US, Jamaica and Guyana.

garbage collection; paying workers’ wages; and, most importantly, paying off the almost $200 million debt owed to the National Insurance Scheme, Guyana Power and Light, and other entities.

The Council successfully lobbied the Government to increase the yearly subvention from $12M to 16M, but this seems insufficient to fulfill all the needs of the Council.

Mayor Holland has reiterated that businesses registered in Linden would only pay a biennial fee for the use of the toll, and hire cars or vehicles entering the town for every purpose other than

commercial will not be subjected to paying the toll.

Truck driver Trevor Hack told the Guyana Chronicle that reintroduction of the toll would mean “a little squeeze” on his and other drivers’ pockets, but he is happy that Linden would finally see development.

“Yes, I know it gon be lil hard on we, but we gotta look on the bigger picture, and that is (that) the town gon benefit, and I would do anything for Linden,” he said, in contrast to some other Linden businessmen, who are not in favour of paying the biennial fee.

The Kara Kara toll sta-

tion was disbanded in 2013 by former Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker. It was established in 1997 under the stewardship of then Mayor Stanley Smith, following an order by then Local Government Minister Clinton Collymore. According to reports, the booth was disbanded to accommodate the operations of giant lumber company Bishanlin. As a result of this subsidized operation, the Council lost close to $250M, according to former IMC chairman Orin Gordon.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, described

the intentional suspension of the boot by the previous administration as an effort to stymie the progress of the town. “They never wanted you to strive, they took away all of your financial abilities to spend money to look after yourselves. You used to take fees from those large trucks passing through Linden, the heavy lumber trucks and the bauxite container trucks; and you used to get a reasonable income from that as a Town Council.

Thirty-five percent of those revenues constituted your budget in this town of Linden,” said the Minister.

GCA Director General, Egbert Field

Linden toll booth to start operation soon

No interference

GuyanaCHRONICLE Chronicle Tuesday New York Edition20, Week-ending GUYANA September 2016

September 23, 2016

21 9

…Gov’t reaffirms commitment to independent judiciary

By Alva Solomon

PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has told a high-level conference of jurists that Government does not interfere with the work of the judiciary, and that the administration is committed to its independence in the discharge of its duties.

A lawyer by training, the Prime Minister made the remark during the feature address made at the Monday opening of the conference of Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. This conference is being held under the theme “The Judiciary as Guarantors of the Rule of Law”.

Nagamootoo said that in the democracies which constitute the Commonwealth, “that guarantee provides a measure of comfort to our people and is an assurance of freedom and stability.” He noted that since the APNU+AFC administration’s assumption of office in May 2015, “we have made a conscious and determined effort at giving recognition and meaning to the declaration adopted on the 24th September, 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly at the High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, which reaffirmed that: “Human rights, the Rule of Law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and that they belong to the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations.”

Nagamootoo said Government is conscious of the distinction that must be made between

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the conference “rule by law”, whereby Government erroneously places itself above the law, and the “rule of law”, which implies that everyone in society, including the Government, is bound by the law.

“It is on the latter that we have rested the structure of Government, recognising that constitutional limits on the exercise of governmental authority -- which is a key feature of any democracy -- require adherence to the rule of law. Indeed, the quality of governance is defined by observance of the rule of law.

Good governance depends on it,” Nagamootoo said in his remarks.

Currently performing the duties of President while President David Granger attends the United Nations General Assembly, Nagamootoo told the conference that, in recent times, constitutional reformers and law-makers have adopted liberal concepts in the approach to governance.

“First, we recognised that there should be clear limits to the power of the Executive, or Government. We recognised that Government exercises its authority through publicly disclosed laws that are adopted and enforced by (an) independent judiciary with established and accepted procedures.

We are committed to the principle of ‘equality before the law’, and that the law must apply equally to the Government and the governed,” he explained.

INDEPENDENCE On the issue of judicial independence, Nagamootoo said: “Our government is unshaken in the belief that, in our state structure, the judiciary should be independent (to the fullest extent of the meaning that can be given to the phrase).

