news WEEK ENDING May 25, 2014
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| guyanatimeSinternational.com
Sir Shridath Ramphal to Gov’t not in favour of launch new book unilaterally reducing – publication covers role as diplomat Berbice River Bridge toll
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Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal
e n o w n e d Guyanese-born international diplomat Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal will soon launch Glimpses of a Global Life, a book outlining the central role he played in several significant events during his time as Commonwealth Secretary General. Ramphal rose from humble origins to become a key adviser to Queen Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth of Nations. Leaders from every continent engaged with him as the longest serving Secretary-General of the Commonwealth (1975-1990) and as the only person who served
on all the Independent I n t e r n a t i o n a l Commissions that grappled with the world’s major issues. Glimpses of a Global Life involves a cast of the world’s leading characters and the central role Ramphal played alongside them in issues such as ending apartheid in South Africa; laying the foundations for global concerns about the environment; the reform of global governance; and the resolution of conflicts. The core of the book is concerned with the 15 years he served as Commonwealth Secretary General; for 11 of which Margaret
Thatcher was Britain’s Prime Minister. Ramphal tells the story of the Commonwealth’s role in ending the Unilateral Declaration of Independence of Southern Rhodesia by a minority white regime and bringing Zimbabwe to independence; of aiding the struggle against apartheid and securing its end, and the release of Nelson Mandela and South Africa’s freedom; of Thatcher’s obduracy against sanctions and the heroic stand against her by other Commonwealth leaders – from Africa, India and, particularly, in terms of effectiveness, Canada and Australia. Ramphal replaces conjecture over these dark episodes in human history with fact. In these ‘glimpses’, the shadows of characters such as Uganda’s tyrant, Idi Amin, are recalled, as are the enlightened spirits of others like Germany’s Willy Brandt and Nelson Mandela – all of whom Ramphal encountered in his global life. Glimpses of a Global Life is as well an analysis of major problems and challenges that dominated the 20th century which continue to shape the contours of the 21st.
Man, 75, marries woman, 95 – couple say love breaks down all barriers
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adonna, also known as “Donna”, 95, and Ridley Henry, 75, have proven to many “doubting Thomases” that age is just a number. The couple, driven by the belief that “True love sets no boundaries”, last week tied the knot at a lively ceremony at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Darthmouth Village, Essequibo Coast. They both told Guyana Times International that they are committed to the end. Addressing the gathering, Madonna, a mother of eight and grandmother of more than 15, said she was drawn by the magnetic personality of Ridley, a father of 10 children. Both Ridley and Madonna became single at an early age through the death of their spouses, and had to raise their children, ensuring that they receive an educa-
Ridley Henry, 75, with his wife Madonna, 95, on their wedding day
tion. Both were in need of a companion, and when they met, they knew from the onset that their stars were aligned. They were living in a common-in- law relationship until recently when they decided that their union is no ordinary relationship; it should be sanctified in holy matrimony. However, their children and relatives were against the marriage, but this did not deter them. They planned and executed the wedding by themselves.
Their relatives are now beginning to accept them, as after all, genuine love prevails. Madonna, decked out in a beautiful wedding dress, passionately recited her wedding vows, declaring that she will love Ridley until her last breath. When the 95-oldold returned home in Moruka, there was a wonderful celebration, with cake cutting, toasting and of course, the speeches. The couple are now honeymooning in the North West District.
“This move by the Opposition will undermine investor confidence”
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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) said the Opposition’s vote to unilaterally impose a toll reduction on the Berbice Bridge River Bridge (BBCI) will erode investors’ confidence in future Public Private Partnerships. The Opposition last Thursday passed a motion in the National Assembly to lower the toll of the bridge. The PSC in a release said while the BBCI provides a public good, it must be noted that capital and management have been mobilised from both private and public stakeholders that were guaranteed certain terms and conditions prior to investments that are expected to prevail after these investments were made. “Any breach of such terms and conditions will result in a loss of confidence by private investors in the Government and more so the State of Guyana. If this decision is implemented, future development projects that are expected to follow the model of Public Private Partnerships will be significantly undermined. “The PSC is of the
The Berbice River Bridge
view that any reduction in toll must be based on the results of a thorough socio-economic analysis and by mutual consent of the management, Board, investors and the Government on behalf of the People and State of Guyana,” the release noted. The motion to reduce the tolls at the Berbice River Bridge was passed in the National Assembly by the Opposition on Thursday despite Government’s objection. Through the motion, the National Assembly is calling on the Government to instruct its representative on the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Company Incorporated (BBCI) to demand immediate reduction in tolls charged. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Harmon in his motion pointed out that the Government through the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) is a preferential shareholder and a member of BBCI’s Board of Directors. But from the onset, the Government made it clear that it will not sup-
port the motion, contending that the APNU supported by the Alliance For Change (AFC) is using it to garner political mileage. Government will not buckle under pressure from the Opposition, its Members of Parliament (MPs) told the House. Public Works Minister Robeson Benn emphasised that the Donald Ramotar Administration will not heed the demands made by the Opposition. “I will not reduce the toll. I will not reduce the toll to any person in Guyana until by economic modelling and defining we can determine that it would be of benefit to the bridge company and the shareholders and the people of Guyana,” Minister Benn told the House. He argued that BBCI is privately owned and any attempt to demand a reduction would be an infringement on its rights as a private entity. “This is a shot fired across the bowels of all those persons who want to continue to invest in our country. This is an attempt to make a de facto expropriation or nationalisation of a private investment. This is what the motion is!”
Climate Change to dominate CDB meeting in Guyana
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he 44th Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Annual Board of Governors’ meeting slated to be held on May 28 and 29 will among other matters, focus on climate change, financial sector issues, debt and indebtedness of the region. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh made the comment during a recent interview on the National Communications Network (NCN) regarding Guyana’s preparedness for the hosting of the meeting.
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh
During the meeting, Guyana will take centre stage with regards to the
issue of agriculture and climate change. Guyana has been on the forefront of the global advocacy effort on the issue of climate and in particular on the peculiar threat faced by the small states of the Caribbean and the role of forest in contributing to the global fight against climate change. Guyana is the only net exporter of food in the Caribbean and continues to see itself as potentially the food basket of the region. Agriculture is not continued on page 24