Our recognition is that an independent judiciary is the strongest guarantee for the protection of the rights of our citizens. We believe that an independent judiciary is the bedrock of the stability of our nation. We believe that only an independent judiciary could be the guarantor of the rule of law. So, within this focus and within this framework, our government has

legislatively created the structure to give effect to true and meaningful judicial independence.”

He affirmed that Government has repeatedly and publicly so declared; and asserted that judges, in their adjudicatory role, are not in any way subjected to any form of improper, inappropriate or unwarranted governmental influence.

“That is a matter of which we in this present administration are exceptionally proud, and I make this claim without fear of contradiction.

While we respect the separation of powers, we promote comity among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary,” the Prime Minister declared.

Nagamootoo said that not only does the local judiciary enjoy independence when it decides issues between citizen and citizen, or between citizen and the state; it also has independence over its administrative machinery, its registries and their personnel. “More importantly, however, our government, by legislative intervention, recognised the judiciary as a constitutional agency and made provision for its financial independence by ensuring that the state provides adequate resources for the judiciary to perform its functions.”

The Prime Minister said, in sum, that the judiciary of Guyana enjoying adjudicatory, institutional and financial independence may be a first for the Commonwealth Caribbean. “…a recent achievement since our assumption of office,” he declared.

Guyana business climateleave welcoming Six-month maternity soon The theme of this year’s – says Vice President, European Investment Bank National Breastfeeding – Minister Norton

By Alva Solomon A NATIONAL symposium The economic link between focused on addressing the Brazil and Guyana via protection, promotion and the Linden/Lethem Road support of exclusive breastfeeding was aheld Moncan become reality, as day as part of of activities Vice-President the Euin observance of National ropean Investment Bank Breastfeeding that (EIB) Pim vanWeek Ballekom, began on September 18. believes the business cliM iin n i sGuyana t e r o f isP u“welblic mate Health, Dr George Norton coming”. delivering an address at the While addressing memevent held at the National bers of the media at the Cultural Centre, urged loMarriott Hotel inbusinesses Kingston, cal recreational Georgetown on Friday eveto create and put in place ning, van Ballekom he infrastructure that willsaid faciland other the EIB itate and officials support of exclusive had met with President David breastfeeding.

Granger, T h e Prime m i n i Minister s t e r s aMoid, ses Nagamootoo, isand other “Breastfeeding everybody’s business” and that Government officials, and the the had implementation discussed a range of possix-month leave is sibilities inmaternity a well-prepared soon to be part of Guyana’s encounter. legislation.

Van Ballekom, on his William firstDrvisit here, Adu-Krow, said that in Pan American Health Oraddition to discussions on ganisation/World Health the local energy sector, the Organisation (PAHO/WHO) parties discussed the Guyana/

Brazil economic link, and he asserted representative that there are said four Country separate whichwill fall that the projects organisation under that linkage, among continue to play its role in which are the of Linden/Letthe promotion exclusive breastfeeding. hem road link, a hydropower Dr. Adu-Krow also advoproject, and the rehabilitation cated at least sixHarbour weeks of thefor Georgetown paternity leave for fathers to -- projects which he opined assist, and to further support should be undertaken sepaexclusive rately. breastfeeding.

The repSincePAHO/WHO they are large projresentative supported the ects, van Ballekom said, it is six-month maternity leave up to the promoter -- in this for mothers and said that case the the Government -- to dethrough strengthening of termine whether they should health information systems, be Public/Private workplaces will Partnership be able to projects, or solely better support thisGovernimplement-funded. mentation.

He saidregards the EIB may look WHO breastfor a partner, such as way the Infeeding as the normal of providing young infants with ter-American Development the nutrients need for Bank (IDB), they to undertake healthy growth developfunding, sinceand it does not ment.

Virtually all provide 100 per centmothers funding can breastfeed, provided for such large projects. theyHehave inforsaid accurate the Georgetown mation, and the support of harbour being the possible their family, the health care initial project, it “will be a system and society at large. good thing”, and he opined

that it would provide access Week is, ‘Breastfeeding: to ships.deHe a larger key tocontainer sustainable noted that, as It a stand-alone velopment’. speaks to breastfeeding being key project, it would bethe benefielement in recreating the cial to Guyana’s economy. wayHepeople think said the EIBtowards possessvaluing well-being from es “impressive” technical the start of life.

The theme expertise in that field, as it also shows the all links among funds habours across the breastfeeding and the world. “So our expertise17is Sustainable Development also available for Guyana,” Goals (SDGs) that Guyana van Ballekom added. along with other countries As regards the Linden/ signed onto in 2015.

Lethem Road, top EIB These goalsthefocus on official said he was informed ecology, the economy and that it isworldwide. a project which equity It hasis long He said a Govbeenoverdue. noted that Guyana ernment expects tominister achieve informed a 50 per centthe exclusive that roadwaybreastfeedshould have ing rate 2025; been builtby some 55 therefore years ago. health officials He described that strongly project as recommended exclusive one which is “mature”, and breastfeeding from birth up said the task now is to examuntil six months. ine and realise it.

The expansion of excluThe EIB has not undersive breastfeeding awaretaken operations here since ness is currently being facil2000, the visiting team’s itated and through accreditation trip aimedof at engaging of a is number hospitals to both private and public ‘babythe friendly status’. sectors.

Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, Pim van Ballekom (centre) is flanked

by European Ambassador to Guyana Jernej Videtic (left) and EIB Loan Officer Angel Diez Fraile. Here he addresses the media at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown on Friday evening

van Ballekom said Gov- be familiar with the business Jernej Videtic said the office ernment officials raised sim- opportunities on offer. is delighted to welcome the ilar projects during the disWhile describing the EIB EIP delegation. cussions, and he described as financially sound, he said He said investment and Minister of Public George Norton and Country Repthe situation as well Health coor- Dr. it makes interventions whenPAHO/WHO financing opportunities will resentative, Dr. William Adu-Krow andclimate other is officials the unveiling of dinated. the economic not beafter welcome without doubt, a breastfeeding message at the symposium on breastfeeding (GINA photo) To this end, he said, if the favourable. He pointed out both for the private sector EIB is to re-engage funding that the EIB’s mandate is to and in light of the country’s projects “we attained want to recognise bridge financial gaps when exclusively green agenda.

Elevenhere, hospitals health institutions breast fed. baby friendlywho hospital status adhering to theinstitutions breastfeeding AThe l a rEIB g e is b i ldescribed lboard, have people are focused other banking are under Ministry of highlighting themultilateral ministry’s on thethe priorities”.

He Pubalso policy. not willing to so do. as the largest lic Health’s BabyisFriendly Twenty-nine local full support of the exclusive noted that Guyana in order. van Ballekomother also visited public bank in world, Hospitals Initiative said (BHFI). to at- breastfeeding willofbeitserectvan Ballekom the hospitals the portsareinexpected Georgetown. and 10 per cent lendThis collaboraafter ed week at outthe EIB initiative, is eager toinengage the tain His baby visitfriendly followsstatus meetings ingduring targetsthis investments tion with the WHO and the their evaluation.

It has been football field, east of the private entities, either di- in Suriname. According to a side of the European Union.

United Children’s noted onlythe 38EIB, percent of Public Health Ministry, rectly orNations via the commercial releasethat from EuroIt is owned directly by the Fund (UNICEF), seeks to babies across the world are Brickdam. (GINA) banks; since the latter would pean Ambassador to Guyana 28 EU member states.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, September 2016 Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23,17,2016

Protecting, preserving and promulgating the cultural heritage of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana

President Granger is presented with a token of appreciation during the Launch of Indigenous Heritage Month 2016 THE Indigenous peoples of Guyana make up over ten percent of our population, and reside in 215 communities scattered across 30,000 square kilometres of our national territory. In honour of their heritage, Guyana observes Indigenous Heritage Month in the month of September.

This year, the month is being observed under the theme “Our Culture, Earth’s Future; Saving the Environment, Live the Indigenous Way”.

The culture of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana serves

as a core foundation of our patrimony; and as our first peoples, the protection, preservation and promulgation of their cultural heritage is therefore enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana. At the opening ceremony of the Indigenous Peoples festivities’, President David Granger renewed Government’s commitment to ensuring that the right to the preservation of the heritage of Indigenous peoples is not diminished.

However, the President acknowledged that the cultural heritage of our Indige-

nous communities is under threat due to issues affecting them, including the slow pace of economic growth within communities, and limited economic activity over the past two decades. The President said that issues such as these have caused not only distress, but, in many cases, the loss of human capital due to migration. These concerns add to the existence of social issues, such as low levels of education, vector-borne diseases, trafficking in persons, teenage pregnancy, crime, and other social ills.

The President has said that though significant strides have been made by the Indigenous Peoples, there still exists inequality in hinterland communities. Since taking up office, the Head of State has also outlined key areas of interest, and proposed solutions that hold the key to developing the way of life of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana.

With education as a major focus on his agenda, the President has pushed the importance of education in these communities. While speaking at the Heritage Day Celebrations at Mainstay/ Whyaka, at Pomeroon-Supenaam, the President said, “We, too, have an obligation to our children: that if the children are to be productive citizens, we, their parents and grandparents, have to make sure that we plan for their education, upbringing and welfare.” He added that education must also include Information Communication Technology (ICT,) so as to stay on par with the ever changing technological age.

At this event, the President also announced that Government would seek to develop ICT by ensuring that every public building -- particularly schools, hospitals and airports -- is equipped with WIFI.

President Granger has also plugged entrepreneurship as a means of economic advancement for the hinterland communities. During visits to communities across the country, the President has urged citizens to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship, which will serve as a means of tackling unemployment in those areas while they utilise the abundance of resources the hinterland has to offer.

Efforts to promote entrepreneurial development can be seen through establishment of the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS), which is aimed at providing skills training for approximately 2,000 young people in those areas. The HEYS initiative was announced by President David Granger last year at the National Toshaos Conference, and it is now coordinated by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs.

Vice-President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mr. Sydney Allicock, has described the HEYS initiative as a programme aimed at investing in, and strengthening, the youth, as the Indigenous Peoples need strong leadership to help them to move forward successfully.

Plans to expand the initiative, the Minister said, are well

on the way, since investing in young people is an investment in the future wellbeing of the Indigenous Peoples. “It is our intention to inject into the curriculum of HEYS a cooperative module, because we believe in the ways of the Indigenous Peoples is to be working together. Unity is strength. We expect that our youths will strengthen the resolve of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana to self-determine and to attain a higher level of economic independence,” the Minister said.

President Granger has also commended the Ministry for helping to push entrepreneurial development, stating that it creates an enabling and empowering environment for young entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, the push toward entrepreneurship is also seen as a gateway for the development of value-added products, as residents will move to make use of farm produce beyond raw production. But moving towards the improvement of the lives of our Indigenous Peoples must also come with administrative policies which would seek to ensure that priorities are managed and that their interests are addressed in a timely and responsible manner.

Apart from the Ministry,

The President interacts with students from Barima-Waini (Region One) during a visit to commission a school bus under the Five Bs Initiative

Guyana Chronicle New YorkSeptember Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016 GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, 17, 2016

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The Surama Dancers are one of the country’s most recognised Indigenous culture groups and have travelled across the country to perform at several events the structures responsible for managing the affairs of Indigenous Peoples are the National Toshaos Council (NTC) and the Village Councils located within individual communities. The NTC meets annually to discuss matters affecting Indigenous communities and to implement decisions that seek to solve their concerns.

It was at the National Toshaos Conference in 2015 that President Granger outlined a 10-point action plan for the hinterland region.

The Plan sought to address issues such as youth employment, infrastructure, tourism, culture preservation, land titling, and other areas which develop hinterland communities.

At opening of the Tenth Annual National Toshaos Council Meeting in August this year, Minister Allicock said the Ministry he heads has made considerable progress with the implementation of the plan.

The Minister also encouraged the Toshaos to bring to the fore issues affecting the people, so that the communities could get the best representation and have their concerns addressed. Meanwhile, President David Granger called for the establishment of a five-person National Indigenous People’s Authority which will oversee and monitor the implementation of decisions taken by the NTC and other local indigenous bodies, and aid in better administering the affairs of the Indigenous Peoples within individual communities.

“It is… very difficult for a single annual conference to ex-

have resonated with the people within many of the communities, who believe that working together would also help hinterland communities to move forward. These words were echoed by Regional Chairman of the Barima-Waini region (Region One), Mr. Brentnol Ashley, on the occasion of the commissioning of the twelfth school bus to the region under the President’s Five Bs Programme.

“I firmly believe that the issue of development needs all people on board. Every one of us has the God-given responsibility to better our

President Granger greets a student from Mabaruma Primary School during a visit to Barima-Waini (Region One) ecute day-to-day management of these complex problems of which I have spoken about over such a vast area from north to south and east to west.

The conference must therefore ask itself whether there can be a different administrative approach to resolving these problems, rather than meeting once a year and not being able to monitor the implementation of your decision for 365 days,” he said.

The President said that body would not take away from the role of the NTC or the Ministry, but would aid in the effective implementation of decisions taken by the Council.

This year’s conference also sought to deal with

amendments to the Amerindian Act, which has received proposals to be renamed the Indigenous Peoples Act; as well as effects of mining in hinterland communities and land titling concerns, the latter of which remains a top priority for Government.

On the September 2 edition of the Public Interest, President Granger explained that the matter of land titling would be addressed expeditiously by his government.

“My intention is to re-establish a form of Indigenous Peoples Lands Commission. This is what I have committed to, so that demarcation can be done to the satisfaction of both sides. I don’t feel it is fair for us to go further into the future

without dealing with this issue. Land is life for the Indigenous Peoples; they are not interested in house lots, they want land to hunt, farm, fish, cut timber… We have to deal with this issue once and for all… This is my commitment to the Indigenous Peoples, and it is going to happen,” the President said.

The President has, however, continued to spread his message on the benefits of education, entrepreneurship and self-sufficiency as a means of encouragement for hinterland communities to aid in their own development, even as the administration continues to work toward infrastructural measures.

The President’s words

community,” Mr. Ashley said.

But overall, it is believed that the betterment that Government is aiming for can be achieved only through a collaborative effort of all Ministries, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders. The Ministry is therefore collaborating with other Ministries to address issues of infrastructural, social and other issues that need addressing, while also looking to develop other projects and strategies that would aid in improving the lives of our Indigenous Peoples.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

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No interference …Gov’t reaffirms commitment to independent judiciary

By Alva Solomon PRIME Minister Moses Nagamootoo has told a high-level conference of jurists that Government does not interfere with the work of the judiciary, and that the administration is committed to its independence in the discharge of its duties.

A lawyer by training, the Prime Minister made the remark during the feature address made at the Monday opening of the conference of Commonwealth Magistrates’ and Judges’ Association, being held at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown. This conference is being held under the theme “The Judiciary as Guarantors of the Rule of Law”.

Nagamootoo said that in the democracies which constitute the Commonwealth, “that guarantee provides a measure of comfort to our people and is an assurance of freedom and stability.” He noted that since the APNU+AFC administration’s assumption of office in May 2015, “we have made a conscious and determined effort at giving recognition and meaning to the

declaration adopted on the 24th September, 2012 by the United Nations General Assembly at the High Level Meeting on the Rule of Law, which reaffirmed that: “Human rights, the Rule of Law and democracy are interlinked and mutually reinforcing, and that they belong to the universal and indivisible core values and principles of the United Nations.”

Nagamootoo said Government is conscious of the distinction that must be made between “rule by law”, whereby Government erroneously places itself above the law, and the “rule of law”, which implies that everyone in society, including the Government, is bound by the law.

“It is on the latter that we have rested the structure of Government, recognising that constitutional limits on the exercise of governmental authority -- which is a key feature of any democracy -- require adherence to the rule of law. Indeed, the quality of governance is defined by observance of the rule of law. Good governance depends

on it,” Nagamootoo said in his remarks.

Currently performing the duties of President while President David Granger attends the United Nations General Assembly, Nagamootoo told the conference that, in recent times, constitutional reformers and law-makers have adopted liberal concepts in the approach to governance.

“First, we recognised that there should be clear limits to the power of the Executive, or Government. We recognised that Government exercises its authority through publicly disclosed laws that are adopted and enforced by (an) independent judiciary with established and accepted procedures. We are committed to the principle of ‘equality before the law’, and that the law must apply equally to the Government and the governed,” he explained.

INDEPENDENCE On the issue of judicial independence, Nagamootoo said: “Our government is unshaken in the belief that, in our state

structure, the judiciary should be independent (to the fullest extent of the meaning that can be given to the phrase). Our recognition is that an independent judiciary is the strongest guarantee for the protection of the rights of our citizens. We believe that an independent judiciary is the bedrock of the stability of our nation. We believe that only an independent judiciary could be the guarantor

created the structure to give effect to true and meaningful judicial independence.”

He affirmed that Government has repeatedly and publicly so declared; and asserted that judges, in their adjudicatory role, are not in any way subjected to any form of improper, inappropriate or unwarranted governmental influence.

“That is a matter of which

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo addressing the conference of the rule of law. So, within this focus and within this framework, our government has legislatively

we in this present administration are exceptionally proud, and I make this claim without fear of

contradiction. While we respect the separation of powers, we promote comity among the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary,” the Prime Minister declared.

Nagamootoo said that not only does the local judiciary enjoy independence when it decides issues between citizen and citizen, or between citizen and the state; it also has independence over its administrative machinery, its registries and their personnel. “More importantly, however, our government, by legislative intervention, recognised the judiciary as a constitutional agency and made provision for its financial independence by ensuring that the state provides adequate resources for the judiciary to perform its functions.”

The Prime Minister said, in sum, that the judiciary of Guyana enjoying adjudicatory, institutional and financial independence may be a first for the Commonwealth Caribbean. “…a recent achievement since our assumption of office,” he declared.

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Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

Guyana Chronicle New York Edition Week-ending September 23, 2016

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‘We got to stamp it out’ ‒ Minister Lawrence alarmed at rate of child abuse in Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite WITH 52 cases of child sexual abuse and 267 cases of child abuse in Linden in the first seven months of the year, Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence said serious attention is being paid to ‘stamp out’ the situation.

She gave the assurance at a rally in observance of Child Protection , themed ‘Break the silence’ on Wednesday in the mining town of Linden.

Lawrence told the well-attended rally that her ministry and the Child Protection Department have serious business to ‘take care of’ in Region 10 and no one should be silent.

“We are silent because we want to wear a ring; some of us, we are silent because we want people to know we have a partner; some of us, we are silent because we owe Courts; we owe Singers; we want things; some of us, we are silent because we gotta pay the rent; we gotta eat; we gotta live and some of us, we are silent because we too were abused and some parents are very bold to tell their children so what if it happen to you, it happen to me too,” she pointed out.

Lawrence said investigations suggest that the figures are way higher than what is reported and because of this, her ministry is in action mode.

“I’ve started to do myself and my staff and we are here in Linden today but even as we set out to do, we need you to hold our hands, we need you to reach out and touch, we need you to give hope to those persons who are afraid to come forward.”

She also urged persons to address other social issues, and called on teachers and health workers to play a role in breaking the silence.

LENGTHY PROCESS Minister Lawrence also bemoaned the bureaucrat-

At left: Pandit Surij Surim, Childcare Protection Agency Director Ann Greene; Minister Lawrence and UNICEF Deputy Representative Paolo Marchi at the Linden rally

ic process of bringing the abusers to justice. She said too many battles are lost in court because of insufficient evidence as a result of limited investigations.

“It takes too long; at the end of the day you are dealing with a child and the child is tired… the case started when the child is three, the child is 33 and the case still going on.”

The Social Protection Ministry is engaging the Chancellor of the Judiciary, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General to put more efficient systems in place to address the situation.

“That is why the Ministry of Social Protection welcomes the night courts, because we believe that it will work in our interest and the public’s interest.”

SHORTCOMINGS The minister also pointed out that there are far too few officers to deal with the many cases from Region 10, but the ministry is in the process of strengthening the regional office and will forge closer collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other stakeholders.

Child Care Protection Agency Director Ann Green said reported cases of child abuse are just a tip of the iceberg, noting that child

sexual abuse is a hidden crime.

She pointed out that most of the children are silent because they are too young to speak or to even understand what is going on.

Greene stressed that abuse mostly occurs in the home and by trusted persons, and parents should be cautious in whose care their child is left.

Deputy Representative of UNICEF Paolo Marchi underscored that breaking the silence is everyone’s responsibility.

“We need to work together, we need to break the silence, breaking the silence is every body’s business… if we fail to act today, if we fail to act tomorrow, we are failing our children,” he affirmed.

Representatives of faithbased organisations and other stakeholders in Region 10, including the Regional Democratic Council, the Mayor and Town Council, the Guyana Police Force and the Linden Hospital Complex also spoke at the rally.

The rally , though starting over an hour late, was well attended by schoolchildren, members of NGOs, residents and regional and Government officials.

According to statistics, in Linden from January to July, some 52 cases of child sexual abuse and 267 cases

of child abuse were recorded. During that period, 441 cases of sexual abuse and 2238 cases of child abuse were recorded countrywide.

Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence addresses the gathering in observance of Child Protection Week in Linden on Wednesday

Child Protection Week is observed annually to increase awareness and understanding of the im-

portance of primary prevention in a bid to reduce child abuse and neglect in society.

SportS CHRONICLE

Rugby America North (RAN) Finals

Guyana welcomes Argentinian Rugby coach

… Great Human potential - Giannantonio

By Stephan Sookram GUYANA’S Green Machine have added another trump card to their arsenal with the introduction of an Argentinian scrum coach on Tuesday.

Deiego Giannantonio was presented to the media and other rugby stakeholders during a simple ceremony at the Argentine Embassy in Georgetown yesterday, where it was announced that his stint with the unit would be just about two weeks.

In that time, he will work exclusively with the national 15s team as they prepare to play the final against their hosts Mexico on October 1.

Speaking through a translator Nicholas Frazer, the coach who arrived on Monday and begun work on Tuesday contended: “I’d like to give to you in this short time I have, some tools for this very important game against Mex-

ico.”

“In the short time that I have seen them, I believe that there is great human potential in the players as well as the staff, but I believe that they must work a lot more as a team. Technically, I think that they can still get better but I see them now as very good,”

Meanwhile, Argentinian ambassador said, “This is a good example for future cooperation,” noting that the process on his end took three days and some assistance from the Argentine Rugby Association and Foreign Affairs Ministry.

“He (Deiego) has been working for many years

with the world of rugby, he himself was a senior member of the Pumas, the 15s national team in the 90s,” The second of the three parties involved, the Guyana Olympic Association through executive member Charles Corbin, contended that the body jumped at the Idea of support for the sport.

He noted that the GOA covered the airfare and ac-

commodation for Mr Giannantonio and feels that more mixtures of cultures and tactics from coaches outside of Guyana are the way forward.

National coach Lawrence Adonis feels, “He (Deiego) is really and truly helping us out in our weaker parts of the game, especially in the scrums, the malls, the wraps, lineouts and so on and even some of the struc-

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnarine (left) converses with National coach Lawrence Adonis, in the presence of GRFU Patron Kit Nascimento and Ambassador Luis Alberto Martino. Robbie Roberts, Peter Green and Avery Corbin are also part of the conversation. (Samuel Maughn photo)

tures we currently have.”

“It is working well for us, and we would like to see if we can keep him a bit more or have him back sometime,” continued Adonis.

The third party in the agreement, the Government of Guyana, represented by Senior Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, stated that sport makes for more rounded individuals.

Others in attendance at the ceremony were Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Patron Kit Nascimento, president Peter Green, manager Robin Roberts, senior player Avery Corbin and Director of Sport Christopher Jones Meanwhile, the government also chipped in by providing $2M towards the team’s preparation for the RAN finals, with the funding expected to go towards getting the team further acclimatised to the Mexican altitude.

Giannantonio will be a part of the team’s touring contingent to Mexico and from there, he will return to Argentina.